Revered for its handcrafted and highly collectible mid-century modern sofas, coffee tables and other furnishings, Dunbar Furniture was founded in 1910 in Berne, Indiana, but it didn’t gain widespread recognition until the ’30s, following the introduction of its president to a designer who would leave an indelible mark on the company’s legacy: Edward Wormley.
After a stint at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Oswego, Illinois-born Wormley worked as an interior designer for Marshall Field’s before joining Dunbar in 1931. Initially focused on developing the company’s cheapest furniture line, which could be bought with soap coupons, he was soon leading Dunbar Furniture into a new era of residential furniture for modern American homes. He would serve as the company’s design director for over three decades, designing about 150 pieces each year.
During that time, he oversaw the production of designs in a wide range of materials, with influences ranging from Scandinavian modernism to Art Deco. There were modern upholstery pieces, like swiveling lounge chairs and low-slung sofas, and experiments with textural wood on bar carts and cabinets as well as minimal, sculptural tables and functional office furniture. A passionate collector of Tiffany Studios lamps, Wormley used their glass tiles in Dunbar tables in 1956. He also worked on the reproduction of pieces by designers such as Jean-Michel Frank and Richard Riemerschmid.
One standout Dunbar Furniture collection was Janus, introduced in the 1960s, with Austrian-born ceramicists Otto and Gertrud Natzler. These pieces see the Natzlers’ uniquely artful ceramic tiles set into several styles of wooden tables. They remain some of the most sought-after mid-century modern Dunbar pieces on the vintage market today. During the peak of his design career and, indeed, the height of Dunbar Furniture’s history, Wormley amassed a whopping 30 Good Design awards between 1950 and 1955 through the “Good Design” exhibition, hosted by the Chicago Merchandise Mart and the Museum of Modern Art. Dunbar today produces a limited selection of archival Wormley designs, but many sales of original Dunbar pieces are through the resale market.
Find a collection of authentic vintage Dunbar Furniture today on 1stDibs.
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Display Shelf/ Room Divider Super-Structure Model 5223
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Versatile Room Divider/ Display Shelf, Super-Structure Model number 5223 Designed to be used on top of a cabinet, or on the floor. This simple elegant Pie...
Glass, Mahogany
Walnut Desk with Leather Inset by Dunbar, Modern Design, USA, c1950s
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
A walnut desk with new inset leather top 8 drawers with brass pulls. Stamped Dunbar on underside of top center drawer. Very good condition.
Brass
$5,000Sale Price|26% Off
Chest of Drawers on Hairpin Legs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Ferndale, MI
Chest of drawers on hairpin legs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Scarce Wormley Design. Measures: 45" wide also available.
Birch, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Figured Maple and Rosewood Cocktail Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare Wormley table bentwood burl maple with ebonized rosewood tapered legs. Tray style.
Birdseye Maple, Rosewood
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pull-Up Lounge Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar pull-up lounge chairs. Model 971 Jansus line collection. Wormley's Boutique line. Original chocolate brown leather with...
Leather
Edward Wormley Model 4907 Sofa by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Highland, IN
In our opinion, this Ed Wormely design for Dunbar is one of the most spectacular sofas ever made. Modern, classic, and timeless... this form transcends styles, genres and eras. Nine ...
Brass
$8,400Sale Price / set|42% Off
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection Pair of Armchairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection pair of armchairs. Very rare pair of chairs all redone, newly refinished and reupholstered in a velvet. Beautiful elegant chair with except...
Walnut
$21,200Sale Price|20% Off
Rare 1940s Elegant Edward Wormley for Dunbar Partners Desk Leather Top & Drawers
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Simply put, perhaps the most elegant desk designed by Edward J. Wormley. This very rare and early partner's desk, designed for Dunbar, c. 1946, model number 4600. Leather wrapped desk...
Brass
Pair of Sculptural 1970s Dunbar Chairs in Ivory Bouclé
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Sultry pair of Dunbar sculptural chairs freshly transported from the 1970s now in ivory bouclé. Created by Lydia dePolo and Jack Dunbar, these are the perfect chairs for the buyer who loves high design sculptural furniture so much, even arm chairs have to meet the mark and feed the passion. The chairs' outlines just never seem to stop. Quick u-turns encourage the eye to wander and scan the curved form. Not unlike a catsuit, our shop reimagined the pair in soft ivory bouclé with a slight stretch to hug every curve as Dunbar and dePolo intended. The bouclé texture allows for airflow and adds a welcoming soft delight to the touch. Want to see more beautiful things? Scroll down below and click "View All From Seller" or favorite our shop to get your 1stDibs on our new inventory. Photographed alongside a Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Rosewood and Mirror Chrome Console c. 1970s, a Directional Pouf Ottoman in Ivory Bouclé, and Abyss by Artist Neeka Allsup...
Bouclé, Upholstery
$8,750Sale Price|30% Off
Completely Restored Blue Velvet Grand Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c1960
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar sofa with tapered rosewood legs and newly upholstered in a plush soft blue velvet. Every inch of this grand sofa has been painstakingly restored/replaced a...
Velvet
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 5002 Mid Century Thebes Mahogany Stools - Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 5002 Mid Century Thebes Mahogany Stools - Pair Each stool measures: 23.5 wide x 23 deep x 17 high, with a seat height of 17 inches Fair Vintage Cond...
Upholstery, Mahogany
1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Jack Larsen Colorful Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, colorful, Dubar x Larsen textile sofa you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocal...
Upholstery, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany Lounge Chairs - Pair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany Lounge Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 31 wide x 31 deep x 34 high, with a seat height of 17.5 and arm height/chair clearance of 22...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Dunbar Cabinet in Burl, Brass Mahogany and Yellow / Gold Lamartine Marble
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare Dunbar cabinet designed by Edward Wormley with burl wood case, mahogany frame and legs with gold / yellow Lamartine Marble top. The two doors lock with the original key and open...
Marble, Brass
Edward J. Wormley Lounge Chair and Ottoman circa 1950s for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward J. Wormley lounge chair and ottoman for Dunbar circa 1950s on solid brass castors. The lounge chair has a trapezoid shape, wider in the front (27.5" W) and tapers to the back....
Upholstery
Edward Wormley, Cabinet, Walnut, USA, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in High Point, NC
A sizeable walnut wardrobe or cabinet designed by Edward Wormley and produced by Dunbar, Berne, Indiana, USA, c. 1950s. Interior has glass shelving and backside has round air grids ...
Walnut
$4,600 / item
No. 4735 Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
No. 4735 Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Bleached mahogany, fabric. A great model that rarely comes up on the se...
Fabric, Mahogany
1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar 4872a Lounge Chair With Solid Aluminum Legs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A 1950s model 4872A lounge chair designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. This chair comes from the recently demolished Edward Mccormick Blair House in Chicago Illinois desig...
Aluminum
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Set of Three Louver Drawer Dressers
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Set of Three Louvered Dressers in Mahogany Set of three dressers in warm mahogany, each featuring six louvered drawers with...
Mahogany
$4,200 / set
Pair of Edward Wormley Side Tables for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Gladstone, NJ
Pair of Edward Wormley Side Tables for Dunbar
Wood
$4,800Sale Price / item|20% Off
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Custom Rare Asymmetric Constellation Inlaid Table 60’s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A quite stunning rare custom side table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. It is part of the constellation series that Dunbar and Wormley produced in the early 1960’s. You see quite a few...
Wood
Rand McNally Globe by Edward Wormley / Dunbar
By Rand McNally & Co., Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Rand McNally Globe by Edward Wormley / Dunbar A Tri-Leg Atomic design with Brass Capped Feet. This globe does not Illuminate. It is a Metal Globe. Uncertain if this is the origin...
Wood
"Long John" Coffee Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Iconic mid-century "Long John" Coffee Table, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Crafted in walnut planks with a slim, central drawer positioned underneath the table top. Can be...
Wood, Walnut
$5,510Sale Price|49% Off
Rosewood and Mahogany Receptionist Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1960
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This spectacular fully restored and sought-after model #452 'Roll Top' desk was designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar and features beautifully grained Rosewood and Ebonized Mahogany, designed and made in the 1960s. Most examples of this design are regular desk height however this example was custom made to be a receptionist desk...
Mahogany, Rosewood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century 2-Tier Burlwood and Mahogany Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century 2-Tier Burlwood and Mahogany Coffee Table This coffee table measures: 48 wide x 27.75 deep x 27.75 inches high We take our photos in a control...
Mahogany, Burl
$8,700Sale Price|40% Off
Mahogany Basket Weave Credenza by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a rare ribbon mahogany and stainless steel basket weave front credenza by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. This piece retains its original Dunbar finish which is in excellent condi...
Stainless Steel
Pair of Mahogany and Blue Mohair Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Early pair of model 5000 "Sophia" slipper chairs by Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar (ca. 1955, Indiana, USA). Redone in a luxurious powder blue mohair with button tufted seats and backs...
Mohair, Mahogany
Tom Lopinski for Dunbar Mid Century Bronze, Rosewood and Glass Coffee Table
By Tom Lopinski, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Tom Lopinski for Dunbar Mid Century Bronze, Rosewood and Glass Coffee Table This coffee table measures: 46.25 wide x 28 deep x 17.25 inches high Great Vintage Condition - Bronze Ba...
Bronze
Edward Wormley Magazine Table for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Magazine table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1959. Constructed of oak, brass with inset leather top, the table is in very good original condition.
Brass
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining Chairs with Brass Handles
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Listed are a pair of elegant Edward Wormley for Dunbar dining chairs with arms and brass handles. These are in need of restoration, perfect if your looking to add to your set. Also c...
Brass
Pair of Vintage Caneback Side Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Fine Pair of Vintage Dunbar Chairs by Edward Wormley. Dimensions are approximate. Will confirm.
Wood
Mid Century Executive Swivel Office Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Discover the pinnacle of mid-century design with this exquisite Executive Swivel Office Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, a testament to the era's innovation and Wormley's enduring...
Metal
Dunbar Table with Otto and Gertrude Natzler Tiles by Edward Wormley, Signed
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Exquisite side table in African Mahogany with embedded Otto and Gertrude Natzler ceramic tiles designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Look closely at ...
Ceramic, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Rosewood and Brass Commode Console Chest of Drawers
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Rosewood and Brass Commode Console Chest of Drawers This chest of drawers measures: 33 wide x 17 deep x 32.5 high Good Vintage Condition – Fin...
Brass
Pair Janus Wing Chairs and Ottomans by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare set of "Janus" wing chairs and ottomans designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. One of his most iconic designs! In the Janus Collection Wormley modernized the lines of eighteen...
Velvet, Wood
$7,392Sale Price|20% Off
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Extension Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, custom cocktail table, 3 positions with polished stone inside brass framed extension leaves. Solid crisscross oiled walnut frame and top. Width without ex...
Stone, Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection Lounge Chairs, Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Janus Collection lounge chairs By Edward Wormley for Dunbar USA, 20th Century Ebonized sculpted walnut arms and legs with an exposed frame, and red up...
Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut, Rosewood and Aluminium Inlaid End Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley figured walnut Parsons style side table with unusual aluminium inlaid legs. Incised corners start at the top and move all the way down the legs with aluminium inlay. R...
Aluminum
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
Trapezoid Top Wormley For Dunbar Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Original finish Dunbar trapezoid coffee table. We are also separately offering the end tables from this set if you are interested in a full original ...
Wood
Early Pair of Leather Swivel Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
A very rare and early pair of swiveling club chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1940's. These clean-lined chairs elevate comfortable lounging to new heights of sophistication...
Leather, Wood
Vintage Edward Wormley Lounge Chair for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Milo Baughman, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
A rather scarce lounge chair form to come to market by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Brass Legs mounted to underside. Solid chair with good weight. Original upholstery. Best to plan t...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 486 Mid Century Bracket Back Sofa
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 486 Mid Century Bracket Back Sofa This sofa measures: 86 wide x 29 deep x 27.5 inches high, with a seat height of 16 and arm height of 22.75 inches ...
Upholstery, Wood
$3,200 / set
Dunbar Nesting Tables
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Highland, IN
Later production Dunbar, this Edward Wormley design has been updated with glass tops which work beautifully with this nesting configuration, allowing the smaller table to be seen reg...
Glass, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Low Side Table, Wood Frame, Circa 1955
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century low end / side table with a slightly rounded rectangular top with a lighter stained wooden inSet top supported by a darker wooden frame with a shaped apron with ...
Wood
Edward Wormley Dunbar Lounge Chair, Walnut & Cotton, 1950s Modern
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Southampton, NJ
An outstanding 1950s Lounge armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar fully restored with new textured cotton upholstery. The original signed Dunbar decking has been carefully maintained...
Cotton, Walnut
Floating Edward Wormley for Dunbar Executive Extending Desks, 1970s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Antwerp, BE
A rare and sleek Mid-Century Modern executive desks by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. The desks features stunning solid walnut grain and sleek midcentury design. The desk is fi...
Nutwood
Pair Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, New Charcoal Gray Upholstery
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Set of two armless Slipper chairs / lounge chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s. The medium grey. Upholstery has been recently updated and in fine condition with no is...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Elegant MCM Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Magazine" End or Side Table in Mahogany
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
True masterpiece, this Edward Wormley for Dunbar model # 5476A "Magazine" End or Side Table in Mahogany with original rich dark finish and brass shoes. Wormley designed this magazine...
Brass
Edward Wormley Magazine Tree Birch and Sap Grain Walnut model #4765 for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Lynn, MA
A rare and striking design by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. The birch and sap grain walnut magazine tree model 4765 features five shelves cantilevered from a central support. Metal tag ...
Birch, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Rosewood Occasional Side Table, Newly Refinished
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern occasional side table By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1950s Rosewood top, with ebonized banding and legs. Measures: 28" W x 20.8...
Rosewood
Edward Wormley Long John Shelf for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Long John Shelf can be used as shelf or console. Walnut wood with great sapwood striped details.
Walnut
Mid-Century Barrel Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century barrel back lounge chair and ottoman attributed to Dunbar. This chair has a classic barrel design with armrests that connect to the backrests. The backrest is curved whic...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Midcentury Side End Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar midcentury Side End Table This side table measures: 21 wide x 21 deep x 22.5 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored v...
Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Classic Burlwood Dining Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Discover timeless elegance with this classic parsons style dining table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Table has two 18" leaves, extending its 66" width to a remarkable 102" for all y...
Burl
Edward Wormley, Dunbar, Six Riemerschmid Dining Chairs, Walnut, Leather, 1940s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Stamford, CT
Edward Wormley, Dunbar, Set of Six 'Riemerschmid' Dining Chairs, Walnut, Leather 1950s The model 4797A, originally designed by Wormley for Dunbar in 1947, draws inspiration from Ric...
Leather, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Tilt-Back Sheridan Lounge Chair in Walnut Cane & Brass
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant lounge chair was designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in the late 1960s and was only produced for a very short time. The frame is crafted from solid American claro waln...
Brass
Rectangular Coffee table by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar, 1960s
By Roger Sprunger, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Rectangular Coffee table by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar, 1960s Vintage - Decoration - Home Decor Measures : 135,5x51cm H:32,5cm Glas Top : 120x47cm Materials : chromed steel - smoked ...
Steel
Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Credenza
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Roger Sprunger for Dunbar credenza, bronze sides with two file drawers and 3 pencil drawers. (Dunbar label inside drawer).
Bronze
Mid-Century Executive Walnut Desk by Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful mid-century executive walnut desk designed by Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar in the United States, circa 1950s. This desk is made with a timeless design that has been profess...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Dining Chairs - Set of 6 Each chair measures: 19 wide x 23 deep x 32 inches high, with a seat height/chair clearance of 18.25...
Upholstery, Mahogany