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Dunbar Furniture

American

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.

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Creator: Dunbar
Dealer: Modest Designs
Edward Wormley, Early Pair Side Tables model 4774A
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Perfect, architectural 3-tier mahogany side tables by Edward Wormley. This simple, streamlined design typifies Wormley’s restrained modern style of the 1940s. The pair retains thei...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair Edward Wormley for Dunbar Side Tables, Model 279
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare and sophisticated lamp tables in dark stained mahogany. The simple, architectural configuration is surprisingly contemporary for a 70 year old design. Original finish, with rect...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Tambour Door Cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Model 959
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A chic and versatile cabinet with blond tamowood top and burnt almond walnut tambour doors on a dark mahogany case. Nice details like the razor-thin brass door pulls, and dappled var...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Dunbar Sofa by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Chic gold velvet upholstered sofa with down back and side cushions and sprung seat. Beautifully carved mahogany feet. This is an extremely well built and comfortable sofa, with typic...
Category

1950s American Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Set of Four Dunbar Side Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Edward Wormley for Dunbar dining chairs, models 6038 & 6037 in dark mahogany frames with original Jack Lenor Larsen fabric. Two arm and two side chairs, supported by brass spacers, w...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 5480 Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An iconic Edward Wormley design, the ‘A-Frame' chair is a wonderful example of Wormley’s expertise in mixing materials into sophisticated, architectural forms. Employing dark stained...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Leather, Bentwood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Pair Mahogany End Tables
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An early example of Edward Wormley's sophisticated Modernism. Stepped two-tier end tables with subtle Chinoise elements to the carving of the base. These retain the original dark mah...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Side Table Model # 5425
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Occasional table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, model 5425. Rosewood and Walnut folding x-base with removable mahogany tray top. Labeled with Dunbar gold metal tag
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Rosewood, Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Swiveling Stool
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This sweet early Wormley modern design makes a perfect vanity or desk chair. The fully upholstered seat swivels over dark stained mahogany legs joined by dowel stretches, with capped...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early Dunbar Cocktail Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An early example of Edward Wormley's transition to modern furniture design. Mahogany frame with inset leather top. Dunbar brand to underside.
Category

1940s American Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Leather

Dunbar Chrome and Walnut Occasional Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Chic and rarely seen Edward Wormley design that can function as a lamp table, end table or small cocktail table. Dunbar label on bottom.
Category

1960s American Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection Chest with Natzler Ceramic Pulls
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Model 5770 Janus Collection chest of drawers featuring brass pulls with inset purple-blue demi-lune Natzler ceramic tiles, and exaggerated dovetail knuckle joints on tops, sides, and...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Brass

Related Items
Armless Sofa by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An armless sofa or bench or banquet on laminated mahogany "sled" feet.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

  • Armless Sofa by Edward Wormley
  • Armless Sofa by Edward Wormley
  • Armless Sofa by Edward Wormley
  • Armless Sofa by Edward Wormley
H 32 in. W 72 in. D 29 in.
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Midcentury Travertine Wedge Tables, Pair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar midcentury travertine wedge tables - pair. Each table measures: 17.25 wide x 27.25 deep x 21.25 inches high. All pieces of furniture can be had in wha...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Travertine

Restored Midcentury Bent "Loop" Rattan Dining Side Chair, Set of Four
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Vintage bent "Loop" rattan dining room side chair with a multi-colored pink seat, included is a set of four chairs. Each chair features a three strand rattan seat back with a mahogan...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Rattan

Edward Wormley Lounge Chair for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
A nice simple and dramatic armchair lounge chair form by Edward Wormley. Should be purchased with the intent to reupholster. Needs to be softer on inside back.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Upholstery

  • Edward Wormley Lounge Chair for Dunbar
  • Edward Wormley Lounge Chair for Dunbar
  • Edward Wormley Lounge Chair for Dunbar
  • Edward Wormley Lounge Chair for Dunbar
H 29.5 in. W 23 in. D 25.75 in.
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Side Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar midcentury side table This table measures: 31.25 wide x 31.25 deep x 23 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintag...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Wood

  • Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Side Table
  • Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Side Table
  • Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Side Table
  • Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Side Table
H 23 in. W 31.25 in. D 31.25 in.
Gondola Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
A Gondola sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar’s Janus Collection in the 1950s. This sculptural sofa features angled arms and a floating back attached to the base with walnut s...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair of Armchairs in Pink Striped Upholstery
By Edward Wormley
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, pair of armchairs, stained ash, fabric, United States, 1960s These armchairs are designed by Edward Wormley for the furniture company Dunbar in the sixtie...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Ash

Architectural Designer Desk Chair By Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Architectural Designer Desk Chair By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Wood shows some wear. I think will benefit from some touching up from a refini...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mahogany Armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dorchester, MA
Edward Wormley designed this handsome mahogany armchair for Dunbar, juxtaposing modern linearity with curvaceous classic form. It has been expertly reupholstered in Knoll's Rivington...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Set of Four Mid-century Side Chairs, France, C. 1960
Located in New York, NY
Set of four unusual mid-century side chairs in solid white oak.
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Oak

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 495 Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
This sofa has beautiful lines and a gently curved back. A true classic. The fabric is original and in very good condition. It is a rich and high-quality texture that looks like embro...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Dunbar "Big Texan" Sofa by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"Big Texan" sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Fully restored and reupholstered in mohair.  
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Mohair

Previously Available Items
Pair of Dunbar Janus End Tables with Tiffany Tiles
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare pair of walnut side tables, model # 5831, with inlaid Tiffany favrile glass tiles, from Edward Wormley's celebrated Arts & Crafts influenced Janus collection of 1957.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Dunbar 'Janus' Lounge Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Dark stain mahogany frame with tufted upholstery seats, shows all the subtle details in wood carving and upholstery for which Dunbar is renowned. From the 1957 Janus line designed by...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

  • Pair of Dunbar 'Janus' Lounge Chairs
  • Pair of Dunbar 'Janus' Lounge Chairs
  • Pair of Dunbar 'Janus' Lounge Chairs
  • Pair of Dunbar 'Janus' Lounge Chairs
H 29 in. W 26.75 in. D 26.5 in.
Dunbar Two-Tier Walnut Occasional Table with Cane Shelf
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
C. 1950, this interesting and rarely seen design uses subtle details in carving and materials to elevate its functionalist form into something sculptural. A great example of designer...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Occasional Table with Tray
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
From the 1957 Janus line, this elegant side or snack table has a burl Carpathian elm top on dark stained mahogany tripod base. Dunbar gold metal tag to the underside. Tray is 18" ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Elm

Nice Pair of Dunbar Side Tables by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Handsome architectural tiered end tables with adjustable center shelf. Figured mahogany top on dark stained mahogany frame. Each with gold "D" metal tag to underside.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Early Dunbar Mahogany Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Simple early modern design by Edward Wormley for Dunbar distinguishes itself my it’s great proportions, chunky geometric shape, and wonderful dappled mahogany veneer. Original finish...
Category

1940s American Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

  • Early Dunbar Mahogany Coffee Table
  • Early Dunbar Mahogany Coffee Table
  • Early Dunbar Mahogany Coffee Table
  • Early Dunbar Mahogany Coffee Table
H 15 in. W 49 in. D 22 in.
Early Dunbar Mahogany Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Simple early modern design by Edward Wormley for Dunbar distinguishes itself my its great proportions, chunky geometric shape, and wonderful dappled mahogany veneer. Original finish ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

  • Early Dunbar Mahogany Coffee Table
  • Early Dunbar Mahogany Coffee Table
  • Early Dunbar Mahogany Coffee Table
  • Early Dunbar Mahogany Coffee Table
H 15 in. W 49 in. D 22 in.
Pair of Edward Wormley Designed Commodes for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Handsome masculine chests of drawers in walnut with dark mahogany trim. Each chest retains its Dunbar gold metal tag.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Pair of Dunbar Three-Tier Walnut End Tables
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Early Edward Wormley modern design is one of his most elegant and versatile. Simple architectural lines are visually interesting and effortlessly blend into any interior.
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Custom Order Side Tables by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Classic and elegant 1940s-era mahogany tow-tier side tables special ordered in an extra-tall 28" height. The extra height adds versatility allowing them to function as small consoles for an entryway, tall bedside tables...
Category

1940s American Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Dunbar Wingback Sofa by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare traditional-modern design for Dunbar is a wonderful example of Edward Wormley's interpretation of Classic European design. Referencing Swedish Grace motifs, the sofa marries an ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Dunbar Furniture

  • Dunbar Wingback Sofa by Edward Wormley
  • Dunbar Wingback Sofa by Edward Wormley
  • Dunbar Wingback Sofa by Edward Wormley
  • Dunbar Wingback Sofa by Edward Wormley
H 34 in. W 78 in. D 32 in.
Pair of Walnut Side Tables by Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Simple, perfectly proportioned two-tiered walnut side tables, designed by Edward Wormley in the late 1940s. Both tables retain Dunbar metal tags and paper labels.
Category

1940s American Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Walnut

  • Pair of Walnut Side Tables by Dunbar
  • Pair of Walnut Side Tables by Dunbar
  • Pair of Walnut Side Tables by Dunbar
  • Pair of Walnut Side Tables by Dunbar
H 22 in. W 28 in. D 19 in.

Dunbar furniture for sale on 1stDibs

Dunbar furniture is available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive objects are often made of wood and designed with extraordinary care. There are many options in our Dunbar collection of furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We stock 805 vintage versions of these items, while there is 0 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Dunbar were created during the 20th century in Mid-Century Modern style in North America. Many customers also consider furniture by Edward Wormley, Harvey Probber and Adrian Pearsall if you are looking for additional options. Prices for Dunbar furniture can vary depending on size, time period and other attributes. The price for these items starts at $400 and tops out at $42,000, while pieces like these can sell for $5,500 on average.
Questions About Dunbar Furniture
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Dunbar furniture is made in High Point, North Carolina. The original location of the company was Berne, Indiana. Its relocation occurred after Currey & Co. bought Dunbar from founder James Wormley in 1970. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Dunbar furniture.

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