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: DeAngelis
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Desk, Model 4725
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design desk fro Dunbar, Model 4725. Elegant early design by Edward Wormley comprising five drawers, a gallery top trim and original black leather. Newly refinished and...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Dunbar Bracket Back Sofa, Model 131
By Roger Sprunger, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Dunbar Furniture bracket back sofa, Model 131 designed by Roger Sprunger. Rare smaller version sofa or loveseat that is perfect for two people. Solid mahogany "L" bracket supports gi...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Coffee Table, Model 5309
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Rare Edward Wormley design coffee table model 5309 for Dunbar Furniture. Iconic mid-century modern coffee table made by the highest quality American manufacturer's from the period. E...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley King Size Headboard for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design King size headboard for Dunbar Furniture, Berne Indiana. Featuring an ebonized mahogany frame with a caned backrest intended for a king size mattress, no rails ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Cane, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Antler Chairs for Dunbar, Model 5580
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design antler dining chairs for Dunbar, Model 5580.
Rare and attractive design chair by Wormley in the height of his design career. Frames are bleached mahogany with...
Category
1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Cane, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Ottoman for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design x-base ottoman for Dunbar Furniture. Timeless and classic design by Wormley offering additional seating for any arrangement. Newly refinished and upholstered in...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Teardrop Chairs for Dunbar, Model 5106
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design "Teardrop" lounge chairs, Model 5106 for Dunbar Furniture. Uniques shape chairs newly upholstered on polished and lacquered solid brass legs, ready to install.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Brass
Dunbar X-Base Murano Tile-Top Table
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Rare X-base mosaic top side table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Co. Both in excellent original condition, base made from solid ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Related Items
Slipper Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Slipper chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. USA, circa 1950. Signed with brass tag. Features tufted back with piping. Original f...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Captain's "Y" Chair, ca. 1955
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Captain's "Y" chair, ca. 1955. Professionally restored walnut frame with new back caning and new upholstered seat with super soft and luxurious ivory wool f...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley Lounge Chairs for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This pair of 1950s high back lounge chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar features iconic Mid-Century design and comfortably sculpted seat backs. Spacious seats with plush vintage fabr...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
1950s Mid-Century Modern Walnut Executive Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Lafayette, IN
Grand style and grand scale combine in this wonderful executive desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Desk features walnut construction, brass and mahogany pulls, and the renowned Dunba...
Category
1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Desk with Drop Leaves and File Cabinet
By Edward Wormley
Located in Bradenton, FL
Handsome 1950's mid-century modern Dunbar Desk and Wheeled Pedestal Filing Cabinet, Designed by Edward Wormley. The two-drawer filing cabinet can be placed under the desk to either side or wheeled out for easy access. Desk with drop leaf...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This spacious Dunbar sofa features deep upholstered seats with unique vintage striped fabric. The cutaway armrests and well-proportioned design add to the Mid-Century appeal of this ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Club Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Stunning pair of oak framed chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, referred to as “Edward’s Chair”. New fabric and great original finish. Chairs...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Oak
Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
A rare "Janus" wing chair and ottoman designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Restored in a Olive Green Donghia velvet uphols...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Mahogany
One Dunbar Tuxedo Sofa by Edward Wromley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Pasadena, TX
Mid-Century Modern Tuxedo sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Down cushions with a textured beige fabric and casters. As shown in the last image, we also have a matching pair...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Style 3 Cushion Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-Century Modern Dunbar style sofa 85"
Offered is a Mid-Century Modern sofa with tapered legs. Has 3 removable seat cushions and 3 back cushions. It is in great structurally sou...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Edward Wormley Nightstand or Side Cabinet by Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A dark ebony stained mahogany nightstand or side cabinet with brass capped legs and a top that is made of laminate but looks so close to wood that it's almost impossible to tell. Two...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Brass
Wormley for Dunbar Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Nice rectangular coffee table, mahogany with cork insert top. This table was designed by Edward Wormley, for the Dunbar Furniture Company. It is an early example of his work for Dunb...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Glass, Mahogany, Cork
Previously Available Items
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Lounge Chairs, Model 4626
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture swivel lounge chairs, model 4626. Large comfortable chairs with built in half rounded arms and a deep seat. Newly upholstered in a moss mohair or ...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Mohair, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Bench by Dunbar, Model 5429
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design bench for Dunbar, Model 5429. Classic design by Wormley in brass square frame on capped feet. Newer Jack Lenor Larsen upholstery that presents very well, ready ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley Coffee Table for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design coffee table for Dunbar Furniture, Berne Indiana. Large and impressive table with a beautiful travertine stone top on a shaped round dark walnut frame on four b...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Travertine
Edward Wormley Credenza Model 5668A for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design credenza model 5668A for Dunbar. Ebonized walnut case with newly caned front sliding doors and four drawers across the top. Comprising a fitted interior for mas...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Cane, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sheaf of Wheat Side Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design Sheaf of Wheat side table for Dunbar, U.S.A. A unique side or end table for Wormley's commercially successful Sheaf of Wheat line of tables for Dunbar. In very ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Travertine
Edward Wormley Snack Table for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design snack table for Dunbar furniture co. Berne Indiana. A versatile table that can be used as a side, corner or serving table.
Made from the highest quality mater...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley Captain's Chair for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design armchair or Captain's chair for Dunbar, Model 5480. Elegant and iconic design by Edward Wormley executed in lacquered ash molded plywood with original cane and ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Oak, Plywood
Edward Wormley Constellation Table for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design constellation side table for Dunbar Furniture, USA. Elegant little table perfect for drinks with a laminate top inlaid with wood circles to immitate stars. Spla...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Laminate, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Captain's Chair for Dunbar, Model 5480
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design armchair or Captain's chair for Dunbar, Model 5480. Elegant and iconic design by Edward Wormley executed in ash plywood with original cane and finish with a new...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley Desk for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design six drawer desk for Dunbar, Berne Indiana. Newly refinished with a mustard leather top, gallery edge border and smooth gliding dr...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Leather, Oak
Edward Wormley Side Table for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design Murano glass tile top side table for Dunbar. Perfect for drinks or coffee an elegant shape mahogany side table that will look great anywhere. Very good original...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Murano Glass, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Bench for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design upholstered bench for Dunbar Furniture Co. The rounded tapering leg mahogany base has been newly refinished and is ready for your choice of upholstery or usable as-is. This is the perfect foot of the bed or entry way bench...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Dunbar furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Dunbar furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Dunbar furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Dunbar were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Edward Wormley, Paul McCobb, and Milo Baughman. Prices for Dunbar furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $225 and can go as high as $119,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,998.
Creators Similar to Dunbar
Questions About Dunbar Furniture
- Where is Dunbar Furniture made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Dunbar 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.