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 Captains Chair for Dunbar, Model 5480
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley Captain's Chair for Dunbar Furniture, Model 5480. Elegant looking armchair perfect for a desk or bedroom corner. Made from oak with brass feet and a cane backrest, jus...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Cane, Oak
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
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 King Size Headboard for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
$12,000 / set
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
$8,500 / set
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Line Lounge Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley Janus series lounge chairs for Dunbar, Circa 1957. Sophisticated smaller slipper or lounge chairs with carved snakeskin pattern front legs. A rare design that is eye c...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Coffee Table, Model 5309
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 Teardrop Chairs for Dunbar, Model 5106
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
Edward Wormley For Dunbar Sheaf of Wheat Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design side Table for Dunbar Furniture, Berne Indiana. Named the "Sheaf of Wheat" table line which was a best seller for Dunbar in the mid to late 1950's. A Travertine...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Travertine, Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Credenza
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design credenza for Dunbar Furniture, Berne Indiana. Made with high quality construction technique's and materials. Featuring a fitted interior comprising nine drawers...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Related Items
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Club Chair and Ottoman
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Wonderful smaller scale chair designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. Nice comfortable chair sitting on stubby mahogany legs with casters. Chair is quite comfortable.
Liste...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Travertine Marble-top Wedge End Table by Edward Wormley For Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Edward Wormley For Dunbar Travertine End Table With A Wedge-shaped Beige Travertine Top On A Wooden Base With Connecting Stretchers And Four Dowel Legs Ending In Black Leather-wrappe...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Travertine
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bracket Back Sofa, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Hamburg, PA
A classic Bracket Back Sofa #5497 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Edward Wormley always saw furniture as expressions of personality and as a paired-down concept for detail of architect...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Midcentury "Quinn" Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Model 1170, Walnut + Wool
By Jens Risom, Gunlocke, Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Decatur, GA
"Quinn" chair, Model no. 1170 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar circa 1965. Sculpted walnut arms transition seamlessly to the upholstered back creating a wonderful silhouette. Frame is so...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Wool, Upholstery, Walnut
$760
H 30 in W 25 in D 25 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Rare Janus Drink Table with Burl Top
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare drink table designed by Edward Wormley for a Dunbar’s “Janus” line, circa 1960s. Features a two-tone color palette with dark base and carpathia...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Burl
1960's Pair of Vintage Chests by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in London, GB
A magnificent pair of vintage chests, these were made in the USA by Dunbar furniture, they were designed by Edward Wormley.
Edward Wormley was one of the leading pioneers of mid-cen...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Teak Mid Century Nightstands by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This striking pair of mid-century Minimalist teak wood nightstands features a single drawer and cubby hole, with a sleek profile designed by Edward Wormley for the Dunbar furniture c...
Category
1950s Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Teak
$2,372 Sale Price / set
25% Off
H 25 in W 16 in D 13 in
Set of Four Edward Wormley for Dunbar Horned Dining Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Iconic and rare set of four horned antler chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Known as 5580 model dining chairs crafted from mahogany with a caned seat. Arguably these are ...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Cane, Mahogany
$19,200 Sale Price / set
20% Off
H 37 in W 23 in D 21 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Nightstand
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century nightstand
This nightstand measures: 23 wide x 18 deep x 23.75 inches high
All pieces of furniture can b...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Brass
Dunbar Mid-Century French Regency Louis XVI Carved Mahogany Twin Size Headboards
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of mid-century French Regency Louis XVI style carved mahogany twin size headboards
By Edward Wormley for Dunbar
USA, Circa 1940s
Each measures: 41.75"W x 1.75"D x ...
Category
1940s American Louis XVI Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$1,495 / set
H 31.25 in W 41.75 in D 1.75 in
Completely Original Alexandria Chair Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare opportunity. All original example of the Alexandria Chair designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Retains the original, high quality black leather seat with attractive wear. This...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
$12,000
H 33 in W 22.5 in D 19.5 in
Edward Wormley Bracket Back Sofa, Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Raleigh, NC
Classic bracket back sofa by Edward Wormley produced by Dunbar. Newly upholstered in mohair velvet with new foam.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Hardwood
Previously Available Items
Edward Wormley Long John Bench for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design Long John Bench for Dunbar Furniture Company. Simple yet sophisticated design bench or coffee table that was an immediate sales succes...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Desk, Model 4725
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
Edward Wormley Coffee Table for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024To identify Dunbar furniture, search your piece for maker's markings. Some pieces feature a D-shaped metal tag, while others bear a metal plaque with the brand name etched on its surface, with or without the company's location: Berne, Indiana. Dunbar also branded its name onto the wood frames of certain furnishings. Upholstered pieces will most likely have the brand name on a label sewn onto a cushion. If you have difficulty locating a maker's mark, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer will assist you. Shop a variety of Dunbar furniture on 1stDibs.
- 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.