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 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 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 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
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
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 sol...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
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
Related Items
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar lounge chair and ottoman, high-back lounge features tufted buttons with solid walnut legs, reupholstered with Great Plains nubby cotton fabric.
Gold "D" Du...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Edward J. Wormley "Janus" Lounge Chairs for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward J. Wormley "Janus" lounge chairs for Dunbar.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Foam, Walnut
Dunbar X-Base Table with Murano Glass Tile Top
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare form with folding rosewood base and Murano glass tile top. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Murano Glass, Rosewood
Edward Wormley Leather Lounge Chair for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
designer: Edward Wormley
Manufacturer: Dunbar
Period and Model: Mid-Century Modern
Specs: Wood, Leather
condition
This Edward Wormley leather lou...
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Edward Wormley For Dunbar Magazine Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar magazine table. Model 5313. Beautiful striations throughout the mahogany top contrasted by the ebonized base. Note the small divot found on the table top an...
Category
1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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 J. Wormley Tufted Lounge Chair for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern lounge chair designed by American furniture designer, Edward J. Wormley, for Dunbar in the United States, circa 1950s...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Chairs in French Upholstery
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
We love these gorgeous chairs by Edward Wormely for Dunbar. A hard to find pair ! They are super comfortable and a kidney or pillow can be added if desired (we have enough fabric). We have done these in a high-end French fabric. The chairs pair beautifully with the Dunbar mohair sofa...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
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
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Round Travertine Side Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid-century round travertine side table.
This table measures: 16 wide x 16 deep x 21.5 inches high.
All ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Travertine
Previously Available Items
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 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 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 drawers, labeled.
Together with ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Leather, Oak
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
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Chest of Drawers
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design walnut chest of drawers for Dunbar Furniture Company, Berne Indiana.
Rare form five drawer low chest on molded bentwood legs in very good original condition, ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Richard Sprunger Constellation Table for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Richard Springer design "Constellation" table for Dunbar. Perfect for drinks or a single side table, newly refinished.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Ash
Dunbar Swivel Lounge Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Gorgeous pair of Edward Wormley design swivel lounge chairs for Dunbar, model #5609. Perfectly restored with new navy cotton velvet fabric on refinished dark walnut bases, very comfy.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Dunbar Constellation Side Table, Model #479
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Roger Sprunger design constellation side table for Dunbar, labeled. Very good condition, Model #479.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Ash
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Lounge Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design for Dunbar swivel lounge chairs on walnut bases. Restored a few years ago but still present well with beautiful lig...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery
Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Serene" Bench
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design "Serene" bench for Dunbar, Model 4955. Rare and early example perfectly refinished and newly upholstered.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Dunbar Swivel Club Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design for Dunbar swivel club chairs newly upholstered on refinished walnut veneer bases, signed.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery
Dunbar Rosewood Bench
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Simple and refined design rosewood bench for Dunbar furniture Co.
Excellent original finish with new upholstery.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
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.
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.