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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: Sputnik Modern
Partners Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A mahogany partners desk with original leather top and base and brass hardware. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category

1950s Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 6329A Large Angled Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
The larger of the two sizes, this model 6329A angled sofa retains its original fabric in wonderful condition. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Mahogany stretcher base.
Category

1950s Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Stone Top Dunbar Wedge Tables
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of walnut wedge side tables with stone tops. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category

1950s Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Bronze and Rosewood Pedestal/Table by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
A large-scale pedestal made of solid bronze with inset rosewood top. Manufactured by Dunbar.
Category

1960s Vintage Dunbar Furniture

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Previously Available Items
Dunbar Oasis Sofa by Edward Wormley
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H 30 in. W 104 in. D 52 in.
Pair of Armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
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An elegant pair of cane armchairs with original patent leather upholstery. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
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Pair of Glass Top Cube Coffee Tables by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
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Dunbar X-Base Table with Murano Glass Tile Top
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Rare Woven Front Cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
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Pair of Dunbar Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley
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Edward Wormley for Dunbar Vanity / Desk
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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An ash vanity or desk with oak drawer, rosewood trim and brass hardware. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
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  • Edward Wormley for Dunbar Vanity / Desk
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H 31.5 in. W 36 in. D 18.375 in.
Pair of Chests by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
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  • Pair of Chests by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
  • Pair of Chests by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
  • Pair of Chests by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
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H 30 in. W 36 in. D 18.375 in.
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Located in Dallas, TX
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Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
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Located in Dallas, TX
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Streamline Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An asymmetrical cantilevered mahogany desk designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
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1950s Vintage Dunbar Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

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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