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.
8
to
6
8
8
8
8
8
8
6
2
3
6
3
3
1
1
8
7
459
29
17
16
16
Creator: Dunbar
Dealer: Metro Retro Furniture MCM Furniture
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
84" Vintage Edward Wormley for Dunbar Executive Credenza
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Pasadena, TX
7' vintage Edward Wormley for Dunbar executive desk and credenza
In 1931 Leander Dunbar realized the need to create furniture...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Bronze
#6027 Edward Wormley for Dunbar Super Structure Display Cabinet
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Pasadena, TX
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Super Structure display cabinet
Stunning cabinet constructed of dark walnut with a brass plated plinth base.
Concave fron...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Janus Sofa #6329 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Pasadena, TX
Janus sofa #6329 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Stunning sofa recently restored in champagne velvet with tufting. Mahogany base.
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Dunbar Wormley 2 Piece Sectional Sofa
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Pasadena, TX
Dunbar Wormley 2 piece sectional sofa
1950s
Rare sectional sofa designed by Edward Wormley, manufactured by Dunbar. The sofa consists of two parts ...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Wormley Tawi Dining Table for Dunbar. Can be configured into 4 different sizes.
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Pasadena, TX
Rare beautiful wood 12 feet to 14 feet 1/2 vintage Wormley extension dining/conference table for Dunbar
This came from the executive conference room of the former Bank of the Southw...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Roger Sprunger Jack Larsen Dunbar Guest Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in Pasadena, TX
Pair of Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Guest Arm Chairs
A pair of Mid-Century Modern arm chairs designed by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar. Ebonized wooden frames with X stretchers. Original ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Pasadena, TX
A pair of Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Down cushions with a textured beige fabric and casters.
Reupholstery recommended.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Related Items
Mid-Century Edward Wormley Sculptural Sofa for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning vintage sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar features a tufted sculptural seat back with unique tapered walnut legs. Uniquely covered vintage throw pillows...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Wood, Upholstery
Elegant Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Tuxedo Sofa, Project
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Elegant mid-century Edward Wormley for Dunbar sofa with skirt, on sculpted mahogany legs. You can't beat the quality of a Dunbar sofa, built to last.
...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Upholstery
H 88.88 in W 90.5 in D 35.5 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa in Light Blue Upholstery
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, sofa, model 5150, fabric, metal, United States, 1950s.
The sofa exudes a simple and elegant style, reminiscent of the classic design elements typically a...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Metal
Dunbar Single Arm Sofa Designed by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This is a wonderful example of a period sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. Circa 1960s, it is a single left arm sofa and sits on two wood runne...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A good Mid-Century Modern sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, with flared back and arms and loose back cushions. Square dark walnut legs with round brass foot. The piece was reupholst...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar Cabinet with Asian Hardware
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar cabinet with brass Asian hardware. All original dark had rubbed finish on ribbon mahogany, top will be polished and touched up prior t...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Oval Dining Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar oval dining table, model # 696. Mahogany slight oval with sculpted legs and inset apron. Two 14" leaves. Extends to ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Edward Wormley Slipper Sofa for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Denton, TX
Edward Wormley slipper sofa for Dunbar with off white upholstery and ebonized bentwood legs.
Older restoration.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Bentwood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar 'Oasis' Sofa in White Boucle
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 'Oasis' sofa, model '5200', reupholstered in white boucle, wood, United States, 1952
The 'Oasis' sofa (1952) is designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Th...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar 'Oasis' Sofa in Camel Wool
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 'Oasis' sofa, model '5200', reupholstered in camel wool, mahogany, United States, design 1952
The 'Oasis' sofa is designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Dunbar Wormley Dining Table in Rosewood Model 936 C 1950/1960's
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Stunning rosewood dining table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. The table features a rich and vibrant rosewood veneer top on an architectural pedestal base, with original metal disk...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cabinet
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Denton, TX
Two Edward Wormley cabinets with corrugated wood sliding doors and center drawer section in a grey brown finish
Each cabinet is 20" deep by 49" wide by 31.25 high.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Previously Available Items
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Pasadena, TX
A pair of Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Down cushions with a textured beige fabric and casters.
Reupholstery recommended.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Fabric
6ft Vintage Midcentury Wormley Dunbar Party Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Pasadena, TX
Wormley has pioneered in a broad field of design, he was one of those unique designers who was sensitive to the interplay involved in selling modernism and still preserving the nosta...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Velvet
Vintage Mid-Century Dunbar Rosewood and White Oak Credenza
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage Mid-Century Dunbar credenza.
This rosewood and white oak credenza features book matched doors.
Oval carved door pulls.
Inlaid ros...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Oak, Rosewood
Pair of Dunbar Sofas, Model 4829
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Pasadena, TX
This minimalist, classic, gutter back sofa exeemplifies the later series produced in North Carolina. Both sofas retain original metal Dunbar label.
The sofa features metal legs
...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Metal
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Writing Desk in Rosewood and Mahogany
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Pasadena, TX
A mid century modern writing desk designed by Edward Wormley and made by Dunbar. An ebonized mahogany top and legs with rosewood drawer front and brass and rosewood pulls.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Brass
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.