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.
to
5
5
5
5
5
4
1
1
5
3
1
1
1
5
4
5
5
5
418
26
17
16
14
Creator: Dunbar
Dealer: Metro Retro Furniture MCM Furniture
Dunbar Wormley 2 Piece Sectional Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
#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
Wormley Tawi Dining Table for Dunbar. Can be configured into 4 different sizes.
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
84" Vintage Edward Wormley for Dunbar Executive Credenza
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
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
Related Items
Two Midcentury Ebonized Walnut Woven Front Credenzas, Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Two signed Edward Wormley for Dunbar ebonized walnut woven front credenzas with brass fittings. One is a darker walnut than the other so they are not exactly matching in coloration. ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Walnut
H 18 in W 61.5 in D 28.75 in
Storage Bench by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar
By Roger Sprunger
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A powder blue bench with hinged seat cushion in original stripped upholstery. Interior storage. Includes matching petite pillow.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Upholstery
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Stone Top Cabinet
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A walnut cabinet with inlayed doors, marble top and large brass glides. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Staggering Vintage Bookmatch Burl Elm Dining Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Atlanta, GA
A breathtaking restored heavy-duty Parsons style extension dining table by the esteemed Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1975. Exquisite bookmatched Butterfly patterned elm veneer ov...
Category
1970s American Organic Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Elm, Maple
H 29.5 in W 102 in D 42 in
Dunbar Single Arm Sofa Designed by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dorchester, MA
This elegant sofa is a classic 1950s design by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. It features a tufted back and a long bench seat resting on tapered walnut fee...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
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
Set of Eight Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining Armchairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model number 842, set of eight armchairs in mahogany with red velvet seats. All original, minor touch up prior to shipping. These chairs were used around a ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Spectacular Olivewood Butterfly Patterned Dining Table by Sprunger for Dunbar
By Roger Sprunger, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent dining table is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and installation ready.
An indelible heavy-duty Parsons style extension dining or conference table by the esteemed Roger Sprunger for Dunbar, circa 1975. Exquisite bookmatched Butterfly patterned olivewood veneer over solid hardwood construction. Beefy legs in polished steel add contrasting drama. Tremendous design, craftsmanship and detail. This particular example is representative of the finest of the '70's Dunbar dining table production. The olivewood displays fabulous movement, color and warmth. Aged to absolute perfection. A stunning graphic piece of organic...
Category
1970s American Organic Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Steel
H 29.5 in W 118 in D 42 in
Set of Six Cane Back Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1940s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant and unusual set of six dining chairs with a cane wrapped barrel back and an upholstered seat atop four slender legs.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Dunbar Extension Dining Table by Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Classic Asia Modern style dining table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. This example comes with one 24 in leaf, and the fold up center support leg. As expected from Dunbar, thi...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cain Front Mahogany Sideboard on a Plinth Base
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cain front mahogany sideboard on a Plinth Base, Features: Two drawers and one double drawer with removable dividers, Four sliding doors with 3 storage compa...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Previously Available Items
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
Janus Sofa #6329 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
6ft Vintage Midcentury Wormley Dunbar Party Sofa
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
- 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.