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: CoastalMod
Edward Wormley for Dunbar 90" Walnut Pedestal Dining Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A 1960’s 90” Pedestal dining table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture company. Beautiful book-matched walnut grain veneer. Solid walnut pedestals. A great minimalist din...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Angled Sofa Model 6329a by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Heavy Boucle
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
An angular sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, model 6329a. Recently upholstered in heavy white boucle with a contrasting bright white cotton piping. Great angles and subtle ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Bouclé, Cotton
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Slate Pedestal Side Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
Dunbar slate top side table consisting of black slate, solid mahogany, and a brass trimmed sabot. This table rarely surfaces, and would make a great end table, bedside table or can e...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Slate, Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut and Chinese Print Block Floating Credenza
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A wall mounted floating credenza consisting of a walnut case, 4 doors accentuated with Chinese printers block and an accent of continuous rosewood face...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Walnut
1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bracket Back Sofa, Blush Velvet and mahogany
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A rare variation of the bracket back sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture company of Berne Indiana circa 1950s. This A-frame bracket is similar to the designs of Jens Risom, t...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Snack table Natzler tiles
By Gertrud and Otto Natzler, Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
An extremely rare and elegant snack table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar furniture in the 1960s. Tripod brass capped feet, with a sculpted solid walnut stem culminate with a m...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Brass
1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar no. 4756 wing shaped sofa in Mohair and Brass
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A rare offering from Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. This wing shaped sofa, model 4756, was reupholstered in a moss colored mohair and sits on 10" solid brass stiletto legs. Ele...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of 1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cane back Chairs model 5700a
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
Pair of 1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cane back Chairs model 5700a. The continuous laminated ash legs wrap around the entire chair and form t...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Bouclé, Mahogany
1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar pair of leather lounge chairs no. 603 Mrs. Chair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A pair of leather lounge chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar vintage from the 1950s. These chairs are model 603 and were called the Mrs. Chair in the original catalogue. Hig...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar 1950s Thebes Stool Ottoman mid century modern
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A 1950s Thebes ottoman / stool designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Company out of Berne Indiana. A tufted square cushion with saddled sides floats over tapered legs with rounded ball feet and a carved x cross brace. Edward Wormley was known for his subtle details that blended traditional and modern. This ottoman consisting of ebonized solid mahogany and a vibrant turquoise vintage fabric...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar 4872a Lounge Chair With Solid Aluminum Legs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A 1950s model 4872A lounge chair designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. This chair comes from the recently demolished Edward Mccormick Blair House in Chicago Illinois desig...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
1970s Solid Bronze and rosewood Architectural Coffee table Tom Lopinski Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Tom Lopinski
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A solid bronze coffee table with a minimalist architectural form. Designed by Tom Lopinski for Dunbar furniture company in the 1970s. The glass top is original and shows a great gree...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar Teak Nightstands w/ Leather Wrapped Plinths Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
Elevate your space with this exceptional pair of simple and clean nightstands by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. Showcasing Wormley’s signature blend of understated elegance and...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Leather, Teak
Related Items
Side Table Model 5309 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Rovereta, Repubblica di San Marino
Model 5309 rare coffee table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Combination of Wood and brass with the original glass top.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Elegant 1940s Edward Wormley, Dunbar for Modern, Curved Sofa on Mahogany Legs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Elegant mid 1940s Edward Wormley for Dunbar curved sofa on six thick mahogany legs, with older re-upholstery in a Chinoiserie fabric. Upholstery is ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
H 31.5 in W 90.5 in D 36 in
Staggering Vintage Bookmatch Burl Elm Dining Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sheaf of Wheat Side Table, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Sheaf of wheat side table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar very good vintage original condition.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Glass, Walnut
Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
Pair of Birdseye Maple Burl and Resin Cube Side Tables by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Mateo, CA
Cube side tables or pedestals made by Dunbar. Edward Wormley designed these unusual and uncommon tables. These have a birds eye maple burl top and band along the bottom. The black is...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Epoxy Resin, Birdseye Maple
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
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
Edward Wormley Dunbar Tuxedo Sofa in Great Plains Wool Velvet
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley Dunbar Tuxedo Sofa in Great Plains, Wool Velvet "Dreamer Marigold" Sofa was stripped down to frame with new foam and reupholstered.
Dimensions:
94" length
34" deep
29"...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Mohair
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Console Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Elegant console table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar furniture. Wonderful two-tone color palette along with two tiered design. Would work well as an entry console, or behind a...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Previously Available Items
1950s "La Gondola" Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Belgian Linen and Goatskin
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A 1950s La Gondola Sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. This sofa with a solid mahogany bracket back, exaggerated curved arms, and floating open back is a true masterwork. The...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Goatskin, Linen, Mahogany
H 31.25 in W 84 in D 30 in
1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar Oversized Chair & Ottoman Brass legs Red Mohair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
An extra wide cuddle sofa chair designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Featuring brass legs and new foam and red mohair. The red mohair is accentuated wi...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Brass
H 28.5 in W 47.5 in D 35.5 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bookcase model 686 in mahogany and leather
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A rare bookcase designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, model no. 686. This bookcase features a mahogany case with subtle fluted edge profile. The suspended drawers are finished in a ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany, Walnut
1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar model 495 sofa in gray velvet and mahogany legs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A 1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar model 495 sofa recently reupholstered in gray velvet and dark mahogany sculpted legs. Dunbar construction is unparalleled and this sofa is ready to ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Mahogany
H 27.5 in W 90 in D 36 in
1950s Ultra Rare Cane and Mahogany Chaise designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
Ultra rare chaise lounge by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in cane and mahogany on bent wood hairpin legs. As much art, as it is form, this chaise will be the centerpiece of your design. ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Brass
H 28.25 in W 26.25 in D 57 in
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.