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.
Edward Wormley for Dunbar #5473 Stationary Chest - Desk Top Secretary Organizer
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Fairy scarce 1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar office desk top stationary chest or organizer / secretary. Model #5473, designed in 1954, cabinet is made of mahogany, on custom brass fe...
Brass
Table Top Jewelry Chest, Walnut, Brass Pulls Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Signed
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare table top jewelry case / cabinet designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Signed with the brass Dunbar metal tag. Walnut case and brass pulls. Two drawers...
Brass
Stainless Steel Sculpture by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar
By Roger Sprunger, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A stainless steel sculpture created by Roger Lee Sprunger comprised of three of his design table bases for Dunbar stacked end to end. 79" tall. Made by Du...
Stainless Steel
Marble Desk Pen Holder Organizer
Located in New York, NY
A substantial marble desk pen/pencil/marker holder organizer, in the modern style, Midcentury Modern design period, circa mid-20th century. Organizer can hold small pieces of paper, ...
Marble
Modern Lucite Desk Organizer by Guzzini
By Guzzini
Located in San Diego, CA
Very functional modern lucite desk organizer by Guzzini of Italy, circa 1980s. The piece is in very good condition and measures 5.75"W x 2"D x 3.75"H. Great little organizer! #5079
Lucite
$9,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 33 in W 33 in D 18 in
Burl and Walnut Edward Wormley for Dunbar Marble Cabinet
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful green marble and burl cabinet, believed to be an Ed Wormly piece for Dunbar. Beautiful condition. Same era as: Charlotte Perriand, Jean Prouve, Pierre Pauline, Serge Moui...
Marble
Georg Petersens Mid Century Teak Desk Organizer Denmark
By Georg Petersens Møbelfabrik
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A teak top of the desk organizer with four letter slots , two storage cubies and an open top shelve . This well designed accessory is the perfect piece for easy access to your papers...
Teak
Pedersen & Hansen Desk Organizer
By Pedersen & Hansen
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pederen & Hansen design teak desk top organizer. High quality materials and execution perfect for keeping an organized desk or work space. In very good original condition.
Teak
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...
Brass
Modern Abstract Sculpture in Stainless Steel by Patrick Coard Paris
By Patrick Coard
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Deconstructed Half Tower by Patrick Coard Paris is a luxurious abstract sculpture that masterfully combines modern design with the artisanal richness of a polished stainless stee...
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel Abstract Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Stainless steel abstract sculpture.
Stainless Steel
$24,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 18 in W 61.5 in D 28.75 in
Two Midcentury Ebonized Walnut Woven Front Credenzas, Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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. ...
Walnut
Vintage Bamboo Letter Holder Desk Organizer
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Bamboo Letter Holder or Desk Organizer. Three compartments on top and a large area on bottom. Good condition and sturdy, ready to use. 11" wide
Bamboo
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cabinet with Brass Hardware, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful sideboard cabinet designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, made of sandalwood with solid brass hardware. Cabinet has drawers on each side, center Lucite pull out shelf and on...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Gentleman's Chest
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley for Dunbar bachelors chest with flip-top mirror, drawers in center, flanked by two cabinet doors, in bleached mahogany, currently being refinished (...
Mahogany
Sculptural Dunbar Travertine Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural Dunbar Travertine coffee table, designed by Edward Wormley, circa 1950s. Original travertine top is thick and chunky with beautiful figuri...
Travertine, Metal