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 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...
Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley Lounge Chair #4796 for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Edward Wormely lounge chair model #4796 produced by Dunbar Furniture Company "Dunbar For Modern" Line, production date of 8/2/1950 - 10/23/1950. Rare hard to find Early Dunbar for M...
Velvet, Wood
Completely Original Alexandria Chair Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare opportunity. All original example of the Alexandria Chair designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Retains the original, high quality black leather seat with attractive wear. This...
Mahogany, Leather
Edward Wormley Lounge Chair and Ottoman for Dunbar, 1960
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley Lounge Chair and Ottoman for Dunbar, 1960’s. Chair and ottoman are on casters and also original upholstery. Measure 29” tall 29” wide 37” deep, seat height 16.6” 22” ...
Upholstery
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Walnut Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Walnut Sofa This sofa measures: 97 wide x 33 deep x 28 inches high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height of 28 inches Fair Vintage Conditio...
Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Party Sofa Model 5407 in Black Leather
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Toledo, OH
Iconic 1950's party sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. This is the Model 5407 Chesterfield style sofa in black leather. Original leather. The wide arms and long le...
Leather
$4,500 / set
Edward Wormley Lounge Chairs by Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Highland, IN
This pair of Edward Wormley easy chairs have a wonderful profile combining a casual slipper chair with a wing-back. Stylish, comfortable and well built by Dunbar they are the perfec...
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage Dunbar Sofa W/Original Upholstery
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
Striking vintage 1970’s Dunbar sofa featuring its rare and eye-catching original Dunbar upholstery. This statement piece showcases a bold geometric chevron pattern in vibrant green a...
Upholstery, Wood
Roger Lee Sprunger for Dunbar Elegant Leather Office Chairs 10 Available
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in Hudson, NY
10 available- Priced per chair Absolutely stunning butter soft leather Roger Sprunger for Dunbar office chairs on smooth gliding casters. All original chairs are in very good condit...
Metal
La Gondola Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Expertly Restored, Gray Mohair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Edward Wormley's famous La Gondola sofa. One of the best sofa designs of the entire modern design movement. Expertly refinished and reupholstered in a light to medium grey mohair. Pl...
Upholstery, Mahogany
"Thebes" X Base Stool / Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Original Fabric
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Thebes stool / bench / footrest / footstool designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s. This example retains the original yellow and orange geometric design fabric. The finish on t...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Dunbar Sofa by Edward Wormley on Brass Legs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Fully restored in beautiful fog grey mohair over polished brass legs. Sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950s.
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Janus Group Ottoman, circa 1955
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Janus Group Ottoman, circa 1955 – Reupholstered Tufted Pillow-Top with Splayed Mahogany Legs Description An iconic mid-century design by Edward Wormley for...
Upholstery, Walnut
All Arms- Miraculous Set of 14 Arm Klismos Cane Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Atlanta, GA
The rarest of the rare, an exceptional, meticulously restored set of fourteen (14) cane back Klismos ARM dining chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture, circa 1948. A set of th...
Cane, Walnut
Oasis Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Very Rare. Priced for Reupholstery.
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare, Iconic "Oasis Sofa" designed by Edward Wormley and manufactured by Dunbar, 1950s. Super stylish curved design that's both functional and comfortable. This ultra rare example ...
Upholstery
Early 1940s Edward J. Wormley Elegant Armchairs for Dunbar in Dark Expresso x 2
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Early 1940s Edward J. Wormley Elegant Neoclassical Style occasional arm chairs for Dunbar model No. 116B. As shown in "The Other Face of Modernism" book on Wormley , and in the 1940s...
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Janus Sofas - Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Janus Sofas - Pair Each sofa measures: 82 wide x 36 deep x 31 inches high, with a seat height 17 inches Great Vintage Condition - Upholstery i...
Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
Expertly Restored - Edward J. Wormley Cognac Leather Slipper Chairs for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Walnut-Stained Mahogany Wood, Italian Cognac Leather _______________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, an...
Leather, Wood, Mahogany, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Sectional Velvet Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c.1960s, USA, two-piece sectional sofa. The sofa features split arm rests and an exposed sculpted ebonized wood frame. This sofa has been fully reupholster...
Velvet, Walnut, Upholstery
Eight Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Expertly Restored.
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Set of 8 dining chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. This stunning set has been expertly reupholstered and refinished. Dark African mahogany frames, mohair upholstery with...
Mohair, Mahogany
$3,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Edward Wormley Walnut Open-Arm Lounge Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Two architectural open arm lounge chairs in walnut by Dunbar, with green and blue horizontal stripe upholstery.
Walnut
$12,000
Edward Wormley Dunbar Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley Dunbar sofa can be paired as a sectional with matching chaise longue 5525 we have offered in another listing.
Upholstery
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 5002 Mid Century Thebes Mahogany Stools - Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 5002 Mid Century Thebes Mahogany Stools - Pair Each stool measures: 23 wide x 23 deep x 17 high Great Vintage Condition - Legs have Minor Scratches/...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Rare Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 251 Swivel Lounge Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautifully newly upholstered in Donghia velvet, color "Whiskey". Great for you living room, family room or office. A comfortable, relaxing swivel chair with great styling.
Upholstery, Mahogany
$8,750Sale Price|30% Off
Completely Restored Blue Velvet Grand Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c1960
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar sofa with tapered rosewood legs and newly upholstered in a plush soft blue velvet. Every inch of this grand sofa has been painstakingly restored/replaced a...
Velvet
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Tet-a-Tete
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Iconic Edward Wormley for Dunbar Tet-a-Tete. Ready for fabric of your choice. Mahogany legs with brass caps, Dunbar decking.
Brass
$2,975Sale Price|30% Off
Signed Dunbar Furniture Rosewood Bench Attributed to Edward Wormley, Ca. 1960s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Peabody, MA
A rosewood bench by Dunbar, ca. 1960, with original seat cushion and what appears to be a Jack Lenor Larsen jacquard fabric. This all-wood version of Dunbar's bench is most often at...
Upholstery, Rosewood
Mid Century Executive Swivel Office Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Discover the pinnacle of mid-century design with this exquisite Executive Swivel Office Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, a testament to the era's innovation and Wormley's enduring...
Metal
Pair Dunbar Captains Arm Chairs by Roger Sprunger
By Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in Fraser, MI
Pair Dunbar armchairs designed by Roger Sprunger.
Fabric, Walnut
1940's Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Regency Style X Form Bench or Stool
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Early design for Dunbar, mahogany bench or vanity stool model 1050. Curved or X form base with classical styling, with older upholstered seat. Mahogany frame will be restored prior t...
Leather, Mahogany
Edward Wormley 1950s Mid-Century Designed Dunbar for Modern 3 Seat Sofa
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward Wormley three seat on tapered walnut legs is from his Dunbar for Modern collection, one of his early fully modern furniture collections. This sofa, was reupholstered by the original owners, in the late 90s to fit their new southwest decor...
Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley Captains Chair for Dunbar, Model 5480
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley Captain's Chair for Dunbar Furniture, Model 5480. Elegant looking armchair perfect for a desk or bedroom corner. Made from oak with brass feet and a cane backrest, jus...
Cane, Oak
Pair Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, New Charcoal Gray Upholstery
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Set of two armless Slipper chairs / lounge chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s. The medium grey. Upholstery has been recently updated and in fine condition with no is...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Beige Bouclé Sophia Slipper Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar - a Pair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of neutral lacquered mahogany model 5000 or Sophia slipper chairs with tufted seat and back. Newly refinished and reupholstered in a light écru off-white, ivory, sand or bone bo...
Mahogany, Fabric
Set of Six Cane Back Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1940s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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.
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Bracket Back Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Bracket Back Sofa This sofa measures: 84.5 wide x 31 deep x 28 inches high, with a seat height of 15.25 and arm height of 23 inches Great Vint...
Metal
Edward Wormley Alexandria Chair by Dunbar, Mid-Century, 1955
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Alexandria Chair. Newly refinished and re-upholstered. Elegant and Beautiful Design that makes any space!
Upholstery, Wood
Remarkable Set of 14 Klismos Cane Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley, circa 1948
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Atlanta, GA
The rarest of the rare, an exceptional, meticulously restored set of fourteen (14) cane back Klismos dining chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture, circa 1948. A set of this m...
Cane, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 5002 Mid Century Thebes Mahogany Stools - Pair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 5002 Mid Century Thebes Mahogany Stools - Pair Each stool measures: 23.5 wide x 23 deep x 17 high, with a seat height of 17 inches Fair Vintage Cond...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Dining Chairs - Set of 6 Each chair measures: 19 wide x 23 deep x 32 inches high, with a seat height/chair clearance of 18.25...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Model 4907 Sofa by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Highland, IN
In our opinion, this Ed Wormely design for Dunbar is one of the most spectacular sofas ever made. Modern, classic, and timeless... this form transcends styles, genres and eras. Nine ...
Brass
$2,950Sale Price|40% Off
Edward Wormley Dunbar Swivel Lounge Chair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley dunbar swivel lounge chair.
Upholstery
Wingback Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1960s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Wingback Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1960s Seldom-seen Wormley design of a winged, high back club, lounge or easy chair. Sculptural form, extra wide seat, upholstered...
Upholstery, Walnut
Leather Swivel Lounge Chairs Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Add some playful elegance to your space with these swiveling Dunbar chairs designed by Edward Wormley, circa 1960's. His signature style, defined by clean lines and architectural sim...
Leather, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Lounge Chair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
We have fully restored this beautiful chair and added Holland & Sherry upholstery. This is such a dramatic chair for the place that you need a chair with interest. It will not disapp...
Upholstery, Cane, Mahogany
Edward Wormley, Dunbar, Six Riemerschmid Dining Chairs, Walnut, Leather, 1940s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Stamford, CT
Edward Wormley, Dunbar, Set of Six 'Riemerschmid' Dining Chairs, Walnut, Leather 1950s The model 4797A, originally designed by Wormley for Dunbar in 1947, draws inspiration from Ric...
Leather, Walnut
$5,080Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Edward Wormley Slipper Chairs for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Culver City, CA
Available right now we have an absolutely stunning pair of slipper chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. These chairs have been freshly reupholstered in a wonderful nubby white boucle...
Bouclé
Vintage Dunbar Loveseat W/Original Upholstery
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
Make a bold statement with this vintage circa 1970s Dunbar loveseat, a perfect blend of iconic design and playful sophistication. Upholstered in its amazing original Dunbar fabric, t...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Mahogany and Blue Mohair Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Early pair of model 5000 "Sophia" slipper chairs by Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar (ca. 1955, Indiana, USA). Redone in a luxurious powder blue mohair with button tufted seats and backs...
Mohair, Mahogany
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pull-Up Lounge Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar pull-up lounge chairs. Model 971 Jansus line collection. Wormley's Boutique line. Original chocolate brown leather with...
Leather
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection Lounge Chairs, Pair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Janus Collection lounge chairs By Edward Wormley for Dunbar USA, 20th Century Ebonized sculpted walnut arms and legs with an exposed frame, and red up...
Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Wingback Mahogany Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Mid Century Wingback Mahogany Lounge Chair and Ottoman The chair measures: 28.5 wide x 34 deep x 40.25 high, with a seat height of 18 inches and arm ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Dunbar Lounge Chair, Walnut & Cotton, 1950s Modern
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Southampton, NJ
An outstanding 1950s Lounge armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar fully restored with new textured cotton upholstery. The original signed Dunbar decking has been carefully maintained...
Cotton, Walnut
Pair of "Alexandria" Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this 1960s pair of "Alexandria" armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. They feature elegantly sinuous frames sculpted from solid mahogany with black satin ...
Upholstery, Wood
1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar 4872a Lounge Chair With Solid Aluminum Legs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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...
Aluminum
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany Loveseat Settee Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany Loveseat Settee Sofa This loveseat measures: 51 wide x 32.5 deep x 30 inches high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height of 22.5 inc...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Chaise Longue Sofa
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar chaise longue sofa.
Upholstery
Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Mid Century Channel Cube Lounge Chairs - Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Mid Century Channel Cube Lounge Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 17 wide x 33.5 deep x 26.25 high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height/chair clearanc...
Upholstery
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Lounge Wingback Lounge Chairs - Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Lounge Wingback Lounge Chairs - Pair Each lounge chair measures: 30.5 wide x 28 deep x 36.5 high, with a seat height of 17 inches Great Vintag...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Chair in Jack Lenor Larsen
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Introducing a dining height Janus armchair designed by Mid-Century Modern master Edward Wormley. The chair features a sculpted dark mahogany frame and Jack Lenor Larsen upholstery wi...
Mahogany, Upholstery