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.
$9,800 / set
Pair of Dunbar Edward Wormley Slipper Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Westport, CT
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar “Gold Tag” slipper chairs, in a weaved off-white and light wheat colored Chenille fabric. Together with two pillows and tufted button design. Dark w...
Foam, Walnut, Fabric
Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Mid Century Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Mid Century Lounge Chair and Ottoman The chair measures: 30.5 wide x 33 deep x 33 high, with a seat height of 15 inches and arm height/chair clearance of 2...
Upholstery, Wood
Desk Chair #5482 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Lynn, MA
Rare luxurious desk chair model #5482 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Ebonized mahogany frame with padded arm rests and down filled support cushion. Subtle brass accents. Dunb...
Brass
Pair of Dunbar Wingback Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare pair of Dunbar Wingback Model 6016 lounge chairs in sculpted mahogany and woven cane designed by Edward Wormley. An updated take on the classic wingback design, delivering an ...
Velvet, Cane, Wood
$12,000 / set
Edward Wormley Antler Chairs for Dunbar, Model 5580
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design antler dining chairs for Dunbar, Model 5580. Rare and attractive design chair by Wormley in the height of his design career. Frames are bleached mahogany with...
Cane, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Slipper Lounge Chairs, Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century slipper lounge chairs, Pair Each chair measures 23 wide x 32 deep x 32 high with a seat h...
Wood, Upholstery
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Horseshoe Dining Chairs (Model 935)
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
This is such a beautiful dining chair with exquisite craftsmanship and detail. The iconic Dunbar Horseshoe chair by Edward Wormley will grace an...
Upholstery, Mahogany, Rosewood
Dunbar Lounge Chair and Ottoman in Original Leather
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
A Dunbar lounge chair and ottoman model 484 designed by Roger Sprunger. Mahogany frame with original leather.
Leather
Edward Wormley Milo Baughman Dunbar Yellow Upholstered Cube Club Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
A really great pair of Signed Edward Wormley cube chairs in all original upholstery. Signed Dunbar on upholstery as shown. Upholstrey shows some wear and fading, but I believe good ...
Upholstery
Set of 10 Spindle Back Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A classic set of ten (10) dining chairs, each features solid walnut wood construction, spindle back detail with brass stretchers. Set includes 8 side chairs and 2 armchairs, all reta...
Leather, Walnut
Dunbar Bracket Back Sofa, Model 131
By Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in San Francisco, CA
Dunbar Furniture bracket back sofa, Model 131 designed by Roger Sprunger. Rare smaller version sofa or loveseat that is perfect for two people. Solid mahogany "L" bracket supports gi...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Slipper Chairs in French Fabric
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of iconic slipper chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. We have reupholstered these in a French woven fabric of very high quality. Colors include off-white, black , taupe and a...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Model 6328 Elegant Dunbar High Back Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An ebonized mahogany dining chair with twisted front legs, with an upholstered high back rest and oval seat.
Upholstery, Wood
Edward Wormley Faceted Lounge Chair with Ottoman for Dunbar / Milo Baughman
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley Faceted Lounge Chair with Ottoman for Dunbar. A nice compact design with the desirable ottoman that sit on hexagon formed legs. Manner of Milo Baughman This chair ne...
Upholstery
A-Frame' Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Mid-Century Modern Classic 'A-Frame' armchair with a woven caned backrest, upholstered black leather seat and brass capped feet. Designed by Edward Wormley, produced by Dunbar in t...
Brass
Pair of Petite Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Slipper Benches"
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Rarely seen pair of petite "Slipper benches" model #684 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Newly upholstered frames on zebra wood legs.
Textile, Zebra Wood
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar (Signed) Janus Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar (Signed) Janus Chairs These were reupholstered at one point. May desire to have these reupholstered. Beautiful natural wood grain. Some wear to...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Cane And Mahogany Dining Chair By Edward Wormley For Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in 1946. Model 4632, features tapered frames in a light mahogany with solid seats and curved backrests inset with cane.
Cane, Mahogany
$7,200 / item
A-frame Armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An architectural and substantial armchair having an exposed walnut "A"-shaped frame supporting an upholstered seat and generous floating and curving back.
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of Mid-Century Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1955
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of American Mid-Century slipper / side chairs, upholstered in a dark blue fabric with button tufting on the seat backs, resting on four square walnut legs. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR D...
Fabric
Set of Six rare Panel Back #6337 Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A comfortable set of six dining chairs having gently curved solid wood panel backs and upholstered seats resting on ebonized walnut frames.
Upholstery
Dunbar 'Scoop' Seat Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sinuous upholstered dining chair on tapered legs.
Upholstery, Walnut
Panel Back Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of four (4) elegant and generously proportioned dining chairs with wooden panel backs, having spare, square-legged mahogany frames and tailored, form fitting upholstery.
Mahogany, Upholstery
A-frame Armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A horseshoe back armchair with white leather upholstery and ebonized mahogany frame.
Leather, Mahogany
Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1961
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
With a nod to the immense popularity of Charles Eames's swivel lounge chair and ottoman, Wormley capitalized on the popularity of his own stationary, winged lounge chair and ottoman ...
Leather
Dunbar Mid Century Lattice Back Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Dunbar Mid Century Lattice Back Dining Chairs - Set of 6 Each armless chair measures: 20 wide x 20.5 deep x 43.5 high, with an approximat...
Upholstery, Wood
Dunbar, Mid-Century Modern, Occasional Chairs, Leather, Rosewood, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Stamford, CT
Dunbar, Mid-Century Modern, Occasional Chairs, Leather, Rosewood, 1950s This pair of occasional chairs produced by Dunbar in the mid-20th century, showcases a striking design with t...
Rosewood
$2,800 / item
Tootsie Roll Stools by Dunbar
By Roger Sprunger, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An unusual and expressive 'tootsie roll' stool, ottoman or end table covered in textured striated fabric.
Dunbar Occasional Arm Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1954
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A model 5517 occasional armchair with exposed mahogany frame supporting a fully upholstered seat, back rest and arms, covered in vintage upholstery. Designed in 1954 as a component o...
Mahogany
Armless Slipper Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1957
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An armless slipper chair from the Janus collection with button tufted upholstery and beautifully carved integral walnut base. Model 5775.
Upholstery, Walnut
Lacquered Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1948
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An uncommon pivot-back lounge chair in lacquered mahogany with vintage velvet geometric upholstery. Designed in 1948 by Edward Wormley.
Velvet, Mahogany
Pair of Janus High Back Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair of 'Janus' high back chairs with the original blue silk faille upholstery, on light walnut legs with cloud lift stretchers.
Walnut, Upholstery