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 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
"Thebes" X Base Stool / Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Original Fabric
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
Two Pairs of Solid Mahogany Stools by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
We are offering two pairs of Dunbar stools with vinyl tops and mahogany bases. They would work well as footstools for your sofa or favorite chair. There is a rectangular Dunbar label...
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
Ottoman Footrest by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Ottoman, footrest manufactured by Dunbar. This example is structurally sound, and sturdy, it shows cosmetic wear and will need to be reupholstered. Asymmetrical form, upholstered top...
Upholstery, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection Chair and Footstool, C. 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Westport, CT
Historic set of lounge chair and ottoman designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950-1959. Completely restored, reupholstered in embossed velvet by Holly Hunt. Walnut refinishe...
Velvet, Walnut
Pair of Janus Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
This pair of Janus chairs, designed by Edward Wormley, and manufactured by Dunbar furniture company, 1950s, have been expertly restored, refinished, and reupholstered in a beautiful...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of slipper chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Chairs are reupholstered in a Maharam Mohair.
Ottoman-Zebra Hide Cube
Located in New York, NY
This Zebra hide cube ottoman provides a true ‘out of Africa’ sense to any space. Each ottoman has been upholstered with ethically and sustainably-sourced ...
Zebra Hide
Taylor King MCM Ottoman Footstool
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A MCM Upholstered...
Cotton
Pair of Dunbar Style Ottomans with Brass Legs
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of Classic midcentury ottomans or foot stools. Very heavy and thick brass legs, in the style of Dunbar.
Brass
$8,800
H 30 in W 20 in D 20 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bleached Mahogany & Cane Swivel Vanity Stool c. 1950
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Beautiful and elegant as ever mid century vanity stool designed by Edward Wormely and produced by Dunbar in the 1950s. The caning is ori...
Cane, Mahogany, Mohair, Upholstery
$44,995 / set
H 39.5 in W 29 in D 33 in
Pair Janus Wing Chairs and Ottomans by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare set of "Janus" wing chairs and ottomans designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. One of his most iconic designs! In the Janus Collection Wormley modernized the lines of eighteen...
Velvet, Wood
$7,795
H 37.5 in W 20.75 in D 20 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Barstools - Set of 3
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Barstools - Set of 3 Each bar stool measures: 20.75 wide x 20 deep x 37.5 high, with a seat height of 28 and arm height/chai...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$2,750Sale Price|50% Off
H 32.5 in W 22.75 in D 29 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Slipper Chair circa 1950s with Original Upholstery
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Comfortable armless lounge slipper chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in beautiful plaid upholstery. A true collectors piece with no modifications and in excellent vintage condition....
Walnut
Edward Wormley Model 2410 Sofa for Dunbar, Velvet, Mid-Century Modern
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Diego, CA
When the conversation turns to Mid-Century Modern icons, names like Eames, Nelson, and Bertoia often come up first. But any serious collector or design historian knows that Edward Wo...
Upholstery, Velvet
Dunbar Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for the Janus Collection
By Edward Wormley
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A pair of sophisticated and very well crafted slipper chairs having tufted backs upholstered in a light taupe and cream woven fabric with sculptural ebony toned mahogany legs . From ...
Upholstery, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Ottomans
By Edward Wormley
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Ottomans model #5314, ultra suede and mahogany priced as a pair
Mahogany
Sold
H 15.25 in W 22.5 in D 22.25 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Brown Leather Thebes Stools, 1950s - A Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A pair of solid mahogany and thick suede leather Thebes stools / ottomans designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. The “x” shape at the base creates a beautiful symmetry representative...
Leather, Mahogany
Pair of Edward Wormley Green Leather Ottomans for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of ottomans by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, c.1960s. The tufted seat cushions are upholstered in a dark olive green leather, a beautiful compliment to the rich mahogany frame...
Leather, Mahogany
Bench by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Absolutely stunning bench designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. This piece has been professionally refinished and reupholstered in an amazing leather hide. Retains Dunbar labeling.
Leather, Wood
Edward Wormley “Thebes” Stool for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Miami, FL
Thebes stool designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, newly reupholstered in woven cotton fabric.
Cotton, Upholstery, Foam, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Toadstool, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Amarillo, TX
Rare toadstool by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in shearling wool. Manufacturer's label to underside. USA, circa 1950s. Measures: 21 D x 17 H in. Wood, stainless steel, white w...
Stainless Steel
Mid Century Modern Low Accent Stool or Ottoman
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A nice design. Great to use as a foot rest. It has been reupholstered with a nice emerald green fabric. The legs have the original patina or ware. They have not been polished. N...