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 Mid Century Mahogany Loveseat Settee Sofa
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
$9,000 / set
Edward Wormley Pair of Sofas / Settees
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Highland, IN
These lovely, lightly scaled sofas or loveseats designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, are not only an uncommon form, having a matched pair available is also very rare. They are stru...
Upholstery, Wood
Newly Upholstered Loveseat Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Charleston, SC
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 495 loveseat sofa. Beautifully upholstered. You can use with or without the back pillows as the back has 3 tufted buttons. Wood stretcher from fro...
Upholstery, Wood
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
Edward Wormley Sectional Sofa for Dunbar, 1960s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Hamburg, PA
A classic Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1960's USA. This two-piece sectional sofa has the stately mahogany bracket back design that sets this Edward Wormley sofa apart. This sofa has vi...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$7,000
H 26 in W 95 in D 33 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa M#261 with Original Jack Lenor Larsen Upholstery
By Jack Lenor Larsen, Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Classic mid-century modern sofa designed by Edward Wormley from his 1958 Dunbar - Conversation Pieces Collection, this sofa model #261 still has its original Jack Lenor Larsen colorf...
Brass
Louis XVI Style Black Leather Settee Sofa
Located in North York, ON
Louis XVI style black leather settee sofa. Luxuriously carved frame, made in Italy, in iconic Louis XVI style design. Finished in a rich medium w...
Metal
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bracket Back Sofa, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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 for Dunbar Mid Century Sofa
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Sofa This sofa measures: 90 wide x 32 deep x 29.5 inches high, with a seat height of 16 and arm height of 22.5 inches Great Vintage Condition ...
Upholstery, Wood
$5,000
H 31.5 in W 90.5 in D 36 in
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 ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$9,700Sale Price|24% Off
H 26.5 in W 51 in D 27.5 in
'LC2' Black Leather Settee Sofa Loveseat by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed
By Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredibly comfortable Le Corbusier for Cassina 'LC2' two-seat loveseat sofa, signed (see pics, in gorgeous thick Italian black leather on chrome steel frame is in beautiful vin...
Steel
$2,850
H 30.5 in W 48.5 in D 33.5 in
1950s Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Loveseat Settee or Sofa
By Paul McCobb
Located in St. Louis, MO
Paul McCobb for Planner Group loveseat, settee or sofa. Upholstery needs to be updated as it has stains, foam is good. Price includes refinishing of legs. Measures: Seat 16" H, arm 1...
Upholstery, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Walnut Sofa
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
12 Foot Dunbar Sofa Designed by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Twelve feet long! Custom made Dunbar sofa designed by Edward Wormley. This was reupholstered 10 years ago and has seen very little use since. We have refinished the base since these ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Fritz Hansen 1940s Sofa or Settee with Open Armrests by Soren Hansen
By Fritz Hansen, Frits Hansen/Soren Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fantastic 1940s Fritz Hansen sofa designed by Soren Hansen in the company's characteristic style of open armrests. Made from stained beech wood showing great blond color and with coi...
Wool, Beech
Duke of Leeds Hornby Castle Settee in Fortuny
Located in Hanover, MA
SATURDAY SALE Antique circa 1910 reproduction of the Duke of Leeds double chair from Hornby Castle, as illustrated in The History of English Furniture b...
Cotton, Giltwood, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Loveseat in Grey Velvet, circa 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Westport, CT
Mid-Century Modern Loveseat designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950-1959. Completely restored and reupholstered in grey cotton velvet by Holly Hunt. Other designers...
Velvet, Mahogany
Gondola Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
A Gondola sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar’s Janus Collection in the 1950s. This sculptural sofa features angled arms and a floating back attached to the base with walnut s...
Brass
Sold
H 32.5 in W 56.75 in D 33 in
Edward Wormley Mid-Century 1950s Designed Dunbar for Modern Love Seat or Settee
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward Wormley love seat or settee from his Dunbar for Modern collection, one of his early fully modern furniture collections. This love seat ...
Upholstery, Walnut
Vintage Walnut Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Exceptional vintage walnut sofa designed by Edward Wornley and manufactured by Dunbar in the United States, circa 1960s. It features an ergonomic s...
Fabric, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Settee
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid-century settee. The settee measures: 48.5 wide x 32 deep x 28 high, with a seat height of 16 inches and arm height of 23.25 inches. All pieces of ...
Upholstery, Wood
Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Parsons Loveseat, 1970s
By Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Mid-Century Modern Parsons style loveseat By Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1970s Fully upholstered in origina...
Upholstery
Edward Wormley Loveseat "Short Sofa" Terry Chenille Fabric
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Westport, CT
Edward Wormley loveseat, short sofa catalog page 26 index page 175 model 5406, solid brass polished legs springs foam. Important early design, 1956.
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 6329A Angled Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 6329A Angled Sofa. Completely restored.
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Edward Wormley Even Arm Three-Seat Sofa
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Houston, TX
Great Dunbar Edward Wormley Sofa. Needs upholstery COM available.
Fabric
Dunbar Chesterfield Sofa
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Chesterfield sofa, reupholstered in spinney beck leather.
Leather
Sold
H 28 in W 66 in D 30.5 in
Loveseat or Settee by Edward Wormley Restored to Perfection Knoll Upholstery
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare armless love seat by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Classic Wormley floating bracket design with mahogany legs. This very comfortable settee has been fully restored and reupholstere...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Loveseat Sleeper Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a vintage loveseat by Dunbar. This piece is also a sleeper, in working condition, mattress looks unused. It is signed. Measures: 70" W x 35" D x 32.5" H seat height 15...
Upholstery