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.
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Sectional Sofa w/ Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Add a touch of mid-century charm to your living space with this inviting sectional sofa, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in the 1950s. This piece is all about both style and fl...
Fabric, 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
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
Early Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa, c. 1940
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Early Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa, c. 1940 An early sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, dating to approximately 1940. This substantial example features a generous seating ...
Upholstery
Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A good Mid-Century Modern sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, with flared back and arms and loose back cushions. Square dark walnut legs with round brass foot. The piece was reupholst...
Upholstery, Walnut
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
$3,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 28 in W 120 in D 60 in
Mid Century Modern Modular Sectional sofa with ottoman by Broyhill Lenoir
By Broyhill
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Modern Modular Sectional sofa with ottoman by Broyhill Lenoir Vintage Broyhill Lenoir Modular Sectional Sofa characterized by its distinctive exposed solid wood frame st...
Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa in Light Blue Upholstery
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, sofa, model 5150, fabric, metal, United States, 1950s. The sofa exudes a simple and elegant style, reminiscent of the classic design elements typically a...
Metal
$15,750Sale Price|30% Off
H 28 in W 90.5 in D 32 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bracket Back Sofa in Mohair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautifully updated and restored. The iconic bracket back sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. This has been reupholstered in a stunning high-quality mohair from "The Sign". This sofa ...
Mohair, Mahogany
$2,850
H 32 in W 85 in D 33 in
Edward Wormley 1950s Mid-Century Designed Dunbar for Modern 3 Seat Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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 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
Dunbar Single Arm Sofa Designed by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This is a wonderful example of a period sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. Circa 1960s, it is a single left arm sofa and sits on two wood runne...
Fabric, Wood
$12,550
H 27.5 in W 86 in D 29 in
Edward Wormley Sofa - Dunbar Model 486 - Walnut Bracket Back Mid Century Modern
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Decatur, GA
Vintage mid century modern bracket back sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Model 486, circa 1950s. - Solid black walnut bracket back and legs have been fully restored and are in flaw...
Wool, Walnut
Edward Wormley Model 4907 sofa and Ottoman for Dunbar Mid Century
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, the Model 4907 sofa exemplifies the designer’s masterful balance of modern restraint and traditional comfort. Introduced in the mid-20th centur...
Upholstery
Dunbar Sofa by Edward Wormley on Brass Legs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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 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
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair of Split Arm Sofas
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair of Split Arm Sofas with bracket back supports in solid mahogany with exposed brass screws. We reupholstereded with Great ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early Pair of Dunbar Curved Sofas, 1940
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Early Pair of Dunbar Sofas, 1940. Newer upholstery in good condition. Price is per sofa.
Upholstery
Dunbar Oasis Sofa by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Early and rare oasis sofa model #5200 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Fully restored and upholstered in Donghia mohair.
Mohair
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 6329A Large Angled Sofa
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
The larger of the two sizes, this model 6329A angled sofa retains its original fabric in wonderful condition. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Mahogany stretcher base.
Mahogany
Sold
H 28 in W 96 in D 96 in
Mid-Century Modern Dunbar E. Wormley 3PC Sectional Sofa with Rare Corner Unit
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in West Hartford, CT
Magnificent, newly upholstered Dunbar Mid-Century Modern sectional sofa, three pieces in all, with one of the pieces being the rare Edward Wormley beechwood mahogany corner unit. The...
Fabric, Textile, Beech, Mahogany
Sold
H 28 in W 96 in D 96 in
Mid-Century Modern Dunbar E. Wormley 3 Pc Sectional Sofa with Rare Corner Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in West Hartford, CT
Magnificent, newly upholstered Dunbar Mid-Century Modern sectional sofa, three pieces in all, with one of the pieces being the rare Edward Wormley beechwood corner table. The gold up...
Fabric, Textile, Beech
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofas
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar sofas, model no.488, features slight curved back and angled wing arms. Reupholstered with gre...
Upholstery
Sectional Sofa with Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, L Shape, Reversable
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Four piece sectional sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s. Curved center / corner section plus two seat section, one seat section and one ottoman. This can be configured...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Sold
H 30 in W 163 in D 42 in
Two-Piece Dunbar Sofa by Edward Wormley, Armless, Brass Legs, Models 4756 & 4828
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Two piece, armless, sectional sofa designed by Edward Wormley, made by Dunbar. A combination of models 4756 and 4828 in the Dunbar Catalog. The backless end on the angled piece (4756...
Brass
Sold
H 29.53 in W 181.11 in D 78.75 in
Huge Sectional Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar (Upholstery needed)
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare sectional sofa designed by Edward Wormley, manufactured by Dunbar. The sofa consists of three parts - two three-seater and one one-seater - which can be put together arbitrarily...
Brass
Sold
H 27 in W 96 in D 29.5 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa Set 5526-3 and 5525 Mid-Century Modern Sectional
By Baker Furniture Company, Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Company sofa set of two, featuring 5526-3 (double cushion, armless) sofa and 5525 (Left-Arm) sofa. Dunbar 5525 / “Knowland” collection...
Textile, Walnut