Dunbar Settees
American
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.
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Creator: Dunbar
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...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees
Materials
Brass
'Bracket-Back' Model #133 Mahogany and Leather Sofa by Dunbar, c 1955
By Roger Sprunger, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredible model #133 leather sofa by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar features gorgeous medium brown leather and Mahogany 'bracket back' legs, perfect for floating the sofa in the roo...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees
Materials
Leather, Wood
$10,600 Sale Price
24% Off
Edward Wormley Sofa Model 4906, Dunbar, USA, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An original Edward Wormley Model 4906 sofa, made by Dunbar in the USA, 1950s. Fast shipping worldwide.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley Open Frame Sofa, Dunbar, USA, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A very rare two-seat Edward Wormley open frame sofa, made by Dunbar, in the USA, 1950s. Newly reupholstered in high quality fabric. Fast shipping worldwide.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Edward Wormley Slipper Sofa for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Denton, TX
Edward Wormley slipper sofa for Dunbar with off white upholstery and ebonized bentwood legs.
Older restoration.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees
Materials
Bentwood, Upholstery
Edward Wormley Pair of Sofas / Settees
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
$9,000 / set
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair of Armless “Morris” Settees
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Rare pair of settees designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. Settees feature an armless profile complete with two mahogany "sled" like legs. These occasionally come up in so...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees
Materials
Bentwood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Custom Settee
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Denton, TX
This assemblage of three chairs into a settee with bentwood arms was custom ordered by Stephens Financial for their office in Michigan. New upholstery may be desired.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees
Materials
Upholstery, Ash, Rosewood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Settees in New Upholstery
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
We have updated these great looking settees in a new black and off-white chenille weave. The sofas are very comfortable with new foam. Bases are mahogany platforms that have been ref...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
$13,200 Sale Price / set
40% Off
Related Items
Sectional Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
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...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees
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Wavy Back Sofa Upholstered in Lelievre Wool Boucle
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An elegant modern scallop back sofa upholstered in Lelievre Lama Naturel wool boucle. Fast shipping worldwide.
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Materials
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Swedish Leather Samsas Round Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, GB
This is an absolutely stunning and iconic design. It’s the Swedish Leather Samsas Round Sofa designed by Carl Malmsten in the 1920’s. This model was made in Sweden in the late 20th c...
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Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees
Materials
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Pair of Louis XVI Style Carved and Laqué Gilded Bergère Settees or Loveseats
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of Louis XVI style carved and Laqué gilded bergère settees. The elegant pair of carved loveseats, upholstered in a blue velvet, with padded backs and sides and a cushion seat,...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Louis XVI Dunbar Settees
Materials
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$24,950 / set
H 38 in W 66 in D 28 in
Dunbar Single Arm Sofa Designed by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Very Rare Fully Restored Gentleman's Club Moustache Back Brown Leather Sofa
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exceptional, fully restored, very rare original Victorian gentleman’s club sofa with coil sprung base and rare Moustache back
Th...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Dunbar Settees
Materials
Leather
$13,744
H 33.86 in W 75.2 in D 39.38 in
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.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees
Materials
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...
Category
2010s American Louis XVI Dunbar Settees
Materials
Metal
Dunbar Club Chairs with Original Jack Lenor Larsen Upholstery
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage large-scale pair of Dunbar club chairs with the original Jack Lenor Larsen fabric, 1970s. Tuxedo style design with loose cushions and bronze platform base. Both chairs are in...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees
Materials
Upholstery
$6,800 / set
H 31.5 in W 38.5 in D 38.5 in
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 ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Dunbar Model 7350 Sofas by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Dunbar Model 7350 sofas by Edward Wormley. Vintage 1970’s sofas with more recent grey & pink silk upholstery.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees
Materials
Silk
Previously Available Items
Mid-Century Walnut & Platinum Velvet Tete-A-Tete by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
This dynamic and well designed Mid-Century Modernist Tete a Tete Sofa in Walnut & Platinum Velvet W/Brass Sabots is by Edward Wormley for Dunbar and originates from the United States...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees
Materials
Brass
H 27.5 in W 80 in D 27 in
Dunbar Mid Century Settee - Pair
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Dunbar Mid Century Settee - Pair
This settee measures: 67 wide x 36 deep x 24 inches high, with a seat height of 15 and an arm height of 23 ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Leather 3 Seater Cognac Sofa MCM
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dayton, OH
"Rare Edward Wormley for Dunbar Leather 3 seater sofa. Finished in Cognac over cylindrical brass tapered legs.
Provenance : Jerome Schottenstein Estate, Columbus Ohio. Jerome was...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees
Materials
Brass
H 35 in W 77 in D 28 in
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 ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Edward Wormley Tete-a-Tete Sofa for Dunbar in Green Velvet & Mahogany
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Dunbar tête-à-tête sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Upholstered in a soft mossy olive green perennials velvet. The base has been professionally refinished and the brass sa...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees
Materials
Brass
Dunbar Sofa with Mahogany Legs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
Classic Dunbar quality and style in this well proportioned 3 seat sofa designed by Edward Wormley. While this piece should be reupholstered, it provides...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees
Materials
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 4906-A Bouclé and Brass Sofa, Reupholstered
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredible Model 4906-A four-seat sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar features gorgeous reupholstered white bouclé and six of Wormley's signature brass legs. Fine details such as ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees
Materials
Brass
H 33.5 in W 109 in D 36 in
Edward Wormley Sofa for Dunbar, circa 1955
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Edward Wormley sofa for Dunbar, circa 1950. This piece has been expertly upholstered. Original patina to the brass legs.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Settee, circa 1955
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Settee has a Holly Hunt silk and camel hair fabric with a mahogany base.
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Armless Sofa for Dunbar, circa 1955
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Edward Wormley armless sofa for Dunbar, circa 1955. This piece has been expertly restored in alpaca bouclé. Original patina to the solid br...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Formal Tuxedo Down Filled Sofa
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar formal, classic and elegant sofa with down filled cushions. Sofa has been reupholstered at some point, so it’s missing the label and is in need of re-upholstery. Guaranteed to be Dunbar, came from a house full of Dunbar. Under the skirted sofa...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees
Materials
Brass
Curved Orange Sofa by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dunbar sofa in orange fabric, United States, circa 1970s.
This curved sofa has a particular upholstered fabric made with pink and ocre fibers, creating an interesting orange colo...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Dunbar settees for sale on 1stDibs.
Dunbar settees are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Dunbar settees, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original settees by Dunbar were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider settees by Adrian Pearsall, Herman Miller, and Russell Woodard. Prices for Dunbar settees can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $4,500 and can go as high as $22,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $8,712.
Creators Similar to Dunbar
Questions About Dunbar Settees
- Where is Dunbar Furniture made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Dunbar furniture is made in High Point, North Carolina. The original location of the company was Berne, Indiana. Its relocation occurred after Currey & Co. bought Dunbar from founder James Wormley in 1970. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Dunbar furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024To identify Dunbar furniture, search your piece for maker's markings. Some pieces feature a D-shaped metal tag, while others bear a metal plaque with the brand name etched on its surface, with or without the company's location: Berne, Indiana. Dunbar also branded its name onto the wood frames of certain furnishings. Upholstered pieces will most likely have the brand name on a label sewn onto a cushion. If you have difficulty locating a maker's mark, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer will assist you. Shop a variety of Dunbar furniture on 1stDibs.