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 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
$9,900Sale Price|29% Off
'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...
Leather, Wood
Rare John Saladino for Dunbar Petal Settee / Loveseat in Jack Lenor Larsen Plaid
By John Saladino, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
New York interior designer and architect John F. Saladino (1939-2025). John designed this 1970s rarely seen small-scale Petal Settee (#7009), sofa or loveseat for Dunbar, has its ori...
Upholstery
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Rosewood and Mahogany Settee Bench
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Rosewood and Mahogany Settee Bench This settee measures: 52.5 wide x 21.5 deep x 27 inches high, with a seat height of 18 and arm height of 27 ...
Upholstery, Mahogany, Rosewood
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.
Brass
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...
Bentwood
$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
Edward Wormley Slipper Sofa for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Denton, TX
Edward Wormley slipper sofa for Dunbar with off white upholstery and ebonized bentwood legs. Older restoration.
Bentwood, Upholstery
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.
Upholstery, Ash, Rosewood
Edward Wormley Open Frame Sofa, Dunbar, USA, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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.
Fabric, Wood
$13,200Sale Price / set|40% Off
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Settees in New Upholstery
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$2,950
H 20.63 in W 20.25 in D 14.24 in
1940's Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Regency Style X Form Bench or Stool
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Early design for Dunbar, mahogany bench or vanity stool model 1050. Curved or X form base with classical styling, with older upholstered seat. Mahogany frame will be restored prior t...
Leather, Mahogany
$3,500
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
$9,500 / set
H 30.5 in W 74.5 in D 34.5 in
Pair of Edward Wormley Dunbar Love Seats Sofas Jack Lenor Larsen
By Edward Wormley
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Excellent pair of Edward Wormley designed for Dunbar love seat sofas. They retain their original Jack Lenor Larsen velvet fabric in close to excellent...
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-Century Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Slipper Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful and elegant pair of armless slipper chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. This set appears to have been reupholstered (beautifully and professionally) at some point...
Upholstery, Wood
Edward Wormley Model 4907 Sofa by Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Highland, IN
In our opinion, this Ed Wormely design for Dunbar is one of the most spectacular sofas ever made. Modern, classic, and timeless... this form transcends styles, genres and eras. Nine ...
Brass
$18,000Sale Price|20% 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
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 5305 Sofa
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A large model 5305 angled sofa on bleached mahogany frame with leather capped legs. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Fabric
$6,950 / set
H 16 in W 22.5 in D 22.5 in
A Pair of Dunbar Thebes Stools In Jack Lenor Larsen Samarkand Velvet
By Edward Wormley
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
Here is a pair of Edward Wormley designed "Thebes" stools for Dunbar. The mahogany frames are in clear lacquer & the cushions are newly upholstered in vintage "Samarkand" velvet desi...
Mahogany
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
$10,500
H 30 in W 90 in D 48 in
1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar no. 4756 wing shaped sofa in Mohair and Brass
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A rare offering from Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. This wing shaped sofa, model 4756, was reupholstered in a moss colored mohair and sits on 10" solid brass stiletto legs. Ele...
Brass
Milo Baughman MCM Chrome Loveseat w Jack Lenor Larsen Style Fabric
By Milo Baughman
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Milo Baughman mid century chrome base loveseat with Jack Lenor Larsen Style Fabric. This loveseat measures: 75 wide x 38 deep x 25 inches high, with a seat height of 15 and arm he...
Chrome
Edward Wormley Slipper Sofa for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Denton, TX
Edward Wormley slipper sofa for Dunbar with off white upholstery and ebonized bentwood legs. Older restoration.
Bentwood, Upholstery
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...
Fabric, Wood
Edward Wormley 'Party' Sofa in Beige Fabric
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, sofa 'Party' model 5407, beige fabric, United States, 1950s. Fabric 'Party' sofa by American designer Edward Wormley. This sofa has an interesting appea...
Fabric
Sold
H 27.5 in W 80 in D 27 in
Mid-Century Walnut & Platinum Velvet Tete-A-Tete by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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...
Brass
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 ...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 35 in W 77 in D 28 in
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...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Settee
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
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...
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...
Mahogany
Sold
H 33.5 in W 109 in D 36 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 4906-A Bouclé and Brass Sofa, Reupholstered
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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 ...
Brass
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.
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Settee, circa 1955
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Settee has a Holly Hunt silk and camel hair fabric with a mahogany base.
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Armless Sofa for Dunbar, circa 1955
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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...
Brass