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 Edward Wormley, Jack Lenor Larsen, 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
Rare John Saladino for Dunbar Petal Settee / Loveseat in Jack Lenor Larsen Plaid
By Dunbar Furniture, John Saladino
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 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
$9,900Sale Price|29% Off
'Bracket-Back' Model #133 Mahogany and Leather Sofa by Dunbar, c 1955
By Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
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
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Ivory Velvet Sofa w Hexagonal Walnut Legs, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant Edward Wormley for Dunbar sofa (1950s), produced in Berne, Indiana, and embodying the designer's celebrated ability to balance refined modernism with timeless comfort. Res...
Fabric, Wood
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 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...
Upholstery, Wood
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.
Fabric, 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
$8,252Sale Price|40% Off
H 33.86 in W 75.2 in D 39.38 in
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...
Leather
Early Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa, c. 1940
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
$2,532
H 29 in W 49 in D 33 in
Mid-Century Modern Rattan Settee in the Style of John Wisner for Ficks Reed
By Ficks Reed
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Vintage settee/loveseat with serpentine arms, in the style of John Wisner for Ficks Reed, 1950s. Very well executed rattan and hardwood construction, with spring support, beautiful ...
Fabric, Rattan
Set of Eigth John Saladino for Dunbar Petal Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, John Saladino
Located in Dallas, TX
An extremely rare seating group of eight Petal chairs model no. 7814 designed by New York interior designer and architect John Saladino for Dunbar. The fu...
Velvet
$58,000
H 27 in W 56.5 in D 24 in
Ib Kofod-Larsen "Elizabeth" Settee, Leather, Rosewood, Denmark, 1950s
By Christensen & Larsen, Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in High Point, NC
A black leather and rosewood settee, designed by Ib Kofod-Larsen and produced by Christensen & Larsen, Denmark, 1950s. Seat Height (inches): 14.63" Arm Height (inches): 22.5" All ...
Leather, Rosewood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Walnut Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
$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 Sofa in Light Blue Upholstery
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Chrome Settee Loveseat Sofa
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Chrome Settee Loveseat Sofa This settee measures: 61 wide x 37.25 deep x 28 inches high, with a seat height of 16 and arm height of 25 inches Good V...
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Two-Seater Sofa by Jens Risom, Walnut Frame, 1955
By Jens Risom
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A small, vintage Mid-Century Modern American two seater sofa or settee with four pillows, designed and produced by Jens Risom Design, Model U-151, in good condition. The seat, back rest of the divano is slightly inclinated with a button-tufted back and two straight arms, supported by a hand crafted Walnut frame, standing of four small curved wooden feet. Newly upholstered in an orange velvet. Wear consistent with age and use, circa 1955, New York, United States. Seat: 18.5" H x 44.5" W x 19.5" D Pillows: 20" H x 20" W x 7" D Jens Risom was a Danish, American furniture designer born in 1916, in Copenhagen, Denmark and passed away in 2016, in New Canaan, United States. He finished his apprenticeship as a designer at the Copenhagen School...
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
$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
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
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 Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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 Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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 Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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 Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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