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.
Rare Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 5522 Cane Swivel Vanity Chair 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Troy, MI
Rare model 5522 desk chair or vanity stool from the First Lady Series Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar circa 1950s Laminated wood and cane molded backrest with round seat on a ...
Brass
Rare Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 251 Swivel Lounge Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautifully newly upholstered in Donghia velvet, color "Whiskey". Great for you living room, family room or office. A comfortable, relaxing swivel chair with great styling.
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Chair, C. 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Westport, CT
A swivel lounge chair designed by the iconic Edward Wormely for Dunbar Furniture, circa 1950-1959. Completely restored, fitted with new high-grade hand cut foam with all insides full...
Velvet, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Dunbar Swivel Lounge Chair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley dunbar swivel lounge chair.
Upholstery
Mid Century Swivel Lounge Chair designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Iconic swivel lounge chair designed by Edward Wormley for the Dunbar Furniture Company, model 5609 c. 1950/60's. The chair features a dark wood four leg base, with an upholstered se...
Upholstery, Wood
Early Pair of Leather Swivel Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A very rare and early pair of swiveling club chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1940's. These clean-lined chairs elevate comfortable lounging to new heights of sophistication...
Leather, Wood
Leather Swivel Lounge Chairs Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Add some playful elegance to your space with these swiveling Dunbar chairs designed by Edward Wormley, circa 1960's. His signature style, defined by clean lines and architectural sim...
Leather, Wood
Early Pair of Grey Mohair Swivel Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Restored
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant from every angle! A very rare and early pair of swiveling club chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1940's. These clean-lined chairs elevate comfortable lounging to new...
Mohair, Wood
Edward Wormley Swivel Chair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley Swivel Chair, laminated flat spindles, seat and crest rail with, X base with solid mahogany tapered legs. Newly upholstered button tufted seat with Spinneybeck leather...
Leather, Mahogany
Pair of Janus Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
This pair of Janus chairs, designed by Edward Wormley, and manufactured by Dunbar furniture company, 1950s, have been expertly restored, refinished, and reupholstered in a beautiful...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Dunbar Lounge Chair designed by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to reach out for efficient shipping quote to your location. Mid Century Modern Lounge Chair. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Fabric, Mahogany
$3,250
H 29.25 in W 27.5 in D 36.5 in
Edward J. Wormley Lounge Chair and Ottoman circa 1950s for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward J. Wormley lounge chair and ottoman for Dunbar circa 1950s on solid brass castors. The lounge chair has a trapezoid shape, wider in the front (27.5" W) and tapers to the back....
Upholstery
Pair of Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of slipper chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Chairs are reupholstered in a Maharam Mohair.
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Chairs- A Pair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Great pair of lounge chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. Features a seamless blend of traditional and modern elements as so familiar with Wormley's design philosophy- with...
Upholstery, Hardwood
$4,050 / set
H 30.5 in W 27 in D 22.5 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection Lounge Chairs, Pair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Janus Collection lounge chairs By Edward Wormley for Dunbar USA, 20th Century Ebonized sculpted walnut arms and legs with an exposed frame, and red up...
Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Slipper Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Early Edward Wormley for Dunbar slipper chairs. Lacquered mahogany legs with newly reupholstered button tufted seat and back. ...
Mahogany
Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar Club Chair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Single Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar club chair with older re-upholstery on thick tapered legs. Unrestored, ready for new upholstery, legs show age, should be refinished. Email for up...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$11,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 37.5 in W 30.5 in D 38.5 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Chair and ottoman model 6142
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swiveling Lounge Chair and Ottoman. Early 60's design only produced for a short time! Never having seen one before is always a perk for a Mid-Century Deal...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Lounge Chairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Edward Wormley design swivel lounge chairs for Dunbar, model #5609 Refinished and reupholstered in a cotton velvet fabric.
Upholstery
Pair of Yellow Cube Club Chairs By Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley, Milo Baughman
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Yellow Cube Club Chairs By Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Signed Dunbar on upholstery as shown. Upholstrey shows some wear and fading, but I believe good to use as-is with may...
Upholstery
Edward Wormley Lounge Chairs by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Highland, IN
This pair of Edward Wormley easy chairs have a wonderful profile combining a casual slipper chair with a wing-back. Stylish, comfortable and well built by Dunbar they are the perfec...
Upholstery, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Lounge Chair 1965
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Lounge Chair (1965) Reupholstered in Pierre Frey "Bridget," a high-performance linen, wool, viscose, and polyamide blend. Solid lacquered mahogany ba...
Bouclé, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Lounge Chairs, Model 4626
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture swivel lounge chairs, model 4626. Large comfortable chairs with built in half rounded arms and a deep seat. Newly upholstered in a moss mohair or ...
Mohair, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Chairs in Grey Alpaca Velvet, C. 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Westport, CT
Stunning pair of swivel chairs that encapsulate the essence of mid-century modern design: the exquisite creations of renowned designer Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950s. Meticul...
Velvet, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Chairs in Claret Mohair, Set of Four
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful swivel lounge chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. These are super comfortable and great looking. We have restored with a beautiful mohair. We have a listing for a pair as ...
Mohair, Wood
Edward Wormley Chic Tufted Desk Chair in Leather 1954 (Signed)
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Beautifully made “Barrel Tufted Desk Chair” model no 5400 with original gray leather on a mahogany base with brass castors by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, A...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Chairs in Mohair, Pair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring a distinctive look with this pair of Dunbar Furniture Revolving Television Chairs model no. 4626 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1940's. The look is clean and soph...
Mohair, Wood
Sold
H 29.5 in W 30 in D 28.5 in
Swivel Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Priced Low for Reupholstery, Signed
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Dunbar barrel swivel lounge chair with a walnut base on brass casters. The casters can easily be removed if so desired. The walnut base has been expertly...
Brass
Sold
H 27 in W 30 in D 27 in
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Barrel Chairs in Clean Original Fabric
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Ferndale, MI
Very comfortable. Well made and solid as you would expect from Edward Wormley and Dunbar. Perfectly padded chair sits on substantial circular wood base. Swivel mechanism works fine w...
Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Chairs in Claret Mohair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
These are super comfortable and great looking. We have restored with a beautiful mohair. We have a second pair if you are looking for four chairs.
Mohair, Wood
Sold
H 32 in W 31 in D 36 in
Pair of Revolving Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Boucle and Walnut
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of 1950s revolving chairs model number 4626 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. These chairs have a walnut veneer base and new boucle fabric featuring cotton cord...
Bouclé, Walnut
Pair Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Chairs in Blue
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring a distinctive look with this pair of Dunbar Furniture Revolving Television Chairs model no. 4626 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1940's. The look is clean and soph...
Wood, Velvet
Pair Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Chairs in Mohair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring a distinctive look with this pair of Dunbar Furniture Revolving Television Chairs model no. 4626 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1940's. The look is clean and soph...
Mohair, Wood