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.
Deco Mahogany and Bouclé Wingback Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 103B
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant, scarcely seen wingback chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar model 103B (ca. 1941, USA). Composed of a stained mahogany base with thin front tapered legs and gently splayed bac...
Bouclé, Mahogany
Dunbar Wingback Chairs Designed by Edward Wormley in a Custom Cartier Textile
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of early and important wing back chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Professionally restored with new foam, new springs, down-filled seat cushions and upholstered in a...
Mahogany
Pair Janus Wing Chairs and Ottomans by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare set of "Janus" wing chairs and ottomans designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. One of his most iconic designs! In the Janus Collection Wormley modernized the lines of eighteen...
Velvet, Wood
Early Wingback Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c. 1940s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An extremely rare pair of early wingback chairs model no. 1038 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1940s. This set delivers an architectural silhouette - a tall back boasts ...
Upholstery, Wood
1950's Edward Wormley Dunbar Wingback Lounge Arm Chair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Southampton, NJ
A classic 1950s Lounge armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar fully restored with new textured cotton upholstery. The original signed Dunbar decking has been carefully maintained. Fe...
Cotton, Walnut
1950's Edward Wormley Dunbar Lounge Chair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Southampton, NJ
An outstanding 1950s Lounge armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar fully restored with new textured cotton upholstery. The original signed Dunbar decking has been carefully maintained...
Cotton, Walnut
Edward Wormley Wingback Lounge Chair for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture, Milo Baughman
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley Wingback Lounge Chair for Dunbar. A really nice somewhat large scale modern wingback chair. Requires Reupholstery. Some wear to the wood legs. A chip to the rear le...
Wood
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
Pair of Janus Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
Pair of Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of slipper chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Chairs are reupholstered in a Maharam Mohair.
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
$5,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 34.5 in W 27 in D 31.5 in
Pair of Lounge Chairs Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection
By Edward Wormley
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a lovely pair of lounge chairs from Dunbar's highly regarded Janus line designed by Edward Wormley. The chairs were refinished and reupholstered in the last 10 years or so, b...
Upholstery, Wood
Dunbar Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for the Janus Collection
By Edward Wormley
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A pair of sophisticated and very well crafted slipper chairs having tufted backs upholstered in a light taupe and cream woven fabric with sculptural ebony toned mahogany legs . From ...
Upholstery, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Chairs in Blue, Pair
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...
Velvet, Wood
1940s Early Edward Wormley Dunbar Petite Slipper Chair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Great early modernism design by one of the most prominent designers of the period- Edward Wormely for Dunbar. Nice small scale would allow for a variety of applications.
Upholstery, Mahogany
$4,800
H 30 in W 28.5 in D 31 in
Unusual Edward Wormley For Dunbar Bentwood Arm Lounge Chair Ca '1950's
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare and hard to find Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture lounge chair. Distinct bentwood arms and a floating seat with decorative steel bars on the back. Reupholstered, new spring...
Mahogany
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Chairs and Ottoman
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Chairs and Ottoman Ottoman Measurements: 29.25 length 25.25 depth 17.25 height
Acrylic, Wood
$695 / set
H 41 in W 32 in D 35 in
Frederick Edward Georgian Style Upholstered Wingback Lounge Arm Chairs - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Frederick Edward Georgian Style Wingback Lounge Arm Chairs with Cherry Wood Legs - a Pair. Made in America with Pink, Green, and Beige Upholstery. Circa Late 20th Century. Me...
Fabric, Cherry
$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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar A rare "Janus" wing chair and ottoman designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Restored in a Olive Green Donghia velvet uphols...
Velvet, Mahogany
Sold
H 33.5 in W 28 in D 32 in
Edward Wormley Wing Lounge Chairs for Dunbar Model 6016 Pair in Cane & Mahogany
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare pair of Dunbar Wing lounge chairs in sculpted mahogany and woven cane designed by Edward Wormley. Reupholstered in a neutral Perennials velvet complete with new foam and refin...
Velvet, Cane, Mahogany
Sold
H 41 in W 28.5 in D 34 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Wing-Back Lounge Chair & Ottoman Model 5761
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
1950s wing back lounge chair and ottoman from the "Janus" Series Produced by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Reupholstered to the highest possible standard in a Perennials' camel velvet ...
Velvet, Mahogany, Down
Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A Janus wing chair and ottoman designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric.
Fabric
Sold
H 29 in W 29 in L 29 in
Pair Dunbar Wingback Chairs w/ Ottomans by Edward Wormley for Janus Collection
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Original pair of tufted back wingback lounge chairs with ottomans designed by Edward Wormley for the Janus Collection produced by Dunbar Furniture Company, 1950's. Two chairs and two ottomans in the original glamorous deep green avocado velvet...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Model 5761 Janus Wingback Chair and Ottoman
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Highland, IN
Edward Wormley created the "Janus" collection for Dunbar Furniture in 1957. The Greek god Janus seems to perfectly exemplify Wormley’s approach, with one face observing the past whil...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Queen Anne Style Wingback Chairs by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive pair of upholstered wing chairs by Dunbar. The wingbacks feature a hardwood frame with tall peaked crests and fully developed wings. The chairs are crafted in the Queen A...
Fabric, Hardwood
Scarce Large Scale Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Edward Wormley designed for Dunbar Furniture. Large scale highback lounge chairs featuring a carved front cushion, exaggerated size, over short, stubby mahogany legs accented wit...
Brass
Sold
H 45 in W 29 in D 30 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Early Wingback Armchair Ice Blue Velvet Mahogany Base
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Edward Wormley for Dunbar early wingback armchair ice blue velvet mahogany base. Rare early Wormley design from, circa 1945, the first few years after opening his own NY design studi...
Velvet, Mahogany
Midcentury Wing Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Iconic early wingback armchair designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Featuring a newly upholstered frame finished in an organic white Irish linen. Accented with brass nailhead trim ...
Brass
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Wing Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of unrestored Edward Wormley for Dunbar wing chairs.
Upholstery, Mahogany, Down
Early 1940 Edward Wormley Wing Chair for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Uncommon wide wingback chair with an embroidered green, yellow and taupe linen upholstery. Simple clean line mahogany curved front apron and legs. A documented and very early Wormley...
Mahogany, Linen