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 Bookcases With Floating Drawers- a Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An Edward Wormley designed bookcase for Dunbar. Both shelves have a floating drawer that hangs from below. Beautiful walnut case with a base wrapped in the original leather which sho...
Walnut
$2,016Sale Price|22% Off
Edward Wormley Book Case Designed for Dunbar, circa 1953
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Camden, ME
Tapering three-shelved walnut bookcase / plate stand designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Green Dunbar Berne Indiana metal tag is on the reverse. The bookcase is in excellent con...
Walnut
Edward Wormley Dunbar Banded Mahogany Stepped Bookcase 1960s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A well made and designed bookcase by Edward Wormley for Dunbar and sold by Pioneer Furniture Company, "Detroit's Finest Furniture Store". The bookcase features a subtle stepped silh...
Mahogany
Pair Dunbar Stepped Bookcases by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Stepped Bookcases by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Mahogany stepped Bookcases with two drawers that are stepped out from the frames. Wonderful ...
Mahogany
Cabinet 6026 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful and very elegant cabinet model # 6026 designed by Edward Wormely for Dunbar. This cabinet was purchased for the Neptune Gift Shop in New Jersey in 1963 and is constructed o...
Brass
Mahogany Dresser by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s USA
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome mahogany cabinet/dresser by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Two shelves flank each side with 5 drawers running down the middle. 2 thick wave panels on...
Mahogany, Leather
Edward Wormley Cerused Oak Cabinet for Dunbar, 1950s USA
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous oak cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Made in the 1950s and still a beautiful and practical piece today. Newly refinished in a cerused Oak, making the wood maintain its ...
Leather, Oak
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 4568 Lacquered Steel and Mahogany Bookcase
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 4568 Mid Century Lacquered Steel and Mahogany Bookcase This bookcase measures: 48 wide x 10.25 deep x 51 inches high Fair Vintage Condition - Bookca...
Steel
$3,200
Dunbar Cabinet
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome walnut cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Three shelves with bottom of cabinet wrapped in tan leather. Newly refinished in grey. Great color and per...
Walnut
$5,711
H 118.12 in W 28.75 in D 30.71 in
Osvaldo Borsani E22 Double Sided Freestanding Wall Unit for Tecno, Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
This double-sided freestanding E22 bookcase is a rare and peculiar example of Borsani's innovative design and the Tecno manufacturing expertise. Its construction of metal, wood, and ...
Metal
1960's Pair of Vintage Chests by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in London, GB
A magnificent pair of vintage chests, these were made in the USA by Dunbar furniture, they were designed by Edward Wormley. Edward Wormley was one of the leading pioneers of mid-cen...
Wood
Edward Wormley Dunbar Credenza, Model 5665
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design credenza for Dunbar Furniture Company, Berne Indiana. High quality materials and construction techniques were used in its creation. An iconic design by a MCM ma...
Brass
Edward Wormley Bedroom Dresser for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Impressive Edward Wormley for Dunbar bedroom dresser offers spacious storage in a rich wood finish. Beautifully detailed wood finish accented by brass ...
Mahogany
$4,540
H 35.25 in W 32.75 in D 18 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut and Rosewood Dresser Chest of Drawers 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Troy, MI
A rare chest of drawers designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar circa 1950s Contrasting mahogany case in dark espresso finish and walnut drawer fronts Finished with rosewood and brass...
Brass
$3,500
H 37 in W 34 in D 20 in
Expertly Restored - Edward J. Wormley Mahogany 5-Drawers Dresser for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer Edward J Wormley ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this jour...
Wood, Mahogany, Walnut
Carl Malmsten pine cabinet, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Stockholm, SE
Designed by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1950s. Produced in Sweden. Good condition.
Pine
$5,995
H 32 in W 81.5 in D 18.25 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Sideboard Credenza
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1950s Gorgeous mahogany, with sliding doors. Measures: 81.5"W x ...
Mahogany
$2,975Sale Price|50% Off
H 29 in W 84 in D 42 in
1950s Mid-Century Modern Walnut Executive Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Lafayette, IN
Grand style and grand scale combine in this wonderful executive desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Desk features walnut construction, brass and mahogany pulls, and the renowned Dunba...
Brass
Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar Cabinet with Asian Hardware
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar cabinet with brass Asian hardware. All original dark had rubbed finish on ribbon mahogany, top will be polished and touched up prior t...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany Credenza
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany Credenza This credenza measures: 61.5 wide x 18 deep x 32 inches high Fair Vintage Condition - Finish has a lot of wear and scratches...
Mahogany
Edward Wormley, Cabinet, Walnut, USA, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in High Point, NC
A sizeable walnut wardrobe or cabinet designed by Edward Wormley and produced by Dunbar, Berne, Indiana, USA, c. 1950s. Interior has glass shelving and backside has round air grids ...
Walnut
Sold
H 26.5 in W 30 in D 28 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Style Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Revolving Bookcase
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern or Arts & Crafts revolving bookcase table In the manner of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, Circa 1950s Measures: 30"W x 28"D x 26.5"H. ...
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bookcase model 686 in mahogany and leather
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A rare bookcase designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, model no. 686. This bookcase features a mahogany case with subtle fluted edge profile. The suspended drawers are finished in a ...
Leather, Mahogany, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Rotating Bookcase Table '2/2'
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare revolving bookcase designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Model no. 5405. Listing is for one table, a second table is available in the same finish. The other table is list...
Mahogany, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bookshelf
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a great little bookshelf by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c1960.
Birch, Mahogany
Mid-Century Bookcase Edward Wormley for Dunbar Etagere, 1970
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mod Etagere circa 1970 found in good condition showing normal signs of previous use. Made in the style of Mid-Century Modern. An elegant and simple item th...
Kingwood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut Glass Front Bookcase, 1960s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
A stunning Mid-Century Modern display cabinet or bookcase By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1960s Walnut, with glass front doors and original brass hardware. Me...
Brass
Sold
H 30.13 in W 57.25 in D 30.25 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Partners Desk with Bookshelf in Ebony with Red Leather
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Uncommon Edward Wormley for Dunbar, partners or library desk from an Arthur Elrod designed interior. Rear of desk flanked with bookcases on both sides of pedestals and two drawers with pullout writing surfaces. Main side contains center drawer, with four drawers per side, with file depth drawers on both left and right sides. Measurements per drawer are listed below after all text. Each drawer having a round brass pull and inlaid wood insert. Original red leather top, divided into three sections, same leather is used to wrap base. Retain brass Dunbar label. Original finish, with touch up, if perfection is sought, consider refinishing. Elrod placed this Edward Wormley for Dunbar Partners desk...
Brass
Vintage Low Walnut Bookcase by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage low walnut bookcase by Dunbar.
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar End Table with Book Shelf
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Edward Wormley 1940s end table/ bookcase designed for Dunbar Furniture. Retains original finish that shows some wear. Use as is or refinish in your color choice! Retains original label.
Mahogany
Sold
H 96.38 in W 84 in D 15 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Superstructure Breakfront Cabinet or Bookcase
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional custom "superstructure" breakfront wall unit display cabinet or bookcase By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1950s Natural and stained mahogan...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bookcase
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An Edward Wormley designed bookcase for Dunbar. Both shelves have a floating drawer that hangs from below. Walnut case has been refinished, and interior shelves have been cleaned. In...
Leather, Walnut
Dunbar Bookcase Wall Units by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of bookcases designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1960. Fully restored. Espresso stained mahogany, glass shelves, and brass details. Glass shelves can be arranged as nee...
Brass