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.
Vintage Dunbar Banded Mahogany Stepped Bookcase
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A well made and designed bookcase by Dunbar and sold by Pioneer Furniture Company, "Detroit's Finest Furniture Store". The bookcase features a subtle stepped silhouette. The discree...
Mahogany
$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
Pair Dunbar Stepped Bookcases by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
Edward Wormley Model 6026 Mahogany Display Cabinet for Dunbar, 1966
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
An exceptional Model 6026 display cabinet designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, executed in walnut with glass, brass detailing and a rich dark Finish 75. The architectural design i...
Brass
$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 cond...
Walnut
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
Edward Wormley Cerused Oak Cabinet for Dunbar, 1950s USA
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
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 for Dunbar Credenza
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Denton, TX
Classic Edward Wormley for Dunbar mahogany credenza with solid brass hardware. Nine drawers with center cabinet.
Brass
$6,500
H 58.25 in W 70.13 in D 12.25 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Display Shelf/ Room Divider Super-Structure Model 5223
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Versatile Room Divider/ Display Shelf, Super-Structure Model number 5223 Designed to be used on top of a cabinet, or on the floor. This simple elegant Pie...
Glass, Mahogany
$12,000 / set
H 38 in W 49 in D 20 in L 38 in
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany & Oak Waveform Cabinets, 1950's
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Bainbridge, NY
American Mid Century Modern refinished Edward Wormley for Dunbar Two Tone Chests - Cabinets. Featuring matched tone rectangular forms with Mahogany sides and top surface, sliding rip...
Mahogany
$3,875
H 72 in W 33 in D 14 in
Antique English Jacobean Bookcase Cabinet Double Door Glass Drawers Oak c.1930s
Located in Tyler, TX
BEAUTIFUL Antique English Jacobean Oak Bookcase or Display Cabinet with Double Leaded Wavy Glass Doors over Double Drawer Chest~~c. 1930s PERFECT for your favorite antique books or ...
Glass, Oak
$8,700Sale Price|40% Off
H 32 in W 88.1 in D 18 in
Mahogany Basket Weave Credenza by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a rare ribbon mahogany and stainless steel basket weave front credenza by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. This piece retains its original Dunbar finish which is in excellent condi...
Stainless Steel
Edward J Wormley Walnut Chest by Dunbar Mister Cabinet #4724
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Dunbar Cabinet with Tambour Doors and Fitted Storage A distinctive Dunbar cabinet pairing a dark wood case with warm, golden-toned tambour doors. The gently curved front and sculptu...
Wood
$2,875
H 58 in W 42 in D 13.75 in
Antique English Jacobean Bookcase Bookshelf Cabinet Double Glass Door Oak c1930s
Located in Tyler, TX
BEAUTIFUL Antique English Jacobean Oak Bookcase or Display Cabinet with Double Half Glass Doors over Double Drawers~~c. 1930s ~~PERFECT for your favorite antique books or collectibl...
Glass, Oak
Server Bar by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
A multifunctional walnut bar cart on casters by Edward Wormley for Dunbar– Model 5433. The cabinet has two cedar shelves which can be adjusted up or down. One drawer above the cabine...
Pierre Chapo Midcentury Solid Elm Library Cabinet
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Paris, FR
1960s solid elm French modern adjustable book- or showcase, reference B10 by Pierre Chapo. Extremely well crafted (Shelves and cabinet can be separated). The piece is equipped with...
Elm
$3,500
H 72.5 in W 42 in D 15.5 in
Antique English Bookcase Bookshelf Cabinet Double Door Barley Twist Oak c.1930s
Located in Tyler, TX
BEAUTIFUL Antique English Tudor Oak Bookcase or Display Cabinet with Double Doors over Double Lower Carved Doors with Barley Twist Legs~~c. 1930s PERFECT for your favorite antique b...
Glass, Oak
$7,200
H 80 in W 90 in D 15 in
3 Bay Mid-Mentury Modern Walnut Glass Doors Bookcase Wall Unit Curio Cabinet
By Durland, Dux of Sweden
Located in Rockaway, NJ
3 Bay Mid-Century Modern walnut glass doors bookcase wall shelves unit Curio cabinet MINT!. Each section mesures 30 inches in width.
Glass, Walnut
$7,800
H 32 in W 81.25 in D 18 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cain Front Mahogany Sideboard on a Plinth Base
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cain front mahogany sideboard on a Plinth Base, Features: Two drawers and one double drawer with removable dividers, Four sliding doors with 3 storage compa...
Mahogany
$3,670
H 35.13 in W 54.88 in D 20.63 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Black Lacquered Sideboard or Bar Cabinet, Refinished
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Edward Wormley for Dunbar USA, 1950s Mahogany in black lacquered finish. Cabinet locks and key is in...
Mahogany, Lacquer
Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart Edward Wormley for Dunbar C1953
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous bar cart/server with a drop down top which is 27 inches and 54 when raised, shelves for bottles, cupboard for glasses and other necessities. Model # 5433 created out of waln...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany Credenza
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
Sold
H 26.5 in W 30 in D 28 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Style Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Revolving Bookcase
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
Sold
H 32 in W 36 in D 12 in L 32 in
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
Sold
H 34.5 in W 48 in D 15 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Glass Front Bookcase
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern glass front bookcase or display cabinet By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1950s Bleached mahogany, with glass front doors and orig...
Brass
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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Revolving Bookcase Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A gorgeous rotating bookcase by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Model No. 5405 Dark ebonized finish has faint undertones which has worn beautifully. Measures: 21.5” wide 21.5” deep 25.5...
Brass