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 Cain Front Mahogany Sideboard on a Plinth Base
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cabinet / Credenza in Mahogany and Walnut
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Culver City, CA
This is a credenza that exudes power, presence, and a little bit of that old-money mystique. Designed by the legendary Edward Wormley for Dunbar, this mahogany and walnut masterpiece...
Mahogany, Walnut
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
$7,500 / set
H 29 in W 96 in D 20 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Rosewood Credenza
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern three-piece executive credenza, which includes one eight-drawer cabinet and two three-drawer cabinets with large file drawers. By Edward Wormley fo...
Rosewood, Walnut
$7,800
H 29.5 in W 66.188 in D 18.25 in
Edward Wormley Walnut Sideboard with Leather Wrapped Base 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Sophisticated mid-century modern buffet cabinet or sideboard designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950s–1960s. Executed in richly figured walnut, the cabinet features a clean...
Brass
$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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
Basket Weave Credenza by Edward Wormley in Mahogany, C. 1960s
By Edward Wormley
Located in Westport, CT
Very rare four-door mahogany credenza by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, featuring striking brass basket weave front panels. The center doors open to reveal a spacious shelf, while the si...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Credenza
By Edward Wormley
Located in Pasadena, TX
Elegantly crafted credenza made of walnut. Credenza features distinctive half moon drawer and door pulls.
Walnut
Edward Wormley Credenza with Rippled Cabinets for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c.1950s, USA. The two-tone credenza features five birch drawers at the center of the piece and a mahogany top and sides with two sliding textured doors. Th...
Mahogany, Birch
$5,700
H 29.5 in W 78 in D 21.5 in
Lovely Curved Mid-Century Buffet attributed to Dunbar and Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
A stunning buffet attributed to Dunbar Furniture and designed by Edward Wormley. The piece is identical to the Wormley design but it is missing the Dunbar tag. It matches a sideboa...
Brass
$24,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 18 in W 61.5 in D 28.75 in
Two Midcentury Ebonized Walnut Woven Front Credenzas, Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Two signed Edward Wormley for Dunbar ebonized walnut woven front credenzas with brass fittings. One is a darker walnut than the other so they are not exactly matching in coloration. ...
Walnut
$6,495
H 31.5 in W 50.25 in D 15.25 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany and Marble Credenza
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany and Marble Credenza This credenza measures: 50.25 wide x 15.25 deep x 31.5 inches high Excellent Vintage Condition - Very Minor Stain...
Marble
$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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Credenza
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Denton, TX
Classic Edward Wormley for Dunbar mahogany credenza with solid brass hardware. Nine drawers with center cabinet.
Brass
Rare Woven Front Cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare and elegant walnut cabinet with bleached rosewood woven front doors and brass hardware. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Walnut
Sold
H 30 in W 40 in D 19 in
Mid Century Walnut Edward Wormley Dunbar Flip Top Rolling Buffet Bar Cart Server
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dayton, OH
"Mid Century Modern Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture bar cart or server. Made of walnut featuring a two tier design with a flip top, lower drawer, Micarta insert and large rolling...
Walnut
Sold
H 35.25 in W 33 in D 18.5 in
Pair of Cabinets by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Two-Tone Mahogany and Rosewood
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pair of storage cabinets in two-tone mahogany with rosewood pulls and brass details. These have been expertly refinished and are in excellent ...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Modern Brass Handle Sideboard / Buffett
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Houston, TX
Great two-tone sideboard designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1960s. Restored within the last 5 years. Features for sliding doors and two drawers.
Walnut
Sold
H 27 in W 80 in D 18.25 in
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Oak & Chrome Credenza by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar
By Roger Sprunger, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Lafayette, IN
Impressive 1970s Credenza designed by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar. Credenza features gorgeous curly oak veneer, chrome ends, chrome pulls, and a wonderful minimalist design. This would...
Chrome
Edward Wormley Cabinet for Dunbar, circa 1955
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Edward Wormley cabinet for Dunbar, circa 1955. This piece has been professionally restored.
Brass
Sold
H 28 in W 69 in D 18 in
Cabinet / Credenza by Edward Wormley, Brass and Mahogany. Excellent Condition.
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Designed as a dining room buffet / sideboard, this Edward Wormley for Dunbar storage cabinet can be used in any part of the house. The things that make it specific to being a dining ...
Brass
Elegant Woven Front Credenza by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant woven front credenza, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American, circa 1950s. It offers a voluminous amount of storage with three deep divided drawers at the top and th...
Brass
Edward Wormley "Basket Weave" Front Credenza for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Edward Wormley basket weave front mahogany credenza for Dunbar furniture.
Brass
Credenza or Buffet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in Oiled Walnut
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Charleston, WV
Arguably one of the most impressive designs from the works of Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1955. For use as a credenza or buffet, the dining table and chairs that accompanied thi...
Brass
Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Burled Olivewood Credenza
By Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in South Bend, IN
A stunning burled olivewood credenza designed by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar. The credenza features gorgeous wood grain and clean, sleek modern lines....
Sold
H 32 in W 61.5 in D 18 in
Cabinet, Buffet or Sideboard by Edward Wormley, Expertly Restored and Refinished
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Edward Wormley storage cabinet / credenza. Three sliding cane panels reveal drawers and adjustable shelves. Expertly refinished and restored. Excellent condition.
Cane, Mahogany