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 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
Edward Wormley Cerused Oak Cabinet for Dunbar, 1950s USA
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Absolutely stunning cerused Oak cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Made in the 1950s USA. The bottom of cabinet is a plinth base wrapped in black leather. Two wavy sliding plank...
Leather, Oak
1960s Sculptural Pair Étagère Roger Sprunger for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a pair mid-century sculptural Étagères (Set of 2) by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Indian, USA circa the 1960s. Dimensions: 79.25, 79 H x 20.25 W x 20.25 D. On...
Wood
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 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
$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
$5,800Sale Price|26% Off
H 29.5 in W 72.5 in D 36.5 in
Dunbar Roger Sprunger Rosewood and Stainless Steel Desk
By Roger Sprunger, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Pasadena, TX
A Mid-Century Modern executive desk in the style of Roger Sprunger. Rosewood with stainless steel double pedestal base. Three drawers including one file and two regular with two pull...
Stainless Steel
$2,975
H 53 in W 42 in D 11.75 in
Antique English Bookcase Cabinet Double Door Leaded Wavy Glass Oak c.1930s
Located in Tyler, TX
BEAUTIFUL Antique English Honey Oak Bookcase or Display Cabinet with Double Wavy Leaded Glass Doors ~~c. 1930s PERFECT for your favorite antique books or collectibles 53" tall (spl...
Glass, Oak
$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
$5,624
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
$4,500
H 78 in W 51.5 in D 14.75 in
Antique English Jacobean Bookcase Cabinet Double Door Wavy Glass Tiger Oak 1930s
Located in Tyler, TX
HANDSOME Antique English Jacobean Tiger Oak Bookcase or Display Cabinet with Double Wavy Glass Doors over Double Lower Doors~~c. 1930s PERFECT for your favorite antique books or col...
Glass, Oak
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
$3,800
H 59 in W 60 in D 14 in
Antique English Jacobean Bookcase Bookshelf Cabinet Triple Glass Door Oak c1930s
Located in Tyler, TX
BEAUTIFUL Antique English Jacobean Oak Bookcase or Display Cabinet with Triple Glass Doors ~~c. 1930s ~~PERFECT for your favorite antique books or collectibles~~flat top for additio...
Glass, Oak
1960s Czech Industrial Wrought Iron and Wood Étagère
Located in High Point, NC
This 1960s Czech Metal Shelving unit is a stunning example of industrial design, marrying functionality with a distinct aesthetic appeal. The shelves, crafted from warm-toned wood, c...
Metal
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
7ft Dunbar Roger Sprunger Rosewood Chrome Writing Desk
By Roger Sprunger
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage midcentury Roger Sprunger rosewood chrome table writing desk by Dunbar 1970s Executive desk in rich rosewood veneer with three drawers over legs in polished chrome. We als...
Chrome
$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
$2,250
H 75 in W 31 in D 14.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Gilt Faux Bamboo Etagère with Glass Shelves, 1960s
Located in Greenwich, CT
Mid-Century Classic American Faux Bamboo Gilt Etagère / Shelves Unit with glass shelves , unmarked. Ample storage space , perfect for a living room, display of photos , books and dec...
Metal
Dunbar Magazine Tree #5336 Designed by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Denton, TX
Edward Wormley for Dunbar magazine tree in walnut with four cantilevered shelves that get deeper as the order descends from top to bottom. A rare model introduced in 1953 and was onl...
Walnut
1970's Edward Wormley for Dunbar Wall Shelving Unit Cabinet
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage Mid-century Modern shelf for sale. It was manufactured in the 1970's by Dunbar, and designed by Edward Wormley. It has a lower credenza with cabinets and a drawer and shelves...
Glass, Burl
1960s Étagère by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar
By Roger Sprunger, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Dunbar étagère in original cream colored lacquer over a solidly constructed wood base (with splined corners) allowing decorative objects to be displayed...
Wood
1950s Burled Wall Console by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A burled Finnish birch demilune wall shelf with single drawer. Mirror sold separately.
Birch
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Double Bookcase
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional mid-century modern mahogany double bookcase designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. The bookcase features gorgeous maho...
Mahogany
Edward Wormley 'Magazine Tree' Shelves for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Utrecht, NL
Magazine tree, model 4765 by American designer Edward Wormley executed in birch and sap grain walnut, designed in 1947 for Dunbar Furniture USA. A very special, functional and aesth...
Birch, Walnut
Sold
H 30 in W 37 in D 18 in
Serving Cart by Edward Wormley, Rosewood Frame, Black Slate Top, Cork Shelves
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar serving cart or bar trolley with drawer on brass casters. Beautiful mix of materials: Sculpted Brazilian rosewood frame (see details in photos), shelves are...
Slate, Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Geometric Étagère
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
Offering a very rare Mid-Century Modern étagère by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. The étagère features white lacquered wood in a unique geometric design. There are four glass s...
Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 79 in W 20 in D 20 in
Edward J Wormley for Dunbar Op Art Etagere / Bookcase in Original Yellow Lacquer
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A shelving unit designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar comprising a hardwood frame in an optical art design with three glass shelves and a solid bottom shelf. It retains its original ...
Glass, Hardwood
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
Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Long John" 72in Hanging Shelf
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Amarillo, TX
Edward Wormley Long John hanging shelf in original condition. Matching "Long John" coffee table available. Dunbar model 5234 USA , 1946 sap-grain walnut 72 w x 13 d x 11.5...
Walnut
Pair of Rare Bookcases Model 5264 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Rare pair of bookcases model 5264 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Walnut