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 Dunbar Burl Olive Pedestal Accent Drum Table 6302F Mid Century
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Mid Century Modern Edward Wormley for Dunbar Burl Wood Pedestal Accent Drum Table 6302F. Item features a beautiful faceted columnar exterior, figured burl wood grain veneer, and the ...
Wood
Early Dunbar Square Leather and Wood Coffee Table Faux Gold Tortoise Finish
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Early Dunbar square leather and wood coffee table faux gold tortoise finish.
Walnut, Burl
Edward Wormley Dunbar Center Table Tiered Square Mid Century 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A Mid-Century mahogany center table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture of Berne, Indiana. 1950s. Absolutely square, height, width and depth all match. The square top has...
Mahogany
Wormley Game Table for Dunbar, Solid Walnut & Olive Burlwood
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Edward Wormley Game Table for Dunbar, Solid Walnut & Olive Burlwood Gorgeous Dunbar table with a four-panel bookmatched olive burl wood top and a solid...
Walnut, Burl
Dunbar Zebra Wood Square Side Lamp Occasional Coffee Table Stand Mint!
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Dunbar Zebra wood square side lamp occasional coffee table stand mint!
Rosewood, Zebra Wood
Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Brass Glass Coffee Table Clean!
By Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern brass glass coffee table Clean! Glass measuring 3/4 inches in thickness.
Brass
$6,400 / set
Pair of Large Square Lamp End Tables by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of large Mid-Century Modern Dunbar lamp end tables or nightstands.
Tall Round Center Coffee Table Chrome and Glass
By Roger Sprunger, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern chrome and glass round coffee table by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar. This table is 22" higher which higher then usu...
Chrome
Bronze and Rosewood Pedestal/Table by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
A large-scale pedestal made of solid bronze with inset rosewood top. Manufactured by Dunbar.
Italian Round Rustic Game Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Italian style rustic round game table with molded edge, made of mahogany, acacia and oak parquetry with reversible leather and chess inlaid center, an inlaid Backgammon board well, on an octagonal flared column pedestal base. Includes a wooden chess set...
Wood
$6,000 / item
H 18 in W 48 in D 48 in
White Oak Wood + Bronze Cast Details 4' Square Coffee Table by Alabama Sawyer
By Alabama Sawyer
Located in Birmingham, AL
Inspired by Japanese shou sugi ban finishes, that we use on our hyo table and beam bench. We developed our own hardware with a local bronze foundry to enhance the beauty and function to start a new lineage of work. A recent collaboration with resident Birmingham metal artists, along with our bounty of unique lumber from the local urban forest, imbues this round wood and bronze table with a richness and tactile pleasure. White oak from the urban forest has interesting grain and a warm hue for a modern living room or sitting area. Flexible dimension per your needs can provide plenty of surface area. This piece works for a luxe, residential living room or indoor sitting area. Urban wood species like walnut and sweet gum, as well as square and rectangular designs work with these unique bronze features and monolithic table...
Bronze
Walnut Side Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950's
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegantly detailed and finely crafted set of nesting tables in light walnut.
Walnut
$6,995
H 29.75 in W 114.5 in D 44.25 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Walnut Dining Table, Refinished
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern walnut extension dining table By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1950s Measures: 66.5"W x 44.25"D x 29.75"H. Extends up to 114.5"W with ...
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Walnut Side End Table
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Table is good structurally. There are some wear on the finish consistent with the age. 5mm or so section of caning is missing. There are couple of small dents on the top. Condition i...
Walnut, Wood
$2,700Sale Price|40% Off
H 17.5 in W 48 in D 45 in
Burl Elm Pentagonal Coffee Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pentagonal coffee table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1970. Burl elm wood table top with walnut trim and a walnut base.
Walnut, Burl
$2,975Sale Price|30% Off
H 29.25 in W 32 in D 32 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Flip-Top Expandable Table and Brass Castors
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Elegant and highly functional, this Edward Wormley for Dunbar flip-top table exemplifies the designer’s mastery of refined modernism and thoughtful versatility. Crafted in richly gra...
Mahogany
Mid-Century Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Occasional Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Forney, TX
A beautiful mid-century custom ordered occasional table, model 426A, designed by Edward Wormley (American, 1907-1995) for Dunbar Furniture; Berne, Indiana. The two-tier Modernist...
Brass
Console by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Architectural Console No. 5403 in walnut with black laminate top and shelves designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s. Retains original DUNBAR labels.
Formica, Walnut
$3,200
H 22 in Dm 21 in
Mid-Century Modern Cylinder Drum Shape Burl Wood End Side Table Nightstand Mint!
By John Widdicomb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern cylinder drum shape burl wood end side table nightstand mint!
Burl
$4,917Sale Price|40% Off
H 17 in W 60 in D 60 in
Large Bamboo and Glass Square Coffee Table by John McGuire
By John McGuire
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This vintage 1970 square coffee table, designed by John McGuire, boasts a 60" x 60" glass top, 3/4" thick with a 1" bevel, offering a sleek and spacious surface. The distinctive base...
Rattan, Glass
$2,200
H 13.5 in W 71 in D 19 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Style "Long John" Walnut Bench, Coffee Table, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Long Edward Wormley for dunbar style walnut "long john" Bench. Coffee Table. Bed End. Featuring a longer rectangular slat-style Walnut surface, turned edge...
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Coffee Table with Natzler Tiles
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A walnut Janus coffee table with inset ceramic tiles by the Natzlers. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Walnut
Clean Lined Modern Coffee Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined modern coffee table, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950s. This piece exhibits Wormley's interest in simple, Asian influenced forms. It has a beautiful trav...
Travertine
Sold
H 22 in W 48 in D 28 in
Wormley for Dunbar Two-Tier Walnut and Brass Cocktail Table, Newly Restored
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern two-tier walnut and brass cocktail or coffee table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. The table features gorgeous walnut wood grain an...
Brass
Dunbar Round Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar dining/centre table. Model 5474 with Tawi wood stained top and bronze base. Restored, base and refinished top. Applied brass tag on underside [DUNBAR*BER...
Bronze
Sculptural Burled Elm, Mahogany, and Rosewood Pentagon Table by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Hudson, NY
Gorgeous center Pentagon shaped table by Dunbar. Stunning design constructed of three types of exotic wood.
Dunbar Walnut Side Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Dunbar side end lamp table. Nice figural stretcher profile leg and frame.
Walnut
Edward Wormley Side Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Walnut X-stretcher side table with brass sabots on each leg. Metal Manufactures gold label on underside [Dunbar Berne, ...
Brass
Dunbar Marble-Top Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rare and early marble-top table, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa late 1940s. This is a versatile size and can be used as a dining table, game table, or centre table. It ...
Marble, Brass
" Pentagonal " Entry Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
" Pentagonal " Entry / Foyer Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Mahogany
Rare Janus collection Natzler Round Table By Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Up for consideration is a very unique table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar furniture of Berne, Indiana. This table is Catalog No. 5741N. As for function of this piece it woul...
Walnut, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Coffee Table.
Clean Lined Modern Coffee Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined modern coffee table, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950s. This piece exhibits Wormley's interest in simple, Asian influenced forms. It has a beautiful trav...
Travertine