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.
$16,000 / set
Dining Set for Six by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A drop-leaf console table opens to seat, six (6) for dining. Set complete with two banquette chairs and four side chairs.
Walnut, Upholstery
Ebonized Dining Set in Olive Velvet by Edward Wormley, Dunbar, 1950's
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Culver City, CA
This set is absolutely divine! Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in the 1950's this set was manufactured to be of the absolute highest quality, and to last forever... which it ki...
Velvet, Mahogany
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
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
Edward Wormley Long John Shelf for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Long John Shelf can be used as shelf or console. Walnut wood with great sapwood striped details.
Walnut
Magazine Side Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Triangular walnut and mahogany side table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar c.1940s, USA. The table, model - 5313, showcases a triangular walnut table top with rounded corners and a mahog...
Walnut, Mahogany
$4,995
H 29.5 in W 96 in D 36 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut and Ebonized Dining Table, Newly Refinished
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern extension dining table By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1950s Gorgeous bookmatched walnut top, with ebonized walnut legs and stretcher...
Walnut
Edward Wormley Corner Magazine Table for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Triangular walnut and mahogany corner side table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar c.1940s, USA. The table, model - 5634, showcases a triangular table top with rounded corners and a doubl...
Mahogany, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Nightstand
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century nightstand This nightstand measures: 23 wide x 18 deep x 23.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can b...
Brass
Edward Wormley Lamp Table for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish Mid-Century Modern Dunbar lamp table features rich mahogany finish, dovetailed drawers, and uniquely sculpted single drawer design. Unique drawer pull and raised edge st...
Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Nesting Tables
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Beautiful set of Edward Wormley for Dunbar nesting tables. Signed with big brass D. Largest table measurements are below. Sm...
Brass
$5,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.5 in W 98 in D 42 in
Edward Wormley Extension Walnut Dining Table for Dunbar, circa 1953
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Camden, ME
An Edward Wormley walnut extension dining table designed for Dunbar in the early 1950s. The dark walnut base sets on four leather cased feet contrasts with the walnut top which is a ...
Leather, Walnut
$4,950
H 16.75 in W 48 in D 28 in
Walnut & Chrome Coffee Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA 1950's
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exquisite coffee table designed by the renowned Edward Wormley for Dunbar dates back to the 1950s. This stunning piece showcases a harmonious blend of walnut and mahogany, reflect...
Chrome
$2,320Sale Price|31% Off
H 30 in W 70 in D 50 in
Edward Wormley for Drexel Drop-Leaf Precedent Dining Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Pasadena, TX
A Mid-Century Modern dining table designed by Edward Wormley for Drexel's Precedent collection. The drop leaf table measures 50" x 28" when folded and 70" x 50" when fully extended.
Ash
Sold
H 30.25 in W 32.25 in D 32.25 in
1960s Edward Wormley for Dunbar Set of 4 Model 935 Horseshoe Chairs & Game Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage 1960s Dunbar set of 4 Model 935 Horseshoe chairs and game table. This is an absolutely stunning mid century modern dining/dinette set by Dunbar. The Horseshoe chair, design...
Fabric, Mahogany, Rosewood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Expandable Game Table W/ Chairs, C. 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Westport, CT
A rarely found games table executed in mahogany, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950-1950. Features an expandable mechanism that brings the table from 32" square to 62"...
Chenille, Mahogany
Expandable Rosewood Dining Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Excellent
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Stunning dining table designed by Edward Wormley, made by Dunbar, 1960s. Rosewood top and dark mahogany base. The mechanism to add the tow leaves is an exceptional design. The legs r...
Mahogany, Rosewood
Clean Lined Rosewood Dining Table by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined rosewood and mahogany dining table, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American, circa 1950s. Elegant modern form with a subtle Asian influence to the design. It exte...
Wood, Mahogany, Rosewood
Dunbar Dining Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of six dining chairs, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American, circa 1950s. Elegant modern form with a subtle Asian influence to the design. The set consists of two armch...
Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Dining Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
EDWARD WORMLEY (1907 - 1995) Model no. 5640 Dining Table Boat-shaped tawi wood dining table raised on a pair of wide tapering mahogany legs with brass sabots. Featuring 3, 12 inch l...
Brass
Oval Walnut Dining Table, Expandable with Two Leaves by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Early oval dining table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Beautiful Walnut construction. Without leaves this table is 60 inches long and 54 inches deep making it almost round. Full width...
Walnut
Sold
H 29.5 in W 66 in D 44.25 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Extension Dining Table, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Mid-Century Modern extension dining table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. The table features solid walnut legs and banding and a gorgeous book-matched...
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Dining Set, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Mid-Century Modern extension dining table and chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. The table features solid walnut legs and banding and a gorgeous b...
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 36 in W 67.5 in D 44.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Brown Mahogany Dunbar Extendable Dining Table and Six Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a brown mahogany dining table by Dunbar with six chairs, four side chairs and two with arms, and one leaf. In excellent condition. Professionally restored a...
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Formal Dining Table and Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
1960s Edward Wormley for Dunbar dining set which includes a table with solid mahogany legs and banding and a bookmatched walnut top with ...
Mahogany, Walnut
Set of Eight Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of eight bleached mahogany dining chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950s. These chairs have elegant, clean lines that look good from any angle. The set consist...
Upholstery, Mahogany