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.
Dunbar Furniture Mid Century Mahogany Games Table
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very well made square table in the Chinese manner with carved incurved inset edge, banded top and raised on square legs. Bears the Dunbar Furniture label on verso. Dimensions: 32 ...
Mahogany
Elegant Edward Wormley Rosewood Dinette / Game Table for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Milo Baughman, Dunbar Furniture, Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant Edward Wormley dinette or game table for Dunbar. Appears to be rosewood. wear to the finish. May desire to have restored some.
Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut Flip Top Dining or Game Table, Newly Refinished
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern flip top game table or dining table By Edward Wormley for Dunbar USA, 1950s Walnut, with original brass hinges, leather wrapped feet, and velvet ...
Leather, Walnut
Wormley Game Table for Dunbar, Solid Walnut & Olive Burlwood
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
Octagonal Gaming Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An octagonal gaming or entry table with a leather wrapped cruciform base with brass levelers, and the solid walnut top having an inlaid rosewood Starbur...
Brass
Edward Wormley Game Table in Mahogany with Rosewood Top 1960s 'Signed'
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Elevate your mid-century modern decor with the Edward Wormley Game Table, model no 6348, featuring gently curved sides in rich dark mahogan...
Mahogany, Rosewood
Elegant Game Low Dinning Table Designed by Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Diego, CA
Elegant low game table in walnut top with mahogany base and brass accents feet, circa 1950s in its original finish very clean for its age has a nice look.
Brass
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
$685Sale Price|23% Off
H 28 in Dm 43.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Round Dining / Café / Game Table, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A handsome Mid-Century Modern round dining, café, or game table, crafted presumably in Denmark during the 1960s. The design is understated yet refined, featuring a warm teak top pair...
Teak
$1,539
H 29 in W 36 in D 18 in
1960s Georgian Furnishing Mahogany and Satinwood Inlaid Console Game Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Made of beautiful mahogany, this console features crafted satinwood inlay detailing the top, the legs and the side panels. Table opens to a beautifully banded finished top in very go...
Mahogany, Satinwood
Walnut Side Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950's
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegantly detailed and finely crafted set of nesting tables in light walnut.
Walnut
Side Table Model 5309 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Rovereta, Repubblica di San Marino
Model 5309 rare coffee table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Combination of Wood and brass with the original glass top.
Brass
George II Mahogany Games Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
George II mahogany games table, 18th century. Having a rectangular top the front central area is recessed, a frieze drawer, resting on cabriole legs with acanthus carved knees termin...
Mahogany
George III Mahogany Games Table
Located in Essex, MA
With rectangular top with drop leaves and sliding game board opening to a backgammon surface over a false and working drawers, raised on square tapered legs. Casters.
Mahogany
$6,850
H 26.5 in Dm 47.25 in
Osvaldo Borsani Round Dining / Center / Game Table with Travertine Top, Signed
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Kansas City, MO
Osvaldo Borsani dining table or center table or game table with the original one inch thick travertine top with a slightly tapered edge. Black steel base with aluminum panels. The t...
Travertine, Aluminum, Steel
Dunbar Murano Tile Top Game Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare Murano glass tile top game / dining table with brass edging and tapered mahogany legs. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with early green Dunbar label. This is the largest Murano tile table...
Mahogany
Italian Walnut Game Table, Louis XV Style, Flip Top, 1960s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Louis XV style Italian walnut game table with flip top and side pull out extensions. One side of top is plain and the other side is inlaid chess board.
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
$12,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.5 in W 57 in D 31 in
Model 5309 Coffee Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Denton, TX
Model 5309 rare coffee table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Combination of rosewood and brass with the original glass top.
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Cork Top Game Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Cork Top Game Table This game table measures: 31.75 wide x 31.75 deep x 28.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call r...
Wood, Cork
Sold
H 28.25 in W 31 in D 31 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany and Rosewood Game Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany and Rosewood Game Table This game table measures: 31 wide x 31 deep x 28.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we...
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
Sold
H 25 in W 53.5 in D 53.5 in
Vintage Walnut Octagonal "Janus" Game Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Amazing vintage walnut octagonal “Janus” game table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in the United States, circa 1950s. This table belongs to the “Janus” collection, a line that stands out for having furniture with innovative designs that are extremely functional. Features a polygonal structure that can be seen on the tabletop, which has an octagonal design with rounded edges and a smooth surface. The top features Brazilian rosewood inlays that appear in the starburst shape and contrast perfectly with the grains offered by the walnut wood. The table sits on solid walnut legs that connect to a structurally detailed base that appears to be in the shape of a star and stands out for the fine details used in its construction. The base has leather details with a beautiful patina in good condition and well preserved despite the years. In addition to this, there are also small brass legs that give the furniture even more elegance. Due to its shape and structure, this table can be used as a games table as well as a low-profile dining table...
Brass
Sold
H 29 in W 36 in D 36 in
Edward Wormley Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Game Card Table & Chairs #4615
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dayton, OH
A rare Edward Wormley for Dunbar card or game table & chairs, circa 1950s. Table features a square form made from mahogany with cork lined pull-out coasters and original brass ring p...
Mahogany
Sold
H 28.5 in W 32 in D 32 in
Edward Wormley Table & Chairs for Dunbar with Gertrude & Otto Natzler Tiles
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley, Gertrud and Otto Natzler
Located in Dallas, TX
Occasional table & chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with tiles by Gertrud & Otto Natzler. This set is in excellent original condition with the model #935 chairs crafted i...
Ceramic, Leather, Rosewood, Walnut
Sold
H 29.25 in W 36 in D 36 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Burl and Mahogany Dining or Game Table, Refinished
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern dining or game table By Edward Wormley for Dunbar USA, 1950s Book-matched burled olive wood top, with mahogany trim and legs. Measures: ...
Mahogany, Burl
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Flip-Top Dining Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar flip-top table, USA, c.1960s. This square Parsons table features a flip top that allows it to serve as a cafe/dining table or gam...
Leather, Mahogany
Sold
H 28.5 in W 34.25 in D 34.25 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Flip-Top Dining or Game Table, Newly Restored
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern flip topdining or game table By Edward Wormley for Dunbar USA, 1950s Mahogany top, with ebonized tapered legs terminating in brass-capped f...
Brass
Edward Wormley Game Table in Mahogany with Rosewood Top 1963 'Signed'
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Game table model no 6348 with gently curved sides in dark mahogany with Brazilian rosewood top by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American 1963 (original Dunbar label on bottom). A timele...
Mahogany, Rosewood
Sold
H 25.25 in W 32 in L 25.25 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Ebonized Mahogany Game Table or Side Table, Refinished
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern ebonized game table, occasional table, or coffee table By Edward Wormley for Dunbar USA, 1950s Measures: 32" W x 32" D x 25.25" H Newly ...
Mahogany
Sold
H 28.5 in W 30 in D 30 in
Mid-Century Modern Wormley Dunbar Rosewood Mahogany Game Table 4 Chairs, 1970s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is an extravagant game or dinette set, including a mahogany and rosewood table and four matching armchairs, by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1970s. The upho...
Rosewood