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.
Serving Table on Casters by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Expertly Refinished
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare serving / console table with drawer designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s. Highly figured walnut top and dark mahogany base and brass casters. We acquired this from the o...
Brass
Edward Wormley Bleached Mahogany Reeded Curule Leg Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
An uncommon and early Edward Wormley design for Dunbar, this reeded Curule leg end table has a three-sided gallery framed top, three part stretcher connecti...
Edward Wormley Bar Cart for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique midcentury bar cart features a unique sliding slate style top that expands to 62 inches wide to reveal locking side cabinet. Additional storage in drawer and open adjusta...
Walnut
Architectural Walnut and Black Laminate Console by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in North Miami, FL
Architectural table No. 5403 in walnut with black laminate top and shelves designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Walnut, Laminate
Italian Design Mid-Century Bar Cart, 1950s
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare 1950s Italian desgin serving bar cart. Made of beech wood equipped with two glass shelves and brass wheels for convenient movement. Perfect for serving drinks to your guests. Vi...
Glass, Beech
Midcentury Chrome Glass and Marble Bar Cart
Located in Houston, TX
A midcentury two-tiered chrome, glass, and marble bar cart on casters.
Marble, Chrome
Edward Wormley Console Table by Dunbar #5597
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to reach out for efficient shipping to your zip. Dunbar Console Table #5597. Designed by Edward Wormley. Walnut infused formica top is a premium technology offered ...
Mahogany, 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
Edward Wormley, Console Table, Walnut, Brass, USA, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut and brass console table designed by Edward Wormley and produced by Dunbar, Berne, Indiana, USA, 1950s. Dimensions: 27.375” H x 59.875” W x 21.875” D
Brass
$4,519 / item
H 31.5 in W 70.87 in D 21.66 in
Console Table, High Gloss Laminate & Brass Details, Antique White - L
By Jover + Valls
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
Julieta Collection. Console Table with High Gloss Top, Brass Tape Framed, Black Powder Coating Conical Legs with Brass End Introducing the stunning console table with black powder...
Brass
$4,519 / item
H 31.5 in W 70.87 in D 21.66 in
Console Table, High Gloss Laminate & Brass Details, Burgundy - L
By Jover + Valls
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
Julieta Collection. Console Table with High Gloss Top, Brass Tape Framed, Black Powder Coating Conical Legs with Brass End Introducing the stunning console table with black powder...
Brass
Vintage 1960 2 Tiers French Bamboo and Rattan Bar Cart
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 1960 2 tiers French bamboo and rattan bar cart. Space in between 11 inches.
Bamboo, Rattan
$1,807Sale Price|35% Off
H 30 in W 37.25 in D 20.38 in
Mid Century Modern Bar Cart By Edward Wormley For Dunbar
By Drexel, Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Houston, TX
Mid Century Modern Bar Cart By Edward Wormley For Dunbar,. Offered is a handsome mid century blond wood bar cart or serving cart from the Precedent series designed by Edward Wormley ...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart Edward Wormley for Dunbar C1953
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous bar cart/server with a drop down top which is 27 inches and 54 when raised, shelves for bottles, cupboard for glasses and other necessities. Model # 5433 created out of waln...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Rolling Bar Cart
By Edward Wormley, Drexel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pistachio green rolling bar cart from the Precedent series by Edward Wormley for Dunbar circa 1960. 3 tiered rolling cart featuring a textured glass top and casters. Precedent by Drexel...
Wood
Ed Wormley for Dunbar Ash and Laminate Console Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New Windsor, NY
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Ash and laminate modular console table. Two white laminate shelves and solid ash open frame low console table. Circa 1960. Signed with gold metal tag, Dunba...
Laminate, Ash
Sold
H 29.5 in W 80 in D 21 in
Early Vintage Large Scale Edward Wormley Console / Sofa Table for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Harvey Probber, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Model 5294. An early example of this large scale console / sofa table form by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Leather wrapped feet. Early green Label on inside drawer. This piece needs to...
Wood
Sold
H 33 in W 38.5 in D 21 in
Mid-Century Hand-Rubbed Walnut Drop Leaf Bar Cart by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
This Mid-Century Modernist Walnut Drop Leaf Bar Cart was created by the illustrious designer Edward Wormley for Dunbar originating from the United States, Circa 1950. Featuring a lov...
Mirror, Walnut
Sold
H 33 in W 38.5 in D 21 in
Mid-Century Hand-Rubbed Walnut Drop Leaf Bar Cart by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
This Mid-Century Modernist Walnut Drop Leaf Bar Cart was created by the illustrious designer Edward Wormley for Dunbar originating from the United States, Circa 1950. Featuring a lov...
Walnut, Glass
Sold
H 29.5 in W 80 in L 29.5 in
Early Vintage Large Scale Edward Wormley Console / Sofa Table for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
An early example of this large scale console / sofa table form by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Leather wrapped feet. Early green Label on inside drawer. This piece needs to be refinish...
Wood
Edward Wormley Bar/ Serving Cart by Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Highland, IN
This beautifully designed and detailed rolling cart by Edward Wormley has a lovely arrangement of shelves, a cabinet with cane front doors and a highly functional mica top that flips...
Brass
1960s Rolling Cart by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar
By Roger Sprunger, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Rosewood framed three tier service or utility cart. The top tier has an inset slate top above two cork shelves with the middle shelf having a blind pull suspended drawer for miscella...
Slate
Rosewood Side Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Denton, TX
Rosewood side table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Rosewood, Mahogany
Clean Lined Flip Top Bar Cart by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined bar cart, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American, circa 1950s. This piece is a versatile size and can be used as a bar or serving cart, or as a mobile cart for o...
Metal
Sold
H 24 in W 53.5 in D 23 in
Vintage Edward Wormley for Dunbar Ash & Black Laminate Low Table, c1955
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Geometrically conceived low table with solid ash construction and black laminate top, Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1955.
Laminate, Ash
Edward Wormley Bar/ Serving Cart by Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Highland, IN
This beautifully designed and detailed rolling cart by Edward Wormley has a lovely arrangement of shelves, a cabinet with cane front doors and a highly functional mica top that flips...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Serving or Bar Cart
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Houston, TX
Great Edward Wormley Walnut Serving or Bar Cart for Dunbar. This serving cart has brass pulls and rosewood accents. The top is a black laminate for fixing your favorite drink!
Brass
Sold
H 31 in W 41.5 in D 15.75 in
Edward Wormley Walnut, Micarta and Cane Flip-Top Bar Cart for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
A rarely offered dual-sided bar cart or server by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. The frame and cane front cabinet are comprised of walnut wood and the service areas are a combination of ...
Brass