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Dunbar Vanities

American

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.

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Creator: Dunbar
Telephone Cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Telephone Cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

Telephone Cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

$4,800

Telephone Cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Sagaponack, NY

An ebonized and polished dark mahogany telephone cabinet or vanity table having a storage drawer and an innovative fold-out bench.

Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Vanities

Materials

Mahogany

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Dunbar vanities for sale on 1stDibs.

Dunbar vanities are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Dunbar vanities, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original vanities by Dunbar were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider vanities by and Herman Miller. Prices for Dunbar vanities can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $4,800 and can go as high as $7,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,150.
Questions About Dunbar Vanities
  • Where is Dunbar Furniture made?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Dunbar furniture is made in High Point, North Carolina. The original location of the company was Berne, Indiana. Its relocation occurred after Currey & Co. bought Dunbar from founder James Wormley in 1970. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Dunbar furniture.
  • How do I identify Dunbar furniture?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024
    To identify Dunbar furniture, search your piece for maker's markings. Some pieces feature a D-shaped metal tag, while others bear a metal plaque with the brand name etched on its surface, with or without the company's location: Berne, Indiana. Dunbar also branded its name onto the wood frames of certain furnishings. Upholstered pieces will most likely have the brand name on a label sewn onto a cushion. If you have difficulty locating a maker's mark, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer will assist you. Shop a variety of Dunbar furniture on 1stDibs.