The Dunbar furniture company and designer Edward J. Wormley (1907–95) transformed American furnishings during the mid-20th century. Both Wormley and Dunbar hailed from the Midwest, and the fruit of their decades-long partnership is characterized by a strong ethos of classical design and the prioritization of well-made materials.
Wormley’s foray into design in the mid-1920s has origins in the correspondence course from New York School of Interior Design that he completed as a high school student as well as a two-year stint at the Art Institute of Chicago.
But it was a trip to Paris in 1930 that had a permanent impact on his aesthetic. There, he spent time with architect and furniture maker Le Corbusier and Art Deco master Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann. Upon returning to the United States, he landed his first job in the design department at Chicago’s Marshall Field & Company department store.
By 1931, Wormley was hired by Indiana-based Dunbar, and he worked there until the company was sold in 1970. Dunbar initially tasked Wormley with transforming its brand from an inexpensive manufacturer into a more high-minded retailer, and his exemplary mid-century modernist work helped solidify the company as a top American furniture producer.
Select pieces that Wormley would go on to create for Dunbar were included in the Good Design annual exhibitions of 1951 and 1952. The show was sponsored by the Chicago Merchandise Mart and New York City’s Museum of Modern Art to celebrate home furnishings that exemplified “excellent appearance and progressive performance.”
Manufactured in 1959, Wormley’s A-Frame chair merged his aptitude for creating comfortable seating with his woodworking expertise and appetite for innovation. The chair was a huge hit for Dunbar — its elegant woven caned backrest, leather seat and compass legs positioned it as an attractive, seamless fit for interiors nationwide.
Edward Wormley Captains Chair for Dunbar, Model 5480
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley Captain's Chair for Dunbar Furniture, Model 5480. Elegant looking armchair perfect for a desk or bedroom corner. Made from oak with brass feet and a cane backrest, jus...
Cane, Oak
$14,000 / set
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Captain Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Discover one of Edward Wormley's most famous and elegant chairs. A timeless masterpiece, The Captain Chair. We have fully restored this iconic piece to its original splendor, highlighting the beautiful polished brass, cane back, and curved wood frame. The seat has been meticulously reupholstered in Holland & Sherry performance fabric, ensuring both durability and sophistication. Elevate your space with a piece that embodies the essence of mid-century modern luxury. Edward Wormley for Dunbar Captain...
Brass
Edward Wormley A-Frame Armchair for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dark walnut "A-Frame" armchair with tapered legs and brass capped feet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, c.1960s. The seat cushion has been reupholstered with a sage green mohair - ...
Brass
Dunbar Edward Wormley Pair of Janus line armchairs mahogany mid century Berne
By Edward Wormley
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Carved detailed Dunbar, Berne IN design by Edward Wormley. Needs reupholstery
Mahogany
A-Frame' Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Mid-Century Modern Classic 'A-Frame' armchair with a woven caned backrest, upholstered black leather seat and brass capped feet. Designed by Edward Wormley, produced by Dunbar in t...
Brass
$8,500 / set
Edward Wormley Ottoman for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design x-base ottoman for Dunbar Furniture. Timeless and classic design by Wormley offering additional seating for any arrangement. Newly refinished and upholstered in...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$950Sale Price|32% Off
Spindle-Back Dunbar Model Dining Chair by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Pasadena, CA
Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in the 1950s, this dining chair features a spindle-back design and a sculptural walnut frame. Made of fine dark wood, it is upholstered for comf...
Leather, Wood
$12,000 / set
Edward Wormley Antler Chairs for Dunbar, Model 5580
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design antler dining chairs for Dunbar, Model 5580. Rare and attractive design chair by Wormley in the height of his design career. Frames are bleached mahogany with...
Cane, Mahogany
A-frame Armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A horseshoe back armchair with white leather upholstery and ebonized mahogany frame.
Leather, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Chair, C. 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Westport, CT
A swivel lounge chair designed by the iconic Edward Wormely for Dunbar Furniture, circa 1950-1959. Completely restored, fitted with new high-grade hand cut foam with all insides full...
Velvet, Mahogany
Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Stylish and elegant slipper chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar ca' 1950's. Upholstered in Fret custom Italian silk velvet, luxurious to the touch, (samples available). Chocolate bra...
Mahogany
$760
H 30 in W 25 in D 25 in
Midcentury "Quinn" Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Model 1170, Walnut + Wool
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture, Gunlocke, Jens Risom
Located in Decatur, GA
"Quinn" chair, Model no. 1170 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar circa 1965. Sculpted walnut arms transition seamlessly to the upholstered back creating a wonderful silhouette. Frame is so...
Wool, Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a rare set of 8 Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining chairs in great condition. Upholstery as found, re-upholstery available.
Mahogany
Edward Wormley Lounge Chair and Ottoman for Dunbar, 1960
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley Lounge Chair and Ottoman for Dunbar, 1960’s. Chair and ottoman are on casters and also original upholstery. Measure 29” tall 29” wide 37” deep, seat height 16.6” 22” ...
Upholstery
Edward Wormley Model 5701 Lounge Chair & Ottoman
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Highland, IN
This spectacular design by Ed Wormley from his Janus collection for Dunbar, the model 5701 lounge chair and ottoman is a generous chair with a relaxing, deep seat and sumptuous cushi...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$12,995 / set
H 42.5 in W 32 in D 48 in
Edward Wormley Dunbar MCM Lounge Chair and Ottoman with Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric
By Dunbar Furniture, Jack Lenor Larsen, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Lounge chair and ottoman with Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric The chair measures: 32 wide x 48 deep x 42.5 high, with a seat height of 17 inches Th...
Metal
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Chairs and Ottoman
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Chairs and Ottoman Ottoman Measurements: 29.25 length 25.25 depth 17.25 height
Acrylic, Wood
$3,250 / set
H 30.5 in W 27.75 in D 31.5 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair of Arm Chairs or Lounge Chairs, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Hamburg, PA
A classic pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar armchairs. Edward Wormley always saw furniture as expressions of personality and as a paired-down concept for detail of architecture and g...
Upholstery
Janas Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Located in San Diego, CA
Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, c.1960s. The tufted double seat cushion is newly upholstered in a Sand Sherpa Boucle by Kravet, a beautiful compliment to the rich walnut f...
Bouclé, Walnut
Edward Wormley Green Leather Ottoman for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, c.1960s. The tufted seat cushion is upholstered in a dark olive green leather, a beautiful compliment to the rich mahogany frame. The frame...
Leather, Mahogany
$3,250
H 29.25 in W 27.5 in D 36.5 in
Edward J. Wormley Lounge Chair and Ottoman circa 1950s for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward J. Wormley lounge chair and ottoman for Dunbar circa 1950s on solid brass castors. The lounge chair has a trapezoid shape, wider in the front (27.5" W) and tapers to the back....
Upholstery
Edward Wormley Y Armchair for Dunbar, Circa 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and Sophisticated Edward Wormley Y arms chair in excellent original condition. This chair is made of solid walnut and laminated wood for the curved upper backrest. Incredib...
Cane
Edward Wormley Swivel Lounge Chairs, Dunbar Model 5609
By Edward Wormley
Located in Downingtown, PA
Edward Wormley Swivel Lounge Chairs, Dunbar Model 5609, Distinctive Design by a Mid-Century Modern Master (1950s-1960s) This elegant pair of swivel lounge chairs exemplifies the en...
Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Lounge Chairs, Model 4626
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture swivel lounge chairs, model 4626. Large comfortable chairs with built in half rounded arms and a deep seat. Newly upholstered in a moss mohair or ...
Mohair, Mahogany
Sold
H 32.5 in W 24.5 in D 22 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair of Iconic Lounge Chairs in Laminated Ash 1954
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of masterfully crafted lounge chairs model 5480 in laminated ash with caned back and brass sabots by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American 1954. These chairs are a tour de force ...
Brass
Edward Wormley Coffee Table for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design coffee table for Dunbar Furniture, Berne Indiana. Large and impressive table with a beautiful travertine stone top on a shaped round dark walnut frame on four b...
Travertine
Sold
H 31.5 in W 24.5 in D 25 in
Pair of 1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cane Back Brass Armchairs Model 5480
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of Model 5480 brass stiletto cane chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. Details are everything, and nothing was skipped in this design. With exposed brass ha...
Brass
Edward Wormley Captain's Chair for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design armchair or Captain's chair for Dunbar, Model 5480. Elegant and iconic design by Edward Wormley executed in lacquered ash molded plywood with original cane and ...
Upholstery, Oak, Plywood
Edward Wormley Constellation Table for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design constellation side table for Dunbar Furniture, USA. Elegant little table perfect for drinks with a laminate top inlaid with wood circles to immitate stars. Spla...
Laminate, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Captain's Chair for Dunbar, Model 5480
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design armchair or Captain's chair for Dunbar, Model 5480. Elegant and iconic design by Edward Wormley executed in ash plywood with original cane and finish with a new...
Brass
Set of Four Edward Wormley A-Frame Armchairs for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The "A-Frame" armchairs with tapered legs and brass capped feet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, c.1960s. The seat cushions have previously been reupholstered with a striped wool f...
Brass
Dunbar Y Back Captian Dining Chair by Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Elegant, sophisticated and chic dining chair, designed by Wormley for Dunbar. The chair features a sculpted walnut frame, caned back and upholstered seat. This example is in good con...
Cane, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Captain's Chair Model 5480
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Captain's chair or armchair, model 5480. Classic and elegant design by Wormley in very good condition with newer faux leather seat.
Brass
