Mid-Century Modern Fluted Ebonized Walnut Chest by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
View Similar Items
Mid-Century Modern Fluted Ebonized Walnut Chest by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
About the Item
- Creator:Dunbar Furniture (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 31.25 in (79.38 cm)Width: 49 in (124.46 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Walnut,Ebonized
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1970
- Condition:Refinished.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU793424467782
Dunbar Furniture
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.
- Mid-Century Hand-Rubbed Walnut Drop Leaf Bar Cart by Edward Wormley for DunbarBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in New York, NYThis 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...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Serving Tables
MaterialsGlass, Walnut
- Mid-Century Modernist Chest of Drawers in Ebonized WalnutLocated in New York, NYThis substantial and reserved Mid-Century Modernist Chest of Drawers in Ebonized Walnut and Antique Nickel Hardware originates from the United States, Circa 1960. Features a plinth b...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsNickel
- Mid-Century Modern Ebonized Walnut Diamond Form Sideboard or CredenzaLocated in New York, NYThis ebonized walnut sideboard or credenza features two panels with tessellated diamond patterns in relief that open to reveal three interior drawers; gently sloping tapered feet; an...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern Chest in Two-Tone Walnut by Robsjohn-Gibbings for WiddicombBy T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in New York, NYThis sophisticated Mid-Century Modern four-drawer high chest was realized by T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Company, circa 1950. Robsjohn-Gibbings represents one of the premie...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid-Century Brutalist Burled Walnut Sideboard by Harold Schwartz for RomweberBy Romweber Furniture Co., Harold SchwartzLocated in New York, NYThis stunning Mid-Century Modern sideboard was designed by the illustrious Harold Schwartz and realized by the Romweber Furniture Company in the United States, circa 1950. It feature...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern Trapezoidal Walnut Side Table with Brass Sabots by DunbarBy Dunbar FurnitureLocated in New York, NYDesigned by Dunbar and handcrafted in Berne, Indiana, this elegant side table was realized in the United States circa 1950. Featuring a hand rubbed walnut trapezoidal top and ebonize...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Edward Wormley Walnut High ChestBy Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Clarksboro, NJThis listing is for a Mid-Century Modern Dunbar for Edward Wormley Walnut High Chest. Featuring a straight line design, six graduated drawers for storage, modern legs, and a beautifu...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood, Walnut
- Edward Wormley Ebonized Dresser for DunbarBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in Los Angeles, CAEdward Wormley for Dunbar, c.1970s, USA. The mahogany dresser has been newly refinished and ebonized. It features three smaller drawers along the top of the dresser and four full len...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMahogany
- Edward Wormley for Dunbar Ebonized Mahogany Dresser Chest, Newly RefinishedBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern ebonized mahogany five-drawer chest of drawers By Edward Wormley for Dunbar USA, 1950s Measures: 34.13"W x 20"D x 31"H. Newly refinished...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMahogany
- Two Signed Edward Wormley for Dunbar Ebonized Walnut Woven Front CredenzasBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in Chicago, ILTwo signed Edward Wormley for Dunbar ebonized walnut woven front credenzas with brass fittings. One piece is a darker walnut than the other so they are not exactly matching in colora...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany CredenzaBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in Countryside, ILEdward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany Credenza This credenza measures: 61.5 wide x 18 deep x 34 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vin...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsMahogany, Upholstery
- Edward Wormley for Dunbar CredenzaBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in Denton, TXClassic Edward Wormley for Dunbar mahogany credenza with solid brass hardware. Nine drawers with center cabinet.Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
