Dunbar Armchairs
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.
Color: Brown
Creator: Dunbar
Pair Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Y" Modernist Lounge Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning Pair Dunbar Lounge Chairs designed by Edward Wormley,,Retains early 'D' metal badge label,, minor damage to caning ( see photo),, E...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Cane, Wood
Edward Wormley Chair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
No. 5482 Armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Mahogany, brass and fabric. Fantastic model with floating seat and padded armrests.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Brass
Set of Six Cane Back Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant and unusual set of six dining chairs with a cane wrapped barrel back and an upholstered seat atop four slender legs.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany, Upholstery
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Captain's "Y" Chair, ca. 1955
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Captain's "Y" chair, ca. 1955. Professionally restored walnut frame with new back caning and new upholstered seat with super soft and luxurious ivory wool f...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Brass
Midcentury "Quinn" Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Model 1170, Walnut + Wool
By Jens Risom, Gunlocke, Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Wool, Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of Leather and Walnut Armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, this handsome pair of armchairs features solid walnut frames whose curvaceous armrests contrast well with the strong lines of the legs. The sea...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Pair Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 5480 Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An iconic Edward Wormley design, the ‘A-Frame' chair is a wonderful example of Wormley’s expertise in mixing materials into sophisticated, architectural forms.
Employing dark stain...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Bentwood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Club Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Stunning pair of oak framed chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, referred to as “Edward’s Chair”. New fabric and great original finish. Chairs...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Oak
Large Cube Shape Oversize Chrome Mirror Base Lounge Club Dunbar Arm Chair Modern
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Large Cube Shape Oversize Chrome Mirror Base Lounge Club Dunbar Arm Chair Mid Century Modern.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Edward Wormley Lounge Chair #4796 for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Edward Wormely lounge chair model #4796 produced by Dunbar Furniture Company "Dunbar For Modern" Line, production date of 8/2/1950 - 10/23/1950.
The perfect reading chair, very com...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Set of Eight Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining Armchairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model number 842, set of eight armchairs in mahogany with red velvet seats. All original, minor touch up prior to shipping. These chairs were used around a ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining Chairs with Brass Handles
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Listed are a pair of elegant Edward Wormley for Dunbar dining chairs with arms and brass handles. These are in need of restoration, perfect if your looking to add to your set. Also c...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Brass
Pair of Wormley for Dunbar Dining Chairs with Brass Handles
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful pair of dining chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar ( model 4710A ). These chairs have been newly restored, refinished and reupholstered, and are in excellent ready...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Brass
Dunbar Mid Century Occasional Lounge Chair
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Countryside, IL
Dunbar Mid Century Occasional Lounge Chair
This chair measures: 25.25 wide x 25.75 deep x 31.5 high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height of 2...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Edward Wormley Pair of Armchairs in Green Velvet Upholstery
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, pair of armchairs, beech, velvet, United States, 1960s
These armchairs are designed by Edward Wormley for the furniture company Dunbar in the sixties. The...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Velvet, Beech
Dunbar Open Frame Lounge or Armchair, circa 1960
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Dunbar open frame lounge or armchair, circa 1960. Newly restored with new upholstery and ebonized mahogany frame. Bears makers label on underside.
Measures: H 29.5 in. x W 25.5 in...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection Pair of Armchairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection pair of armchairs. Very rare pair of chairs all redone, newly refinished and reupholstered in a velvet. Beautiful elegant chair with except...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Armchairs, Pair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in East Hampton, NY
Pair of Edward Wormley, signed Dunbar armchairs (to underside) known as "Edward's Chair," these handsome examples have stained oak frames and stainless steel stretchers. Very high qu...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Oak
Armchair by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sculptural and finely detailed armchair in walnut having a floating seat and back cushions that retain their original textured wool upholstery.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Walnut, Upholstery
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany and Steel Armchair, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern club or lounge chair
By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture
USA, circa 1950s
Solid African mahogany frames, with brushed steel stre...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Steel
1950s Occasional Armchair Model No 5517 Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A model 5517 occasional armchair with exposed mahogany frame supporting a fully upholstered seat, back rest and arms, covered in vintage upholstery. Designed in 1954 as a component o...
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
1950s Sculpted "Janus" Dining Height Armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare dining height Janus armchair designed by Mid-Century Modern master Edward Wormley. Each chair features sculpted dark mahogany frames and the original putty suede upholstery wi...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
'A-Frame' Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Brass
Walnut Dining Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sculptural and finely detailed armchair in walnut having a floating seat and back cushions, retaining the original black leather upholstery.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Teak
Rare and Elegant Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Armchair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar lounge chair. Model number 6309, part of the Today and Tomorrow collection, circa 1963. Beautiful channelled mahogany frame with ultra-suede seat and back c...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Swiveling Barrel Back Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair (2) of continuous arm swivel chairs in laminated walnut having tan button tufted leather cushions and a cruciform stretcher detail.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Lacquered Mahogany Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An uncommon pivot-back lounge chair in lacquered mahogany with vintage velvet geometric upholstery. Designed in 1948 by Edward Wormley.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Velvet, Mahogany
Four Alexandria Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Elegant Modern at Its Best
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Set of 4 Alexandria Chairs designed by Edward Wormley. One of Wormley's most coveted designs. These can be used as dining / kitchen chairs, game table chairs or side chairs in any ro...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Completely Original Alexandria Chair Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare opportunity. All original example of the Alexandria Chair designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Retains the original, high quality black leather seat with attractive wear. This...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Mahogany Armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dorchester, MA
Edward Wormley designed this handsome mahogany armchair for Dunbar, juxtaposing modern linearity with curvaceous classic form. It has been expertly reupholstered in Knoll's Rivington...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Janus High Back Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair of 'Janus' high back chairs with the original blue silk faille upholstery, on light walnut legs with cloud lift stretchers.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Walnut, Upholstery
A-Frame Armchair by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A horseshoe back armchair with white leather upholstery and ebonized mahogany frame.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Armchair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Stockton, NJ
An Edward Wormley for Dunbar armchair. Wonderful structured lines with mahogany legs with brass ring detail. Newley upholstered in ...
Category
1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Armchairs
Materials
Brass
Dunbar armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Dunbar armchairs 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 armchairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original armchairs by Dunbar were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider armchairs by Edward Wormley, Milo Baughman, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Prices for Dunbar armchairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $760 and can go as high as $38,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,000.
Creators Similar to Dunbar
Questions About Dunbar Armchairs
- Where is Dunbar Furniture made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Dunbar 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.