Mid-Century Bench by Wormley for Dunbar
View Similar Items
Mid-Century Bench by Wormley for Dunbar
About the Item
- Creator:Dunbar Furniture (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 15 in (38.1 cm)Width: 33 in (83.82 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950
- Condition:excellent vintage condition.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 25001stDibs: 1202107849813
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.
- Plaster Shell Chandelier by W.P. SullivanBy W.P. SullivanLocated in New York, NYW.P. Sullivan The shell chandelier Sculpted shell form ceiling fixture in plaster resin. Can also be with twisted ivory cord. Can be hung singly or in tiers with additional sizes. M...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsPlaster, Resin
$12,000 / item - Midcentury Table Lamp by Marianna Von AlleschBy Marianna von AlleschLocated in New York, NYMarianna von Allesch papier mâché table lamp with chinoiserie painted decoration and gold leaf. Original finial. Lampshade not included. Signed...Category
Vintage 1950s American Table Lamps
MaterialsPaper
- Alpha Workshop Side Table in GoldBy Alpha WorkshopsLocated in New York, NYAlpha workshops Side Table in tony gold finish. Taboret with cut-out handles on both sides and a textured gesso finish. Can be used for seating or as a side table.Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Side Tables
MaterialsGold Leaf
- Alpha Workshops Side Table in Specialty FinishesBy Alpha WorkshopsLocated in New York, NYAlpha Workshops Side table in red and black Negoro Nuri lacquered finish. Tabouret with cut-out handles on both sides and a layered painted finish. Can b...Category
2010s American Side Tables
MaterialsPaint, Wood
- Karl Springer Python Coffee TableBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYRectangular coffee table covered in real brown python with polished steel banding on the legs.Category
20th Century American Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsSteel
$7,500 Sale Price37% Off - Liz O'Brien Editions Two-Door Cabinet in Faux Ivory Horn FinishBy Liz O'Brien EditionsLocated in New York, NYThe two-door cabinet Curved front two-door cabinet in a satin linen color finish with inset decorative painted doors. Raised on tapering block feet. Doors open to reveal three s...Category
2010s American Cabinets
MaterialsWood
- Two Mid-Century "Bermuda" Benches by Edward Wormley for DunbarBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in Dallas, TXVintage 1940's "Bermuda" benches model #4962 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar FurnitureBerne, Indiana. Playful and sculptural the bermuda bench raises the bar for stylish seatin...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany and Brass BenchBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in Countryside, ILEdward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Bench This bench measures: 65.25 wide x 18.5 deep x 14 high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vin...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsBrass
- Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bench, 1960By Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in Chicago, ILEdward Wormley for Dunbar Bench, 1960. Restored and reupholstered in gray mohair.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsMohair, Walnut
- Edward Wormley Bench by Dunbar, Model 5429By Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in San Francisco, CAEdward Wormley design bench for Dunbar, Model 5429. Classic design by Wormley in brass square frame on capped feet. Newer Jack Lenor Larsen upholstery that presents very well, ready ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsBrass
- Edward Wormley Bench for DunbarBy Edward WormleyLocated in St. Louis, MOEdward Wormley bench, legs with Asian influence, cushion straps onto the frame, green label, price includes refinishing and upholstery c.o.m.Category
Vintage 1940s Mid-Century Modern Benches
- Pair of Petite Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Slipper Benches"By Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in Pawtucket, RIRarely seen pair of petite "Slipper benches" model #684 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Newly upholstered frames on zebra wood legs.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs
MaterialsTextile, Zebra Wood
