Dunbar “Kips Bay Sofa” by John Saladino
About the Item
- Creator:Dunbar Furniture (Manufacturer),John Saladino (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 27.5 in (69.85 cm)Width: 120 in (304.8 cm)Depth: 33 in (83.82 cm)Seat Height: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. original.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Chicago, IL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Dunbar Model 7350 Sofas by Edward WormleyBy Edward Wormley, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Chicago, ILDunbar Model 7350 sofas by Edward Wormley. Vintage 1970’s sofas with more recent grey & pink silk upholstery.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSilk
- Dunbar Sofa by Edward Wormley on Brass LegsBy Edward Wormley, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Chicago, ILFully restored in beautiful fog grey mohair over polished brass legs. Sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950s.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- Dunbar Tete a Tete Sofa by Edward Wormley, 1960By Edward Wormley, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Chicago, ILDunbar Tete a Tete Sofa by Edward Wormley, 1960. Newly reupholstered in a beautiful cut velvet. Tete a Tete is also on casters. Measures 91" long, 2...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsVelvet
- Dunbar Tuxedo Sofa Plinth Base, 1970By Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Chicago, ILDunbar tuxedo sofa, 1970. Original 1970s sofa reupholstered in 1980s fabric with black plinth base.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
- Edward Wormley Long John Bench by Dunbar, 1960By Edward Wormley, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Chicago, ILEdward Wormley Long John Bench by Dunbar, 1960. Bench has been completely restored. Measures 59.75" long, 18.75" deep 12" tallCategory
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsWood
- Post Modern Leather Sofa by Leolux, 1970By LeoluxLocated in Chicago, ILPostmodern Leather Sofa by Leolux, 1970. Original leather. Pair chairs are sold in separate listing.Category
Vintage 1970s American Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Set of Eigth John Saladino for Dunbar Petal ChairsBy John Saladino, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Dallas, TXAn extremely rare seating group of eight Petal chairs model no. 7814 designed by New York interior designer and architect John Saladino for Dunbar. The fu...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsVelvet
- Dunbar Sofa by Edward WormleyBy Edward Wormley, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Brooklyn, NYChic gold velvet upholstered sofa with down back and side cushions and sprung seat. Beautifully carved mahogany feet. This is an extremely well built and comfortable sofa, with typic...Category
Vintage 1950s American Sofas
- Sofa by Edward Wormley for DunbarBy Edward Wormley, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Dorchester, MAThis elegant sofa is a classic 1950s design by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. It features a tufted back and a long bench seat resting on tapered walnut fee...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sofa by DunbarBy Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis spacious Dunbar sofa features deep upholstered seats with unique vintage striped fabric. The cutaway armrests and well-proportioned design add to the Mid-Century appeal of this ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
- Sectional Sofa by Edward Wormley for DunbarBy Edward Wormley, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Los Angeles, CAEdward Wormley for Dunbar, c.1960s, USA, two-piece sectional sofa. The sofa features split arm rests and an exposed sculpted ebonized wood frame. This sofa has been fully reupholster...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsVelvet, Walnut
- One Dunbar Tuxedo Sofa by Edward WromleyBy Edward Wormley, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Pasadena, TXMid-Century Modern Tuxedo sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Down cushions with a textured beige fabric and casters. As shown in the last image, we also have a matching pair...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric