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.
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Six Drawer Louvered Chest, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Hamburg, PA
This classic mid-century modern chest of drawers was designed by legendary American designer Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Crafted in rich mahogany with a beautiful natural finish that ...
Mahogany
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 5911 Gentleman’s Chests Original Finish
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Don't miss these they don't come around often!! This elegant matching pair of Gentleman’s chests was designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, model 5911. A classic example of Wormley’s...
Brass
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany & Oak Waveform Cabinets, 1950's
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Bainbridge, NY
American Mid Century Modern refinished Edward Wormley for Dunbar Two Tone Chests - Cabinets. Featuring matched tone rectangular forms with Mahogany sides and top surface, sliding rip...
Mahogany
Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar Cabinet with Asian Hardware
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar cabinet with brass Asian hardware. All original dark had rubbed finish on ribbon mahogany, top will be polished and touched up prior t...
Brass
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Chest of Drawers, Nightstands
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautifully crafted chest of drawers by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. These are mahogany and feature 5 drawers, 2 smaller than the other three. Make great n...
Mahogany
Edward Wormley Woven Front Chest by Dunbar, Mahogany & Nickel, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Edward Wormley Woven Front Chest by Dunbar, Mahogany & Nickel, 1950s. Medium scale commode, No. 4465, with two woven front sliding doors, two top ext...
Nickel
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Two Tone Dresser in Mahogany and Rosewood Circa 1960s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Peabody, MA
Three drawer dresser by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with two-tone contrasting Honduran mahogany drawer fronts, top and sides, and rosewood trimmed case, circa 1960s.
Mahogany, Rosewood
Edward J Wormley Walnut Chest by Dunbar, Mid-Century Modern, USA
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century walnut cabinet with two tambour doors, the left with 4 larger pull out drawers, the right with 8 drawers of alternating size, resting on 2 U-shaped open bentwood...
Bentwood
Edward Wormley Primavera Mahogany Commode
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar 5-drawer cabinet, mahogany wood with tapered brass legs. [metal tag Dunbar].
Brass
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Matching Dresser Set in Mahogany Wood
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar matching dresser set in mahogany wood, model 5272 triple dresser 12-drawer storage with matching smaller companion four dr...
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Rosewood and Brass Commode Console Chest of Drawers
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Rosewood and Brass Commode Console Chest of Drawers This chest of drawers measures: 33 wide x 17 deep x 32.5 high Good Vintage Condition – Fin...
Brass
$5,000Sale Price|26% Off
Chest of Drawers on Hairpin Legs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Ferndale, MI
Chest of drawers on hairpin legs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Scarce Wormley Design. Measures: 45" wide also available.
Birch, Walnut
Edward J Wormley Walnut Chest by Dunbar, Mid-Century, Circa 1955, USA
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century walnut cabinet comprised of two adjacent sections with two roll doors, the left with 4 larger pull out drawers, and the right with 8 dra...
Bentwood
Vintage Edward Wormley for Dunbar Chest of Drawers
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Iconic Mid-Century Modern chest of drawers by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Crafted with timeless elegance, this piece boasts clean lines, rich wood grain, and sleek brass accents. Perf...
Wood
Chest of Drawers by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegantly austere and finely crafted chest of drawers in bleached walnut having a two-over-three configuration channelled recessed pulls and dowel-form legs crafted of anodized al...
Aluminum
Chest of Drawers by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant and well proportioned eight (8) drawer bleached mahogany cabinet having distinctive laminated end pulls, on tapered dowel legs.
Mahogany
Lacquered Low Chest by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A handsome and versatile custom chest attributed to Roger Sprunger for Dunbar, newly reimagined in a warm faux ivory finish that lends the piece a refined, textural elegance. With it...
Brass
Dunbar Rosewood High Chest with Brass Ring Drop Pulls
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern five drawer Dunbar chest by Ed Wormley. Rosewood mahogany two-tone combination. Brass ring drop pulls.
Brass
Wardrobe Cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An asymmetrical dresser in solid walnut with exposed finger jointed joinery, having a shelved compartment accessed by bi-fold doors flanked by a b...
Brass
1960's Pair of Vintage Chests by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in London, GB
A magnificent pair of vintage chests, these were made in the USA by Dunbar furniture, they were designed by Edward Wormley. Edward Wormley was one of the leading pioneers of mid-cen...
Wood
$3,895
H 36.25 in W 41.5 in D 18 in
Expertly Restored - Edward J. Wormley Woven Front Cabinet for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer: Edward J Wormley Manufacturer: Dunbar Materials: Walnut-Stained Mahogany Wood, Metal Accents Designed by Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar in the 1950s, this exceptional cabi...
Metal
$3,500
H 37 in W 34 in D 20 in
Expertly Restored - Edward J. Wormley Mahogany 5-Drawers Dresser for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer: Edward J Wormley Materials: Walnut-Stained Mahogany Wood ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing hi...
Wood, Mahogany, Walnut
$4,540
H 35.25 in W 32.75 in D 18 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut and Rosewood Dresser Chest of Drawers 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Troy, MI
A rare chest of drawers designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar circa 1950s Contrasting mahogany case in dark espresso finish and walnut drawer fronts Finished with rosewood and brass...
Brass
Sold|$2,995
H 29 in W 32 in D 20 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Walnut & Rosewood Chest Of Drawers
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern eight-drawer chest of drawers By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Gorgeous walnut, with carved rosewood recessed drawer pulls...
Rosewood, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Six-Drawer Dresser
By Edward Wormley
Located in Ferndale, MI
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Six Drawer Dresser . Nicely configured shallow to deep graduated drawers . Each drawer front angled over the next .
Walnut, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Gentleman's Chest
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley for Dunbar bachelors chest with flip-top mirror, drawers in center, flanked by two cabinet doors, in bleached mahogany, currently being refinished (...
Mahogany
$2,295
H 30.25 in W 36 in D 18 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Two Tone Dresser in Mahogany and Rosewood Circa 1960s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Peabody, MA
Three drawer dresser by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with two-tone contrasting Honduran mahogany drawer fronts, top and sides, and rosewood trimmed case, circa 1960s.
Mahogany, Rosewood
$12,000 / set
H 36 in W 71 in D 17 in
Pair Restored Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut & Leather 8-Drawer Cabinets
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This pair of dressers was designed by decorated design icon Edward Wormly for equally revered manufacturer Dunbar Furniture. Known for hundreds of successful designs and exceptional ...
Leather, Walnut
$5,000Sale Price|26% Off
H 33 in W 33 in D 18 in
Chest of Drawers on Hairpin Legs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Ferndale, MI
Chest of drawers on hairpin legs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Scarce Wormley Design. Measures: 45" wide also available.
Birch, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Louvered Six Drawer Dresser
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A louvered front six drawer dresser designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Matching nightstand available separately.
Mahogany
Tall Tambour Cabinet with Drawers by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A simple and refined ebonized mahogany wardrobe having tambour doors with integrated handles a top two (2) drawers with cut out handles.
Mahogany
Sold
H 29 in W 32 in D 20 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Walnut & Rosewood Chest Of Drawers
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern eight-drawer chest of drawers By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Gorgeous walnut, with carved rosewood recessed drawer pulls...
Rosewood, Walnut
Sold
H 29 in W 32 in D 20 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Rosewood Chests, 1960s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern three-drawer file cabinets or chests of drawers By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Gorgeous walnut, with carved rose...
Rosewood, Walnut
Sold
H 32.75 in W 33 in D 17.5 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Rosewood and Brass Commode Console Chest of Drawers
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Rosewood and Brass Commode Console Chest of Drawers This chest of drawers measures: 33 wide x 17.5 deep x 32.75 high Good Vintage Condition - ...
Brass
Edward Wormley Cerused Oak Dresser for Dunbar, 1950s USA
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully made dresser by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in the 1950s. Newly refinished in a cerused Oak which gives it a warm and beachy energy. Three thinner drawers lay across the t...
Leather, Oak
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Eleven Drawer Dresser, Circa 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Peabody, MA
Eleven drawer dresser, consisting of a row of three shallow drawers, over eight graduated drawers, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, ca. 1950s.
Wood, Leather
Sold
H 47.38 in W 34 in D 21.13 in
Vintage Mahogany Highboy Chest of Drawers / Dresser by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century highboy dresser/chest of drawers, model #5273A, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar (ca. 1950s, USA). Composed of a rich walnut-stained mahogany chest (Dunbar factory f...
Mahogany
Classic Edward Wormley for Dunbar Chest of Drawers/ Dresser
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Stunning walnut Dunbar chest designed by Edward Wormley. Four large scale drawers. Legs feature Japanese style- studio/ craftsman details. Leather wrapped handles (dark brown) show s...
Leather, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Edward Wormley Walnut High Chest
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This 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...
Wood, Walnut
Sold
H 34.38 in W 38 in D 18 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pink Lacquered Chest of Drawers, Newly Refinished
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern six-drawer dresser or chest of drawers By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1950s Pink lacquered mahogany, with lucite and brass drawer pu...
Brass
Dunbar Modern Chest of Drawers Credenza
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful chest of drawers by Dunbar.
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Rare Chest/ Commode in Rosewood
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare small rosewood commode designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, model 6335A. Features a rosewood case with turned rosewood pulls. A very uncommon example, and especially so with...
Rosewood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Small Louvered Chest of Drawers
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Small chest of drawers, consisting of louvered walnut fronts and mahogany case. Five drawers total with the top being velvet lined to store various pieces if jewelry. Second drawer c...
Walnut