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Dunbar Settees

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.

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Creator: Dunbar
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Custom Settee
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Denton, TX
This assemblage of three chairs into a settee with bentwood arms was custom ordered by Stephens Financial for their office in Michigan. New upholstery may be desired.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees

Materials

Upholstery, Ash, Rosewood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair of Armless “Morris” Settees
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Rare pair of settees designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. Settees feature an armless profile complete with two mahogany "sled" like legs. These occasionally come up in so...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees

Materials

Bentwood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Settees in New Upholstery
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
We have updated these great looking settees in a new black and off-white chenille weave. The sofas are very comfortable with new foam. Bases are mahogany platforms that have been ref...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Edward Wormley Slipper Sofa for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Denton, TX
Edward Wormley slipper sofa for Dunbar with off white upholstery and ebonized bentwood legs. Older restoration.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees

Materials

Upholstery, Bentwood

Edward Wormley Open Frame Sofa, Dunbar, USA, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in London, GB
A very rare two-seat Edward Wormley open frame sofa, made by Dunbar, in the USA, 1950s. Newly reupholstered in high quality fabric. Fast shipping worldwide.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Edward Wormley Pair of Sofas / Settees
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Highland, IN
These lovely, lightly scaled sofas or loveseats designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, are not only an uncommon form, having a matched pair available is also very rare. They are stru...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Related Items
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Fantastic 1940s Alfred Christensen designed sofa in his characteristic style made by Slagelse Mobelvaerk in the 1940s. Beautiful refined lines with curving arms, coil springs in th...
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Edward Wormley for Dunbar Style "Long John" Bench, Coffee Table, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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Long Edward Wormley for dunbar style walnut "long john" Bench. Coffee Table. Bed End. Featuring a longer rectangular slat-style Walnut surface, turned edge...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees

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Stunning Modernist Angled Sofa Attributed to Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning Modernist angled sofa attributed to Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Solid brass legs, Amazing quality, construction and design. Retains original fabric. in need or restoration.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees

Materials

Brass

Pair of Louis XVI Style Carved and Laqué Gilded Bergère Settees or Loveseats
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of Louis XVI style carved and Laqué gilded bergère settees. The elegant pair of carved loveseats, upholstered in a blue velvet, with padded backs and sides and a cushion seat,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Louis XVI Dunbar Settees

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1950s Walnut Window Bench Attributed to Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Southampton, NJ
A solid walnut Mid-Century Modern window bench or settee attributed to Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Lithe line design constructed of fully restored walnut frame with new fine scale can...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees

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Pair Custom Chesterfield Tufted Loveseats, Settees, Couches, Velour, Georgian
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair custom chesterfield tufted loveseats, settees, couches, velour. A fine custom quality pair of Georgian styled Chesterfields. Each sitting on five straight legs hidden under an a...
Category

20th Century American Georgian Dunbar Settees

Materials

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"Long John" Coffee Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Westport, CT
Introducing the epitome of mid-century elegance: the "Long John" Coffee Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, meticulously restored to its original glory by Stamford Modern. Crafted wi...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees

Materials

Walnut

Classic Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bench
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An Edward Wormley for Dunbar upholstered (half) and open mahogany (the other half) bench. Brass spacers, original fabric, circa 1970s.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees

Materials

Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa, early design with great scale, spring seating system, reupholstered and rebuilt reupholstered with wool ...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees

Materials

Upholstery

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa
H 31.5 in W 100 in D 37 in
Vintage Walnut Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Exceptional vintage walnut sofa designed by Edward Wornley and manufactured Dunbar in the United States, circa 1960s. Features an ergonomic structu...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bench, 1960
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bench, 1960. Restored and reupholstered in gray mohair.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees

Materials

Mohair, Walnut

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bench, 1960
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bench, 1960
H 15.25 in W 33 in D 18.5 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Long John Bench
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Long John bench This bench measures: 83.75 wide x 19 deep x 12 inches high, with a seat height of 12 inches All pieces of furniture can be...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees

Materials

Wood

Previously Available Items
Dunbar Mid Century Settee - Pair
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Countryside, IL
Dunbar Mid Century Settee - Pair This settee measures: 67 wide x 36 deep x 24 inches high, with a seat height of 15 and an arm height of 23 ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Dunbar Mid Century Settee - Pair
Dunbar Mid Century Settee - Pair
H 24 in W 67 in D 36 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Leather 3 Seater Cognac Sofa MCM
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dayton, OH
"Rare Edward Wormley for Dunbar Leather 3 seater sofa. Finished in Cognac over cylindrical brass tapered legs. Provenance : Jerome Schottenstein Estate, Columbus Ohio. Jerome was...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Settee
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid-century settee. The settee measures: 48.5 wide x 32 deep x 28 high, with a seat height of 16 inches and arm height of 23.25 inches. All pieces of ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Edward Wormley Tete-a-Tete Sofa for Dunbar in Green Velvet & Mahogany
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Dunbar tête-à-tête sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Upholstered in a soft mossy olive green perennials velvet. The base has been professionally refinished and the brass sa...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees

Materials

Brass

Dunbar Sofa with Mahogany Legs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
Classic Dunbar quality and style in this well proportioned 3 seat sofa designed by Edward Wormley. While this piece should be reupholstered, it provides...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees

Materials

Mahogany

Dunbar Sofa with Mahogany Legs
Dunbar Sofa with Mahogany Legs
H 30 in W 75 in D 33 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 4906-A Bouclé and Brass Sofa, Reupholstered
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredible Model 4906-A four-seat sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar features gorgeous reupholstered white bouclé and six of Wormley's signature brass legs. Fine details such as ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley Sofa for Dunbar, circa 1955
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Edward Wormley sofa for Dunbar, circa 1950. This piece has been expertly upholstered. Original patina to the brass legs.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley Sofa for Dunbar, circa 1955
Edward Wormley Sofa for Dunbar, circa 1955
H 31.5 in W 84.5 in L 31.5 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Settee, circa 1955
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Settee has a Holly Hunt silk and camel hair fabric with a mahogany base.
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Edward Wormley Armless Sofa for Dunbar, circa 1955
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Edward Wormley armless sofa for Dunbar, circa 1955. This piece has been expertly restored in alpaca bouclé. Original patina to the solid br...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Formal Tuxedo Down Filled Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar formal, classic and elegant sofa with down filled cushions. Sofa has been reupholstered at some point, so it’s missing the label and is in need of re-upholstery. Guaranteed to be Dunbar, came from a house full of Dunbar. Under the skirted sofa...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees

Materials

Brass

Curved Orange Sofa by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dunbar sofa in orange fabric, United States, circa 1970s. This curved sofa has a particular upholstered fabric made with pink and ocre fibers, creating an interesting orange colo...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Settees

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Curved Orange Sofa by Dunbar
Curved Orange Sofa by Dunbar
H 29.53 in W 98.43 in D 39.38 in
Roger Sprunger Curved Back Settees for Dunbar, circa 1960
By Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Roger Sprunger pair of curved back settees for Dunbar, circa 1960. This pair has been professionally restored.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Settees

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Dunbar settees for sale on 1stDibs.

Dunbar settees 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 settees, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original settees by Dunbar were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider settees by Adrian Pearsall, Herman Miller, and Russell Woodard. Prices for Dunbar settees can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $4,500 and can go as high as $22,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $8,712.

Creators Similar to Dunbar

Questions About Dunbar Settees
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Dunbar 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.

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