Designer :  Dunbar

Dunbar has always been synonymous with Edward J. Wormley (1907-1995), the company’s principal designer for over thirty years. Narratives of Wormley’s contribution and accomplishment tend to overshadow the origins and history of this high-end furniture company. The company had been in existence since 1912, based in Berne, Indiana and first made horse-drawn buggies. The company’s first few decades were focused on making rocking chairs and other traditional forms of furniture, often derivative of colonial styles. They introduced their first collection of “Modern” furniture in 1939. Dunbar furniture, thanks to Wormley, synthesized many of the Modernist/International Style trends that were happening in Europe. The company succeeded by being able to adapt these trends to suit American tastes and lifestyles. Dunbar focused on the customer’s needs rather than fashion and form. In the 1950’s Interiors magazine described Dunbar as making “the most luxurious, expensive, livable, amusing and exquisite of all the modern furniture on the market”. They were able to strike a balance between continuous production and hand-crafted customization. The Dunbar workshops were never automated. Pieces were made by teams of artisans and cabinetmakers. In 1956 their catalogue proclaimed they wanted to “reflect the continuing advancement of technology teamed with the inscrutable tools of the hand and the eye in the evolution of fine furniture for American today”. The company produced clever ad campaigns, often shooting furniture outdoors, and demonstrated an early awareness of branding. Showrooms were opened across the United States and they even ventured into Europe, notably in Belgium. Their catalogs, for example, are today considered as important documents on the evolution of American modernist design. Wormley would leave Dunbar officially in 1968, but would continue to interact with designers and executives during his retirement. Ultimately the company would close its doors in 1991.
 
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Nine Foot Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
item name : Nine Foot Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
designers : Dunbar,  Edward J. Wormley
Era : Circa 1950's
Country of Origin : USA

item description :

Nine Foot Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Spectacular nine foot sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Expansive sofa floats gracefully on six nickeled feet. Two loose button tufted seat cushions and four loose back cushions. Upholstered in ivory boucle fabric. Model number 4907A. Documented in Dunbar Fine Furniture of the 1950s by L.Pina, ppg 31-32, 172-173 Very good original condition 33 H 108 L 37 D seat height 16.5
item # : TMF1164
price : Request Price
Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley
item name : Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley
designers : Dunbar,  Edward J. Wormley
Era : Circa 1960's
Country of Origin : USA
Materials : Wood > Walnut,  Textile > Leather

item description :

Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

USA, c 1960

A finely crafted Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c 1960.  The chair features a wide, tufted back with elongated, shallow wings; a wide, low seat and a dark stained walnut frame and matching ottoman.  Newly upholstered in ivory leather. A similar chair can be seen in Edward Wormley: The Other Face of Modernism, Gura, pg 41.

 

Excellent restored condition

 

37.75H  31W  29D Chair

17.5H  30.5W 20.25D Ottoman
item # : TMF1136
price : Request Price
Pair of Janus Armchairs by Edward Wormley
item name : Pair of Janus Armchairs by Edward Wormley
designers : Dunbar,  Edward J. Wormley
Era : Circa 1950's
Country of Origin : USA
Materials : Wood,  Textile > Wool

item description :

Pair of Janus Armchairs by Edward Wormley

USA, ca 1957

A Pair of Janus Armchairs by Edward Wormley, ca 1957.  Each with a serpentine shaped seat, rounded back and exposed walnut frame.  Each is with tufted upholstery in a wool boucle style fabric.  Two pair available.

Excellent Original Condition

32.5H x 27.5W x 26D

seat height 18.5H

item # : TMF1064
price : SOLD
Bar Cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
item name : Bar Cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
designers : Dunbar,  Edward J. Wormley
Era : Circa 1950's
Country of Origin : USA
Materials : Wood > Walnut,  Wood > Rosewood,  Technique > Marquetry

item description :

Bar cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c.1959. Beautiful rosewood case with lacquered composite top and doors. Three doors with walnut cruciform marquetry. Top slides open to reveal bottle storage and built in ice bucket and garnish holder. Case with three doors, two with adjustable shelves and one pull out drawer.

Very good original condition.

32"H x 48"L x 20"D
item # : TMF893
price : Request Price
Janus Side Tables by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
item name : Janus Side Tables by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
designers : Dunbar,  Edward J. Wormley
Era : Circa 1950's
Country of Origin : USA
Materials : Wood > Walnut

item description :

A rare pair of Tiffany Studios Favrile tile inset burled walnut side tables, from the Janus collection, both with metal Dunbar tag, c.1957.

19"H x 24"L x 24"D

Excellent original condition.
item # : TMF603
price : $24,000.00 for the pair