Dunbar Side Chairs
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
Rare Pair Dunbar Dining Chairs in Original Black Leather, Mahogany Frames, Signed
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Very rare and desirable high back Dunbar dining chairs designed by Edward Wormley. Both chairs are completely original. The original black leather has no tears, scuffs, or repairs and show slight stretching on the seats. The mahogany frames show light signs of use in the form of light scratches and nicks, but no distractions. These are excellent examples of this important design, clearly well cared for over the years. Acquired from the original owner. Signed with the gold Dunbar metal...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Side Chairs
Materials
Brass
Dunbar, Mid-Century Modern, Occasional Chairs, Leather, Rosewood, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Manhasset, NY
Dunbar, Mid-Century Modern, Occasional Chairs, Leather, Rosewood, 1950s
This pair of occasional chairs produced by Dunbar in the mid-20th century, showcases a striking design with t...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Side Chairs
Materials
Rosewood
Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Side Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Wonderful set of four side chairs designed by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar in a dark stained ash.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Side Chairs
Materials
Ash
$4,600 / set
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dark Blue Upholstered Slipper / Side Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of American Mid-Century slipper / side chairs, upholstered in a dark blue fabric with button tufting on the seat backs, resting on four square walnut legs. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR D...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Side Chairs
Materials
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Roger Sprunger Desk Chair for Dunbar 1967
By Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in New York, NY
Desk chair model No. 6738 in dark ash with seat upholstered in white linen by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar, American 1967. Refinished and reupholstered in white linen by Lobel Modern.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Side Chairs
Materials
Linen, Ash
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Chair in Mohair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A dining height Janus armchair designed by Mid-Century Modern master Edward Wormley. The chair features a sculpted dark mahogany frame and mohair upholstery with button-tufted backs....
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Side Chairs
Materials
Mohair, Mahogany
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Chair in Jack Lenor Larsen
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Introducing a dining height Janus armchair designed by Mid-Century Modern master Edward Wormley. The chair features a sculpted dark mahogany frame and Jack Lenor Larsen upholstery wi...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Side Chairs
Materials
Mahogany, Upholstery
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Edwar...
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Dunbar side chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Dunbar side chairs 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 side chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original side chairs 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 side chairs by Charles Eames, Paul McCobb, and Milo Baughman. Prices for Dunbar side chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,500 and can go as high as $18,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,800.
Creators Similar to Dunbar
Questions About Dunbar Side Chairs
- Where is Dunbar Furniture made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Dunbar 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024To identify Dunbar furniture, search your piece for maker's markings. Some pieces feature a D-shaped metal tag, while others bear a metal plaque with the brand name etched on its surface, with or without the company's location: Berne, Indiana. Dunbar also branded its name onto the wood frames of certain furnishings. Upholstered pieces will most likely have the brand name on a label sewn onto a cushion. If you have difficulty locating a maker's mark, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer will assist you. Shop a variety of Dunbar furniture on 1stDibs.