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Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

American, 1907-1995

As the longtime director of design for the Dunbar furniture company, Edward Wormley was, along with such peers as George Nelson at Herman Miller Inc., and Florence Knoll of Knoll Inc., one of the leading forces in bringing modern design into American homes in the mid-20th century. Not an axiomatic modernist, Wormley deeply appreciated traditional design, and consequently his vintage seating, storage cabinets, bar carts and other work has an understated warmth and a timeless quality that sets it apart from other furnishings of the era.

Wormley was born in rural Illinois and as a teenager took correspondence courses from the New York School of Interior Design. He later attended the Art Institute of Chicago but ran out of money for tuition before he could graduate. Marshall Field hired Wormley in 1930 to design a line of reproduction 18th-century English furniture; the following year he was hired by the Indiana-based Dunbar, where he quickly distinguished himself. It was a good match.

Dunbar was an unusual firm: it did not use automated production systems; its pieces were mostly hand-constructed. For his part, Wormley did not use metal as a major component of furniture; he liked craft elements such as caned seatbacks, tambour drawers, or the woven-wood cabinet fronts seen on his Model 5666 sideboard of 1956. He designed two lines for Dunbar each year — one traditional, one modern — until 1944, by which time the contemporary pieces had become the clear best sellers.

Many of Wormley’s signature pieces — chairs, sofas, tables and more — are modern interpretations of traditional forms. His 1946 Riemerschmid Chair — an example is in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art — recapitulates a late 19th-century German design. The long, slender finials of his Model 5580 dining chairs are based on those of Louis XVI chairs; his Listen-to-Me Chaise (1948) has a gentle Rococo curve; the “Precedent” line that Wormley designed for Drexel Furniture in 1947 is a simplified, pared-down take on muscular Georgian furniture. But he could invent new forms, as his Magazine table of 1953, with its bent wood pockets, and his tiered Magazine Tree (1947), both show. And Wormley kept his eye on design currents, creating a series of tables with tops that incorporate tiles and roundels by the great modern ceramicists Otto and Gertrud Natzler.

As the vintage items on 1stDibs demonstrate, Edward Wormley conceived of a subdued sort of modernism, designing furniture that fits into any decorating scheme and does not shout for attention.

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Creator: Edward Wormley
Pentagonal Janus Coffee Table with Natzler Tiles by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed by Edward Wormley in 1957 as part of Dunbar's Janus Collection, this fabulous walnut coffee table, model 5625N, features a pentagonal frame inset with five blue ceramic tile...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Ceramic, Walnut

Elegant Edward Wormley for Dunbar Rectangular Cocktail Table with Carpathian Elm
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern, Rarely seen Edward Wormley rectangular walnut frame coffee table in a dark brown finish with inset Carpathian elm square top and sculpted legs with heavy brass sa...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley Coffee Table with Tiffany Tiles
By Edward Wormley
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant coffee table incorporating seven beautiful iridescent Tiffany Tiles.This group of furnishing was inspired by a visit by to the gamble resid...
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Monumental Rosewood and Walnut Coffee Table, Restored
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern monumental coffee table By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1950s Bookmatched rosewood top, with walnut trim and legs and brass-cap...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Extension Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, custom cocktail table, 3 positions with polished stone inside brass framed extension leaves. Solid crisscross oiled walnut frame and top. Width without ex...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Stone, Brass

Edward Wormley Elliptical Rosewood Coffee Table by Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Highland, IN
This stunning cocktail table by Edward Wormley exemplifies his refined sensibility and fine detailing as well as the quality of Dunbar's construction. The table was custom ordered wi...
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal

Wormley for Dunbar Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Nice rectangular coffee table, mahogany with cork insert top. This table was designed by Edward Wormley, for the Dunbar Furniture Company. It is an early example of his work for Dunb...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass, Mahogany, Cork

Edward Wormley for Dunbar MCM Expandable Lacquered Hunter Green Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar coffee table with pull-out extensions (expands 12" on each end). Lacquered in hunter green, hand rubbed finish. Extended is 67-7/8.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Lacquer

Trapezoid Top Wormley for Dunbar Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural trapezoid coffee table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Edward J. Wormley Leather Top & Brass Coffee Table for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward J. Wormley Leather Top & Brass Coffee Table for Dunbar Introducing the Edward J. Wormley Leather Top & Brass Coffee Table for Dunbar, a vintage...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Asian Edward Wormley for Dunbar Long Rosewood Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a pair of midcentury Asian modern end tables, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. These tables have ebonized mahogany bases and rosewood tops. They're in good vintage c...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Rosewood

Carpathian Elm Coffee Table Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Stamford, CT
A burled triangular top coffee table rising from three walnut legs tipped with brass caps. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1955.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Elm, Walnut

Early Dunbar Cocktail Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An early example of Edward Wormley's transition to modern furniture design. Mahogany frame with inset leather top. Dunbar brand to underside.
Category

1940s American Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Leather

Model 5309 Coffee Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Denton, TX
Model 5309 rare coffee table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Combination of rosewood and brass with the original glass top.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Collection Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley, Drexel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An early, modernist Edward Wormley for Drexel coffee table in a trapezoid shape made for the Precedent Collection.  
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Pair of Wormley for Dunbar Long John Tables
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Very rare pair of Long John tables designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Both have been professionally refinished, each has a drawer with the Classic gold D Dunbar metal tag. Offere...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut and Rosewood Parsons Leg Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Parsons style coffee table. Exceptional rosewood grained top with clean lined walnut frame. Transitional piece that could work with many design plans. Gold ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Rosewood, Walnut

Edward Wormley Dubar off White Leather Top Dark Walnut Cocktail Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Westport, CT
Edward Wormley for Dunbar large round off-white leather too dark walnut base cocktail table, with gold metal tag to underside. Model 5219 Dunbar catalog.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Figured Maple and Rosewood Cocktail Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare Wormley table bentwood burl maple with ebonized rosewood tapered legs. Tray style.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Rosewood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 3374 Square Cocktail Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Hanover, MA
Late 1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar model number 3374 square walnut cocktail table with distinctive three-sided legs and black micarta to...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Formica, Walnut

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Table or Bench with Magazine Display
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An exceptional Dunbar coffee table or bench (Model 5933a) with built-in brass rods for suspending magazines. Another option would be to recess a glass top over the rods to use as a s...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Coffee Table with Faceted Olive Burl Pedestal Base by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Coffee table No. 6302G with faceted olive burl pedestal base and thick glass top by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American, 1963 (Dunbar metal tag on base).
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass, Burl

Edward Wormley Dunbar Party Server Bar
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar "party server" or bar cabinet on wheels. Rare and iconic early Wormley design. When extended the top becomes 53.5"L.
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus coffee table. The table is walnut with a geometric shape and the centre has five, round, Tiffany Studios glas...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut, Glass

Edward Wormley Precedent Line Coffee Table for Drexel
By Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
An early, modernist Wormley form for Drexel. This vintage item should go to a refinisher. Edward Wormley executed designs for both Dunbar and Drexel.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Trapezoid Top Wormley For Dunbar Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Original finish Dunbar trapezoid coffee table. We are also separately offering the end tables from this set if you are interested in a full original ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Custom Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Library Table with Brass Stretcher
By Edward Wormley
Located in Stamford, CT
A mahogany library table with brass stretcher bar designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. The table retains both is Dunbar label and its Dunbar label referring to its custom elements ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley "Long John" Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Long John" bench/table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with slat-style top, turned edge and great curved legs. This is the long version. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - wit...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Teak

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pentagonal Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
All original, signed, Dunbar pentagonal coffee table designed by Edward Wormley. Beautiful patina on the original finish.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Edward Wormley Expandable Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Edward Wormley designed coffee table produced by Dunbar. Solid Mahogany construction, professionally restored with the appropriate satin espresso finish. The functionality of thi...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Asymmetrical Coffee Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A low console or table with a spare mahogany frame that supports an asymmetrical top with brass capped feet.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Cork Low Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A simple and elegant square low table with a raised cork top on a mahogany 'Parsons' base.  
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Cork

Walnut Low Table by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rectangular dark walnut low table having a black laminate top and distinctive triangular legs.
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

Burl Olive Wood Glass Top Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar # 6302G
By Edward Wormley
Located in Stamford, CT
A faceted burl olive wood pedestal base with glass top, coffee or low table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar model # 6302G. Metal tag & paper label on bottom of base. Photo to be added...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass, Olive

Dunbar Chrome and Walnut Occasional Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Chic and rarely seen Edward Wormley design that can function as a lamp table, end table or small cocktail table. Dunbar label on bottom.
Category

1960s American Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Chrome

Bold Coffee Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Bold mahogany coffee table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. USA, circa 1950. Signed with Dunbar tag. U-shaped legs supporting...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Solid Brass and Marble Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Clean lined Dunbar brass and marble coffee table designed by Edward Wormley. Solid brass bar frame with solid brass rod stretchers and brass square plate feet. Beautifully veined rou...
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass

Early Edward Wormley Dunbar Long Oriental Cork Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Early Edward Wormley Dunbar long oriental cork coffee table. Early green rectangular label attached. This version of this table is rarer in the longer length. Measures: 62" x 14.7...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Cork

Uncommon Edward Wormley Five-Leg Walnut Coffee Table for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Dunbar five-leg walnut coffee table. Another uncommon Wormley design with the addition of a fifth canted leg. Excellent wood grain, recessed apron and brass sabots.
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

Low Table or Bench by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A low table or bench with an ebonized walnut frame which rises slightly above the table surface and can hold a loose cushion if used as a bench.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

Low Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An ebonized mahogany low table with a lower shelf and singe drawer on cylindrical dowel legs.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Occasional Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An interesting and uncommon occasional table on casters having a cruciform structure intersected by two circular planes, the top of the table surfaced with leather.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley Long John Bench for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Diego, CA
The iconic Long John bench designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Features a solid walnut construction with bent hairpin plywood legs. The edge of the table has a slight raised edge....
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut, Plywood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Tiered Coffee Table, Walnut with Rosewood Drawer Pull
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Elegant coffee table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Table features a rectangular shape with unique leg detail. Below are two open shelves on either side of a drawer accented ...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Rosewood, Walnut

Early Elegant Custom Edward Wormley Low Console or Coffee /Side Table for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
An elegant custom Wormley low console / coffee side table with 9 x 9 travertine marble tile insets to form one long marble rectangular form.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Rosewood Cocktail Table, Newly Refinished
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern cocktail table, occasional side table, or tea table By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1950s Book-matched rosewood top, with ebonized ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Edward Wormley coffee and cocktail tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Edward Wormley coffee and cocktail tables 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 Edward Wormley coffee and cocktail tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original coffee and cocktail tables by Edward Wormley were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider coffee and cocktail tables by Dunbar, Knoll, and Paul McCobb. Prices for Edward Wormley coffee and cocktail tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,400 and can go as high as $23,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,850.

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