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.
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Walnut Dining Table, Refinished
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern walnut extension dining table By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1950s Measures: 66.5"W x 44.25"D x 29.75"H. Extends up to 114.5"W with ...
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut and Ebonized Dining Table, Newly Refinished
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern extension dining table By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1950s Gorgeous bookmatched walnut top, with ebonized walnut legs and stretcher...
Walnut
Staggering Vintage Bookmatch Burl Elm Dining Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Atlanta, GA
A breathtaking restored heavy-duty Parsons style extension dining table by the esteemed Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1975. Exquisite bookmatched Butterfly patterned elm veneer ov...
Elm, Maple
Walnut Dining Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A ten foot dining table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with expressively grained walnut top and base with brass cleats. The table has three 12'" leaves. Beautifully refinished.
Walnut
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
Drexel Precedent Drop Leaf Dining Table by Edward Wormley
By Drexel, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Attractive white elm drop leaf dining table, designed by Edward Wormley as part of the classic Precedent series, manufactured by Drexel. The table features two large drop leaves, eac...
Elm
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Extension Dining Table Seats 6 To12
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar extension dining table seats 6 to12, This special piece custom for the Los Angeles Showroom (tag underside). Etimoe African Rosewood top with cross grain e...
Wood, Mahogany, Rosewood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection Walnut Dining Table, Newly Restored
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern extension dining table in book-matched walnut By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1950s Measures: 52.5" W x 40.25" D x 29.25" H. Extends ...
Walnut
$8,400Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Edward Wormley Custom Mahogany and Natural Rosewood Oval Dining Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Outstanding custom-made large oval dining table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Dark stained mahogany border, incised apron and squared legs. Inlaid bookmatched rosewood venee...
Rosewood, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Classic Burlwood Dining Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Discover timeless elegance with this classic parsons style dining table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Table has two 18" leaves, extending its 66" width to a remarkable 102" for all y...
Burl
Dining Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A Dunbar boat shaped dining table with three leaves and brass cleats. Designed by Edward Wormley. Table is 72" and comes with three 12" leaves for a total length of 108".
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Rosewood and Ebonized Oak Dining Table with 2 Leaves
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Rosewood and Ebonized Oak Expanding Dining Table with 2 Leaves This table measures: 66.25 wide x 44.25 deep x 29.75 inches high, with a chair c...
Rosewood, Oak
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany Expanding Dining Table - 2 Leaves
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany Expanding Dining Table with 2 Leaves This table measures: 70 wide x 42 deep x 29 inches high, with a chair clearance of 27.25 inches, ...
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar 1950s Asian Influence Walnut Extension Dining Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Classic Edward Wormley for Dunbar 1950s Mid-Century Modern with Asian influence walnut top with beveled edge extension dining table with two 15" leaves on ebonzied base and leather s...
Mahogany, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar 1940s Round or Oval Dining Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Elegant Edward Wormley for Dunbar 1940s mahogany 50" round dining table that opens up to 74" oval with 24" leaf. Legs are flush with 3" apron, retains...
Mahogany
$24,300Sale Price|32% Off
Wormley for Dunbar Tawi Dining Table Can be configured into 4 different sizes.
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Pasadena, TX
Rare beautiful wood 12 feet to 14 feet 1/2 vintage Wormley extension dining/conference table for Dunbar This came from the executive conference room of the former Bank of the Southw...
Wood
$5,760Sale Price|20% Off
Edward Wormley Extension Walnut Dining Table for Dunbar, circa 1953
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Camden, ME
An Edward Wormley walnut extension dining table designed for Dunbar in the early 1950s. The dark walnut base sets on four leather cased feet contrasts with the walnut top which is a ...
Leather, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bleached Mahogany Expanding Dining Table with 2 Leaves
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Expanding Dining Table with 2 Leaves This table measures: 66.25 wide x 44.25 deep x 29 inches high, with a chair clearance of...
Mahogany
Elegant Edward Wormley Rosewood Dinette / Game Table for Dunbar
By Harvey Probber, Edward Wormley, Milo Baughman, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant Edward Wormley dinette or game table for Dunbar. Appears to be rosewood. wear to the finish. May desire to have restored some.
Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar MCM Mahogany Expanding Dining Table with 1 Leaf
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany Expanding Dining Table with 1 Leaf This table measures: 60.25 wide x 60.25 deep x 29.5 inches high, with a chair clearance of 28.25 in...
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Dining Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Dining Table This dining table measures: 52 wide x 52 deep x 29.25 inches high, with a chair clearance of 28.25 inches All pieces of furniture...
Wood
A Drop-Leaf Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A mahogany drop-leaf table with ebonized gate-leg base. Measures: Console table depth of 16.5" deep when closed.
Mahogany
Dunbar Dining Table Model 5460A in Mahogany by Edward Wormley. Expertly Restored
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Beautiful extension dining table model 5460A designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Tapering medium mahogany top and dark mahogany plinth base with brass feet that run the width of t...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Walnut Dining Table, Refinished
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern walnut extension dining table By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1950s Measures: 66"W x 44.25"D x 29.5"H. Extends up to 114"W with two 2...
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Expanding Dining Table with 2 Leaves
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Expanding Dining Table with 2 Leaves This table measures: 48 wide x 48 deep x 29 inches high, with a chair clearance of 28 inches, each leaf me...
Wood
$5,520Sale Price|20% Off
Dunbar Wormley Dining Table in Rosewood Model 936 C 1950/1960's
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Stunning rosewood dining table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. The table features a rich and vibrant rosewood veneer top on an architectural pedestal base, with original metal disk...
Rosewood
Rare Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lazy Susan Walnut Dining Table MCM
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exceptionally rare and architecturally refined fondue table designed by Edward Wormley (American, 1907–1995) for the Dunbar Furniture Company, Berne, Indiana, dating to the late 1...
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bleached Mahogany and Walnut Dining Table with 1 Leaf
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Bleached Mahogany and Walnut Expanding Dining Table with 1 Leaf This table measures: 52.25 wide x 40.25 deep x 29.25 inches high, with a chair ...
Mahogany, Walnut
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
Dunbar Extension Dining Table by Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Classic Asia Modern style dining table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. This example comes with one 24 in leaf, and the fold up center support leg. As expected from Dunbar, thi...
Mahogany
$2,320Sale Price|31% Off
Edward Wormley for Drexel Drop-Leaf Precedent Dining Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Pasadena, TX
A Mid-Century Modern dining table designed by Edward Wormley for Drexel's Precedent collection. The drop leaf table measures 50" x 28" when folded and 70" x 50" when fully extended.
Ash
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 4576 Dining Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, this beautiful mahogany dining table extends to 126 inches. The drop leaf table measures 29"W x 42"D x 29"H. It includes 5 leaves in the origin...
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar MCM Expanding Mahogany Dining Table - 2 Leaves
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Expanding Mahogany Dining Table with 2 Leaves This table measures: 40 wide x 40 deep x 29 inches high, with a chair clearance of 26.75 inches, ...
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Expandable Green & Green Dining Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare expandable dining table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Known as the Greene & Greene table for its crafted look with exposed tenons. The table folds open on the ends an...
Walnut
Dunbar Dining Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautifully grained walnut dining table with leather wrapped feet. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Table measures 60" diameter and has a 20" leaf.
Leather, Walnut
Travertine Dining Table / Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An early bleached mahogany and travertine table / desk designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Travertine