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.
A Vintage Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Morris" Adjustable Armchairs 1940's
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of rare and unusual Edward Wormley for Dunbar adjustable back lounge chairs. Known as "Morris" chairs they allow for 3 positions-low, medium, high. Made of mahogany and natura...
Mahogany
Edward Wormley Captain's Chair for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design Captain's chair model 5480 for Dunbar, Berne Indiana. Sophisticated and refined design by Edward Wormley during his heyday at Dunbar Furniture Company, circa 19...
Upholstery, Cane, Oak
Set of "Y" Armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, C. 1950s
By Edward Wormley
Located in Westport, CT
A set of "Y" armchairs, designed by the Iconic Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950-1959. Completely restored, fitted with new caning, walnut frame work fully restored, stained in d...
Brass
Edward Wormley Lounge Chair #4796 for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Edward Wormely lounge chair model #4796 produced by Dunbar Furniture Company "Dunbar For Modern" Line, production date of 8/2/1950 - 10/23/1950. Rare hard to find Early Dunbar for M...
Velvet, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair of Armchairs in Pink Striped Upholstery
By Edward Wormley
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, pair of armchairs, stained ash, fabric, United States, 1960s These armchairs are designed by Edward Wormley for the furniture company Dunbar in the sixtie...
Fabric, Ash
Pair of Dunbar Model 5480 Armchairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of cane back model 5480 captains chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Oak
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Tilt-Back Sheridan Lounge Chair in Walnut Cane & Brass
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant lounge chair was designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in the late 1960s and was only produced for a very short time. The frame is crafted from solid American claro waln...
Brass
Edward Wormley Dining Armchair for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Walnut dining armchair with splayed back legs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, c.1960s. The seat cushion has been newly reupholstered in a Pierre Frey textured fabric - a perfect t...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
Edward Wormley 'Janus' Lounge Armchair, Walnut & Cane, Tan Leather
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century 'Janus' lounge / armchair with a wooden frame with dark walnut veneer, a rounded caned back, and a tan leather button tufted seat cushion and round back cushion,...
Wood, Walnut, Leather, Upholstery
Edward Wormley For Dunbar "Morris" Lounge Chair Tank Bentwood 1940's
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare Edward Wormley for Dunbar multi position recliner known as the "Morris" chair, ca' 1940'S. Styled as a tank, with bentwood arms and caned seat and back. Restored.
Mahogany
Rare set of Eight 1950s MCM Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining Armchairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Rare set of 8 dining room or conference armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, model number 842, in mahogany with original red velvet seats. All original, minor touch up prior to s...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Completely Original Alexandria Chair Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare opportunity. All original example of the Alexandria Chair designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Retains the original, high quality black leather seat with attractive wear. This...
Mahogany, Leather
Edward Wormley, Armchairs, Mahogany, Fabric, USA, 1967
By Edward Wormley
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of dark-stained mahogany and orange brown fabric armchairs designed by Edward Wormley and produced by Dunbar, USA, c. 1967. Seats reupholstered in brand new fabric. Overall ...
Fabric, Mahogany
Set of Six Cane Back Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1940s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant and unusual set of six dining chairs with a cane wrapped barrel back and an upholstered seat atop four slender legs.
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cane Back and Brass Armchair
By Edward Wormley
Located in Stamford, CT
Edward Wormley for Dunbar cane back and brass armchair. Circa 1950's.
Cane, Oak
$3,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Edward Wormley Walnut Open-Arm Lounge Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Two architectural open arm lounge chairs in walnut by Dunbar, with green and blue horizontal stripe upholstery.
Walnut
$6,700Sale Price|50% Off
Edward Wormley Janus Lounge Chair, Black Leather, Dunbar, 1957 Design
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Edward Wormley black leather Janus lounge ch air, Model 5701, Dunbar, 1957 ash, leather; 33.75 H × 30.5 W × 34 D in; Stitched manufacturer's mark to decking ...
Leather, Ash
Early 1940s Edward J. Wormley Elegant Armchairs for Dunbar in Dark Expresso x 2
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Early 1940s Edward J. Wormley Elegant Neoclassical Style occasional arm chairs for Dunbar model No. 116B. As shown in "The Other Face of Modernism" book on Wormley , and in the 1940s...
Mahogany
$8,400Sale Price / set|42% Off
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection Pair of Armchairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection pair of armchairs. Very rare pair of chairs all redone, newly refinished and reupholstered in a velvet. Beautiful elegant chair with except...
Walnut
Edward Wormley Captains Chair for Dunbar, Model 5480
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley Captain's Chair for Dunbar Furniture, Model 5480. Elegant looking armchair perfect for a desk or bedroom corner. Made from oak with brass feet and a cane backrest, jus...
Cane, Oak
Rare and Elegant Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Armchair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar lounge chair. Model number 6309, part of the Today and Tomorrow collection, circa 1963. Beautiful channelled mahogany frame with ultra-suede seat and back c...
Mahogany
Uncommon Dunbar 'Janus' Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1957
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare dining height Janus armchair designed by Mid-Century Modern master Edward Wormley. Each chair features sculpted dark mahogany frames and the original putty suede upholstery wi...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Four Alexandria Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Elegant Modern at Its Best
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Set of 4 Alexandria Chairs designed by Edward Wormley. One of Wormley's most coveted designs. These can be used as dining / kitchen chairs, game table chairs or side chairs in any ro...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining Chairs with Brass Handles
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Listed are a pair of elegant Edward Wormley for Dunbar dining chairs with arms and brass handles. These are in need of restoration, perfect if your looking to add to your set. Also c...
Brass
Edward Wormley Mid-Century Lounge Armchair, Taupe Upholstery, USA
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century lounge armchair with plush upholstery in a textured taupe and beige with a small skirt concealing four fluted legs. (EDWARD J WORMLEY ...
Upholstery, Wood, Fabric
Pair of Ed Warley for Dunbar Deep Lounge Arm Club Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Ed Warley for Dunbar Deep Lounge Arm Club Chairs
Upholstery
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Antler" Arm Chairs, Model 5580
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Antler" Arm Chairs, model 5580, the ebonized frame with caned seats, "Dunbar" label to underside. 36.75" H x 18.75" W x 17.75" D; seat: 17" H. Pr...
Cane, Wood
$38,000 / set
Four Dunbar Alexandria Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare set of four Dunbar Alexandria occasional chairs, model 6004, designed by Edward Wormley. Beautifully restored and upholstered in leather.
Walnut
Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Set of Six, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Amarillo, TX
Edward Wormley, two armchairs, and four side chairs. Dunbar, USA. Mahogany and leather. Signed with applied gold rectangular metal manufacturer's label to the seat bottom [Dunb...
Leather, Mahogany
Mid-Century Modern Set of 6 Armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Set of 6 Armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Leather, Wood
Armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sculptural and finely detailed armchair in walnut having a floating seat and back cushions that retain their original textured wool upholstery.
Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley Pair of Armchairs in Green Velvet Upholstery
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, pair of armchairs, beech, velvet, United States, 1960s These armchairs are designed by Edward Wormley for the furniture company Dunbar in the sixties. The...
Velvet, Beech
Caned and Ebonized Arm Chair Designed by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Stamford, CT
A sharp looking ebonized chair with caned side panels designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Walnut
Edward Wormley, Alexandria Armchairs, Mahogany, Walnut, United States, 1960s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Stamford, CT
Edward Wormley, Dunbar, Rare “Alexandria” Armchairs, Mahogany, Walnut, Burgundy Vinyl, United States, 1960s A refined pair of Model 6004 “Alexandria” armchairs designed by Edward Wo...
Mahogany, Walnut
Edward Wormley Armchairs, Fabric and Wood, Vintage Design, 1950s
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of Edward Wormley armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Walnut "Quinn" Armchair By Edward Wormley For Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern "Quinn" chair (model no. 1170) in walnut, was designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar circa 1965. Wormley transitions from the carved wood to the upholstery seamless...
Walnut, Wool
Pair of Swiveling Barrel Back Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair (2) of continuous arm swivel chairs in laminated walnut having tan button tufted leather cushions and a cruciform stretcher detail.
Leather, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Tan and Green Wool Upholstered Arm Chair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Astoria, NY
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Upholstered Arm Chair, with tan and green woven wool upholstery mounted on four brass tapered legs. 28" H x 29.5" W x 21" D; seat: 15.25" H. Provenance: F...
Brass
Edward Wormley, Horseshoe Chairs, Mahogany, Rosewood, Red Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Stamford, CT
Edward Wormley, Dunbar, American Mid-Century Modern, Rare 'Horseshoe' Dining or Arm Chairs, Mahogany, Rosewood, Fabric, USA, 1950s A set of four Model 935 'Horseshoe' dining chairs ...
Fabric, Mahogany, Rosewood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar "A" Frame Arm Chair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar "A" Frame Arm Chair, Horseshoe curved back with original leather-covered armrests, solid mahogany frame, brass exposed screws...
Leather, Mahogany
Set of Palle Suenson Side Table in Solid Teak with Edward Wormley Armchairs
By Edward Wormley, Robert Sonneman
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Palle Suenson, side table, teak, Denmark, c. 1940 Striking Scandinavian Modern side table by Danish architect and designer Palle Suenson (1904-1987). This particular table is spec...
Metal
$2,800 / set
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Side Armchairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Beautiful pair of Edward Wormley armchairs. Great side chairs for any room or as dining chairs.
Mahogany, Upholstery
Pair of Wormley for Dunbar Dining Chairs with Brass Handles
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful pair of dining chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar ( model 4710A ). These chairs have been newly restored, refinished and reupholstered, and are in excellent ready...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair of Arm Chairs or Lounge Chairs, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Hamburg, PA
A classic pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar armchairs. Edward Wormley always saw furniture as expressions of personality and as a paired-down concept for detail of architecture and g...
Upholstery
Rare Pair of Antler Armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare pair of model 5580 Antler armchairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Matching set of four side chairs available separately.
Mahogany
Edward Wormley Swivel Lounge Chair Set, Red Upholstered, Mid-Century
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century tapered high back lounge armchair and matching wedge-form footstool, upholstered in a bright red textured fabric with button tufting on the headrest and back cus...
Metal, Brass
Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair Restored
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Dunbar Mid-Century Modern lounge chair on solid brass cone shape legs by Edward Wormley.
Brass
Desk Chair #5482 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Lynn, MA
Rare luxurious desk chair model #5482 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Ebonized mahogany frame with padded arm rests and down filled support cushion. Subtle brass accents. Dunb...
Brass
$5,142 / set
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Armchairs, Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in North Miami, FL
Pair of Edward Wormley, signed Dunbar armchairs (to underside) known as "Edward's Chair," these handsome examples have stained oak frames and stainless steel stretchers. Very high qu...
Leather, Oak
Pair of Vintage Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Janus" Armchairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in North Miami, FL
Introducing the Janus armchairs designed by Mid-Century Modern master Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Company. These armchairs features a sculpted dark mahogany frame and metalli...
Leather, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Lounge Chairs, Ebonized Base
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of American Mid-Century Lounge / Armchairs with brown upholstery having a seat cushion and button tufted back and resting on an ebonized base with square legs (EDWARD WORMLEY FO...
Wood
Ebonized Mid Century Modern Armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c1960s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Step into a realm of timeless elegance and comfort with this Ebonized Mid-Century Modern Armchair, crafted by the iconic Edward Wormley for Dunbar in the 1950s. This exquisite piece ...
Leather, Mahogany
Architectural Designer Desk Chair By Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Architectural Designer Desk Chair By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Wood shows some wear. I think will benefit from some touching up from a refinishe...
Wood
$5,400 / item
Walnut Dining Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sculptural and finely detailed armchair in walnut having a floating seat and back cushions, retaining the original black leather upholstery.
Teak
Pair Of High-Back Armchairs By Edward Wormley For Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This elegant pair of Mid-Century Modern armchairs were designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture circa 1950s. These stylish chairs feature tapered high backs with a slight curv...
Walnut, Fabric
Mid-Century Lacquered Walnut Barrel Chair By Edward Wormley For Drexel
By Edward Wormley, Drexel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-cenutry barrel chair designed by Edward Wormley for Drexel, Precedent Collection features a black lacquered walnut frame with off-white cords that are woven into the back as an i...
Fabric, Walnut, Cord
$4,200 / set
Pair of Dunbar Armchairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar armchairs with brass handles and brass feet.
Mahogany
$7,200 / item
A-frame Armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An architectural and substantial armchair having an exposed walnut "A"-shaped frame supporting an upholstered seat and generous floating and curving back.
Upholstery, Walnut
A-Frame' Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Mid-Century Modern Classic 'A-Frame' armchair with a woven caned backrest, upholstered black leather seat and brass capped feet. Designed by Edward Wormley, produced by Dunbar in t...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Blue Striped Upholstered Walnut Frame 'Janus'
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century 'Janus' lounge / armchair with a walnut frame and blue, beige, and brown geometric stripe patterned fabric upholstery with a button tufted back, resting on four ...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut