Edward Wormley Furniture
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.
Color: Brown
Creator: Edward Wormley
Set of Four Panel-Back Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of four (4) mahogany panel-back chairs retaining their original leather upholstery. Dunbar item no. 6337.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Leather
End Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Dunbar's low walnut "Janus" end table of Asian inspiration, with raised edges to the legs and diagonal "cloud-lift" stretchers.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Dining Set for Six by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A drop-leaf console table opens to seat, six (6) for dining. Set complete with two banquette chairs and four side chairs.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Upholstery
Square Raffia Mirror by Edward Womley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A square mahogany wall mirror with a woven raffia boarder.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Glass, Raffia
Pair of Rare Armchairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair of upholstered armchairs fluted with dark fluted mahogany legs and "tusk" arm supports.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Attributed White Upholstered Lounge Chairs - a Pair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair White Upholstered Lounge Chairs in the style of Edward Wormley. Dimensions: H: 31 inches: W: 31 inches: D: 34 inches - Seat Height:...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Swivel Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Priced Low for Reupholstery, Signed
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Dunbar barrel swivel lounge chair with a walnut base on brass casters. The casters can easily be removed if so desired. The walnut base has been expertly...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Refinished Walnut and Brass Dresser by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, C 1965, Signed
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully refinished walnut and brass dresser by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture, circa 1965. Signed with the Dunbar brass emblem in one of the pull-out drawers.
This class...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Circular Walnut Veneer Two Tier End / Side Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American mid-century two-tier end / side table with a circular top above a circular stretcher shelf supported by three tapered legs, finished in walnut v...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Wood
Dunbar Side / End Table. Bleached Mahogany. Expertly Refinished. Signed.
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar side / end table. Expertly refinished and ready to use. Signed with the gold metal Dunbar Medallion to the underside.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Mid Century Oval Walnut Drop Leaf Gate Leaf Dining Table by Edward Wormley, 1960
By Edward Wormley
Located in Basel, BS
Stunning Oval shaped vintage American Edward Wormley dining table that can also be used with its leaves down as a console table behind the couch or a buffet table.
Featured beaut...
Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Edward Wormley Ebonized Dresser for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c.1970s, USA. The mahogany dresser has been newly refinished and ebonized. It features three smaller drawers along the top of the dresser and four full len...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Ebonized Mahogany King Headboard by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dorchester, MA
Edward Wormley designed this midcentury headboard for Dunbar. Louvered panels of ebonized mahogany create clean but strong lines that extend the width of a king size bed.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Dunbar Exceptional Mahogany Desk with Inset Leather Top 1960s 'Signed'
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully crafted desk in dark mahogany with inset leather top and sculpted oval chrome and brass pulls as well as brass feet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American 1960's (signed ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Sheaf of Wheat Side Table, Mid-Century Modern
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Decatur, GA
Mid-Century Modern sheaf of wheat side pedestal table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1960s. Solid walnut base with scarce resin terrazzo top. Wormley's designs exude a ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Resin, Terrazzo, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair of Lounges Chairs in Knoll Boucle
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar pair of lounges chairs in Knoll Boucle, Newly reupholstered with solid oiled walnut cradle bases.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Bouclé, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a rare set of 10 Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining chairs in great condition. Upholstery as found, re-upholstery available.
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Dunbar Dining/Conference Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Roger Sprunger for Dunbar dining table, could seat 6 to 8 people.
Rounded edged walnut top with good figured patterns, dark walnut pedestal base.
Dunbar Berne Indiana metal tag on ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Rosewood Cocktail Table, Newly Refinished
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Heart Stool Early Green Metal Tag
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Westport, CT
Edward Wormley for Dunbar green metal tag, heart tool with splayed legs in very fine condition. Edward J Wormley
A leading American furniture designer for...
Category
Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Walnut
MCM Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Collection Cabinet in Dark Expresso
By Drexel, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward Wormley two-door cabinet in ebonized silver elm with brass hardware, circa 1948. The one shown has recently sold, but have another with slightly different hardware available, ...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley Model 5900 Dining Table by Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Highland, IN
A beautiful example of Ed Wormley's refined aesthetic and Dunbar's quality construction, this dining table has a very pleasing mix of straight lines and elegant curves. The octagonal...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
1940s Edward Wormley for Dunbar Set of Four Side Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar set of four elegant side chairs with dark mahogany legs. Current set of four, have original leather seats, need to be reup...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Vintage Dunbar Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish pair of Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs feature stylish slipper design by iconic designer Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Bronze finish metal legs make a unique statement wh...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Upholstery
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Armchair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Stockton, NJ
An Edward Wormley for Dunbar armchair. Wonderful structured lines with mahogany legs with brass ring detail. Newley upholstered in ...
Category
1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Three Storage Cabinets by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Completely Original.
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Storage cabinets / dressers. Original bleached mahogany finish with solid brass pulls. Very good completely original condition. All three for $6850!
Tw...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Selection of Modern Headboards
By Edward Wormley, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of Modern Headboards, circa 1950's. They are from top to bottom:
1) King Size Mahogany and Brass Headboard, designed by Edward Wormley for ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
6 Edward Wormley Dining Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of six dining chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Set includes two arm chairs model No. 295W and four side chairs model No. 294W. Original Jack Lenor Larsen Upholstery....
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Two-Tone Mahogany Side Table on Brass Casters by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dorchester, MA
Edward Wormley designed this mahogany side table for Dunbar. The case, whose warm honey tone contrasts with the dark-stained frame, features a wide drawer with a rosewood and brass p...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Edward Wormley furniture 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 furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture 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 furniture by Dunbar, Paul McCobb, and Herman Miller. Prices for Edward Wormley furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $225 and can go as high as $119,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,846.
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