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.
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Creator: Edward Wormley
Dealer: Newel
Edward J Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Walnut Chifferobe / Dressing Cabinet
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century walnut chifferobe / dressing cabinet with a central section with 9 drawers descending in size from top to bottom, flanked on either side by two door cabinets, with a central lid that opens upward to reveal a concealed mirror and a beige painted interior. (EDWARD J WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mirror, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Wooden Caned Back and Upholstered Seat Side Chair
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century side chair with a dark stained wooden frame, beige textured fabric upholstered seat, and caned back, resting on four tapered square legs...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Black Painted Refectory Coffee / Cocktail Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century black painted wooden refectory coffee / cocktail table with a rectangular top and two concealed pull out leaves on either side. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNIT...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Metal
Edward J Wormley for Dunbar 'In Clover' Tufted Red Leather Rolling Office Chair
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American mid-century 'In Clover' office / executive chair with a red leather button tufted seat with a high back and scroll arms resting on a rolling / swiveling walnut base with bra...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Maple Three-Drawer Slant Front Chest
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century maple slant front chest with three drawers with semi-circular wooden drawer pulls, resting on four tapered square wooden legs....
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Maple, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dark Finished Wooden Two Tier End / Side Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century two-tier dark finished wooden end / side table with a square top with a shallow gallery above a lower shelf containing a single drawer supported by two reverse t...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Ebonized Frame and Maple Top Nest of Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American mid-century nest of tables with ebonized wooden frames with stretchers around three sides and honey stained wooden tops. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNITURE COMPANY)
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Wood, Ebony
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Travertine and Dark Wood Wedge End / Side Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century end / side table with a wedge-shaped beige travertine top resting on a dark wooden base with connecting stretchers and four dowel legs ending in black leather wr...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Travertine
Edward J Wormley for Dunbar High Back Taupe Lounge Armchair and Ottoman
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century high back lounge armchair and matching ottoman set, with textured brown / taupe fabric upholstery with button tufting on the back cushion, matching antimacassars...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass, Metal
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Light Finished Wooden Two Tier End / Side Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century two-tier end / side table with a square top with a shallow gallery above a lower shelf containing a single drawer supported by two reverse tapered legs. (EDWARD ...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Wood
Edward J Wormley for Dunbar Blue Diamond Patterned Lounge Armchair and Ottoman
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century rolling boudoir / lounge armchair and matching ottoman, upholstered in a light blue and white diamond patterned fabric with button tufted back detail, both resti...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar American Mid-Century Upholstered Fold Down Arm Single
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American mid-century single bed headboard with a walnut frame and beige fabric channeled upholstered center panel which angles outward, featuring...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Wood, Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Maple Louver Front Chest
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American mid-century maple louver front chest with 6 drawers in descending size. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNITURE COMPANY)
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Wood
Edward J Wormley for Dunbar Crushed Gold Velour and Walnut Lounge Armchair
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American mid-century lounge armchair with square arms and a slightly tapered short back, with crushed gold velour upholstery with button tufted detail on the back cushion, resting on...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Edward J Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Circular Blond Maple Two-Tier End / Side T
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century wooden pedestal desk with four drawers with wooden drawer pulls, a shelf on the right-hand side below the tabletop, and a cabinet to the left with an extendable ...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Maple, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Blond Wooden Open Frame End / Side Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century blond wood end / side table with a rectangular top with rounded corners, a pedestal base, and an open frame design. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNITURE COMPANY)...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Square Lacquered Wooden Double Shelf End / Side Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century square lacquered wooden end / side table with an open shelf below the square top, resting on a solid stepped base that creates as a taller lower shelf. (EDWARD W...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Wood
Edward Wormley Dark Finished Wooden Two-Tier End / Side Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century wooden two-tier end / side table with a dark finish, square top, and slightly larger lower stretcher shelf above a shallow single drawer, supported by four squar...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Upholstered Fold Down Arm Single Bed Headboard
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century single bed headboard with a walnut frame and beige and red textured fabric channeled upholstered center panel, which pivots ...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Edward J Wormley for Dunbar Beige Upholstered Fluted Leg Lounge Armchair
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, 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 ...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Fabric
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Blue Striped Upholstered Walnut Frame 'Janus'
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, 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 ...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Wood, Walnut, Fabric, Upholstery
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Light Wooden Open Frame End / Side Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century blond wood end / side table with a rectangular top with rounded corners, a pedestal base, and an open frame design. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNITURE COMPANY).
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut, Cane, and Tan Leather 'Janus' Lounge Armchair
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, 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,...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Co. White Upholstered Settee
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century two-seat settee with button tufted back cushions and two removable seat cushions in white upholstery with matching piping, resting on four tapered walnut legs. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNITURE...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Edward Wormley American Mid-Century Eight Drawer Wooden Chest
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American mid-century eight-drawer chest with a dark stained wooden case. (EDWARD WORMLEY)
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar American Mid-Century Maple Louver Front Chest
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American mid-century maple louver front chest with 6 drawers in descending size. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNITURE COMPANY)
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar American Mid-Century Dark Walnut Janus Cabinet
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century cabinet with a dark stained walnut cabinet with two hinged doors, a dovetail connected top, and key hole, resting on four ball casters. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR DUNBA...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Pair of Edward Wormley Mid-Century Walnut and Leather 7-Drawer Chests
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
PAIR of American Mid-Century 7-drawer chests with walnut veneer, and drawers in graduating size with thin plywood drawer pulls on the sides of each drawer front, resting on a brown l...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Edward J Wormley for Dunbar Red Upholstered Swivel Lounge Chair and Footstool
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, 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...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dark Walnut Louver Front 6-Drawer Commode / Chest
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century 6-drawer walnut louver front commode / chest with a dark stained lacquered finish. (Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Company...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Co. Walnut Low Chest of Drawers
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American mid-century walnut low chest of drawers with three sets of four drawers, one set wider and central, flanked on either side by two narrower sets of drawers. (EDWARD WORMLEY F...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut, Cane, and Tan Leather 'Janus' Lounge Armchair
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, 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,...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Walnut, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Chairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Pair of rare Edward Wormley Model "7211" lounge chairs, recently reupholstered in beige and gold marble-patterned tufted chenille with walnut stained frame and legs (circa 1975, for ...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
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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