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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
Recognized Seller Listings
1950s Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Mid-Century Modern high-back chair and ottoman set designed by Edward Wormley featuring mahogany bases and original orange upholstery. Made by Dunbar in the USA, circa 1950s.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Slipper Lounge Chairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar slipper lounge chairs. 1941 Design, Model 2424b solid Bleached mahogany legs reupholstered with great plains cotton fabric.
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Cotton, Wood, Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Caned Back Dining Chairs Set of Ten
By Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar caned back dining chairs set of ten, Model 6328 with newly upholstered seats in cotton velvet by Great Plains, Mahogany fram...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Cane, Velvet, Walnut

Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Matching Dresser Set in Mahogany Wood
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar matching dresser set in mahogany wood, model 5272 triple dresser 12-drawer storage with matching smaller companion four dr...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Dunbar Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A versatile pair of slipper chairs with mahogany frames and leather/wool upholstery. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category

1960s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Leather

1950s Dining Height Upholstered Janus Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
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 marble velvet...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Edward Wormley Pair of Arm Chairs in Leather with Mahogany Bases 1960s 'Signed'
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Pair of arm chairs reupholstered in brown leather with dark mahogany bases by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American 1960's (original Dunbar label on bottoms).
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Rare Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An ebonized mahogany dining chair with twisted front legs, with an upholstered high back rest and oval seat.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Rosewood and Mahogany Receptionist Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1960
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This spectacular fully restored and sought-after model #452 'Roll Top' desk was designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar and features beautifully grained Rosewood and Ebonized Mahogany, designed and made in the 1960s. Most examples of this design are regular desk height however this example was custom made to be a receptionist desk...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Rosewood

Edward Wormley Chair for Dunbar Model 2424B
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Sleekly sculptural chair with a radically slender, curved seat back designed by Edward Wormley and produced by Dunbar Furniture, c. 1940. An early modernist design by Wormley, in an organic design idiom, that transforms a traditional wingback chair...
Category

1940s American Organic Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Walnut Side Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Mid-Century Modern round-topped side table in figured oiled walnut having sculpted and tapered legs and an organic shaped lower stretcher. Designed by Edward Wormley, manufactured ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Walnut

1950s Demilune Vanity or Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A solid wood double pedestal desk or vanity with demilune curve to accommodate seating and vertically stacked dowel drawer pulls.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Wood

Edward Wormley Set of 12 Bracket Back Dining Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley set of 12 bracket back dining chairs. Newly upholstered with great plains woven textured wool cotton blend fabric with mahogany frames and b...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

1950s Walnut 'Janus' End Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A walnut 'Janus' end table of Asian inspiration, with raised edges to the legs and diagonal cloud-lift stretchers. Accented with green inlaid ceramic tiles.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Stool by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An ash stool with sheepskin cover seat. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Console Cabinet
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful walnut and mahogany console with stone top. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Armless Sofa by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An armless sofa or bench or banquet on laminated mahogany "sled" feet.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Edward Wormley Set of 4 Dining/Game Chairs in Walnut and Rosewood 1963 'Signed'
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 dining/game chairs model no 935 in walnut and rosewood with upholstered seats by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American 1963 (original Dunbar labels on bottom). These chairs ar...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Rosewood, 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.
Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Travertine

1950s Set of Four Model 675 Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of dining chairs with exposed walnut frames supporting floating laminated seats and sculptural back rests, both covered in vintage upholstery. Designed in 1953 as a component o...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

1950s Armless Slipper Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An armless slipper chair from the Janus collection with button tufted upholstery and beautifully carved integral walnut base. Model 5775.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

1950s Solid Walnut Dresser by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An asymmetrical dresser in solid walnut with exposed finger jointed joinery, having a shelved compartment accessed by bi-fold doors flanked by a b...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Wall Mounted Shelf by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An Edward Wormley designed shelf in solid walnut supported by two (2) laminated mahogany brackets in the original black lacquer finish. Manufactured by Dunbar in the 1960s. Shelf is ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Walnut

1940s Rocking Chaise Lounge by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An adjustable rocking chaise with caned seat and back with bent ash frame and a cushion upholstered in grey savak with natural leather welting.  
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cane, Ash

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

Rosewood Roll Top Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rosewood tambour roll top desk with brass feet and leather trim. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.  
Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Edward Wormley, Pair of Rare Dressers, Walnut, Steel, Dunbar, America, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of rare modernist cabinets or dressers. In stained walnut, legs in steel. Designed by Edward Wormley. Produced by Dunbar, Berne, Indiana, 1950s. Other designers of the per...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Steel

'A-Frame' Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley Side Table in Mahogany with Conical Brass Legs 1940s 'Signed'
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Rare side table with chest in mahogany with recessed pulls and conical brass legs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American 1940s (signed on drawer with Dunbar tag). This is a rare Wormley...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pull-Up Lounge Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar pull-up lounge chairs. Model 971 Jansus line collection. Wormley's Boutique line. Original chocolate brown leather with...
Category

1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Leather

Edward Wormley Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Edward Wormley
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An oversized, comfortable lounge chair and ottoman. Manufactured by Dunbar.
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Upholstery

1960s Leather Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Dunbar leather lounge chair its frame having slightly raised sides as well a slight 'wing' effect to the back together forming channels which the button tufted seat and back cushions...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Stainless Steel

Janus Cabinet by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An rectilinear light walnut two-door cabinet having Chinese-influenced hardware and open and adjustable shelves, the form sitting on a plinth base.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Edward Wormley "Alexandria" Chairs for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Pair of sinuous “Alexandria” chairs in mahogany designed by Edward Wormley and produced by Dunbar Furniture circa 1961. One of Wormley’s signature des...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Silk, Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Slipper Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Early Edward Wormley for Dunbar slipper chairs. Lacquered mahogany legs with newly reupholstered button tufted seat and back. ...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

1950s Bleached Mahogany Chest of Drawers by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant and well proportioned eight (8) drawer bleached mahogany cabinet having distinctive laminated end pulls, on tapered dowel legs.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of "Janus" Wing Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of "Janus" wing chairs by Edward Wormley A pair of wing chairs by Edward Wormley restored in a luxurious Rogers & Goffigan Belgian linen fabric. The mahogany base has been blea...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Linen, Mahogany

Edward Wormley Primavera Mahogany Commode
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar 5-drawer cabinet, mahogany wood with tapered brass legs. [metal tag Dunbar].
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

1960s Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
With a nod to the immense popularity of Charles Eames's swivel lounge chair and ottoman, Wormley capitalized on the popularity of his own stationary, winged lounge chair and ottoman ...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Leather

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...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Ash

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.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Teak

1950s "Listen-To-Me" Chaise by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant chaise lounge with an undulating cushion in vintage upholstery with a cherry and maple base and solid brass supports. Model: 4873.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Drop Tambour Front Cabinet by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An innovative and uncommon drop tambour front cabinet of bleached walnut having recessed finger pulls, the cabinet with drawers, shelves and vert...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Set of Ten Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A classic set of ten (10) dining chairs, each features solid walnut wood construction, spindle back detail with brass stretchers. Set includes 8 side chairs and 2 armchairs, all reta...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Leather

Pair of Dunbar Lounge Chairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Dunbar lounge chairs designed by Edward Wormley.
Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Armchair by Edward Wormley
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.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Upholstery

Pair of Petite Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Slipper Benches"
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Rarely seen pair of petite "Slipper benches" model #684 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Newly upholstered frames on zebra wood legs.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Textile, Zebra Wood

Mahogany Writing Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An octagonal mahogany writing desk designed by Edward Wormley with a single drawer. Made by Dunbar in the USA, circa 1957.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Walnut

Pair of Swiveling Barrel Back Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Leather, Walnut

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.
Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Table and Stool by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An ebonized and polished dark mahogany telephone cabinet or vanity table having a storage drawer and an innovative fold-out bench.
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Edward Wormley Elegant Sofa Day Bed with Walnut Legs, 1953
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Elegant sofa daybed model no. 5334 with separated back and arm with walnut legs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American, 1953.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Foam, Walnut

Lacquered Mahogany Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An uncommon pivot-back lounge chair in lacquered mahogany with vintage velvet geometric upholstery. Designed in 1948 by Edward Wormley.
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Mahogany

Headboard by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An innovative and elegant king size headboard in darkened mahogany having channeled upholstery, adjustable back rests and two pairs of drop-down arms.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Upholstery

Pair of Folding Side Tables by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Rare matched pair of tables by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Folding solid rosewood frames with inset Murano glass tile tops. Table model #5425.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Lounge Chairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Edward Wormley design swivel lounge chairs for Dunbar, model #5609 Refinished and reupholstered in a cotton velvet fabric.
Category

1960s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Edward Wormley "a Chair" for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare chair in mahogany with solid brass legs. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Thin-Edged Brass Mirror by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare and beautifully rendered thin-edged square mirror in warmly patinated brass.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage 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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