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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Period: 1950s
Creator: Edward Wormley
Edward Wormley Tulip Side Tables
By Edward Wormley
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rarely seen pair of tables designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Label below
Category
1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Chesterfield Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A generously proportioned and highly comfortable rare Chesterfield club chair with button tufted upholstery.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Upholstery
Edward Wormley Bleached Mahogany Corner Table for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Minimalist design bleached mahogany corner table number 4977. Nicely grained woods with open design and expert craftsma...
Category
1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Uncommon Edward Wormley Five-Leg Walnut Coffee Table for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Dunbar five-leg walnut coffee table. Another uncommon Wormley design with the addition of a fifth canted leg. Excellent wood grain, recessed apron and brass sabots.
Category
1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Parsons End Table by Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A bleached walnut 'Parsons' end table.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Edward Wormley Mahogany and Rosewood Raised Edge Credenza
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mahogany cabinet with four large drawers and a center shelved cabinet on plinth base. The pair of ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley Walnut and Olive Ash Burl Tall Cabinet for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Described in Dunbar catalogs as "#6027 High Piece" this incredible curved front cabinet is constructed of walnut with olive ash burled lower cabin...
Category
1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Cinnabar Lacquered Cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A two-level cabinet having fantastic storage and scale, with a rich custom cinnabar lacquer. The lower level has bi-folding doors concealing a bank of drawers; the upper section features doors with inset antique Chinese printing blocks.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bleached and Glazed Walnut Parsons End Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegantly simple bleached and glazed walnut square Parsons end table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Highback Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A high backed, button-tufted lounge chair in the original black leather upholstery with mahogany legs and side stretchers.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Chest of Drawers by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegantly austere and finely crafted chest of drawers in bleached walnut having a two-over-three configuration channelled recessed pulls and dowel-form legs crafted of anodized al...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Faux Ivory Low Chest by Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
Wonderful custom Dunbar chest designed by Edward Wormley redone in a faux ivoy finish. Great scale which could easily be used behind a sofa or under a window.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Tiered End Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A two-tiered round end table on three legs with single drawer. Shelf height is 16.5".
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Janus High Back Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair of 'Janus' high back chairs with the original blue silk faille upholstery, on light walnut legs with cloud lift stretchers.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Upholstery
Low Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An ebonized mahogany low table with a lower shelf and singe drawer on cylindrical dowel legs.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
A-Frame Armchair by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A horseshoe back armchair with white leather upholstery and ebonized mahogany frame.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Rare Woven Front Credenza by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare woven front credenza with walnut strips interlacing unique rectangular rods. Four (4) drawers with brass pulls over four sliding doors with interior drawers and shelves.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Occasional Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An interesting and uncommon occasional table on casters having a cruciform structure intersected by two circular planes, the top of the table surfaced with leather.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Dunbar Janus Side Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Stunning tripod side table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar from the Famous 'Janus' Collection. Stunning exotic wood top and solid brass feet. Original condition. Retains brass rectangul...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Rare Edward Wormley Lamp Table by Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Highland, IN
This table lamp by Edward Wormley is an exceedingly rare variation on the model 5410 by Dunbar. The model 5410 was produced with a couple base variations, but this example has severa...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
End Table by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A tailored two-level square end or lamp table in walnut having splayed tapering legs.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Set of Six #6337 Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A comfortable set of six dining chairs having gently curved solid wood panel backs and upholstered seats resting on ebonized walnut frames.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
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
Mahogany Armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dorchester, MA
This stylish mid-century modern armchair, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, has strong, clean lines and a comfortable seat. It has been expertly reupholstered in Knoll's Sequin ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Textile, Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Desk Secretary
By Edward Wormley
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Very rare desk secretary designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Functional five drawers and letter slots on turned brass knobs and feet. With original Dunb...
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Bookcase by Edward Wormley for Drexel
By Drexel, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Elm Wood, Glass Doors
With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage des...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Glass, Elm
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Black Leather Bench, c1960
By Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This wonderful bench was designed for Dunbar by Edward Wormely, c1960. Newley upholstered in dark grey/black Italian leather. On display in our Los Angeles showroom.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Angled Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An angled sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Beautifully restored with refinished mahogany base and reupholstered in Holly Hunt / Terazzo / Silver Blue. New down pillows.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Dunbar Chest with Natzler Tiles by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare chest designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Solid walnut construction with exposed joinery and brass pulls with ceramic tiles by greta and Otto Natzler. Matching dresser avai...
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Eight Dunbar Greene & Greene Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare set of eight dining chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Known as the Greene & Greene chair for it's crafted look with exposed tenon cres...
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Leather, Walnut
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
Dunbar Side / End Table. Bleached Mahogany. Expertly Refinished. Signed.
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Rosewood Cocktail Table, Newly Refinished
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
Two-Piece Dunbar Sofa by Edward Wormley, Armless, Brass Legs, Models 4756 & 4828
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Two piece, armless, sectional sofa designed by Edward Wormley, made by Dunbar. A combination of models 4756 and 4828 in the Dunbar Catalog. The backless end on the angled piece (4756...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Ebonized Mahogany King Headboard by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
Edward Wormley Model 5900 Dining Table by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
Pair of Vintage Dunbar Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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 Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
Gueridon Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Houston, TX
Occasional table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
USA, circa 1950s.
Travertine top with tripod mahagony base.
Dunbar label to underneath.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Travertine
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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