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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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Period: Late 20th Century
Creator: Edward Wormley
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 935 MCM Rosewood and Walnut Horseshoe Chairs - 4
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 935 Mid Century Rosewood and Walnut Horseshoe Chairs - Set of 4 Each chair measures: 24.75 wide x 22 deep x 30.75 high, with a seat height of 19 and ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Rosewood, Walnut

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany and Cane Credenza
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany and Cane Credenza This credenza measures: 81.5 wide x 18 deep x 32 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call res...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar MCM Curved Front Burlwood, Mahogany and Brass Credenza
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Curved Front Burlwood, Mahogany and Brass Credenza This credenza measures: 65.5 wide x 19 deep x 33.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Bench
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Bench This bench measures: 65.25 wide x 18.5 deep x 14 high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vin...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany Credenza
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany Credenza This credenza measures: 61.5 wide x 18 deep x 34 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vin...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Upholstery

1970's Edward Wormley for Dunbar Wall Shelving Unit Cabinet
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage Mid-century Modern shelf for sale. It was manufactured in the 1970's by Dunbar, and designed by Edward Wormley. It has a lower credenza with cabinets and a drawer and shelves...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Glass, Burl

Vintage Ash Club Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. Ash frame with original wool upholstery. Brass bars on legs. Tagged.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Ash

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Coffee Table This coffee table measures: 60 wide x 19 deep x 15.25 inches high All pieces of fu...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar MCM Rosewood and Ebonized Oak Expanding Dining Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Rosewood and Ebonized Oak Expanding Dining Table with 2 Leaves This table measures: 66 wide x 44.25 deep x 29.5 inches high, with a chair clear...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Oak, Rosewood

Rosewood Side Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An Edward Wormley for Dunbar sculpted rosewood table with glass top.
Category

1970s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Cane King Headboard
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Cane King Headboard This headboard measures: 82 wide x 2.25 deep x 36 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Cane, Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Etagere Shelf – Pair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Etagere Shelf – Pair Each etagere measures: 20 wide x 20 deep x 79 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Dunbar Nesting Tables
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Highland, IN
Later production Dunbar, this Edward Wormley design has been updated with glass tops which works beautifully with this nesting configuration, allowing the smaller table to be seen re...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Edward Wormley Exhibition Catalog
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
76-page catalog from the exhibition "Edward Wormley: The Other Face of Modernism," held at the Lin Weinberg Gallery in 1997. The exhibit helped re-introduce Wormley's work to the mar...
Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Paper

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Midcentury Side End Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar midcentury Side End Table This side table measures: 21 wide x 21 deep x 22.5 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored v...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Wood

Dunbar Bar Cart by Edward Wormley in Rosewood, Cork and Slate
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
A sculpted rosewood bar cart with single drawer, cork shelves and slate top. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category

1970s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Slate

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Midcentury Sectional Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar midcentury sectional sofa This sofa measures: 165 wide x 29 deep x 28.5 inches high, with a seat height of 18 and arm h...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Midcentury Travertine Wedge Tables, Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar midcentury travertine wedge tables - pair. Each table measures: 17.25 wide x 27.25 deep x 21.25 inches high. All pieces of furniture can be had in wha...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Travertine

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Side Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar midcentury side table This table measures: 31.25 wide x 31.25 deep x 23 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintag...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Wood

Classic Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bench
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An Edward Wormley for Dunbar upholstered (half) and open mahogany (the other half) bench. Brass spacers, original fabric, circa 1970s.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Round Travertine Side Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid-century round travertine side table. This table measures: 16 wide x 16 deep x 21.5 inches high. All pie...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Travertine

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Sliding Door Credenza
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Sliding Door Credenza This credenza measures: 41.5 wide x 18 deep x 34 inches hi...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Long John Bench
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Long John bench This bench measures: 83.75 wide x 19 deep x 12 inches high, with a seat height of 12 inches All pieces of furniture can be...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mcm Bleached Mahogany Sliding Door Credenza, Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid-century bleached mahogany sliding door credenza - pair. Each credenza measures: 41.5 wide x 18 deep x 34 inches high. All pieces of furniture can ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Model 5264 Shelf Bookcase
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid-century model 5264 shelf bookcase. This bookcase measures: 48 wide x 14.25 deep x 74.25 inches high. All pieces of furniture can be had in what we...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany Dining Chairs, Set of 8
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid century Mahogany dining chairs - set of 8 Each armless chair measures: 20 wide x 20 deep x 33 high, with a seat height of 17 inches Each captains ch...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

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

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Nightstand
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century nightstand This nightstand measures: 23 wide x 18 deep x 23.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can b...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar MCM Model 452 Rosewood Tambour Door Executive Desk
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid century Model 452 Rosewood Tambour door executive desk This desk measures: 74.5 wide x 28 deep x 35 high, with a chair clearance of 24 inches All ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Two Tier Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century two tier coffee table This table measures: 42 wide x 27.75 deep x 22 inches high Al...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid century coffee table This table measures: 28 wide x 28 deep x 26 inches high All pieces of furnitur...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Wood

Edward Wormley Dunbar MCM Lounge Chair and Ottoman with Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric
By Edward Wormley, Jack Lenor Larsen, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Lounge chair and ottoman with Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric The chair measures: 32 wide x 48 deep x 42.5 high, with a seat height of 17 inches Th...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Metal

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Lounge Chair with Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid century lounge chair with Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric This chair measures: 24 wide x 30.5 deep x 30.75 high, with a seat height of 16 and arm height/cha...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Four-Seat Sofa in Off-White Upholstery
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar, sofa, fabric and wood, United States, circa 1970 The white upholstery is a striking combination with the darkened frame that is especially visible at t...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Mid Century Brass and Elm Credenza
By Edward Wormley, Drexel
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Drexel precedent mid century brass and elm credenza Credenza measures: 66.75 wide x 20 deep x 32.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Mid Century Elm Magazine Library Table
By Edward Wormley, Drexel
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent mid century elm magazine library table The table measures: 25 wide x 16 deep x 26.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Wood, Elm

Burl Elm Pentagonal Coffee Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pentagonal coffee table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1970. Burl elm wood table top with walnut trim and a walnut base.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Burl

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century 2 Piece Cane King Headboard
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century 2 Piece Cane King Headboard This headboard measures: 52.5 wide x 3 deep x 36.5 inches high ?All pieces of f...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Cane, Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Brass and Mahogany Nesting Table Set
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid century brass and mahogany nesting table set The table measure: 28 wide x 20 deep x 22.25 inches high; the nesting tables measure 13 wide x 17.5 deep...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Dunbar Model 7350 Sofas by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Dunbar Model 7350 sofas by Edward Wormley. Vintage 1970’s sofas with more recent grey & pink silk upholstery.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Silk

Pair of Unusual Side Tables by Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of unusual tables by Dunbar ca' 1970's. Large scale-perfect as end tables or lamp tables, walnut tops, legs have a stuctural cut out detail.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Walnut

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Conference Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid century conference table This table measures: 90 wide x 42 deep x 29 inches high, with a chair clearance ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid century lounge chair and ottoman The lounge chair measures: 27 wide x 30 deep x 39 high, with a seat height of 17 inches and arm height of 23 inches ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Janus Sofa #6329 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Pasadena, TX
Janus sofa #6329 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Stunning sofa recently restored in champagne velvet with tufting. Mahogany base.  
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Floating Edward Wormley for Dunbar Executive Extending Desks, 1970s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Antwerp, BE
A rare and sleek Mid-Century Modern executive desks by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. The desks features stunning solid walnut grain and sleek midcentury design. The desk is fi...
Category

1970s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Nutwood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Midcentury Dining Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar midcentury dining table This table measures: 66 wide x 44 deep x 30 inches high, and each of the 2 leaves are 24 wide with a total width of the table 114...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Wood

84" Vintage Edward Wormley for Dunbar Executive Credenza
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Pasadena, TX
7' vintage Edward Wormley for Dunbar executive desk and credenza In 1931 Leander Dunbar realized the need to create furniture...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Side End Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid century side end table This end table is 18 wide x 18 deep x 27 high All pieces of furniture can be had i...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Wood

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 Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Side End Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Side End Table 22 wide x 28 deep x 22.25 high See below for 5 ways to save! FREE RESTORATION: When you purchase a piece ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Walnut Rosewood and Brass Headboard
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid century walnut rosewood and brass headboard This headboard is 55 wide x 2.5 deep x 37...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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

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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