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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
Dealer: Assemblage Ltd.
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Solid Brass and Marble Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Clean lined Dunbar brass and marble coffee table designed by Edward Wormley. Solid brass bar frame with solid brass rod stretchers and brass square plate feet. Beautifully veined rou...
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Modular Six-Piece Credenza by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Very rare and unusual piece by Edward Wormley. This modular credenza in walnut can be put together in a host of different configurations. Detailed with large Moorish style solid bras...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Eight Edward Wormley Mahogany, Leather and Brass Dining Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of eight mahogany wood and apricot leather curved panel back dining chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Set is comprised of two arm chairs and ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Leather

Edward Wormley Mahogany and Rosewood Raised Edge Credenza
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mahogany cabinet with four large drawers and a center shelved cabinet on plinth base. The pair ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Rare Edward Wormley Hexagonal Mahogany and Tawi Dining Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Uncommon hexagonal dining table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Tawi wood top, bordered with ebonized mahogany. Ebonized mahogany legs and notched apron. Sold with three offset grain T...
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Rare Edward Wormley Custom Mahogany and Natural Rosewood Oval Dining Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Outstanding custom-made large oval dining table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Dark stained mahogany border, incised apron and squared legs. Inlaid bookmatched rosewood venee...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Rosewood

Pair of Edward Wormley "Bucket Seat" Leather and Mahogany Club Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar camel leather and mahogany armchairs. Original channeled leather seats and backs with mahogany legs and stretchers. Rare design from Wormley and Dun...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Edward Wormley Bleached Mahogany Reeded Curule Leg Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
An uncommon and early Edward Wormley design for Dunbar, this reeded Curule leg end table has a three-sided gallery framed top, three part stretcher conne...
Category

1940s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bleached and Glazed Walnut Parsons End Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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

Pair of Edward Wormley Mahogany and Grey Wool Barrel Back Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar barrel back arm chairs in mahogany and blue/gray wool upholstery. Great understated design that reveals unique qualities, wo...
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut, Rosewood and Aluminium Inlaid End Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley figured walnut Parsons style side table with unusual aluminium inlaid legs. Incised corners start at the top and move all the way down the legs with aluminium inlay. R...
Category

1960s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Edward Wormley Lounge Chair in Moss Green Wool Upholstery
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar lounge chair with unique setback front legs, and clad in moss green wool upholstery. Extremely comfortable with deep seat cushion and slight angle of the th...
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Wood, Wool

Edward Wormley Bleached Mahogany Corner Table for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Minimalist design bleached mahogany corner table number 4977. Nicely grained woods with open design and expert craft...
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

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 ca...
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut and Rosewood Parsons Leg Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Parsons style coffee table. Exceptional rosewood grained top with clean lined walnut frame. Transitional piece that could work with many design plans. Gold ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Rosewood, Walnut

Pair of Edward Wormley Walnut Open-Arm Lounge Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Two architectural open arm lounge chairs in walnut by Dunbar, with green and blue horizontal stripe upholstery.
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Edward Wormley Flame Mahogany and Glass Coffee Table for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Shallow mahogany cylinders provide the base and cap to a central octagonal body of flame mahogany. New glass top is forty-two inches in diameter and five-eighths of an inch thick, pe...
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Related Items
Edward Wormley for Drexel Black Lacquered Sideboard Credenza, Newly Refinished
By Drexel, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Edward Wormley for Drexel, "Precedent" Collection USA, 1940s Black lacquered elm wood, with original...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Regency Rosewood and Inlaid Credenza
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular crossbanded top with rounded ends over a pair of grill doors, raised on circular legs and brass paw feet. Sides with string inlays.
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

  • Regency Rosewood and Inlaid Credenza
  • Regency Rosewood and Inlaid Credenza
  • Regency Rosewood and Inlaid Credenza
  • Regency Rosewood and Inlaid Credenza
H 35 in. W 37.88 in. D 11.25 in.
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Elliptical Conference / Dining Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Denton, TX
Edward Wormley for dunbar walnut elliptical conference / dining table. Extra long oval table that can be used in a large dining room or conference room.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Stainless Steel

Edward Wormley Walnut and Leather Model 675 Dining Chairs for Dunbar, circa 1955
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Edward Wormley walnut & leather model 675 dining chairs for Dunbar, circa 1955. This set has been expertly restored.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Tawi Wood Dining Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A ten foot dining table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with expressively grained Tawi wood top and mahogany base with brass cleats. The table has...
Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Edward Wormley Expandable Walnut Dining Table for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Amazing vintage walnut dining table model 5460 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in the United States, circa 1950s. This dining tabl...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley Walnut Credenza for Dunbar, circa 1955
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Edward Wormley walnut credenza for Dunbar, circa 1955. This piece has been expertly restored.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Edward J. Wormley Leather Top & Brass Coffee Table for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward J. Wormley Leather Top & Brass Coffee Table for Dunbar
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Eight Ash and Rosewood Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of eight dining chairs in Ash and rosewood with leather seats designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category

1960s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Ash, Rosewood

Marble Coffee Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, U.S.A, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A vintage and rare custom ordered coffee table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, U.S.A, 1950s. This table was a large custom order for the Lincoln Life Insurance building in Fort Wayne, ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Marble

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bleached Mahogany Dining Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A bleached mahogany dining table with dark mahogany base. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Table measures 70" with two 15" leav...
Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Set of Six Edward Wormley for Dunbar Caned Dining Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Labeled set of six mid-century modern caned dining chairs featuring new modern boucle upholstery redux. Iconic chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar having walnut frames in an angular design with an ebonized finish. The rectangular back has a cane inset...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Bouclé, Cane, Wood

Previously Available Items
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Rolled Back Club Chair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar club chair with rolled back, ash wood Parsons style legs with solid brass sabots and castors. Older saffron silk upholstery with embroidered harlequin patte...
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley Ebonized Walnut Flip-Top Game Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar #2299 ebonized walnut flip-top game table, with ebonized mahogany skirt and reverse quatrefoil legs. Top rotates and flips to convert to a dining size table...
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Rare Edward Wormley Dark Ash and Leather Magazine Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare and stunning three sided magazine table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Slight lip to the edge of the ash top surround with inlaid leather. L...
Category

1970s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early 1940 Edward Wormley Wing Chair for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Uncommon wide wingback chair with an embroidered green, yellow and taupe linen upholstery. Simple clean line mahogany curved front apron and legs. A documented and very early Wormley...
Category

1940s American Georgian Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Linen

Edward Wormley Bleached and Glazed Mahogany Side Chair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Bleched and off-white glazed mahogany side chair #4632, with turquoise vinyl covered seat and caned back by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Excellent side or occasional chair or desk chai...
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Cane, Mahogany, Naugahyde

Dunbar Walnut and Cane Credenza by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar walnut and cane sideboard on recessed plinth base. Gullwing style side doors open to reveal three storage compartments for each door. Centre figured walnut ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley Bleached Mahogany Tiered End Table for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Minimalist design bleached mahogany tiered end table number 4976. Nicely grained woods with open design and expert...
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Edward Wormley Janus Collection Lounge Chairs by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus collection armchairs. Carved walnut arms and legs with exposed frame. Raspberry red linen upholstery with a button tufted back with curved and...
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Linen, Walnut

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut X Stretcher Side Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Classic X stretcher side table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Clean lines, excellent wood grain with brass sabots to each canted leg.
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Rare Pair of 1940s Edward Wormley for Dunbar Ribbon Mahogany Chests
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of extraordinary Edward Wormley design plinth-base commodes of bleached ribbon mahogany with five drawers, two over three. Reeded casement detail front and stepped plinth base. ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley Mahogany Sideboard Cabinet with Sliding Battened Doors
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Mahogany two-door sideboard or credenza cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Storage provided behind two sliding doors, with rosewood pulls and molded relief fronts that appear as b...
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Edward Wormley Mahogany End Tables with Brass Feet
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Classic design two-tier end tables. Solid mahogany legs with raised panel and unexpected recessed brass disc feet. Solid mahogany top border with ma...
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Edward Wormley furniture for sale on 1stDibs

Edward Wormley's furniture is available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive objects are often made of wood and designed with extraordinary care. In our collection of Edward Wormley furniture there are many options to choose from, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. In-stock we have 925 vintage editions of these items, while there is also 0 modern edition to choose from. Many of the original furniture by Edward Wormley were created in North America during the 20th century in the Mid-Century Modern style. If you are looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Herman Miller, Milo Baughman and Dunbar. The prices for Edward Wormley furniture can vary depending on size, time period and other attributes. Price for these items starts at $225 and tops out at $42,000, while pieces like these can sell for $6,424.

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