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: CONVERSO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Executive Chair 1965
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Executive Chair 1965
This stunning executive chair designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar features a solid oiled walnut...
Category
1960s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Edward Wormley Dunbar Tuxedo Sofa in Great Plains Wool Velvet
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley Dunbar Tuxedo Sofa in Great Plains, Wool Velvet "Dreamer Marigold" Sofa was stripped down to frame with new foam and reupholstered.
Dimensions:
94" length
34" deep
29"...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mohair
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair of Slipper Chairs 1950's
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Slipper Chairs (Pair), Model 5000A, 1950s
Details: Solid mahogany bases, tapered backs, button-tufted, reupholstered in Great Plains boucle. Includes knife-...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Bouclé, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Lounge Chair 1965
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Lounge Chair (1965)
Reupholstered in Pierre Frey "Bridget," a high-performance linen, wool, viscose, and polyamide blend.
Solid lacquered mahogany ba...
Category
1960s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Bouclé, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cain Front Mahogany Sideboard on a Plinth Base
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cain front mahogany sideboard on a Plinth Base, Features: Two drawers and one double drawer with removable dividers, Four sliding doors with 3 storage compa...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Extension Dining Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Extension Dining Table. One-inch thick top with edge banding and a slight upward reveal or lip design detail shown in pictures. The table is 48" round in di...
Category
1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining Chairs , 1965 Model 935 "Horseshoe Chairs"
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining Chairs, 1965 Model 935 "Horseshoe Chairs"
Material: Lacquered mahogany, rosewood spine, new upholstery.
Manufacturer: Dunbar, Berne, Indiana (signed ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany, Rosewood
Set of Six Edward Wormley for Dunbar Curved-Back Dining Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of Six Edward Wormley for Dunbar Curved-Back Dining Chairs, Model 4580 without arms and Model 4581 arm chairs, Features solid mahogany frames with cane backs and original leather...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Leather, Cane, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sheaf of Wheat Table, Terrazzo Marble Top
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sheaf of Wheat Table, Terrazzo Marble Top, and hourglass mahogany base held together with a solid brass ring.
Di...
Category
1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Triple Dresser in Mahogany Wood
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar triple dresser in mahogany wood,1952 Model 5272 features 12-drawer storage with solid turned tapered legs and curved pulls.
Labe...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Edward Wormley Tawi Extension Dining table for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley Tawi Dining table for Dunbar, model 5461 Tapered Mahogany legs with solid brass shoes. Features three cross-grain 12-inch leaves; table mea...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
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 Desk Chair (1960's)
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Desk Chair (1960's)
Base: Solid walnut with Shepard double-wheel casters
Features: Tilt, swivel, and lock mechanism
Design Details: Button-tufted leather...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Group, Pair of End Tables on Casters 1958
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar - Janus Group Pair of End Tables on Casters, 1950s
Model: 5811
Materials: Solid walnut with offset box joints, oil-finished exterior, brass key, and Dunbar ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley Long John Shelf for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Long John Shelf can be used as shelf or console. Walnut wood with great sapwood striped details.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Edward Wormley Executive Office Chair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley Executive Office Chair for Dunbar “In Clover” 932 Executive chair button tufted leather, solid walnut base, brass casters, tilts and sw...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Occasional Table with Murano Mosaic Tiles
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Occasional Table with Murano Mosaic Tiles, model 5425, Mahogany wood base, glass tiles with brass edge.
Label on underside [Du...
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pull-Up Lounge Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 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
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Extension Dining Table Seats 6 To12
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar extension dining table seats 6 to12, This special piece custom for the Los Angeles Showroom (tag underside).
Etimoe African Rosewood top with cross grain e...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Rosewood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Extension Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, custom cocktail table, 3 positions with polished stone inside brass framed extension leaves. Solid crisscross oiled walnut frame and top.
Width without ex...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Stone, Brass
Edward Wormley Mr. and Mrs. Tambour Chests
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley Mr. and Mrs. Tambour Chests, models 4723 and 4724, bleached mahogany cases on leather wrapped plinth bases.
One case features 16 drawers ...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Leather, 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
Walnut, Velvet, Cane
Edward Wormley for Dunbar "A" Frame Arm Chair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar "A" Frame Arm Chair, Horseshoe curved back with original leather-covered armrests, solid mahogany frame, brass exposed screws...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Pair of Parson End Tables by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with hand painted tiles
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Parson End Tables by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with hand-painted tiles by Artist Maire Linna Wood frame with six hand-painted inset tiles depicting gnarled trees.
This is the...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Tufted Cantilevered Desk Chair in Spinneybeck Saddle L
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar tufted cantilevered desk chair in spinneybeck saddle leather, reupholstered.
Also features solid walnut wood base and ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Edward Wormley Swivel Chair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley Swivel Chair, laminated flat spindles, seat and crest rail with, X base with solid mahogany tapered legs.
Newly upholstered button tufted seat with Spinneybeck leather...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
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
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
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Chair and Ottoman on Casters 1965
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Chair and Ottoman on Casters 1965 Reupholstered
Classic lounge chair and ottoman designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, featuring original brass Shep...
Category
1960s 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.
Creators Similar to Edward Wormley
Questions About Edward Wormley Furniture
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024Edward Wormley used a variety of materials over the course of his career. Among them were laminated wood, brass, marble and silk. Not an axiomatic modernist, Wormley deeply appreciated traditional design, and consequently, his vintage seating, storage cabinets, bar carts and other work have an understated warmth and a timeless quality that sets them apart from other furnishings of the era. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of Edward Wormley furniture.
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Edward Wormley Sofas
Edward Wormley Lounge Chairs
Edward Wormley Side Tables
Edward Wormley End Tables
Edward Wormley Armchairs
Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Edward Wormley Dining Room Chairs
Edward Wormley Chairs
Edward Wormley Cabinets
Edward Wormley Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Edward Wormley Dining Room Tables
Edward Wormley Slipper Chairs