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: Sputnik Modern
Dunbar Murano Tile Top Game Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare Murano glass tile top game / dining table with brass edging and tapered mahogany legs. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with early green Dunbar label. This is the largest...
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Dunbar Armchairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar armchairs with brass handles and brass feet.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Rare Pair of Slipper Benches by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare pair of petite slipper benches with Ash legs and new mohair upholstery. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mohair
Pair of Tables by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of two tier end tables / nightstands by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Tufted ottoman
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare tufted ottoman on fluted rosewood legs with brass feet. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Reupholstered in green velvet.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Pair of Dunbar Janus Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautifully restored pair of Janus slipper chairs with walnut frames and orange velvet upholstery. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Set of Four Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of four curved back dining chairs with mahogany frames. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Leather Top Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A mahogany table with inset leather top designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Magazine Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An Edward Wormley for Dunbar magazine table with bentwood holders and sap grain top.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Magazine Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An Edward Wormley for Dunbar magazine table with bentwood holders.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Wedge Shaped Travertine Tables by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of wedge shaped travertine top tables with mahogany bases and leather wrapped feet. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Travertine
Four Armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of four walnut armchairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa / Daybed
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A one arm sofa / daybed with brass legs. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Fully restored.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Chest by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A walnut dresser with rosewood handle and brass feet. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Dunbar Swivel Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of restored Dunbar swivel chairs by Edward Wormley. Refinished walnut bases and reupholstered in Holly Hunt / Esposito / Natural State fabric.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Dunbar Thebes Stools by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of mahogany and leather Thebes stools designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Fully restored.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Leather
Chest by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A walnut dresser with sculpted drawer fronts and rosewood handles and brass feet. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Triangular Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A triangular coffee table with burled Carpethian elm top and walnut legs with brass caps. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Elm, Mahogany
Pair of Swivel Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of swiveling lounge chairs on mahogany bases. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Set of Four Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare set of four cane back dining chairs with mahogany frames. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Beautifully restored.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Cane
Dunbar Tete-a-Tete Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Tete-a-Tete sofa / daybed with walnut base and brass feet. Reupholstered in Holly hunt / Teton / Cliffside fabric. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A small sofa / settee designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Iconic form with tapered brass legs. Fully restored and upholstered in Designtex / Lambert / Smoke.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Bouclé
Pair of Dunbar Teardrop Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of early teardrop slipper chairs with walnut legs. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Pair of Mahogany Sofas by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare pair of mahogany framed sofas designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Party Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in Original Leather
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A party sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in original buttery soft light tan leather. Matching pair available. Priced individually.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Leather
Pair of Armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of walnut and leather armchairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Refinished and reupholstered.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Leather
Dunbar Surfboard Coffee Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An early surfboard coffee table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Rosewood X-Base Tables by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of solid rosewood X-base campaign tables with leathered marble tops. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Travertine Coffee Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A low coffee table with three legged mahogany base, brass feet and travertine top. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Travertine
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 ava...
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Cork Top Game Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A game table with walnut frame and cork top. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Cork
Alexandria Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare Dunbar Alexandria chair designed by Edward Wormley.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Set of Four Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare set of four ash and rosewood dining / game chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Matching pair of archairs available separately.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Ash, Rosewood
Pair of Armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare pair of ash and rosewood armchairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Matching set of four side chairs available separately.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Ash, 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
Set of Three Barstools by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of three swiveling barstools designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Original lacquer finish. Reupholstered in vintage Dunbar fabric.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Dunbar Bar Cart by Edward Wormley in Rosewood, Cork and Slate
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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 Cabinet with Chinese Printing Blocks
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A walnut cabinet with brass cleats, rosewood drawers and antique Chinese printing blocks. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Walnut
Dunbar Angle Sofa #4756 on Aluminum Legs
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A gutter back armless sofa on aluminum legs. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Fully restored and upholstered in Holly Hunt, Lush, Foggy velvet.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Velvet
Heart Stool by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare and early heart stool designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1940s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Rare Olive Burl Cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare and beautiful two-door cabinet with solid brass knockers and Spanish marble top. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Has two adjustable shelves and the original 'D' key.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Marble
Swivel Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An early swivel chair designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with oak base and plush mohair upholstery.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mohair, Oak
Pair of Dunbar Tambour Cabinets by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of two toned tambour door serpentine cabinets designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A walnut cabinet with leather wrapped handles and spruce sliding doors. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Four Swivel Stools / Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of four Edward Wormley for Dunbar swiveling stools / chairs with mahogany legs and chrome sabots. Fully restored and upholstered in Holly Hun...
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Woven Front Cabinet
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A large mahogany cabinet with woven bleached rosewood sliding doors on brass legs. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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 th...
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Dunbar Tambour Cabinets by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of cerused tambour door serpentine cabinets designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Twelve Dunbar Greene & Greene Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An extremely rare set of twelve dining chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Known as the Greene & Greene chair for it's crafted look with exposed tenon crest rail, rosewood ...
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Walnut
Pair of Party Sofas by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in Original Leather
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful pair of party sofas designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in original buttery soft light tan leather.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Leather
Rolling Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A round ottoman on casters with removable center cushion designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Beautifully restored and upholstered in silk velvet.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Pair of Dunbar Thebes Stools by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautifully restored pair of Dunbar Thebes stools designed by Edward Wormley.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Four Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of four Edward Wormley for Dunbar high back dining chairs with mahogany bases. Fully restored and reupholstered.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Lounge Chairs on Brass Legs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A classic pair of Dunbar high back lounge chair on brass legs designed by Edward Wormley. Fully restored and upholstered in a deep blue chenille fabric.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of slipper chairs with mahogany bases. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Channel Back Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An unusual and early design by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. This channel back lounge chair has mahogany trim and aluminum legs. Fully restored and reupholstered in Designtex / Lambert ...
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Set of Ten Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare set of ten armchairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Fully restored with refinished walnut bases and upholstered in Designtex / Lambert fabric.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
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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