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
Pair of Rolling Ottomans by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of large rolling ottomans with oak bases and mohair upholstery. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1970s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Oak
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Stone Top Cabinet
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A walnut cabinet with inlayed doors, marble top and large brass glides. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Dunbar Wing Back Janus Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of wing back Janus lounge chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Newer restoration in very good condition.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Pair of Mahogany and Cane Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of mahogany lounge chairs with cane panels. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Chaise by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A chaise lounge designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Ash base with rosewood feet. Fully restored and upholstered in Holly Hunt / Pebble Beach / Natural fabric.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Ash
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Louvered Six Drawer Dresser
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A louvered front six drawer dresser designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Matching nightstand available separately.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Eight High Back Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of eight high back Model 6328 dining chairs with twisted mahogany front legs. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Refinished and reupholstered in a linen fabric.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
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
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
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. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Reupholstered in Holly Hunt / Herringbone Tweed / Navy & Taupe fabric.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Rare Pair of Antler Armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare pair of model 5580 Antler armchairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Matching set of four side chairs available separately.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Pair of Cork and Marble Cube Tables by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of cube tables with cork sides and a marble top. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1960s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Cork
Dining Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A Dunbar boat shaped dining table with three leaves and brass cleats. Designed by Edward Wormley.
Table is 72" and comes with three 12" leaves for a total length of 108".
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Brass Bench by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A brass bench by Edward Wormley for Dunbar upholstered in Knoll, Arrezzo, Truffle velvet.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
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 Murano tile table...
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Partners Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A mahogany partners desk with original leather top and base and brass hardware. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Louvered Five Drawer Nightstand
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A louvered front five drawer nightstand designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Matching dresser available separately.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Sofas by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of settees designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Fully restored and upholstered in Holly Hunt mohair.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mohair
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 Walnut sap grain top.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Dunbar Chest with Natzler Tiles by Edward Wormley
By Gertrud and Otto Natzler, 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 smaller dres...
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Rare set of Four Antler Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare set of four model 5580 Antler chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Matching pair of Armchairs available separately.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Early Dunbar Leather Curved Desk and Chair by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An early design by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Original lilac leather and bleached mahogany curved desk with built in bookshelves. The drawers are hinged and swing open. The original ...
Category
1940s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Leather
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of early lounge chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Bleached mahogany legs.
Reupholstered in Holly Hunt / Teton / Winter White .
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Fabric
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
Pair of Cane Back Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautifully restored pair of sculptural cane back chairs with mohair upholstery by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Dunbar Room Divider by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A two piece mahogany room divider with Japanese wood block printers plates. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
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
Pair of Tear Drop Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of tear drop slipper chairs on brass legs. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Reupholstered in Holly Hunt / Nova / Celestial.
Two pairs available.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Rosewood and Oak Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A large rosewood desk with oak drawers designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Matching credenza available separately.
Category
1970s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Oak, Rosewood
Rosewood Roll Top Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rosewood tambour roll top desk with brass feet and leather trim. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
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 original brass legs. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Dunbar Dining Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautifully grained walnut dining table with leather wrapped feet. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Table measures 60" diameter and has a 20" leaf.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Leather, 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
Four Tear Drop Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of four tear drop slipper chairs on brass legs. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Reupholstered in Holly Hunt / Nova / Celestial.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Tall Chest by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A walnut chest with leather handles and maple shelves. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Ten Dunbar Greene & Greene Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An extremely rare set of ten 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 bow...
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Walnut
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
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
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
Rosewood Game Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rosewood and mahogany game table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
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
Rosewood and Stone X-Base Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A solid rosewood X-base campaign table with leathered marble top. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
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
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Expandable Green & Green Dining Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare expandable dining table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Known as the Greene & Greene table for its crafted look with exposed tenons. The table folds open on the ends an...
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An elegant pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar mahogany and cane armchairs with silk velvet upholstery.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of slipper chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Fully restored.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Pair of Dunbar Game / End Tables with Natzler Tiles
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar large scale end tables or small game tables with inset Natzler ceramic tiles. Priced and sold individually.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Console Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An Edward Wormley for Dunbar mahogany and walnut console table with brass details.
Category
1960s 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 Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of lounge chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with sculptural mahogany bases. Fully restored and upholstered in
Dedar / Gimel / Ardoise fabric.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Fabric
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
Console Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A walnut and mahogany console table with leather covered feet. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Chair / Bench
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A bench / side chair designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Mahogany base with rosewood stretchers. Fully restored and upholstered in Holly Hunt fabric.
Category
1960s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bar Cart
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A walnut bar cart with laminated sliding drop top. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
27.5 closed
53.25 open
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Heart Stools by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare and early pair of heart stools designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
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.
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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