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: WYETH
Magazine Tree by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An olive green stained walnut magazine tree with cantilevered shelves.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Octagonal Gaming Table by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An octagonal gaming or entry table with a leather wrapped cruciform base with brass levelers, and the solid walnut top having an inlaid rosewood Starburst and exposed tenon joinery.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Nesting Tables by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegantly detailed and finely crafted set of nesting tables in light walnut.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Roll Top Writing Desk by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A stately and elegant rosewood and mahogany campaign desk having three drawers and two rosewood roll-top compartments flanking a central writing surface with a flip-down back splash,...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Armless Sofa by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An armless sofa or bench or banquet on laminated mahogany "sled" feet.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Rare Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An ebonized mahogany dining chair with twisted front legs, with an upholstered high back rest and oval seat.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
1950s Demilune Vanity or Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A solid wood double pedestal desk or vanity with demilune curve to accommodate seating and vertically stacked dowel drawer pulls.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Wood
1950s Solid Walnut Dresser by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An asymmetrical dresser in solid walnut with exposed finger jointed joinery, having a shelved compartment accessed by bi-fold doors flanked by ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
1950s Set of Four Model 675 Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of dining chairs with exposed walnut frames supporting floating laminated seats and sculptural back rests, both covered in vintage upholstery. Designed in 1953 as a component o...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
1950s Sculpted "Janus" Dining Height Armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare dining height Janus armchair designed by Mid-Century Modern master Edward Wormley. Each chair features sculpted dark mahogany frames and the original putty suede upholstery wi...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
1960s Pair of Petite Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in Red Velvet
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair of model 5936 original upholstery red velvet lounge chairs on casters designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. From the 1960 Dunbar cat...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
1950s Bleached Mahogany Chest of Drawers by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant and well proportioned eight (8) drawer bleached mahogany cabinet having distinctive laminated end pulls, on tapered dowel legs.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1950s Dining Height Upholstered Janus Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare dining height Janus armchair designed by Mid-Century Modern master Edward Wormley. Each chair features sculpted dark mahogany frames and the original marble velvet...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
1950s Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Mid-Century Modern high-back chair and ottoman set designed by Edward Wormley featuring mahogany bases and original orange upholstery. Made by Dunbar in the USA, circa 1950s.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
1950s Double Pedestal Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant and finely proportioned bleached walnut double pedestal desk with ample storage floating on dowel-shaped brass legs.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walnut Side Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Mid-Century Modern round-topped side table in figured oiled walnut having sculpted and tapered legs and an organic shaped lower stretcher. Designed by Edward Wormley, manufactured ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Walnut Dining Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sculptural and finely detailed armchair in walnut having a floating seat and back cushions, retaining the original black leather upholstery.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Teak
1950s Tufted Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An armless button tufted lounge chair of generous proportion having exposed walnut base. Model: 5000.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Set of Six Cane Back Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant and unusual set of six dining chairs with a cane wrapped barrel back and an upholstered seat atop four slender legs.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Upholstery
1960s Leather Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Dunbar leather lounge chair its frame having slightly raised sides as well a slight 'wing' effect to the back together forming channels which the button tufted seat and back cushions...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel
1950s "Listen-To-Me" Chaise by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant chaise lounge with an undulating cushion in vintage upholstery with a cherry and maple base and solid brass supports. Model: 4873.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
'A-Frame' Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Mid-Century Modern Classic 'A-Frame' armchair with a woven caned backrest, upholstered black leather seat and brass capped feet. Designed by Edward Wormley, produced by Dunbar in t...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
1950s Armless Slipper Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An armless slipper chair from the Janus collection with button tufted upholstery and beautifully carved integral walnut base. Model 5775.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
1960s Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
With a nod to the immense popularity of Charles Eames's swivel lounge chair and ottoman, Wormley capitalized on the popularity of his own stationary, winged lounge chair and ottoman ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Leather
1950s Wall Mounted Cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A wall mounted cabinet with two doors, four drawers and open shelving from the Janus collection.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Wall Mounted Shelf by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An Edward Wormley designed shelf in solid walnut supported by two (2) laminated mahogany brackets in the original black lacquer finish. Manufactured by Dunbar in the 1960s. Shelf is ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Mahogany Writing Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An octagonal mahogany writing desk designed by Edward Wormley with a single drawer. Made by Dunbar in the USA, circa 1957.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Mahogany
Lacquered Mahogany Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An uncommon pivot-back lounge chair in lacquered mahogany with vintage velvet geometric upholstery. Designed in 1948 by Edward Wormley.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Mahogany
1950s Walnut 'Janus' End Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A walnut 'Janus' end table of Asian inspiration, with raised edges to the legs and diagonal cloud-lift stretchers.
Accented with green inlaid ceramic tiles.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Set of Ten Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A classic set of ten (10) dining chairs, each features solid walnut wood construction, spindle back detail with brass stretchers. Set includes 8 side chairs and 2 armchairs, all reta...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Leather
1940s Rocking Chaise Lounge by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An adjustable rocking chaise with caned seat and back with bent ash frame and a cushion upholstered in grey savak with natural leather welting.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cane, Ash
Low Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An ebonized mahogany low table with a lower shelf and singe drawer on cylindrical dowel legs.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Swiveling Barrel Back Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair (2) of continuous arm swivel chairs in laminated walnut having tan button tufted leather cushions and a cruciform stretcher detail.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Drop Tambour Front Cabinet by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An innovative and uncommon drop tambour front cabinet of bleached walnut having recessed finger pulls, the cabinet with drawers, shelves and v...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Square Raffia Mirror by Edward Womley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A square mahogany wall mirror with a woven raffia boarder.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Glass, Raffia
Parsons End Table by Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A bleached walnut 'Parsons' end table.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Desk Chair by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An adjustable and swiveling roll arm desk chair in the original brown leather, having a chromed four point base with casters.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Steel
Vanity Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A cherry dressing table or vanity, with a beautifully bevelled drawer, Lucite pull and gallery edges, over double-forked base with chromed supports. Designed by Edward Wormley, made ...
Category
1960s American Scandinavian Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Steel
Janus Cabinet by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An rectilinear light walnut two-door cabinet having Chinese-influenced hardware and open and adjustable shelves, the form sitting on a plinth base.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Drop-Leaf Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A mahogany drop-leaf table with ebonized gate-leg base. Measures: Console table depth of 16.5" deep when closed.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
End Table by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A fine and uncommon pair of end tables having sculptural exposed frames in stained mahogany and expressive floating tops of molded birch with upturned edges.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Birch
A-Frame Armchair by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A horseshoe back armchair with white leather upholstery and ebonized mahogany frame.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Asymmetrical Coffee Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A low console or table with a spare mahogany frame that supports an asymmetrical top with brass capped feet.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Triangular Table by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A geometrically pure and finely detailed two-tiered table in bleached walnut of triangular form with distinctive beveled edging at a 45 degree angle.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Magazine Table by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A triangular ash table with an inset cream leather top over two web strap magazine holders.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Ash, Leather
Armchair by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sculptural and finely detailed armchair in walnut having a floating seat and back cushions that retain their original textured wool upholstery.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Upholstery
Low Table or Bench by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A low table or bench with an ebonized walnut frame which rises slightly above the table surface and can hold a loose cushion if used as a bench.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Headboard by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An innovative and elegant king size headboard in darkened mahogany having channeled upholstery, adjustable back rests and two pairs of drop-down ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Upholstery
Thin-Edged Brass Mirror by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare and beautifully rendered thin-edged square mirror in warmly patinated brass.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Janus High Back Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair of 'Janus' high back chairs with the original blue silk faille upholstery, on light walnut legs with cloud lift stretchers.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Upholstery
End Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Dunbar's low walnut "Janus" end table of Asian inspiration, with raised edges to the legs and diagonal "cloud-lift" stretchers.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Walnut Lectern by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A unique and elegant lectern in walnut with a roll top cover and a single drawer.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Floral Print Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sofa of English inspiration, retaining the original dark olive, coral, brown and beige mock-Asian floral print linen upholstery, on straight dark walnut legs.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Tambour Drum Cabinet by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A remarkable end table discreet bar with butterfly hinged top drawers and a tambour cabinet with adjustable shelf.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Wardrobe Cabinet by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A masterful three-sectioned wardrobe in bleached mahogany. Having a central seven-bank of drawers and flanking closets-one with adjustable glass shelves, the other with shelving and ...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Nightstands by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair of ebonized 'French polish' mahogany nightstands with adjustable inner shelf and opposing hinges.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
End Table by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A tailored two-level square end or lamp table in walnut having splayed tapering legs.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rare Woven Front Credenza by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare woven front credenza with walnut strips interlacing unique rectangular rods. Four (4) drawers with brass pulls over four sliding doors with interior drawers and shelves.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture
Materials
Brass
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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