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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: Almond & Co.
Edward Wormley, Pentagonal Coffee Table
By Tiffany Studios, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley, pentagonal coffee table A pentagonal coffee table of mahogany (model 5625T) by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Features a star burst of Tiffany Studios Favrile glass tile...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Glass

Pair of "Janus" Wing Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of "Janus" wing chairs by Edward Wormley A pair of wing chairs by Edward Wormley restored in a luxurious Rogers & Goffigan Belgian linen fabric. The mahogany base has been blea...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Linen

Edward Wormley Slipper Chairs for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of slipper chairs with tufted seat and back by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Chairs have been upholstered in a Jack Lenor Larsen velvet and frames are mahogany.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Edward Wormley Sheaf of Wheat End Tables
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of "Sheaf of Wheat" end tables by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Travertine top over a walnut base that has been painted black. Elegant base is a 1950’s classic.
Category

1950s American Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Travertine

Edward Wormley Channel Back Chairs, Model No. 4827
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of No. 4827 lounge chairs by Edward Wormley with a channel back detail. Newly restored in red Moore & Giles leather with a black leather contrast trim and antique brass legs.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

Related Items
Pair Slipper Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Original, Signed
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Beautiful and elegant pair of armless slipper / lounge chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. These are in completely original condition: original yellow silk fabric and origi...
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Channel Back Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
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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 ...
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Edward J. Wormley "Janus" Lounge Chairs for Dunbar
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Edward J. Wormley "Janus" lounge chairs for Dunbar.
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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.
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Pair Janus Wing Chairs with Ottomans by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
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A rare set of "Janus" wing chairs and ottomans designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. One of his most iconic designs! In the Janus Collection Wormley modernized the lines of eighteen...
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Edward Wormley for Dunbar Wood Frame Slipper Lounge Chairs, a Pair
By Edward Wormley
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Edward Wormley for Dunbar wood frame slipper lounge chairs - a pair. Item features nice deep frames, solid wood base, tapered and angled backs. Original label, very nice vintage pair...
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Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture

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Pair of Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
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A pair of slipper chairs with mahogany bases. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
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Pair of Custom Upholstered Wing Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of wing chairs in custom upholstered diamond form quilted fabric with contrasting lumbar pillows. The frames appear to be naturally distressed with a fine patina. The wing chairs...
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20th Century Country Edward Wormley Furniture

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  • Pair of Custom Upholstered Wing Chairs
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H 44.5 in. W 32.5 in. D 33 in.
Pair Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, New Charcoal Gray Upholstery
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Set of two armless Slipper chairs / lounge chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s. The medium grey. Upholstery has been recently updated and in fine condition with no is...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Pair of Custom Made 1940s Style Wing Chairs
Located in London, GB
Dagmar Design - Albin wing chair A custom-made wing chair developed & produced at our workshops in London using the highest quality materials. The frame is built from solid tulipwood with a fully sprung seat...
Category

2010s British Edward Wormley Furniture

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Wool, Beech, Oak, Fabric

  • Pair of Custom Made 1940s Style Wing Chairs
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H 41.74 in. W 32.29 in. D 32.68 in.
Pair of Janus Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
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A chic and playful pair of mid-20th century Janus lounge chairs designed by Edward Wormley for American furniture manufacturer Dunbar, with waln...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus wing chair and ottoman with walnut bases. Reupholstered in Knoll Melange wool / Sprout. Down seat cushion.
Category

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Previously Available Items
Rare Edward Wormley Slipper Chairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley Slipper Lounge Chairs A pair of slipper style lounge chairs with lacquered mahogany frames and restored in luxuriously soft Sandra Jordan Prima Alpaca. Each chair reta...
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  • Rare Edward Wormley Slipper Chairs
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  • Rare Edward Wormley Slipper Chairs
H 30 in. W 25 in. D 28 in.
Edward Wormley Sofa
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
A wide, curved sofa by Edward Wormley sofa for Dunbar. Upholstered in a beige mohair.
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

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  • Edward Wormley Sofa
  • Edward Wormley Sofa
  • Edward Wormley Sofa
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H 26 in. W 96 in. D 40 in.
Tufted Sofa by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
A long, tufted sofa by Edward Wormley recently restored in a George Spencer paprika color velvet with contrast silk trim and six mahogany legs.
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Wood

  • Tufted Sofa by Edward Wormley
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H 30 in. W 93 in. D 34 in.
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Curved Back Sofa
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, curved back sofa An early curved back sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Beige chenille fabric with tapered wooden legs. USA, circa 1950s.
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20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture

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Fabric, Wood

Edward Wormley, Sofa
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
A sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Restored in a teal silk velvet with two down filled throw pillows and walnut legs.
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

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Velvet, Wool, Silk, Walnut

  • Edward Wormley, Sofa
  • Edward Wormley, Sofa
  • Edward Wormley, Sofa
  • Edward Wormley, Sofa
H 34 in. W 82 in. D 29 in.
Edward Wormley Early Wing Chairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair or early mahogany based wing chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Design from the 1940s, recently restored in a natural linen with nailhead trim and 100% down filled ...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

  • Edward Wormley Early Wing Chairs
  • Edward Wormley Early Wing Chairs
  • Edward Wormley Early Wing Chairs
  • Edward Wormley Early Wing Chairs
H 45 in. W 30 in. D 29 in.
Edward Wormley Early "Channel Back" Sofa
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
A "Channel Back" sofa by Edward Wormley. Recently restored in ivory leather with a deep navy leather trim and tapered, brushed aluminum legs. An early Wormley design from 1...
Category

1940s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Edward Wormley for Dunbar- Curved Back Sofa
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
An Edward Wormley sofa for Dunbar circa 1960 with eight mahogany legs. The sofa has been reupholstered in a luxurious coral silk velvet from Holland & Sherry. Three down filled s...
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20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Velvet

Three 1940s Foot Stools by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
A group of 3 foot stools by Edward Wormley for Dunbar made in 1940 with a lacquered mahogany frame, newly upholstered in a zebra pattern hair on hide.
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Edward Wormley for Dunbar - Sheaf Wheat End Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
A "Sheaf of Wheat" side/end table by Edward Worley for Dunbar. Travertine top over elegant walnut base.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Travertine

Edward Wormley Pair of Chaise Longues, 1957
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
A bleached mahogany chaise lounge with white leather armrests and a newly restored cane seat and back.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Cane, Leather, Mahogany

Edward Wormley - Desk
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
A walnut desk, model 5735, produced by Dunbar with two drawers and a low side shelf. Signed with applied gold rectangular manufacturer's label to drawer: [Dunbar Berne, Indiana]
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Furniture

Materials

Brass

  • Edward Wormley - Desk
  • Edward Wormley - Desk
  • Edward Wormley - Desk
  • Edward Wormley - Desk
H 29.25 in. W 63 in. D 28 in.

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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