Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
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
Edward Wormley Free-Standing Queen Size Bed with Drawers
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, queen size bed with drawers, oak, leather, brass, United States, 1960s
Rare queen-size bed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar de...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
Illuminated Glass World Globe on Mahogany Stand by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Rand McNally & Co., Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mahogany sculptural globe stand supported by brass sabots originally designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in 1953. The globe itself is a 16" Rand McNally Terrestrial globe...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
Pair of Night Stands by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
Dunbar Mid-Century French Regency Louis XVI Carved Mahogany Twin Size Headboards
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of mid-century French Regency Louis XVI style carved mahogany twin size headboards
By Edward Wormley for Dunbar
USA, Circa 1940s
Each measures: 41.75"W x 1.75"D x ...
Category
1940s American Louis XVI Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Mahogany
Expertly Restored - Edward J. Wormley Night Stands with Bookshelves for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut Magazine Tree Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Utrecht, NL
Magazine tree, model 4765 by American designer Edward Wormley executed in birch and sap grain walnut, designed in 1947 for Dunbar Furniture USA.
A very special, functional and aesth...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Birch, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cane Headboard Full Size
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to reach out for efficient shipping to your zip.
Cane Headboad designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Full Size.
Category
1970s Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Cane, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Free-Standing Queen Size Bed with Drawers
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, queen size bed with drawers, oak, leather, brass, United States, 1960s
Rare queen-size bed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar de...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
Dunbar Mid-Century French Regency Louis XVI Carved Mahogany Twin Size Headboards
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of mid-century French Regency Louis XVI style carved mahogany twin size headboards
By Edward Wormley for Dunbar
USA, Circa 1940s
Each measures: 41.75"W x 1.75"D x ...
Category
1940s American Louis XVI Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Mid Century Elm Magazine Library Table
By Edward Wormley, Drexel
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent mid century elm magazine library table
The table measures: 25 wide x 16 deep x 26.25 inches high
All pieces of furniture can be had in what ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Wood, Elm
Mid Century Pair Nightstands by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This striking pair of mid-century nightstands by Edward Wormley for Dunbar combines sleek design with functional elegance. Featuring rich wood finishes and clean lines, they provide ...
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Teak
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Nightstand
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century nightstand
This nightstand measures: 23 wide x 18 deep x 23.75 inches high
All pieces of furniture can b...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
Illuminated Glass World Globe on Mahogany Stand by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Rand McNally & Co., Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mahogany sculptural globe stand supported by brass sabots originally designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in 1953. The globe itself is a 16" Rand McNally Terrestrial globe...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century 2 Piece Cane King Headboard
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century 2 Piece Cane King Headboard
This headboard measures: 52.5 wide x 3 deep x 36.5 inches high
?All pieces of f...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Cane, Wood
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 More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Cane King Headboard
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Cane King Headboard
This headboard measures: 82 wide x 2.25 deep x 36 inches high
All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Cane, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Ebonized King Size Headboard, Newly Refinished
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern king size headboard
By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture
USA, 1950s
Newly ebonized mahogany, with unique louvered Front Design.
...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 6027 MCM Mahogany and Brass Curved Room Divider
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 6027 Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Curved Room Divider
The upper of the room divider measures: 65.5 wide x 19 deep x 56 inches high
The lower of the...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley Nightstands for Dunbar in Walnut with Mahogany Frame Ebony Pulls
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
These extraordinarily beautiful and generously proportioned nightstands were designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar and manufactured in the 1960s.
Bookmatched American walnut woodgra...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
Pair of Rare Edward Wormley Dunbar for Modern Elegant Nightstands or End Tables
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Rare and very elegant pair of nightstands or end tables designed by Edward Wormley in dark stained mahogany with travertine tops, single drawer has open circular brass pull, from his...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Travertine, Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Adjustable Headboard
By Edward Wormley
Located in Pasadena, TX
Wormley has pioneered in a broad field of design, he was one of those unique designers who was sensitive to the interplay involved in selling modernism and still preserving the nostalgic touch of intimacy, warmth and detail.
His first Dunbar chairs, produced in 1932, were reproductions of antique designs, but when they became popular Wormley augmented the set with new pieces to form a full line of furniture for almost every room in the house.
Rare Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Adjustable Headboard...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Mahogany
Restored Pair of Chests by Edward Wormley, circa 1947
By Drexel, Edward Wormley
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautiful pair of Modern chests by Edward Wormley for Drexel, circa 1947. Expertly constructed in silver elm and finished in cream lacquer. The functional size and scale allow for ...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
Lovely Pair of Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Nightstand Mid-Century Modern
By Drexel, Edward Wormley
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Lovely pair of Edward Wormley for Drexel precedent end tables or nightstands. These pieces are in vintage condition and do show wear to the finish-we recommend refinishing or lacquer...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Wooden Frame Caned Panel Full-Size Bed Headboard
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
"American Mid-Century full-sized headboard with a dark stained wooden frame with curved top rail and central caned panel. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNITURE COMPANY)
Minor damage ...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Wood
Edward Wormley King Size Headboard for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design King size headboard for Dunbar Furniture, Berne Indiana. Featuring an ebonized mahogany frame with a caned backrest intended for a king size mattress, no rails ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Cane, Mahogany
Pair of Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Nightstands or Small Chests
By Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of silver elm nightstands in dark brown finish with brass hardware. Designed by Edward Wormley for the Precedent collection by Drexel, design...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Co. King-Size Mahogany Louver Headboard
By Breaad, Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century American king-size headboard with unique horizontal louvered panels of light mahogany extending the width of the bed. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNITURE COMPANY)
Wear ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Mahogany
Edward Wormley Dunbar Night Stands Walnut With Rosewood Handles Ca' 1950's
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of classic night stands by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Single drawer with lower shelf, quality walnut construction, rosewood handles, solid brass gliders. The backs are finishe...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Mahogany, Rosewood
Edward Wormley Pair of Twin Headboards for Dunbar 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Pair of twin headboards in mahogany with inset cane by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American 1950's (original Dunbar paper label on back). The fr...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Cane, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Nightstands
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early minimalist nightstands designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Beautiful bleached mahogany cases with inset matching hardware and leather wrapped bases. Very functional set and ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Ed Wormley of Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Illuminated Globe Light Fixture
By Edward Wormley
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Walnut and brass tripod or tri-leg base stand Mid-Century Modern illuminated globe by Ed Wormley.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
Magazine Side Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Triangular walnut and mahogany side table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar c.1940s, USA. The table, model - 5313, showcases a triangular walnut table top with rounded corners and a mahog...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Walnut, Mahogany
Magazine Tree by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An olive green stained walnut magazine tree with cantilevered shelves.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Walnut
Headboard with Built-in Armrests by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 arms.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Mahogany, Upholstery
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dark Wood Louver Front Commodes / Chests
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of American mid-century dark lacquered wooden commodes / chests with 6 louver-front drawers in descending height. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNITURE COMPANY)(PRICED AS PAIR)
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Wood
Edward Wormley Pair of Rare Twin Headboards in Sculpted Walnut 1957, 'Signed'
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Pair of rare twin headboards model no. 5731 in sculpted walnut from the Janus Series by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American 1957 (with original metal labels signed “DUNBAR Berne, Ind...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar American Mid-Century Upholstered Fold Down Arm Single
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century single bed headboard with a walnut frame and beige fabric channeled upholstered center panel which angles outward, featuring...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Wood, Walnut, Upholstery
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Walnut Rosewood and Brass Headboard
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid century walnut rosewood and brass headboard
This headboard is 55 wide x 2.5 deep x 37...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
Pair of Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent End Tables
By Edward Wormley, Drexel
Located in Buffalo, NY
Refined simplicity designed by Edward Wormley for Drexel. The end tables are part of the Precedent collection that he produced in the 1950s. Professionally restored, stunning off whi...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
Dunbar Asian Style Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Atlanta, GA
Dunbar Asians style end table, American, circa 1940s. Retains Dunbar branded mark underneath. This early Dunbar table shows Edward Wormley's Asian design ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Wood
Early Edward Wormley Step End Tables / Nightstands for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Early Edward Wormley step end tables for Dunbar.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Wood
Pair of Night Stands by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
Magazine Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Ash, Leather
Edward Wormley Exhibition Catalog
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
76-page catalog from the exhibition "Edward Wormley: The Other Face of Modernism," held at the Lin Weinberg Gallery in 1997. The exhibit helped re-introduce Wormley's work to the mar...
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Paper
World Globe by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
The ultimate world globe designed by Edward Wormley for Rand McNally, USA, circa 1950. Features a rotating globe mounted on a walnut base with brass capped legs. Marked "Rand McNally...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Edward Wormley Drexel Precedent Nightstand
By Edward Wormley
Located in Pasadena, TX
Precedent four drawer nightstand. Beautiful in design and material, the Precedent series was designed by Edward Wormley in 1947.
Nightstand features wood construction, four pull-o...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
Materials
Bronze
Edward Wormley more furniture and collectibles for sale on 1stDibs.
Edward Wormley more furniture and collectibles 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 more furniture and collectibles, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original more furniture and collectibles by Edward Wormley were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider more furniture and collectibles by Dunbar, Widdicomb Furniture Co., and T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings. Prices for Edward Wormley more furniture and collectibles can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $225 and can go as high as $22,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,900.
Creators Similar to Edward Wormley
Questions About Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles
- 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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