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.
Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Beautiful Original Condition, Tan Silk Fabric
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Tufted seat and back sofa designed by Edward Wormley. Dark stained African mahogany cross stretcher base with floating ends. The silk blend original fabric is in amazingly good condi...
Upholstery, Mahogany
All Arms- Miraculous Set of 14 Arm Klismos Cane Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Atlanta, GA
The rarest of the rare, an exceptional, meticulously restored set of fourteen (14) cane back Klismos ARM dining chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture, circa 1948. A set of th...
Cane, Walnut
$2,950Sale Price|40% Off
Edward Wormley Dunbar Swivel Lounge Chair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley dunbar swivel lounge chair.
Upholstery
Rare set of Eight 1950s MCM Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining Armchairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Rare set of 8 dining room or conference armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, model number 842, in mahogany with original red velvet seats. All original, minor touch up prior to s...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 486 Mid Century Bracket Back Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 486 Mid Century Bracket Back Sofa This sofa measures: 86 wide x 29 deep x 27.5 inches high, with a seat height of 16 and arm height of 22.75 inches ...
Upholstery, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Horseshoe Dining Chairs (Model 935)
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
This is such a beautiful dining chair with exquisite craftsmanship and detail. The iconic Dunbar Horseshoe chair by Edward Wormley will grace an...
Upholstery, Mahogany, Rosewood
1950s Edward Wormley Dunbar Green Wool Sofa model 5138 Mahogany Base
By Edward Wormley
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A 1950s tuxedo even arm sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, model 5138. The sofa floats on a solid mahogany base and is upholstered with new foam and a high end green wool fabric from...
Wool, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection Lounge Chair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Southampton, NJ
Janus Collection lounge chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Ebonized sculpted walnut arms and legs with an exposed frame, and red upholstery with a button tufted back and curved seat...
Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Tuxedo Sofa in Holly Hunt Mohair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A classic clean lined sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. We have updated with Great Plains Mohair by Holly Hunt.
Upholstery, Mahogany
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
Edward Wormley Lounge Chair in Moss Green Wool Upholstery
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar lounge chair with unique setback front legs, and clad in moss green wool upholstery. Extremely comfortable with deep seat cushion and slight angle of the th...
Wood, Wool
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 ...
Rosewood, Walnut
One pair of Edward Wormley Dunbar foot stools or ottomans four available
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Ferndale, MI
Price is for one pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar stools or ottomans . Recently finished in dark stain base with X stretcher supports recently re upholstered seats . Most retain Dun...
Upholstery, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Armchair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Long Island City, NY
LITERATURE Illustrated in EDWARD WORMLEY: The Other Face of Modernism, pg. 41 A 1960s Dunbar swivel armchair designed by Edward Wormley. The base is ebonized mahogany. The back cush...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 486 Bracket Back Sofa
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare bracket back model 486 sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Fully restored and reupholstered.
Walnut
Edward Wormley Mid-Century Sofa, Leopard Print Vinyl, Walnut Legs, USA
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century three seat sofa, upholstered in a brown and black leopard print vinyl with two removable seat cushions, resting on three sets of square walnut legs. (EDWARD J WO...
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Edward Wormley 'Janus' Lounge Armchair, Walnut & Cane, Tan Leather
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century 'Janus' lounge / armchair with a wooden frame with dark walnut veneer, a rounded caned back, and a tan leather button tufted seat cushion and round back cushion,...
Wood, Walnut, Leather, Upholstery
Pair of Janus Collection Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar – Model 5705
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of Janus Collection Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar – Model 5705 An exceptional pair of all-original lounge chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, part of his ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Line Lounge Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley Janus series lounge chairs for Dunbar, Circa 1957. Sophisticated smaller slipper or lounge chairs with carved snakeskin pattern front legs. A rare design that is eye c...
Upholstery, Walnut
$4,125Sale Price / set|44% Off
Pair of Edward Wormley "Bucket Seat" Leather and Mahogany Club Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar camel leather and mahogany armchairs. Original channeled leather seats and backs with mahogany legs and stretchers. Rare design from Wormley and Dun...
Leather, Mahogany
Edward Wormley 'In Clover' Black Leather Office Chair, Walnut Base
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century "In Clover" office / executive chair with a black leather button tufted seat with a high back and scroll arms resting on a rolling / swiveling walnut base with b...
Metal, Brass
$8,500 / set
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.
Mahogany
Edward Wormley Dunbar Mid Century Modern Walnut High Back Lounge Chair & Ottoman
By Edward Wormley
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut Frame High Back Lounge Chair and Ottoman. Item features an angled stretcher base, solid wood frame, beautiful wood grain, original label, clean moder...
Upholstery, Walnut
Set of Six Cane Back Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1940s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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.
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cane Back and Brass Armchair
By Edward Wormley
Located in Stamford, CT
Edward Wormley for Dunbar cane back and brass armchair. Circa 1950's.
Cane, Oak
Edward Wormley La Gondola Sofa for Dunbar
By Rogers & Goffigon, Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c.1950s, USA, La Gondola sofa. The extra long sofa features a mahogany frame that supports the backrest and seat offering a floating effect to the seat bac...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Exceptional Pair of Ash Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c 1967
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Atlanta, GA
These magnificent lounge chairs are shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored, expertly upholstered and comp...
Stainless Steel
$15,600Sale Price|20% Off
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bracket Back Sofa in Dijon Colored Mohair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautifully updated and restored. The iconic bracket back sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. This has been reupholstered in a stunning high-quality mohair. Color is listed as "Dijon"...
Mohair, Mahogany
Highback Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A high backed, button-tufted lounge chair in the original black leather upholstery with mahogany legs and side stretchers.
Leather, Mahogany
$3,400Sale Price|22% Off
Slipper Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Slipper chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. USA, circa 1950. Signed with brass tag. Features tufted back with piping. Original f...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Bracket Back Sofa
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Bracket Back Sofa This sofa measures: 91 wide x 32 deep x 28 inches high, with a seat height of 16 and arm height of 23 inches Great Vintage C...
Metal
Early 1940s Edward J. Wormley Elegant Armchairs for Dunbar in Dark Expresso x 2
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Early 1940s Edward J. Wormley Elegant Neoclassical Style occasional arm chairs for Dunbar model No. 116B. As shown in "The Other Face of Modernism" book on Wormley , and in the 1940s...
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 495 Sofa, Mahogany, Mid-Century
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
This sofa has beautiful lines and a gently curved back. A true classic. The fabric is original and in very good condition. It is a rich and high-quality texture that looks like embro...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Rosewood Toadstool
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Rosewood Toadstool This ottoman measures: 14.75 wide x 14.75 deep x 19.5 inches high Excellent Vintage Condition. We take our photos in a con...
Upholstery, Rosewood
1940's Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Regency Style X Form Bench or Stool
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Early design for Dunbar, mahogany bench or vanity stool model 1050. Curved or X form base with classical styling, with older upholstered seat. Mahogany frame will be restored prior t...
Leather, Mahogany
Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Set of Six, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Amarillo, TX
Edward Wormley, two armchairs, and four side chairs. Dunbar, USA. Mahogany and leather. Signed with applied gold rectangular metal manufacturer's label to the seat bottom [Dunb...
Leather, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Party Sofa Model 5407 in Black Leather
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Toledo, OH
Iconic 1950's party sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. This is the Model 5407 Chesterfield style sofa in black leather. Original leather. The wide arms and long le...
Leather
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair Janus Lounge Chairs, 1957
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair Janus Series Lounge Chairs, 1957. Original upholstery. Front legs have a beautiful carved pattern. Measure 30.5" wide 25" deep 26" tall, seat heig...
Upholstery, Wood
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.
Mahogany
Gorgeous Dunbar Arm Chair Edward Wormley Mid-century Modern
By Edward Wormley
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Gorgeous Dunbar chair designed by Edward Wormley. This lovely chair was reupholstered in a salmon chenille about 20 years ago and still looks great. The back cushion is filled with...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Chair in Jack Lenor Larsen
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Introducing a dining height Janus armchair designed by Mid-Century Modern master Edward Wormley. The chair features a sculpted dark mahogany frame and Jack Lenor Larsen upholstery wi...
Mahogany, Upholstery
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining Chairs with Brass Handles
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Listed are a pair of elegant Edward Wormley for Dunbar dining chairs with arms and brass handles. These are in need of restoration, perfect if your looking to add to your set. Also c...
Brass
"Thebes" X Base Stool / Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Original Fabric
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Thebes stool / bench / footrest / footstool designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s. This example retains the original yellow and orange geometric design fabric. The finish on t...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$11,840Sale Price|38% Off
Ebonized Mid-Century Modern Executive / Campaign Desk by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Deland, FL
Commanding and practical this impressive campaign-style desk by Dunbar has recently undergone a complete restoration. Designed by the inimitable Edward Wormely at the zenith of Dunba...
Walnut
Edward Wormley Dining Armchair for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Walnut dining armchair with splayed back legs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, c.1960s. The seat cushion has been newly reupholstered in a Pierre Frey textured fabric - a perfect t...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Chaise Longue Sofa
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar chaise longue sofa.
Upholstery
Vintage Edward Wormley Lounge Chair for Dunbar
By Milo Baughman, Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
A rather scarce lounge chair form to come to market by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Brass Legs mounted to underside. Solid chair with good weight. Original upholstery. Best to plan t...
Brass
$14,000 / set
Set of Four Edward Wormley Dining Chairs for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four dark walnut dining armchairs with tapered legs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, c.1960s. The seat cushions have been reupholstered with blue and green velvet with a lin...
Upholstery, Walnut, Velvet
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Lounge Chairs, Ebonized Base
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of American Mid-Century Lounge / Armchairs with brown upholstery having a seat cushion and button tufted back and resting on an ebonized base with square legs (EDWARD WORMLEY FO...
Wood
$3,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Edward Wormley Walnut Open-Arm Lounge Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Two architectural open arm lounge chairs in walnut by Dunbar, with green and blue horizontal stripe upholstery.
Walnut
Pair of Lounge Chairs Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection
By Edward Wormley
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a lovely pair of lounge chairs from Dunbar's highly regarded Janus line designed by Edward Wormley. The chairs were refinished and reupholstered in the last 10 years or so, b...
Upholstery, Wood
1950s 98" Edward Wormley for Dunbar 5526 armless sofa Mohair and Wool
By Edward Wormley
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A 1950s iconic armless sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture model 5526. Reupholstered in a green mohair base with neutral diagonal striped wool loose cushions. A ver...
Mohair
$22,000 / item
Six Swivel Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare set of six swivel spindle back arm chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Walnut
Edward Wormley Sofa, Edward Wormley Estate Weston Ct
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Westport, CT
Edward Wormley, three-seat sofa polished brass leg from Wormley Weston Ct estate. Chenille fabric, model 5512.
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 935 Walnut and Rosewood Chairs - Set of 8
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 935 Walnut and Rosewood Chairs - Set of 8 Each chair measures: 24.5 wide x 22 deep x 30.5 inches high, with a seat height of 18 and arm height/chair ...
Upholstery, Rosewood, Walnut
Edward Wormley 'Long John' Bench for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A 1946 design by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, the bench, lovingly termed the “Long John" has a low profile with walnut segmented, tongue-and-groove construction atop four hairpin legs ...
Ash, Walnut
Pair of Vintage Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Janus" Armchairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in North Miami, FL
Introducing the Janus armchairs designed by Mid-Century Modern master Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Company. These armchairs features a sculpted dark mahogany frame and metalli...
Leather, Mahogany
Pair Janus Wing Chairs and Ottomans by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
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...
Velvet, Wood
Edward Wormley, Slipper Chair, Aluminum, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in High Point, NC
An aluminium and white bouclé fabric slipper chair designed by Edward Wormley and produced by Dunbar, Berne, Indiana, USA, 1950s. 17" seat height
Aluminum
Edward Wormley for Dunbar model 4623 Sofa
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare model 4623 sofa with bleached mahogany base designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Fully restored and reupholstered in mohair.
Mohair
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swiveling Stool / Chair
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Edward Wormley for Dunbar swiveling stool / chair in beautiful original condition. The leather and cane have a wonderful patina and the original finish has been lightly refurbished.
Leather