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.
Edward Wormley Dunbar Alexandria Armchairs, Mahogany & Walnut, 1960
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Alexandria" Arm Chairs, Model 6004, circa 1960, mahogany and walnut frame with burgundy vinyl seat, "Edward Wormley for Dunbar" label to underside....
Upholstery, Mahogany, Walnut
Dunbar ArmChair 5513 and Ottoman by Edward Wormley. Great Original Fabric!
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Outstanding example of the Dunbar armchair model 5513 and matching ottoman. Both pieces retain the original fabric with the foam cushioning expertly replaced. The frames have been ...
Brass, Wrought Iron
$5,520Sale Price|20% Off
Midcentury 101in Model 488 Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Pasadena, TX
Dunbar Edward Wormley 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 st...
Fabric, Down
A Pair of Dunbar Thebes Stools In Jack Lenor Larsen Samarkand Velvet
By Edward Wormley
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
Here is a pair of Edward Wormley designed "Thebes" stools for Dunbar. The mahogany frames are in clear lacquer & the cushions are newly upholstered in vintage "Samarkand" velvet desi...
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
Dunbar Sofa by Edward Wormley on Brass Legs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Fully restored in beautiful fog grey mohair over polished brass legs. Sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950s.
Brass
Four 'Riemerschmid' Armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of four walnut Riemerschmid armchairs with leather seats. Designed by Edward Womrley for Dunbar in 1947. Fully restored.
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair of Elegant Slipper Lounge Chairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sleek and comfortable pair of classic Wormley for Dunbar slipper chairs. Older restoration of mahogany legs and recovering of upholstery shows minor scuffs and scratches to bases a...
Upholstery, 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, Dunbar, Six Riemerschmid Dining Chairs, Walnut, Leather, 1940s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Stamford, CT
Edward Wormley, Dunbar, Set of Six 'Riemerschmid' Dining Chairs, Walnut, Leather 1950s The model 4797A, originally designed by Wormley for Dunbar in 1947, draws inspiration from Ric...
Leather, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Set of Eight Dining Chairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar dining chairs, set of eight, two armchairs and six side chairs, sculpted mahogany chairs with upholstered seats, arm chairs 33" H x 22" D x 23.5" W with sea...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar Club Chair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Single Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar club chair with older re-upholstery on thick tapered legs. Unrestored, ready for new upholstery, legs show age, should be refinished. Email for up...
Upholstery, Mahogany
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.
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Bracket Back Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
Pair of Vintage Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Janus" Armchairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
Dunbar Slipper Chair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Palm Springs, CA
slipper chair by Edward Wormley for Dubar. Button tufted tight seat and back in ivory boucle. Wood base refinished in dark walnut
Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany Lounge Chairs - Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany Lounge Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 31 wide x 31 deep x 34 high, with a seat height of 17.5 and arm height/chair clearance of 22...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Vintage Caneback Side Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Fine Pair of Vintage Dunbar Chairs by Edward Wormley. Dimensions are approximate. Will confirm.
Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair Janus Lounge Chairs, 1957
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
$9,600Sale Price|20% Off
Handsome Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa Model 4906 Mid-Century Modern
By Edward Wormley
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Handsome even arm sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with brass legs. Model 4906. This piece retains its original fun fur teddy bear fabric in usable condition. The foam in cushions ...
Brass
$8,750Sale Price|30% Off
Completely Restored Blue Velvet Grand Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c1960
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar sofa with tapered rosewood legs and newly upholstered in a plush soft blue velvet. Every inch of this grand sofa has been painstakingly restored/replaced a...
Velvet
Rare and Elegant Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Armchair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar lounge chair. Model number 6309, part of the Today and Tomorrow collection, circa 1963. Beautiful channelled mahogany frame with ultra-suede seat and back c...
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
1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar no. 4756 wing shaped sofa in Mohair and Brass
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A rare offering from Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. This wing shaped sofa, model 4756, was reupholstered in a moss colored mohair and sits on 10" solid brass stiletto legs. Ele...
Brass
$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
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 5407 Mid Century Black Leather Party Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 5407 Mid Century Black Leather Party Sofa This sofa measures: 100 wide x 36 deep x 23.5 inches high, with a seat height of 14.5 and arm height of 23....
Leather, Wood
Pair of Mahogany Sofas / Daybeds by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare pair of mahogany framed sofas / daybeds designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Reupholstered in Zink / Sappheo / Cypress.
Mahogany
$14,494Sale Price|20% Off
vintage sofa Edward Wormley Dux sofa "New York"
By Edward Wormley, Dux of Sweden
Located in Lemmer, NL
vintage sofa Edward Wormley Dux sofa "New York" Rare sofa by American designer Edward J. Wormley, designed in 1952 for Dunbar Furniture USA. Produced at Ljungs Industrier / DUX C...
Fabric, Wood
Remarkable Set of 10 Iconic Cane Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c 1950
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Atlanta, GA
The rarest of the rare: an exceptional, meticulously restored set of ten (10) Iconic modern cane dining chairs by the esteemed Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture, circa 1950. Single...
Cane, Mahogany
Four Swivel Stools / Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of four Edward Wormley for Dunbar swiveling stools / chairs with mahogany legs and chrome sabots. Fully restored and upholstered in Holly Hun...
Fabric
$9,009 / set
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Slipper Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Early Edward Wormley for Dunbar slipper chairs. Lacquered mahogany legs with newly reupholstered button tufted seat and back. ...
Mahogany
Beige Bouclé Sophia Slipper Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar - a Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of neutral lacquered mahogany model 5000 or Sophia slipper chairs with tufted seat and back. Newly refinished and reupholstered in a light écru off-white, ivory, sand or bone bo...
Mahogany, Fabric
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
Set of Four Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare set of four cane back dining chairs with mahogany frames. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Beautifully restored.
Cane
Edward Wormley Swivel Chair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley Swivel Chair, laminated flat spindles, seat and crest rail with, X base with solid mahogany tapered legs. Newly upholstered button tufted seat with Spinneybeck leather...
Leather, Mahogany
Rare set of Eight 1950s MCM Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining Armchairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 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
Gorgeous Restored Set of 8 Cane Dining Chairs by Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1948
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Atlanta, GA
The rarest of the rare: an exceptional, meticulously restored set of eight (8) cane back Klismos dining chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture, circa 1948. A set of this magnitude is the collector's equivalent to capturing a Purple Unicorn. Expertly crafted solid walnut construction with stellar lines and detail. Finished in a dark walnut stain - aged to absolute perfection. Delicate cane panel inset back. Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and coveted chair...
Cane, Walnut
$9,000 / set
Edward Wormley Pair of Sofas / Settees
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Highland, IN
These lovely, lightly scaled sofas or loveseats designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, are not only an uncommon form, having a matched pair available is also very rare. They are stru...
Upholstery, Wood
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
Unusual Edward Wormley Long John Bench Walnut Mid-Century Modern 1950s
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Unusual Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Long John" short bench or coffee table with custom ordered (original from Dunbar) walnut "adjusto" legs and drawer underneath. Measuring 48"l, 19"d...
Walnut
Uncommon Dunbar 'Janus' Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1957
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...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Stellar ALL ARM Set of 8 Vintage Cane Dining Chairs by Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Atlanta, GA
The rarest of the rare, an exceptional, meticulously restored set of eight (8) cane back Klismos ARM dining chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture, circa 1948. A set of this m...
Cane, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Curved Sofa
By Edward Wormley
Located in Great Barrington, MA
The highest level of craftsmanship. Dunbar. It's all in the subtleness of this sofa. The curved frame. The lines. The proportions.
Linen
Rare Slightly Curved Sofa by Wormley for Dunbar with Brass Legs
By Harvey Probber, Dunbar Furniture, Milo Baughman, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Seldom seen curved sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Supported by 6 Brass legs. Sofa requires reupholstery. When reupholstering there is a wood stretcher that needs replacement. ...
Brass
Stunning Set of 14 Klismos Cane Side Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley, circa 1948
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent set of dining chairs is unique on the World market. The set is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously profession...
Cane, Walnut
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
$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
Early 1940s Edward J. Wormley Elegant Armchairs for Dunbar in Dark Expresso x 2
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
Ten Edward Wormley for Dunbar Horseshoe Model 935 Armchairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A stunning and increasingly rare set of ten armchairs by the esteemed Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture, circa 1950's. Wormley served as the design director of DUNBAR for over 30 y...
Upholstery, Rosewood, Walnut
$3,300Sale Price / set|26% Off
One pair of Edward Wormley Dunbar foot stools or ottomans two pair 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
$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
Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Set of Six, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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 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
Vintage Edward Wormley Lounge Chair for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley, Milo Baughman
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
Edward Wormley Channel Back Sofa, Brass Legs, Blue Upholstery, c1940s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
An early channel back sofa with brass legs and covered in blue fabric by Edward Wormley. Model #4757 designed in 1947. The fabric is tired and should...
Brass
Four Ash and Rosewood Armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of four Ash armchairs with rosewood details. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Ash, Rosewood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Horseshoe Dining Chairs (Model 935)
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
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
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