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.
Eight High Back Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of eight high back Model 6328 dining chairs with twisted mahogany front legs. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Refinished and reupholstered in a linen fabric.
Mahogany
Pair of Dunbar Wingback Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare pair of Dunbar Wingback Model 6016 lounge chairs in sculpted mahogany and woven cane designed by Edward Wormley. An updated take on the classic wingback design, delivering an ...
Velvet, Cane, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Toadstool Ottoman
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Elevate your living space with a rare ottoman designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, commonly referred to as the "Toadstool." This exquisite piece is supported by bent wood legs unif...
Metal, Brass
1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar 4872a Lounge Chair With Solid Aluminum Legs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A 1950s model 4872A lounge chair designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. This chair comes from the recently demolished Edward Mccormick Blair House in Chicago Illinois desig...
Aluminum
Mid-Century Lacquered Walnut Barrel Chair By Edward Wormley For Drexel
By Drexel, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-cenutry barrel chair designed by Edward Wormley for Drexel, Precedent Collection features a black lacquered walnut frame with off-white cords that are woven into the back as an i...
Fabric, Walnut, Cord
Edward Wormley Toadstool for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Amarillo, TX
Edward Wormley Toadstool ottoman Dunbar. Stained oak, enameled steel, wool. USA 38 D x 15 H inches. Edward Wormley for Dunbar toadstool ottoman upholstered in wool.
Wool, Wood
Set of Four Panel-Back Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of four (4) mahogany panel-back chairs retaining their original leather upholstery. Dunbar item no. 6337.
Mahogany, Leather
Twelve Edward Wormley Dining Chairs by Dunbar, Restored
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
A handsome set of two arm chairs model no. 4593 and ten side chairs model no. 4592, making a full set of twelve chairs. Resigned by Edward Wormley and manufactured by Dunbar, USA. Th...
Brass
Edward Wormley Janus Chair by Dunbar, Mohair, Mahogany, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
A dining height Janus armchair designed by Mid-Century Modern master Edward Wormley. The chair features a sculpted dark mahogany frame and mohair upholstery with button-tufted backs....
Mohair, Mahogany
Set of 10 Spindle Back 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...
Leather, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Toadstool
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare stool designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Commonly referred to as the "Toadstool". The stoolis supported by bent wood legs unified by a metal rod attached via brass knobs. ...
Metal, Brass
Brass, Lacquered Wood and New Linen Upholstered Side Chair by Edward Wormley, Un
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York City, NY
Brass, Lacquered Wood and New Linen Upholstered Side Chair by Edward Wormley, United States, c. 1950 Classic lacquered side chair with brass stretchers connecting the front and back ...
Brass
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 marble velvet...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Teardrop Chairs for Dunbar, Model 5106
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design "Teardrop" lounge chairs, Model 5106 for Dunbar Furniture. Uniques shape chairs newly upholstered on polished and lacquered solid brass legs, ready to install.
Brass
$5,200 / set
Edward Wormley Slipper Chairs for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This comfortable pair of Mid-Century slipper chairs feature the iconic design of Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Vintage fabric on simple modern frames make an impressive addition to home...
Upholstery, Wood
$9,800 / set
Pair of Dunbar Edward Wormley Slipper Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Westport, CT
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar “Gold Tag” slipper chairs, in a weaved off-white and light wheat colored Chenille fabric. Together with two pillows and tufted button design. Dark w...
Foam, Walnut, Fabric
Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of button-tufted slipper chairs on espresso colored frames with loose lumbar pillows designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Company. Please confirm item location (NY or...
Upholstery
Mid-Century Edward Wormley Slipper Chair with Plaid Upholstery
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century slipper / side chair with purple, pink, and blue plaid fabric upholstery with button tufting and a matching rectangular throw pillow, resting on four square ebon...
Fabric, Ebony, Wood, Upholstery
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Blue Striped Upholstered Walnut Frame 'Janus'
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century 'Janus' lounge / armchair with a walnut frame and blue, beige, and brown geometric stripe patterned fabric upholstery with a button tufted back, resting on four ...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Architectural Designer Desk Chair By Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Architectural Designer Desk Chair By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Wood shows some wear. I think will benefit from some touching up from a refinishe...
Wood
A-Frame' Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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...
Brass
Panel Back Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of four (4) elegant and generously proportioned dining chairs with wooden panel backs, having spare, square-legged mahogany frames and tailored, form fitting upholstery.
Mahogany, Upholstery
Set of Six rare Panel Back #6337 Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A comfortable set of six dining chairs having gently curved solid wood panel backs and upholstered seats resting on ebonized walnut frames.
Upholstery
Model 6328 Elegant Dunbar High Back Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
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.
Upholstery, Wood
A-frame Armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A horseshoe back armchair with white leather upholstery and ebonized mahogany frame.
Leather, Mahogany
Set of Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1953
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...
Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Slipper Lounge Chairs, Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century slipper lounge chairs, Pair Each chair measures 23 wide x 32 deep x 32 high with a seat h...
Wood, Upholstery
$7,200 / item
A-frame Armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An architectural and substantial armchair having an exposed walnut "A"-shaped frame supporting an upholstered seat and generous floating and curving back.
Upholstery, Walnut
Dunbar Model No. 294W Desk Chair / Dining Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Deland, FL
The Model No. 294W chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar is the intersection of sophistication and quality. The frame is crafted from mahogany and the seat is found in period upholstery.
Mahogany
Armless Slipper Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1957
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.
Upholstery, Walnut
Channel Back Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
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 ...
Aluminum
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 4735 Mid Century Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 4735 Mid Century Dining Chairs - Set of 6 Each chair measures: 25 wide x 22 deep x 30.5 inches high, with a seat height/chair clearance of 18 inches ...
Upholstery, Wood
Lacquered Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1948
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An uncommon pivot-back lounge chair in lacquered mahogany with vintage velvet geometric upholstery. Designed in 1948 by Edward Wormley.
Velvet, Mahogany