Edward Wormley Seating
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
A-frame Armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A horseshoe back armchair with white leather upholstery and ebonized mahogany frame.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Wingback Lounge Chair for Dunbar
By Milo Baughman, Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley Wingback Lounge Chair for Dunbar. A really nice somewhat large scale modern wingback chair.
Requires Reupholstery.
Some wear to the wood legs. A chip to the rear le...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Foam, Walnut, Fabric
$9,800 / set
Pair of Uncommon Dunbar Armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair of upholstered armchairs fluted with dark fluted mahogany legs and "tusk" arm supports.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Edward Wormley armchairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of Edward Wormley armchairs
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
$6,600 / set
1950's Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in North Miami, FL
Pair of 1950s armchairs and ottomans designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar have painted walnut legs with all new foam and upholstery. Priced individually as two chair-and-ottoman sets.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Slipper Chair circa 1950s with Original Upholstery
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Comfortable armless lounge slipper chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in beautiful plaid upholstery. A true collectors piece with no modifications and in excellent vintage condition....
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Walnut
Lacquered Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1948
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An uncommon pivot-back lounge chair in lacquered mahogany with vintage velvet geometric upholstery. Designed in 1948 by Edward Wormley.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Velvet, Mahogany
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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An armless button tufted lounge chair of generous proportion having exposed walnut base. Model: 5000.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
$3,600 / item
Dunbar Leather and Brass Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley, 1960
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Dunbar Leather and Brass Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley, 1960. Original leather.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Brass
Pair of Dunbar Thebes Stools by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautifully restored pair of Dunbar Thebes stools designed by Edward Wormley.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Mahogany
$7,500 / set
Armless 'Sled' Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1934
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An armless sofa or bench or banquet on laminated mahogany "sled" feet.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Captains Chair for Dunbar, Model 5480
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley Captain's Chair for Dunbar Furniture, Model 5480. Elegant looking armchair perfect for a desk or bedroom corner. Made from oak with brass feet and a cane backrest, jus...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Cane, Oak
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.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Upholstery, 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.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Mahogany, Leather
Desk Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An adjustable and swiveling roll arm desk chair in the original brown leather, having a chromed four point base with casters.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Steel
$9,500 / item
Bench by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A bench designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Fully restored.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Chesterfield Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A generously proportioned and highly comfortable rare Chesterfield club chair with button tufted upholstery.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Upholstery
Dunbar Slipper Chair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Wood
$2,240 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Janus High Back Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair of 'Janus' high back chairs with the original blue silk faille upholstery, on light walnut legs with cloud lift stretchers.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Walnut, Upholstery
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Horseshoe Dining Chairs (Model 935) in Mohair
By 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...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Mohair, Mahogany, Rosewood
Dunbar Edward Wormley Pair of Janus line armchairs mahogany mid century Berne
By Edward Wormley
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Carved detailed Dunbar, Berne IN design by Edward Wormley.
Needs reupholstery
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Set of Six 239-4 Edward Wormley Precedent by Drexel Dining Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Drexel
Located in Pasadena, TX
Edward Wormley designed for Precedent Side Chairs series 239-4 in 1947.
Set of 6 dining chairs, solid wood construction, natural finish.
D...
Category
1950s North American Neoclassical Revival Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Walnut
Edward Wormley, Slipper Chair, Aluminum, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Aluminum
Set of Ten Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of ten dining chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Refinished walnut frames and reupholstered in
Holly Hunt / Los Cabos / Daybreak fabric.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Walnut
Pair of "Alexandria" Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this 1960s pair of "Alexandria" armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. They feature elegantly sinuous frames sculpted from solid mahogany with black satin ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Sofa Designed by Edward Wormley and Produced by Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Stamford, CT
A newly upholstered sofa made by Dunbar and designed by Edward Wormley, circa 1965.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Walnut
Edward Wormley/Dunbar Furniture oversized Ottoman
By Edward Wormley
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A large button tufted ottoman
Hand printed original Velvet upholstery
Category
1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Upholstery
Mid-Century Lacquered Walnut Barrel Chair By Edward Wormley For Drexel
By Edward Wormley, Drexel
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Fabric, Walnut, Cord
Edward Wormley Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Dunbar, USA 1960s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Berlin, DE
Edward Wormley lounge chair with ottoman by Dunbar, USA 1960s
Dunbar lounge chair with ottoman. The measurements given apply to the Lounge Chair. The ottoman measures 60cm depth, 60...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Edward Wormley Thebes Stools
By Edward Wormley
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Edward Wormley stools model #5002.
Manufactured by Dunbar.
Original olive green leather.
Category
1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
$8,800 / set
Set of 6 Edward J Wormley Gray Fabric Upholstered Dining Side Chairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
SET of 6 American Mid-Century dining side chairs with gray textured fabric upholstered backs and seats, resting on four walnut square tapered legs. (EDWARD J WORMLEY)(PRICED AS SET).
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Wood, Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 6
Each armless chair measures: 20 wide x 22.5 deep x 31.25 high, with a seat height of 18.5 inches
Each captains ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Eight Edward Wormley for Dunbar Horseshoe Model 935 Armchairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
A stunning and increasingly rare set of eight armchairs by the esteemed Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture, circa 1950's. Wormley served as the design director of DUNBAR for over 30...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Rosewood, Walnut
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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Brass
Vintage 1940s Edward Wormley for Drexel "Precedent" Lounge Chairs - A Set of 2
By Edward Wormley
Located in Monrovia, CA
Vintage 1940s Edward Wormley for Drexel "Precedent" Lounge Chairs - 2 Pieces
Vintage Original Finish On The Wood Frames As Well As Original Vintage Upholstery On The Cushions. All Original Nylon Cording That Zig-Zags Between The Framing.
These Vintage Lounge Chairs Does Have Normal Wear To The Wood Frames Throughout The Years Of Use. There Are Some Scuffs Here and There, Some Chipping To The Finish Here And There, and As For The Cushions It Too Is The Original Vintage Upholstery and Still Has A Lot Of Comfort To Them. There Are No Rips, Tears or Holes In The Original Upholstery. The Upholstery Is A Vintage Goldenrod Color Over All. The Webbing Is In Excellent Condition.
These Chairs Are Very Comfortable, And Stable.
Dimensions Are: Thirty-One and a Half Inches Deep by Twenty-Four Inches Wide by Twenty-Eight and a Half...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Edward Wormley Walnut Open-Arm Lounge Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Two architectural open arm lounge chairs in walnut by Dunbar, with green and blue horizontal stripe upholstery.
Category
1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Walnut
Four Edward Wormley Precedent by Drexel Dining Chairs 239-4 8 Available
By Edward Wormley
Located in Pasadena, TX
Edward Wormley designed for Precedent Side Chairs series 239-4 in 1947, neoclassical area.
Set of 4 dining chairs, solid wood construction, natural finish.
8 available
Category
1940s American Neoclassical Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Wood
Rare Pair Dunbar Dining Chairs in Original Black Leather, Mahogany Frames, Signed
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Very rare and desirable high back Dunbar dining chairs designed by Edward Wormley. Both chairs are completely original. The original black leather has no tears, scuffs, or repairs and show slight stretching on the seats. The mahogany frames show light signs of use in the form of light scratches and nicks, but no distractions. These are excellent examples of this important design, clearly well cared for over the years. Acquired from the original owner. Signed with the gold Dunbar metal...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Brass
Pair Dunbar Lounge Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley, 1960
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair Dunbar Lounge Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley, 1960. Walnut legs restored and newly reupholstered in blue boucle.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Bouclé, Walnut
Four Dunbar Alexandria Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare set of four Dunbar Alexandria occasional chairs, model 6004, designed by Edward Wormley. Beautifully restored and upholstered in leather.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Walnut
$38,000 / set
Edward Wormley Dunbar Swivel Lounge Chair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley dunbar swivel lounge chair.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Upholstery
Edward Wormley Slipper Lounge Chairs, Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
“Furniture is needed for practical reasons, and because it must be there, it may as well be as pleasant as possible to look at, and in a less definable psychological way, comforting ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Bouclé, Wood
$14,680 / set
Pair of Edward Wormley Lounge Chairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in Kensington, MD
Pair of Edward Wormley Lounge Chairs
Beautiful pair of armless slipper chairs designed by Edward Wormley.
Solidly built blond wood frame holds a back and seat cushion.
Perfectly ang...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Wood, Fabric
$5,400 / set
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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Edward Wormley Chairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in Westport, CT
Pair Edward Wormley Dark Walnut and off white cord chairs for Drexel co,fabric in and off white ultra suede.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
$5,400 / set
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Wood Frame Slipper Lounge Chairs, a Pair
By Edward Wormley
Located in Philadelphia, PA
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Seating
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Edward Wormley seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Edward Wormley seating 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 seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original seating by Edward Wormley were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider seating by Dunbar, Milo Baughman, and Adrian Pearsall. Prices for Edward Wormley seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $760 and can go as high as $119,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $8,500.
Creators Similar to Edward Wormley
Questions About Edward Wormley Seating
- 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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