Edward Wormley Armchairs
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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Number in Set: Single Piece
Creator: Edward Wormley
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...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Edward Wormley Chair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
No. 5482 Armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Mahogany, brass and fabric. Fantastic model with floating seat and padded armrests.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Captain's "Y" Chair, ca. 1955
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Captain's "Y" chair, ca. 1955. Professionally restored walnut frame with new back caning and new upholstered seat with super soft and luxurious ivory wool f...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Brass
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.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Cane, Oak
Alexandria Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare Dunbar Alexandria chair designed by Edward Wormley.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Midcentury "Quinn" Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Model 1170, Walnut + Wool
By Gunlocke, Edward Wormley, Jens Risom, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Decatur, GA
"Quinn" chair, Model no. 1170 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar circa 1965. Sculpted walnut arms transition seamlessly to the upholstered back creating a wonderful silhouette. Frame is so...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Wool, Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Tilt-Back Sheridan Lounge Chair in Walnut Cane & Brass
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant lounge chair was designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in the late 1960s and was only produced for a very short time. The frame is crafted from solid American claro waln...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley Lounge Chair for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
A nice simple and dramatic armchair lounge chair form by Edward Wormley.
Should be purchased with the intent to reupholster. Needs to be softer on inside back.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Edward Wormley Desk Arm Chair for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley Desk / Arm Chair for Dunbar.
Model # 1170. Model Name: Quinn
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar 'Big Texan' Brown Leaf Pattern Upholstered Lounge
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century 'Big Texan' form oversized lounge / armchair with brown leaf patterned fabric upholstery with removable back and seat cushions. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNIT...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery
Edward J Wormley for Dunbar High Back Taupe Lounge Armchair and Ottoman
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century high back lounge armchair and matching ottoman set, with textured brown / taupe fabric upholstery with button tufting on the back cushion, matching antimacassars...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Brass, Metal
Edward J Wormley for Dunbar Crushed Gold Velour and Walnut Lounge Armchair
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American mid-century lounge armchair with square arms and a slightly tapered short back, with crushed gold velour upholstery with button tufted detail on the back cushion, resting on...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Edward J Wormley for Dunbar Blue Diamond Patterned Lounge Armchair and Ottoman
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century rolling boudoir / lounge armchair and matching ottoman, upholstered in a light blue and white diamond patterned fabric with button tufted back detail, both resti...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Metal, Brass
Edward J Wormley for Dunbar Beige Upholstered Fluted Leg Lounge Armchair
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century lounge armchair with plush upholstery in a textured taupe and beige with a small skirt concealing four fluted legs. (EDWARD J WORMLEY ...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Fabric
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Blue Striped Upholstered Walnut Frame 'Janus'
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, 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 ...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Wood, Walnut, Fabric, Upholstery
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut, Cane, and Tan Leather 'Janus' Lounge Armchair
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, 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,...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Edward J Wormley for Dunbar Red Upholstered Swivel Lounge Chair and Footstool
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century tapered high back lounge armchair and matching wedge-form footstool, upholstered in a bright red textured fabric with button tufting on the headrest and back cus...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Metal, Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut, Cane, and Tan Leather 'Janus' Lounge Armchair
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, 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,...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Walnut, Wood
Dunbar Open Frame Lounge or Armchair, circa 1960
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Dunbar open frame lounge or armchair, circa 1960. Newly restored with new upholstery and ebonized mahogany frame. Bears makers label on underside.
Measures: H 29.5 in. x W 25.5 in...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar "A" Frame Arm Chair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar "A" Frame Arm Chair, Horseshoe curved back with original leather-covered armrests, solid mahogany frame, brass exposed screws...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Lounge Chair #4796 for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Edward Wormely lounge chair model #4796 produced by Dunbar Furniture Company "Dunbar For Modern" Line, production date of 8/2/1950 - 10/23/1950.
The perfect reading chair, very com...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Edward Wormley Black Leather Janus Lounge Chair, Model 5701, Dunbar, 1957
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Edward Wormley black leather Janus lounge ch air, Model 5701, Dunbar, 1957
ash, leather; 33.75 H × 30.5 W × 34 D in; Stitched manufacturer's mark to decking ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Ash
1950s Sculpted "Janus" Dining Height Armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Caned and Ebonized Arm Chair Designed by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Stamford, CT
A sharp looking ebonized chair with caned side panels designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s American Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany and Steel Armchair, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern club or lounge chair
By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture
USA, circa 1950s
Solid African mahogany frames, with brushed steel stre...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Steel
Armchair by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sculptural and finely detailed armchair in walnut having a floating seat and back cushions that retain their original textured wool upholstery.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Walnut, Upholstery
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Morris" Armchairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of rare and unusual Edward Wormley for Dunbar adjustable back lounge chairs. Known as "Morris" chairs they allow for 3 positions-l...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair Restored
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Dunbar Mid-Century Modern lounge chair on solid brass cone shape legs by Edward Wormley.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Brass
Beautiful Edward Wormley Armchair, Green Leather Chair, Dunbar, Mahogany
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Miami, FL
Rare green leather chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Leather has some damages.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Edward Wormley For Dunbar "Morris" Lounge Chair
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare Edward Wormley for Dunbar multi position recliner known as the "Morris" chair. Classic reinterpretation the lounge chair has three positions. Mahogany in dark, original finish...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Rare and Elegant Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Armchair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
'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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Brass
Walnut Dining Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sculptural and finely detailed armchair in walnut having a floating seat and back cushions, retaining the original black leather upholstery.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Teak
Mahogany Armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dorchester, MA
Edward Wormley designed this handsome mahogany armchair for Dunbar, juxtaposing modern linearity with curvaceous classic form. It has been expertly reupholstered in Knoll's Rivington...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Lacquered Mahogany Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
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.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Velvet, Mahogany
Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Completely Original Alexandria Chair Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare opportunity. All original example of the Alexandria Chair designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Retains the original, high quality black leather seat with attractive wear. This...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
A-Frame Armchair by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Mahogany Armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dorchester, MA
This stylish mid-century modern armchair, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, has strong, clean lines and a comfortable seat. It has been expertly reupholstered in Knoll's Sequin ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Textile, Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Armchair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Stockton, NJ
An Edward Wormley for Dunbar armchair. Wonderful structured lines with mahogany legs with brass ring detail. Newley upholstered in ...
Category
1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Edward Wormley armchairs 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 armchairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original armchairs 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 armchairs by Dunbar, Charles and Ray Eames, and Milo Baughman. Prices for Edward Wormley armchairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $760 and can go as high as $38,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $7,800.
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