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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Creator: Edward Wormley
Recognized Seller Listings
Pair of Dunbar Armchairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar armchairs with brass handles and brass feet.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Mobilier Universel Set of Six Dining Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Mobilier Universel
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar executed by Mobilier Universel, Jules Wabbes, set of six armchairs, lacquered black wood and fabric, Belgium, 1960s.
This set of six grand armchairs is exe...
Category
1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Set of Palle Suenson Side Table in Solid Teak with Edward Wormley Armchairs
By Edward Wormley, Robert Sonneman
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Palle Suenson, side table, teak, Denmark, c. 1940
Striking Scandinavian Modern side table by Danish architect and designer Palle Suenson (1904-1987). This particular table is spec...
Category
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Edward Wormley Chair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
Pair of Armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of walnut and leather armchairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Refinished and reupholstered.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Leather
Set of Six Cane Back Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley
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.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany, Upholstery
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
Pair of Armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare pair of ash and rosewood armchairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Matching set of four side chairs available separately.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Ash, Rosewood
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 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 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 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
Set of 4 Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Caned Back Wooden Dining Armchair
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
SET of 4 American Mid-Century dining armchairs with dark stained wooden frames, solid wooden seats, and caned backs. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNITURE COMPANY)(PRICED AS SET)
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Caned Back Linen Seat Wooden Dining Armchairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
PAIR of American Mid-Century dining armchairs with wooden frames, woven striped beige, gray, and orange linen upholstered seats, and caned backs. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNITURE...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Wood, Linen, 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, Walnut, Wood
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pulled Feather Patterned Upholstery Wooden
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
PAIR of American Mid-Century dining armchairs with dark stained wooden frames, purple, gold and brown pulled feather patterned upholstered seats, and caned...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar "A" Frame Arm Chair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
Pair of Dunbar Lounge Chairs Model 609 by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of rare lounge chairs model 609 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Original leather-like vinyl upholstery on Ash frame with brass hardware.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Ash
Edward Wormley Pair of Armchairs in Green Velvet Upholstery
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, pair of armchairs, beech, velvet, United States, 1960s
These armchairs are designed by Edward Wormley for the furniture company Dunbar in the sixties. The...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Velvet, Beech
Edward Wormley Pair of Arm Chairs in Leather with Mahogany Bases 1960s 'Signed'
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Pair of arm chairs reupholstered in brown leather with dark mahogany bases by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American 1960's (original Dunbar label on bottoms).
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Armchair by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
1950s Sculpted "Janus" Dining Height Armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
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 Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
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 Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair of Armchairs in Pink Striped Upholstery
By Edward Wormley
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, pair of armchairs, stained ash, fabric, United States, 1960s
These armchairs are designed by Edward Wormley for the furniture company Dunbar in the sixtie...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Ash
'A-Frame' Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
Pair of Dunbar Lounge Chairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Dunbar lounge chairs designed by Edward Wormley.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Pair of Swiveling Barrel Back Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair (2) of continuous arm swivel chairs in laminated walnut having tan button tufted leather cushions and a cruciform stretcher detail.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Walnut Dining Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
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 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.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of Janus High Back Chairs by Edward Wormley
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 Armchairs
Materials
Walnut, Upholstery
A-Frame Armchair by Edward Wormley
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 Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Pair of Rare Armchairs by Edward Wormley
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 Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
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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