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 For Drexel Precedent Bench With Upholstered Seat ca' 1950's
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic and timeless Edward Wormley upholstered bench for Drexel Precedent line, model 200-2, ca' 1950's. Newly restored in natural, clear finish showing the wood grain and new uph...
Upholstery, Elm
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Daybed in Mahogany, Brass, and Blue-Grey Fabric
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, daybed, mahogany, reupholstered fabric, brass-plated aluminum, United States, 1950s. This rare design by Edward Wormley exemplifies his commitment to crea...
Aluminum, Brass
Edward Wormley Long John Bench by Dunbar, 1960
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley Long John Bench by Dunbar, 1960. Bench has been completely restored. Measures 59.75" long, 18.75" deep 12" tall
Wood
Long Bermuda Bench By Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Classic and elegant "Bermuda" bench by Edward Wormley for Dunbar ca' 1950's. This is the hard to find long version. Reupholstered in patinated leather with brass nail heads.
Leather, Mahogany
Rolling Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A round ottoman on casters with removable center cushion designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Beautifully restored and upholstered in silk velvet.
Fabric
$7,500 / set
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Thebes Stools
By Edward Wormley
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of Thebes Stools designed by Edward Wormley manufactured by Dunbar Mahogany legs with Boucle Upholstery The Estate we purchased from had...
Upholstery
1940's Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Regency Style X Form Bench or Stool
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Early design for Dunbar, mahogany bench or vanity stool model 1050. Curved or X form base with classical styling, with older upholstered seat. Mahogany frame will be restored prior t...
Leather, Mahogany
Pair of Petite Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Slipper Benches"
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Rarely seen pair of petite "Slipper benches" model #684 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Newly upholstered frames on zebra wood legs.
Textile, Zebra Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Table or Bench with Magazine Display
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An exceptional coffee table or bench (Model 5933a) designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with built-in brass rods for suspending magazines. Another option would be to recess a glass ...
Mahogany
Edward Wormley Brass Bench for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Sophisticated brass square frame bench designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Very good original condition, Model #5428.
Brass
Edward Wormley 'Long John' Bench for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A 1946 design by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, the bench, lovingly termed the “Long John" has a low profile with walnut segmented, tongue-and-groove construction atop four hairpin legs ...
Ash, Walnut
1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar 'Thebes' Stools in Bouclé, Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare pair of 'Thebes' stools Model no. 5002 designed by Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar of Berne, Indiana. These iconic benches are the epitome of fine craftsmanship. These are in gre...
Bouclé, Wood
Edward Worley Tufted Bench for Dunbar Furniture
By Edward Wormley
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Edward Wormley Tufted Brass Bench Re-Upholstered in White Boucle Fabric Paper label and Big D Furniture metal Tag
Upholstery
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Custom Settee
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Denton, TX
This assemblage of three chairs into a settee with bentwood arms was custom ordered by Stephens Financial for their office in Michigan. New upholstery may be desired.
Upholstery, Ash, Rosewood
Brass Bench by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A brass bench by Edward Wormley for Dunbar upholstered in Knoll, Arrezzo, Truffle velvet.
Brass
$7,500 / set
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.
Mahogany
Italian Modular Bench with Upholstered Seats, Italy ca 1950s
Located in Utrecht, NL
The postwar boom years of the 1950s through to the 1960s were one of the periods of the greatest influence of Italian designers. Design in the 50s paved a way to a more aesthetic app...
Fabric, Wood
Edward Wormley Sectional Sofa for Dunbar, 1960s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Hamburg, PA
A classic Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1960's USA. This two-piece sectional sofa has the stately mahogany bracket back design that sets this Edward Wormley sofa apart. This sofa has vi...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$2,946
H 17.33 in W 36.23 in D 14.57 in
Louis XIII Style Turned Wood Long Bench / Stool by Valenti, Spain 1940s
By Valenti
Located in Barcelona, ES
Beautiful mid-20th century Louis XIII style walnut bench or footstool with finely turned legs, stretcher and upholstered seat. Manufactured by Valentí, Spain, 1940s. This original V...
Brass
$2,975Sale Price|30% Off
H 17 in W 60 in D 18 in
Signed Dunbar Furniture Rosewood Bench Attributed to Edward Wormley, Ca. 1960s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Peabody, MA
A rosewood bench by Dunbar, ca. 1960, with original seat cushion and what appears to be a Jack Lenor Larsen jacquard fabric. This all-wood version of Dunbar's bench is most often at...
Upholstery, Rosewood
Edward Wormley Brass Bench for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Sophisticated brass square frame bench designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Very good original condition, Model #5428.
Brass
Louis XV Style, Giltwood Long Bench
By La Maison London
Located in London, Park Royal
Louis XV Style Bench: Expertly hand-carved by master craftsmen and finished with an antique gilded patina, created using traditional techniques and materials. Customers Own Material ...
Giltwood, Wood
$4,595
H 30.5 in W 23.75 in D 22 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany and Cane Dining Chairs - Set of 4
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany and Cane Dining Chairs - Set of 4 Each chair measures: 23.75 wide x 22 deep x 30.5 inches high, with a seat height of 19 and arm height/chair clea...
Upholstery, Cane, Mahogany
$3,000
H 14 in W 60 in D 22 in
Edward Roffman for B. Altman & Co. Champagne Velour Upholstered Walnut Bench
By B. Altman and Company 1, Edward Axel Roffman
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Edward Axel Roffman for B. Altman & Company cushioned Walnut Bench. Featuring a clean, balanced, braced and sturdy Parsons style rectangular form in solid Walnut, with professionally...
Steel, Chrome
$2,850 / item
H 18.9 in W 39.38 in D 16.54 in
Modern white lamb fur hammered brass Tree Branches long bench by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
The Tree Branches long bench is entirely handcrafted in brass with a hammered technique similar to the irregular details of real branches. The top in Mongolian Lamb fur completes th...
Brass, Metal
On Hold|$5,350 / set
H 15.25 in W 22.5 in D 22.25 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Brown Leather Thebes Stools, 1950s - A Pair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A pair of solid mahogany and thick suede leather Thebes stools / ottomans designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. The “x” shape at the base creates a beautiful symmetry representative...
Leather, Mahogany
$2,200
H 13.5 in W 71 in D 19 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Style "Long John" Walnut Bench, Coffee Table, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Long Edward Wormley for dunbar style walnut "long john" Bench. Coffee Table. Bed End. Featuring a longer rectangular slat-style Walnut surface, turned edge...
Walnut
$2,950
H 20.63 in W 20.25 in D 14.24 in
1940's Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Regency Style X Form Bench or Stool
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Early design for Dunbar, mahogany bench or vanity stool model 1050. Curved or X form base with classical styling, with older upholstered seat. Mahogany frame will be restored prior t...
Leather, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bench, 1960
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bench, 1960. Restored and reupholstered in gray mohair. Measures 18” tall 54” long 18” deep
Mohair, Mahogany
Bench by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A bench designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Fully restored.
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar 'Long John' Bench, C. 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Westport, CT
Elegant and versatile, this Long John Bench by Edward Wormley for Dunbar has been fully restored by Stamford Modern. Crafted from solid walnut, its sleek profile highlights timeless ...
Twill, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bench #286 in Mohair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to reach out for efficient shipping to your zip. Low Bench #286 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Refinished mahogany base. Reupholstered in Mohair.
Brass
Mid Century Modern Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Bench C. 1950
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Bernville, PA
Original vintage Edward Wormley for Dunbar solid mahogany six-leg bench with brass accents. Newer cloth fabric and clean original finish. Reupholstering is recommended but not ...
Brass
Mahogany Bench Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar C. 1950
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Bernville, PA
Mahogany bench table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950. Model 2288C. Occasionally referred to as a 'telephone table or bench'. Drawers have original brass and Rosewood hardwar...
Brass
Brass Bench by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Diego, CA
Solid Brass bench for Dunbar by Edward Wormley in new white boucle. Dunbar label affixed to bottom of the bench. This is an excellent piece for an entry way or large bedroom. We hav...
Brass
Edward Wormley Long John Bench for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design Long John Bench for Dunbar Furniture Company. Simple yet sophisticated design bench or coffee table that was an immediate sales succes...
Walnut
Mahogany and Brass Bench by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, half upholstered and open mahogany bench. Details of Brass spacers and original fabric, circa 1970s.
Brass
'Bermuda' Bench by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Long Island City, NY
'Bermuda' Bench by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with cedar wood legs, reupholstered in Dedar Milano Strange Loves 001 fabric. Edward Wormley was an American designer renowned for his w...
Fabric, Cedar
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Bench
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Bench This bench measures: 65.25 wide x 18.5 deep x 14 high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vin...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Black Leather Bench, c1960
By Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This wonderful bench was designed for Dunbar by Edward Wormely, c1960. Newley upholstered in dark grey/black Italian leather. On display in our Los Angeles showroom.
Leather, Wood