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 Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany Lounge Chairs - Pair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany Lounge Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 31.5 wide x 34 deep x 28 high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height/chair clearance of 22...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Wingback Mahogany Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Mid Century Wingback Mahogany Lounge Chair and Ottoman The chair measures: 28.5 wide x 34 deep x 40.25 high, with a seat height of 18 inches and arm ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Dunbar Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for the Janus Collection
By Edward Wormley
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A pair of sophisticated and very well crafted slipper chairs having tufted backs upholstered in a light taupe and cream woven fabric with sculptural ebony toned mahogany legs . From ...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Janus Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
This pair of Janus chairs, designed by Edward Wormley, and manufactured by Dunbar furniture company, 1950s, have been expertly restored, refinished, and reupholstered in a beautiful...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Chairs and Ottoman
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Chairs and Ottoman Ottoman Measurements: 29.25 length 25.25 depth 17.25 height
Acrylic, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany Lounge Chairs - Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany Lounge Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 31 wide x 31 deep x 34 high, with a seat height of 17.5 and arm height/chair clearance of 22...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Dunbar MCM Lounge Chair and Ottoman with Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric
By Jack Lenor Larsen, Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Lounge chair and ottoman with Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric The chair measures: 32 wide x 48 deep x 42.5 high, with a seat height of 17 inches Th...
Metal
Vintage Edward Wormley Lounge Chair for Dunbar
By Milo Baughman, Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
A rather scarce lounge chair form to come to market by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Brass Legs mounted to underside. Solid chair with good weight. Original upholstery. Best to plan t...
Brass
Swivel Lounge Chair, Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Almost White, Expertly Restored
By Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar swivel lounge chair. Expertly restored and reupholstered. Deep, comfortable chair on a beautiful mahogany base. No expense was spared in both the original m...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Dunbar Leather and Brass Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley, 1960
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Dunbar Leather and Brass Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley, 1960. Original leather.
Brass
$10,000 / set
Edward Wormley Model 5701 Lounge Chair & Ottoman
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Highland, IN
This spectacular design by Ed Wormley from his Janus collection for Dunbar, the model 5701 lounge chair and ottoman is a generous chair with a relaxing, deep seat and sumptuous cushi...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mahogany and Cane Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Mahogany and Cane Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950’s. The armrests are rosewood. Measures 26” wide 30.5” deep 31.5” tall to top back pillow, seat height 16” seat dept...
Upholstery, Cane, Mahogany, Rosewood
Pair of Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of slipper chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Chairs are reupholstered in a Maharam Mohair.
$4,800 / set
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Slipper Chairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of Classic Edward Wormley for Dunbar slipper chairs. Frames redone in high gloss black lacquer finish. New upholstery. ...
Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley Swivel Lounge Chairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of Edward Wormley Lounge Chairs Manufactured by Dunbar Furniture Original Striped Fabric in clean condition Mahogany laminated base Marked Dunbar Fabric under seat cushion
Mahogany
Dunbar Club Chairs with Original Jack Lenor Larsen Upholstery
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage large-scale pair of Dunbar club chairs with the original Jack Lenor Larsen fabric, 1970s. Tuxedo style design with loose cushions and bronze platform base. Both chairs are in...
Upholstery
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
Edward Wormley Lounge Chair in Moss Green Wool Upholstery
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar lounge chair with unique setback front legs, and clad in moss green wool upholstery. Extremely comfortable with deep seat cushion and slight angle of the th...
Wood, Wool
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Lounge Chair with Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid century lounge chair with Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric This chair measures: 24 wide x 30.5 deep x 30.75 high, with a seat height of 16 and arm height/chair...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Rare and Elegant Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Armchair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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...
Mahogany
$4,200 / set
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Chairs- A Pair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Great pair of lounge chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. Features a seamless blend of traditional and modern elements as so familiar with Wormley's design philosophy- with...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Edward Wormley Dunbar Mid Century Modern Walnut High Back Lounge Chair & Ottoman
By Edward Wormley
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut Frame High Back Lounge Chair and Ottoman. Item features an angled stretcher base, solid wood frame, beautiful wood grain, original label, clean moder...
Upholstery, Walnut
Rare Set of Lounge Chairs in Walnut by Edward Wormley for Dunbar 1950's
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Troy, MI
Set of 4 rare bentwood lounge chairs designed by Edward Wormley Model 5646 Dunbar circa 1950s Curved barrel back seat in bent walnut with integrated sculpted armrests Legs are taper...
Fabric, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Tufted 'Party' Club Chair in Black Leather
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, lounge chair model 'Party', leather, wood, United States, 1960s. Rare black leather 'Party Chair' by American designer Edward Wormley. This armchair has a...
Leather, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Custom Model 6793 Club Chairs in Sapphire Blue Mohair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Designer: Edward Wormley Manufacturer: Dunbar Model: 6793 Period: Mid-20th Century Materials: Mohair upholstery, solid mahogany bases A refined and inviting pair of Edward Wormley f...
Mohair, Mahogany
$30,000 / set
Wing Chair by Edward Wormley with Ottoman
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
A "Janus" wing chair by Edward Wormley A wing chair by Edward Wormley restored in a luxurious Rogers & Goffigan Belgian linen fabric. The mahogany base has been bleached to a pale fi...
Linen, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Yellow Lounge Chair for Dunbar, Reupholstery Needed
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Berlin, DE
Edward Wormley Lounge Chair for Dunbar that also can be used as is but we recomend a new dress for this very comfy chair. Please ask for quotes. *This piece is curated by Original B...
Upholstery, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Chair, C. 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Westport, CT
A swivel lounge chair designed by the iconic Edward Wormely for Dunbar Furniture, circa 1950-1959. Completely restored, fitted with new high-grade hand cut foam with all insides full...
Velvet, Mahogany
$2,750Sale Price|50% Off
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....
Walnut
Expertly Restored - Edward J. Wormley Cognac Leather Slipper Chairs for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Leather, Wood, Walnut
$7,207Sale Price / set|20% Off
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Slipper Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Early Edward Wormley for Dunbar slipper chairs. Lacquered mahogany legs with newly reupholstered button tufted seat and back. ...
Mahogany
Edward Wormley Yellow Lounge Chair for Dunbar, Reupholstery Needed
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Berlin, DE
Edward Wormley Lounge Chair for Dunbar that also can be used as is but we recomend a new dress for this very comfy chair. Please ask for quotes. *This piece is curated by Original B...
Upholstery, Wood
$11,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Chair and ottoman model 6142
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swiveling Lounge Chair and Ottoman. Early 60's design only produced for a short time! Never having seen one before is always a perk for a Mid-Century Deal...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection Lounge Chairs, Pair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Janus Collection lounge chairs By Edward Wormley for Dunbar USA, 20th Century Ebonized sculpted walnut arms and legs with an exposed frame, and red up...
Upholstery, Walnut
Dunbar Mid Century Slipper Chair by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well crafted Mid Century upholstered slipper chair with button back seat cushion and dark ebony finished wood framed legs with rounded tips . Having a smaller matching back lu...
Upholstery, Wood
Dunbar Wingback Chairs Designed by Edward Wormley in a Custom Cartier Textile
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of early and important wing back chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Professionally restored with new foam, new springs, down-filled seat cushions and upholstered in a...
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...
Velvet, Wood
Edward J. Wormley Lounge Chair and Ottoman circa 1950s for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward J. Wormley lounge chair and ottoman for Dunbar circa 1950s on solid brass castors. The lounge chair has a trapezoid shape, wider in the front (27.5" W) and tapers to the back....
Upholstery
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection Lounge Chair
By Edward Wormley
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus collection lounge chair.
Fabric
Early Pair of Leather Swivel Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A very rare and early pair of swiveling club chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1940's. These clean-lined chairs elevate comfortable lounging to new heights of sophistication...
Leather, Wood
Dunbar Wing Back Janus Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautifully restored wing back Janus lounge chair and ottoman designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Refinished walnut bases and reupholstered in Holly Hunt / Royal Alpaca / Graph...
Walnut
$4,550Sale Price / set|30% Off
Pair of Lounge Chairs Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection
By Edward Wormley
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a lovely pair of lounge chairs from Dunbar's highly regarded Janus line designed by Edward Wormley. The chairs were refinished and reupholstered in the last 10 years or so, b...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Janus Collection Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar – Model 5705
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of Janus Collection Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar – Model 5705 An exceptional pair of all-original lounge chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, part of his ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Chairs in Holland & Sherry
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful and comfortable pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar lounge chairs newly upholstered in a Holland & Sherry luxury wool. Stunning!
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Dunbar Wing Back Janus Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A perfectly restored pair of wing back Janus lounge chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Refinished walnut bases with down seats. Reupholstered in Holland & Sherry / Brunsw...
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Chair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Tall back lounge chair designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar furniture. Beautiful crisp lines frame the chair with grace and style. Edward Wormley’s designs are still often mimicked ...
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
$9,800 / set
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Lounge Chairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Edward Wormley design swivel lounge chairs for Dunbar, model #5609 Refinished and reupholstered in a cotton velvet fabric.
Upholstery
$10,050Sale Price|25% Off
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 ...
Leather, Ash
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Chairs in Holly Hunt Boucle'
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
We love these gorgeous chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. A hard-to-find pair! They are super comfortable. We have reupholstered these in a Holly Hunt bouclé which is pale gray. Al...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection Lounge Chair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Southampton, NJ
Janus Collection lounge chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Ebonized sculpted walnut arms and legs with an exposed frame, and red upholstery with a button tufted back and curved seat...
Upholstery, Walnut
Leather Swivel Lounge Chairs Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Add some playful elegance to your space with these swiveling Dunbar chairs designed by Edward Wormley, circa 1960's. His signature style, defined by clean lines and architectural sim...
Leather, Wood
Exceptional Pair of Ash Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c 1967
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Atlanta, GA
These magnificent lounge chairs are shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored, expertly upholstered and comp...
Stainless Steel
Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1961
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
With a nod to the immense popularity of Charles Eames's swivel lounge chair and ottoman, Wormley capitalized on the popularity of his own stationary, winged lounge chair and ottoman ...
Leather
Pair Janus Wing Chairs and Ottomans by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare set of "Janus" wing chairs and ottomans designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. One of his most iconic designs! In the Janus Collection Wormley modernized the lines of eighteen...
Velvet, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Line Lounge Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley Janus series lounge chairs for Dunbar, Circa 1957. Sophisticated smaller slipper or lounge chairs with carved snakeskin pattern front legs. A rare design that is eye c...
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar (Signed) Janus Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar (Signed) Janus Chairs These were reupholstered at one point. May desire to have these reupholstered. Beautiful natural wood grain. Some wear to...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$4,125Sale Price / set|44% Off
Pair of Edward Wormley "Bucket Seat" Leather and Mahogany Club Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar camel leather and mahogany armchairs. Original channeled leather seats and backs with mahogany legs and stretchers. Rare design from Wormley and Dun...
Leather, Mahogany
$12,000 / set
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of lounge chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with sculptural mahogany bases. Fully restored and upholstered in Dedar / Gimel / Ardoise fabric.
Fabric
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pull-Up Lounge Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar pull-up lounge chairs. Model 971 Jansus line collection. Wormley's Boutique line. Original chocolate brown leather with...
Leather
Pair of 1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cane back Chairs model 5700a
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
Pair of 1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cane back Chairs model 5700a. The continuous laminated ash legs wrap around the entire chair and form t...
Bouclé, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Dunbar Swivel Lounge Chair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley dunbar swivel lounge chair.
Upholstery