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Edward Wormley Sectional Sofas

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
Mid-Century Modern Sectional Velvet Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA
Mid-Century Modern Sectional Velvet Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA

Mid-Century Modern Sectional Velvet Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c.1960s, USA, two-piece sectional sofa. The sofa features split arm rests and an exposed sculpted ebonized wood frame. This sofa has been fully reupholster...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sectional Sofas

Materials

Velvet, Walnut, Upholstery

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Sectional Sofa w/ Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Sectional Sofa w/ Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Sectional Sofa w/ Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in North Hollywood, CA

Add a touch of mid-century charm to your living space with this inviting sectional sofa, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in the 1950s. This piece is all about both style and fl...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sectional Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Edward Wormley Dunbar Sofa
Edward Wormley Dunbar Sofa

Edward Wormley Dunbar Sofa

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Chicago, IL

Edward Wormley Dunbar sofa can be paired as a sectional with matching chaise longue 5525 we have offered in another listing.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Sectional Sofas

Materials

Upholstery

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Magnificent and rare two-piece sectional sofa in the style of Edward Wormley for Dunbar. These sofas were probably a custom order having the very rare Lucite plank legs. Fabulous in ...

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Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Sectional Sofas

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Previously Available Items
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1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Sectional Sofas

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Edward Wormley Sectional Sofa for Dunbar, 1960s
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Pair of Party Sofas by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in Original Leather
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Located in Dallas, TX

A beautiful pair of party sofas designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in original buttery soft light tan leather.

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1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Sectional Sofas

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Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair of Split Arm Sofas
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Located in Chicago, IL

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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sectional Sofas

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Dunbar Oasis Sofa by Edward Wormley
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Dunbar Oasis Sofa by Edward Wormley

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H 30 in W 104 in D 52 in

Dunbar Oasis Sofa by Edward Wormley

By Edward Wormley

Located in Dallas, TX

Early and rare oasis sofa model #5200 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Pair available.

Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Sectional Sofas

Materials

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Dunbar Oasis Sofa by Edward Wormley
Dunbar Oasis Sofa by Edward Wormley

Dunbar Oasis Sofa by Edward Wormley

Sold

H 30 in W 104 in D 52 in

Dunbar Oasis Sofa by Edward Wormley

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Dallas, TX

Early and rare oasis sofa model #5200 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Fully restored and upholstered in Donghia mohair.

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1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Sectional Sofas

Materials

Mohair

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 6329A Large Angled Sofa
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 6329A Large Angled Sofa

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 6329A Large Angled Sofa

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Dallas, TX

The larger of the two sizes, this model 6329A angled sofa retains its original fabric in wonderful condition. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Mahogany stretcher base.

Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Sectional Sofas

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Mid-Century Modern Dunbar E. Wormley 3PC Sectional Sofa with Rare Corner Unit
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Mid-Century Modern Dunbar E. Wormley 3PC Sectional Sofa with Rare Corner Unit

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in West Hartford, CT

Magnificent, newly upholstered Dunbar Mid-Century Modern sectional sofa, three pieces in all, with one of the pieces being the rare Edward Wormley beechwood mahogany corner unit. The...

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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sectional Sofas

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Mid-Century Modern Dunbar E. Wormley 3 Pc Sectional Sofa with Rare Corner Table
Mid-Century Modern Dunbar E. Wormley 3 Pc Sectional Sofa with Rare Corner Table

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By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in West Hartford, CT

Magnificent, newly upholstered Dunbar Mid-Century Modern sectional sofa, three pieces in all, with one of the pieces being the rare Edward Wormley beechwood corner table. The gold up...

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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sectional Sofas

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Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofas
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofas

Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofas

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H 25 in W 103 in D 32 in

Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofas

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Chicago, IL

Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar sofas, model no.488, features slight curved back and angled wing arms. Reupholstered with gre...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sectional Sofas

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Sectional Sofa with Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, L Shape, Reversable
Sectional Sofa with Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, L Shape, Reversable

Sectional Sofa with Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, L Shape, Reversable

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Kansas City, MO

Four piece sectional sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s. Curved center / corner section plus two seat section, one seat section and one ottoman. This can be configured...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sectional Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Two-Piece Dunbar Sofa by Edward Wormley, Armless, Brass Legs, Models 4756 & 4828
Two-Piece Dunbar Sofa by Edward Wormley, Armless, Brass Legs, Models 4756 & 4828

Two-Piece Dunbar Sofa by Edward Wormley, Armless, Brass Legs, Models 4756 & 4828

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Kansas City, MO

Two piece, armless, sectional sofa designed by Edward Wormley, made by Dunbar. A combination of models 4756 and 4828 in the Dunbar Catalog. The backless end on the angled piece (4756...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sectional Sofas

Materials

Brass

Huge Sectional Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar (Upholstery needed)
Huge Sectional Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar (Upholstery needed)

Huge Sectional Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar (Upholstery needed)

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Berlin, DE

Rare sectional sofa designed by Edward Wormley, manufactured by Dunbar. The sofa consists of three parts - two three-seater and one one-seater - which can be put together arbitrarily...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sectional Sofas

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa Set 5526-3 and 5525 Mid-Century Modern Sectional
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa Set 5526-3 and 5525 Mid-Century Modern Sectional

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa Set 5526-3 and 5525 Mid-Century Modern Sectional

By Edward Wormley, Baker Furniture Company, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Stunning Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Company sofa set of two, featuring 5526-3 (double cushion, armless) sofa and 5525 (Left-Arm) sofa. Dunbar 5525 / “Knowland” collection...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sectional Sofas

Materials

Textile, Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley for Dunbar Angled "Janus" Sofa Model 6329
Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley for Dunbar Angled "Janus" Sofa Model 6329

Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley for Dunbar Angled "Janus" Sofa Model 6329

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Houston, TX

Gorgeous and unique modern wide angle sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar for their "Janus" collection, model #6329. In original upholstery.

Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sectional Sofas

Edward Wormley sectional sofas for sale on 1stDibs.

Edward Wormley sectional sofas are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of fabric and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Edward Wormley sectional sofas, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original sectional sofas by Edward Wormley were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider sectional sofas by Dunbar, Paul McCobb, and Craft Associates. Prices for Edward Wormley sectional sofas can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $5,195 and can go as high as $48,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $22,250.

Questions About Edward Wormley Sectional Sofas

  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024
    Edward 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.