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 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...
Fabric, Ash
5480 Captain's Chair designed by Edward Wormley for DUNBAR
By Edward Wormley
Located in High Point, NC
A chair is an argument about how to sit—and more broadly, how to live. The Captain's Chair by Edward Wormley makes its case with understated eloquence: that American furniture tradit...
Brass
$4,800 / set
Pair of Edward Wormley Chairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in Westport, CT
Pair Edward Wormley Dark Walnut and off white cord chairs for Drexel co,fabric in and off white ultra suede.
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Chair in Jack Lenor Larsen
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Introducing a dining height Janus armchair designed by Mid-Century Modern master Edward Wormley. The chair features a sculpted dark mahogany frame and Jack Lenor Larsen upholstery wi...
Mahogany, 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
Pair of Mid-Century Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1955
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of American Mid-Century slipper / side chairs, upholstered in a dark blue fabric with button tufting on the seat backs, resting on four square walnut legs. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR D...
Fabric
Set of 4 Edward Wormley Mid-Century Side Chairs with Caned Backs
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 4 American Mid-Century side chairs with light wooden frames, solid wooden seats, and caned backs. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNITURE COMPANY...
Wood
Rare Pair Dunbar Dining Chairs in Original Black Leather, Mahogany Frames, Signed
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Very rare and desirable high back Dunbar dining chairs designed by Edward Wormley. Both chairs are completely original. The original black leather has no tears, scuffs, or repairs and show slight stretching on the seats. The mahogany frames show light signs of use in the form of light scratches and nicks, but no distractions. These are excellent examples of this important design, clearly well cared for over the years. Acquired from the original owner. Signed with the gold Dunbar metal...
Brass
Mid-Century Slipper Chair by Edward Wormley with Plaid Upholstery
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century slipper / side chair with purple, pink, and blue plaid fabric upholstery with button tufting and a matching rectangular throw pillow, resting on four square ebon...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Ebony
$2,880Sale Price / set|20% Off
Four Edward Wormley Precedent by Drexel Dining Chairs 239-4 8 Available
By Edward Wormley
Located in Pasadena, TX
Edward Wormley designed for Precedent Side Chairs series 239-4 in 1947, neoclassical area. Set of 4 dining chairs, solid wood construction, natural finish. 8 available
Wood
Edward Wormley Janus Chair by Dunbar, Mohair, Mahogany, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A dining height Janus armchair designed by Mid-Century Modern master Edward Wormley. The chair features a sculpted dark mahogany frame and mohair upholstery with button-tufted backs....
Mohair, Mahogany
Set of Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1953
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of dining chairs with exposed walnut frames supporting floating laminated seats and sculptural back rests, both covered in vintage upholstery. Designed in 1953 as a component o...
Upholstery, Walnut
$6,000
H 26 in W 95 in D 33 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa M#261 with Original Jack Lenor Larsen Upholstery
By Dunbar Furniture, Jack Lenor Larsen, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Classic mid-century modern sofa designed by Edward Wormley from his 1958 Dunbar - Conversation Pieces Collection, this sofa model #261 still has its original Jack Lenor Larsen colorf...
Brass
Unavailable|$44,995 / set
H 39.5 in W 29 in D 33 in
Pair Janus Wing Chairs and Ottomans by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
Pair of Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of slipper chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Chairs are reupholstered in a Maharam Mohair.
$5,080Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31.75 in W 23 in D 28.5 in
Pair of Edward Wormley Slipper Chairs for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Culver City, CA
Available right now we have an absolutely stunning pair of slipper chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. These chairs have been freshly reupholstered in a wonderful nubby white boucle...
Bouclé
Edward Wormley Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Edward Wormley
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An oversized, comfortable lounge chair and ottoman. Manufactured by Dunbar.
Upholstery
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
$12,000 / set
H 32.5 in W 22.5 in D 22.5 in
Set of "Y" Armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, C. 1950s
By Edward Wormley
Located in Westport, CT
A set of "Y" armchairs, designed by the Iconic Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950-1959. Completely restored, fitted with new caning, walnut frame work fully restored, stained in d...
Brass
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Slipper Chairs, 1960s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Hamburg, PA
Iconic pair of slipper chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture, circa 1960s, embodying the pinnacle of mid-century elegance. Wormley, Dunbar's legendary design director, crafte...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Horseshoe Armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A first production rare walnut laminated and sculpted horseshoe back dining chair, with a flared rosewood backplate and a loose button tuft...
Rosewood, Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a rare set of 8 Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining chairs in great condition. Upholstery as found, re-upholstery available.
Mahogany
Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Stylish and elegant slipper chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar ca' 1950's. Upholstered in Fret custom Italian silk velvet, luxurious to the touch, (samples available). Chocolate bra...
Mahogany
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
Sold
H 33 in W 19.5 in D 22 in
Brass, Lacquered Wood and New Linen Upholstered Side Chair by Edward Wormley, Un
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York City, NY
Brass, Lacquered Wood and New Linen Upholstered Side Chair by Edward Wormley, United States, c. 1950 Classic lacquered side chair with brass stretchers connecting the front and back ...
Brass
Edward Wormley Curved Back Side Chair for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A mahogany ebonized side chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, c.1960s. The backrest has been newly caned with a newly upholstered seat cushion. Retains Dunbar brass label. Edwar...
Upholstery, Cane, Mahogany
Vintage Edward Wormley Model 6337 Armchairs in Zebra Hide, Pair
By Edward Wormley
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Wormley was a master at proportions and this pair is no exception. Wormley once said, "furniture is needed for practical reasons, and because it must be there, it may as well be as p...
Zebra Hide, Mahogany
Dunbar Chic Set of 4 Dining/Game Chairs with Cane Backs 1963 'Signed'
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Set of 4 dining/game chairs model 6333 in mahogany with trapezoidal cane backs and newly upholstered seats by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American 1963. (original Dunbar labels on bot...
Upholstery, Mahogany, Cane
Set of Six Edward Wormley for Dunbar Curved-Back Dining Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of Six Edward Wormley for Dunbar curved-back dining chairs, model 4581 sculpted solid mahogany frames, curved backs ergonomically advanced for it's era, Sculpted front legs, spla...
Leather, Cane, Mahogany
Set of Three Dunbar 'Captain' Armchairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Set of three Dunbar 'Captain' armchairs by Edward Wormley.
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair of Club Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of side upholstered side chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Medium brown lightly textured fabric and dark brown lacquered wood base. Chairs have been completely redone. Wonder...
Wood
Swivel Chair, Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Mahogany Cane Leather, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Rare and exceptional vanity or accent chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Chair feature a mahogany frame, cane back, and leather seat. Leather is a light blue, there is a very faint ...
Leather, Cane, Mahogany
Sold
H 29 in W 25 in D 25 in
Mid-Century Modern Model 406 Leather Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Lafayette, IN
This beautiful model 406 lounge chair features walnut frame with original finish, new moss-green leather with wool piping, and unique mini-wingback design. An iconic Wormley original...
Leather, Walnut
Rare Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Caneback Side Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Ferndale, MI
Nicely restored Edward Wormley for Dunbar side chairs. Caned backrest and caned arms. Frames nicely refinished and seat re upholstered in white bouclé textile.
Upholstery, Cane
Rare Swiveling Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Rare and exceptional vanity or accent chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Chair feature a mahogany frame, cane back, and leather seat. Leather is an off-white/ light blue, there is a...
Leather, Mahogany
Dunbar Captains Armchair by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Armchair designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Sculptural form frame made of laminated layers of ash with brass hardware, cane back, and newly upholstered mohair seat.
Brass