Edward Wormley 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.

Creator: Edward Wormley

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bracket Back Sofa in Dijon Colored Mohair

$15,600Sale Price|20% Off

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bracket Back Sofa in Dijon Colored Mohair

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Dallas, TX

Beautifully updated and restored. The iconic bracket back sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. This has been reupholstered in a stunning high-quality mohair. Color is listed as "Dijon"...

Category

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

Materials

Mohair, Mahogany

Midcentury 101in Model 488 Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

$5,520Sale Price|20% Off

Midcentury 101in Model 488 Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

By Edward Wormley

Located in Pasadena, TX

Dunbar Edward Wormley Wormley has pioneered in a broad field of design, he was one of those unique designers who was sensitive to the interplay involved in selling modernism and st...

Category

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

Materials

Fabric, Down

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 5407 Mid Century Black Leather Party Sofa

$11,595

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 5407 Mid Century Black Leather Party Sofa

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 5407 Mid Century Black Leather Party Sofa This sofa measures: 100 wide x 36 deep x 23.5 inches high, with a seat height of 14.5 and arm height of 23....

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sofas

Materials

Leather, Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 495 Sofa

$17,500

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 495 Sofa

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Dallas, TX

This sofa has beautiful lines and a gently curved back. A true classic. The fabric is original and in very good condition. It is a rich and high-quality texture that looks like embro...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Dunbar Angle Sofa #4756 on Aluminum Legs

$14,000

Dunbar Angle Sofa #4756 on Aluminum Legs

By Edward Wormley

Located in Dallas, TX

A gutter back armless sofa on aluminum legs. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Fully restored and upholstered in Holly Hunt, Lush, Foggy velvet.

Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Sofas

Materials

Velvet

Midcentury #5526 Wormley Dunbar Armless Sofa

$7,120Sale Price|20% Off

Midcentury #5526 Wormley Dunbar Armless Sofa

By Edward Wormley

Located in Pasadena, TX

Wormley has pioneered in a broad field of design, he was one of those unique designers who was sensitive to the interplay involved in selling modernism and still preserving the nostalgic touch of intimacy, warmth, and detail. Wormley attended the Art Institute of Chicago in 1926. After attending there he worked for Marshall Field`s Design Studio in 1930, and then a year later he began working for Dunbar. His collaboration with Dunbar made him a household name for decades. His first Dunbar chairs, produced in 1932, were reproductions of antique designs, but when they became popular Wormley augmented the set with new pieces to form a full line of furniture for almost every room in the house. He was given a contract under which he would produce two lines of furniture each year, one traditional and one modern 5526 Knowland vintage 6 ft midcentury Dunbar armless sofa...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sofas

Materials

Wool

Edward Wormley Open Frame Sofa, Dunbar, USA, 1950s

$8,203

Edward Wormley Open Frame Sofa, Dunbar, USA, 1950s

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Lewes, East Sussex

A very rare two-seat Edward Wormley open frame sofa, made by Dunbar, in the USA, 1950s. Newly reupholstered in high quality fabric. Fast shipping worldwide.

Category

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

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Dunbar Sofa by Edward Wormley on Brass Legs

$5,500

Dunbar Sofa by Edward Wormley on Brass Legs

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Chicago, IL

Fully restored in beautiful fog grey mohair over polished brass legs. Sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950s.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Sofas

Materials

Brass

Reupholstered Edward Wormley “New York” Sofa for Dunbar, DUX, Mid-Century Modern

$18,271

Reupholstered Edward Wormley “New York” Sofa for Dunbar, DUX, Mid-Century Modern

By Dux of Sweden, Edward Wormley

Located in Göteborg, SE

A elegant “New York” (model 5316) sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, produced at Ljungs Industrier / DUX in the 1950s. This iconic mid-century modern piece features a beauti...

Category

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Sofa Designed by Edward Wormley and Produced by Dunbar

$9,500

Sofa Designed by Edward Wormley and Produced by Dunbar

By Edward Wormley

Located in Stamford, CT

A newly upholstered sofa made by Dunbar and designed by Edward Wormley, circa 1965.

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sofas

Materials

Walnut

Floral Print Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

$14,000

Floral Print Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

By Edward Wormley

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A sofa of English inspiration, retaining the original dark olive, coral, brown and beige mock-Asian floral print linen upholstery, on straight dark walnut legs.

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Edward Wormley 1950s Mid-Century Designed Dunbar for Modern 3 Seat Sofa

$3,500

Edward Wormley 1950s Mid-Century Designed Dunbar for Modern 3 Seat Sofa

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in St. Louis, MO

Edward Wormley three seat on tapered walnut legs is from his Dunbar for Modern collection, one of his early fully modern furniture collections. This sofa, was reupholstered by the original owners, in the late 90s to fit their new southwest decor...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Three Seat Sofa Designed by Michael Taylor for Baker

$8,400Sale Price|40% Off

Three Seat Sofa Designed by Michael Taylor for Baker

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Dallas, TX

Early and scarcely seen three-seat sofa with fixed back cushions and flared tapering arms designed by Michael Taylor for Baker. A very comfortable sofa with incredibly clean lines. R...

Category

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

Materials

Upholstery

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Bracket Back Sofa

$6,095

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Bracket Back Sofa

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Bracket Back Sofa This sofa measures: 91 wide x 32 deep x 28 inches high, with a seat height of 16 and arm height of 23 inches Great Vintage C...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sofas

Materials

Metal

Ed Wormley for Dunbar Sofa

$6,950

Ed Wormley for Dunbar Sofa

By Edward Wormley

Located in Southampton, NJ

Sofa designed by Ed Wormley for Dunbar model 4906 reupholstered in Maharam Kvadrat grey wool textured hopsack. Backrests are down & seat is high quality foam with hand tied frame spr...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sofas

Materials

Wool, Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair of Armless “Morris” Settees

$11,900 / set

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair of Armless “Morris” Settees

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in St.Petersburg, FL

Rare pair of settees designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. Settees feature an armless profile complete with two mahogany "sled" like legs. These occasionally come up in so...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sofas

Materials

Bentwood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa / Daybed

$9,500

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa / Daybed

By Edward Wormley

Located in Dallas, TX

A one arm sofa / daybed with brass legs. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Fully restored.

Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Party Sofa Model 5407 in Dark Gray Leather

$16,000

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Party Sofa Model 5407 in Dark Gray Leather

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Dallas, TX

Edward Wormley's iconic party sofa for Dunbar. Reupholstered in dark gray leather. A super comfortable sofa with loads of style. A design class...

Category

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

Materials

Leather

Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

$9,000

Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

By Edward Wormley

Located in Dallas, TX

A small sofa / settee designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Iconic form with tapered brass legs. Fully restored and upholstered in Designtex / Lambert / Smoke.

Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Sofas

Materials

Bouclé

Edward Wormley Slipper Sofa for Dunbar

$7,500

Edward Wormley Slipper Sofa for Dunbar

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Denton, TX

Edward Wormley slipper sofa for Dunbar with off white upholstery and ebonized bentwood legs. Older restoration.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Sofas

Materials

Bentwood, Upholstery

Armless 'Sled' Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1934

$9,500

Armless 'Sled' Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1934

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Sagaponack, NY

An armless sofa or bench or banquet on laminated mahogany "sled" feet.

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Edward Wormley sofas for sale on 1stDibs.

Edward Wormley 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 sofas, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original sofas 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 sofas by Dunbar, Knoll, and Adrian Pearsall. Prices for Edward Wormley sofas can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,000 and can go as high as $48,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $12,000.

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Questions About Edward Wormley Sofas

What materials did Edward Wormley use?
1 Answer
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.

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