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.
"Thebes" X Base Stool / Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Original Fabric
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Thebes stool / bench / footrest / footstool designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s. This example retains the original yellow and orange geometric design fabric. The finish on t...
Upholstery, Mahogany
1940's Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Regency Style X Form Bench or Stool
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Barstools - Set of 3
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Barstools - Set of 3 Each bar stool measures: 20.75 wide x 20 deep x 37.5 high, with a seat height of 28 and arm height/chai...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-Century Modern Vanity Swivel Chair By Edward Wormley For Drexel
By Drexel, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This swivel vanity chair was designed by American designer Edward Wormley for Drexel's notable Precedent line, one of the few collections Edward Wormley produced outside of his work ...
Mohair, Mahogany
$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
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
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bleached Mahogany & Cane Swivel Vanity Stool c. 1950
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Beautiful and elegant as ever mid century vanity stool designed by Edward Wormely and produced by Dunbar in the 1950s. The caning is ori...
Cane, Mahogany, Mohair, Upholstery
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swiveling Stool / Chair
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Edward Wormley for Dunbar swiveling stool / chair in beautiful original condition. The leather and cane have a wonderful patina and the original finish has been lightly refurbished.
Leather
One pair of Edward Wormley Dunbar foot stools or ottomans four available
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Ferndale, MI
Price is for one pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar stools or ottomans . Recently finished in dark stain base with X stretcher supports recently re upholstered seats . Most retain Dun...
Upholstery, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Thebes Stool
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Toledo, OH
Classic Edward Wormley Thebes stool from the 1950's by Dunbar with a fabric seat and brass stretcher. The seat has the original fabric and may need to be recovered. 24" x 24" x 17" h...
Brass
$3,200 / item
Swiveling Stool by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of swiveling vanity stools/chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Reupholstered in blue velvet with maple legs and brass sabots. Priced and sold individually.
Velvet
$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
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 5002 Mid Century Thebes Mahogany Stools - Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 5002 Mid Century Thebes Mahogany Stools - Pair Each stool measures: 23.5 wide x 23 deep x 17 high, with a seat height of 17 inches Fair Vintage Cond...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Large Edward Wormley Donut Ottoman for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Miami, FL
Original Edward Wormley Ottoman for Dunbar. Foam and fabric are new, springs are original. Expertly reupholstered. Original casters. Center cushion is removable.
Fabric, Wood
$7,400 / set
Pair of Benches by Edward Wormely for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of benches model 5002 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Stools are constructed of walnut and have been professionally restored in a medium walnut finish, both have been newly uphols...
Upholstery, Walnut
$8,800 / set
Edward Wormley Thebes Stools
By Edward Wormley
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Edward Wormley stools model #5002. Manufactured by Dunbar. Original olive green leather.
Leather, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Angled Ottoman
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An Edward Wormley fro Dunbar angled ottoman #5701 in original black leather. Ash frame.
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Stool or Ottoman with Parson Legs & Tufted Seat
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley for Dunbar Stool or ottoman. This elegant stool has dark mahogany parson legs with an inside radius and original off white tufted upholstery. Origin...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Two Pairs of Solid Mahogany Stools by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
We are offering two pairs of Dunbar stools with vinyl tops and mahogany bases. They would work well as footstools for your sofa or favorite chair. There is a rectangular Dunbar label...
$12,500 / set
Pair of Heart Stools by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare and early pair of heart stools designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Walnut
Set of Three Barstools by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of three swiveling barstools designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Original lacquer finish. Reupholstered in vintage Dunbar fabric.
Lacquer
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Chair, C. 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
Early Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa, c. 1940
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Early Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa, c. 1940 An early sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, dating to approximately 1940. This substantial example features a generous seating ...
Upholstery
$24,500
H 29.53 in W 80.71 in D 29.93 in
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
$3,895 / set
H 26 in W 30.75 in D 31.5 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Style Mid Century Walnut Swivel Lounge Chairs - Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Style Mid Century Walnut Swivel Lounge Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 30.75 wide x 31.5 deep x 26 inches high, with a seat height of 15 and arm height/...
Upholstery, Walnut
$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
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
$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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
$2,961
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
$2,860 / 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
$2,800
H 29.5 in W 19 in D 19 in
Mid-Century Modern Vanity Swivel Chair By Edward Wormley For Drexel ca' 1950's
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A hard to find swivel chair or vanity stool designed by Edward Wormley for Drexel's "Precedent Line" and made in the 1950's. Sculptural form that looks classic and timeless as well a...
Upholstery, Ash
$8,800
H 30 in W 20 in D 20 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bleached Mahogany & Cane Swivel Vanity Stool c. 1950
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Beautiful and elegant as ever mid century vanity stool designed by Edward Wormely and produced by Dunbar in the 1950s. The caning is ori...
Cane, Mahogany, Mohair, Upholstery
Original Adolf Loos Thebes Stool
By Woka Lamps, Friedrich Otto Schmidt, Adolf Loos
Located in Vienna, AT
Wohnung Dr. Otto und Auguste Stoessl, Wien XIII, Auhofstr. 235, um 1900-02 Wohnung Haberfeld Manufacturer Friedricht Otto Schmidt Lit.: Rukschcio, Schachel, Adolf Loos, S. 32 und 7...
Beech
Six Barstools by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of six sculptural mahogany barstools with brass stretchers and mohair upholstery. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Mahogany
Pair of Stools by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of model 5006A mahogany stools with cane seats and brass stretchers designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Swivel Vanity Stool
By Edward Wormley
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is an iconic stool by an iconic designer. Edward Wormley was one of the premier designers of the 20th Century. This is a stool he designed for Drexel Furniture. It's from his th...
Wood
Pair of Dunbar Thebes Stools by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of mahogany and leather Thebes stools designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Fully restored.
Leather
Drexel Precedent Vanity Stool by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A swiveling maple wood vanity stool with sculptural curved back and upholstered seat cushion . Designed by Edward Wormley who's work for the Dunbar furniture company are well known s...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 17.13 in W 21 in D 16.63 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Classic Modern Mahogany, Brass and Cane Bench or Stool
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
This elegant stool, bench or ottoman was designed by Edward Wormley for the Dunbar Furniture Company in 1950, model number 5006A. This stool, based on the Ancient Roman Curule seat ...
Brass
Thebes Stools by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Skokie, IL
A rare pair of "Thebes" stools by Edward Wormley for Dunbar of Berne, Indiana. They also work well as ottomans, or used together to form a bench. These stools have been fully restore...
Wool, Upholstery, Mahogany
Heart Stool by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare and early heart stool designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Upholstered Mahogany Bench
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Upholstered Mahogany Bench This bench measures: 65.5 wide x 19 deep x 16 inches high, with a seat height of 16 inches All pieces of furniture ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Stool, Ottoman, Dunbar, Mahogany, Grey Fabric
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Miami, FL
Edward Wormley stool for Dunbar. Mahogany wood and grey fabric.
Fabric, Mahogany
Sold
H 16 in W 23 in D 23 in
Set of three Dunbar Thebes Stools in the Original Leather, Mahogany. Signed.
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare set of three completely original, one owner, x base Thebes Stools designed by Edward Wormley and manufactured by Dunbar, 1950s. Signed with the Dunbar metal...
Leather, Mahogany
1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Thebes" Stools in Bouclé, Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair Edward Wormley "Thebes" stools or benches Model no. 5002 for Dunbar, American, circa 1950s. The pair is in excellent vintage condition and have been reupholstered in a stunning ...
Bouclé, Wood