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Edward Wormley Wingback Chairs

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
Deco Mahogany and Bouclé Wingback Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 103B
Deco Mahogany and Bouclé Wingback Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 103B

Deco Mahogany and Bouclé Wingback Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 103B

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Elegant, scarcely seen wingback chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar model 103B (ca. 1941, USA). Composed of a stained mahogany base with thin front tapered legs and gently splayed bac...

Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Edward Wormley Wingback Chairs

Materials

Bouclé, Mahogany

Dunbar Wingback Chairs Designed by Edward Wormley in a Custom Cartier Textile
Dunbar Wingback Chairs Designed by Edward Wormley in a Custom Cartier Textile

Dunbar Wingback Chairs Designed by Edward Wormley in a Custom Cartier Textile

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Wingback Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Pair Janus Wing Chairs and Ottomans by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Pair Janus Wing Chairs and Ottomans by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

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...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Wingback Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Wing Chair by Edward Wormley with Ottoman
Wing Chair by Edward Wormley with Ottoman

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...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Wingback Chairs

Materials

Linen, Mahogany

Early Wingback Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c. 1940s
Early Wingback Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c. 1940s

Early Wingback Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c. 1940s

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Dallas, TX

An extremely rare pair of early wingback chairs model no. 1038 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1940s. This set delivers an architectural silhouette - a tall back boasts ...

Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Wingback Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

1950's Edward Wormley Dunbar Wingback Lounge Arm Chair
1950's Edward Wormley Dunbar Wingback Lounge Arm Chair

1950's Edward Wormley Dunbar Wingback Lounge Arm Chair

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Southampton, NJ

A classic 1950s Lounge armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar fully restored with new textured cotton upholstery. The original signed Dunbar decking has been carefully maintained. Fe...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Wingback Chairs

Materials

Cotton, Walnut

1950's Edward Wormley Dunbar Lounge Chair
1950's Edward Wormley Dunbar Lounge Chair

1950's Edward Wormley Dunbar Lounge Chair

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Southampton, NJ

An outstanding 1950s Lounge armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar fully restored with new textured cotton upholstery. The original signed Dunbar decking has been carefully maintained...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Wingback Chairs

Materials

Cotton, Walnut

Edward Wormley Wingback Lounge Chair for Dunbar
Edward Wormley Wingback Lounge Chair for Dunbar

Edward Wormley Wingback Lounge Chair for Dunbar

By Edward Wormley, Milo Baughman, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Chicago, IL

Edward Wormley Wingback Lounge Chair for Dunbar. A really nice somewhat large scale modern wingback chair. Requires Reupholstery. Some wear to the wood legs. A chip to the rear le...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Wingback Chairs

Materials

Wood

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Previously Available Items
Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in New York, NY

Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar A rare "Janus" wing chair and ottoman designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Restored in a Olive Green Donghia velvet uphols...

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Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

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Located in Dallas, TX

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus wing chair and ottoman with walnut bases. Reupholstered in Knoll Melange wool / Sprout. Down seat cushion.

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Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

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1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Wingback Chairs

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Mahogany

Edward Wormley Wing Lounge Chairs for Dunbar Model 6016 Pair in Cane & Mahogany
Edward Wormley Wing Lounge Chairs for Dunbar Model 6016 Pair in Cane & Mahogany

Edward Wormley Wing Lounge Chairs for Dunbar Model 6016 Pair in Cane & Mahogany

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Located in Dallas, TX

A rare pair of Dunbar Wing lounge chairs in sculpted mahogany and woven cane designed by Edward Wormley. Reupholstered in a neutral Perennials velvet complete with new foam and refin...

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Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Wing-Back Lounge Chair & Ottoman Model 5761
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Wing-Back Lounge Chair & Ottoman Model 5761

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Wing-Back Lounge Chair & Ottoman Model 5761

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Located in Dallas, TX

1950s wing back lounge chair and ottoman from the "Janus" Series Produced by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Reupholstered to the highest possible standard in a Perennials' camel velvet ...

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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Wingback Chairs

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Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

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Located in Dallas, TX

A Janus wing chair and ottoman designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric.

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1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Wingback Chairs

Materials

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Pair Dunbar Wingback Chairs w/ Ottomans by Edward Wormley for Janus Collection
Pair Dunbar Wingback Chairs w/ Ottomans by Edward Wormley for Janus Collection

Pair Dunbar Wingback Chairs w/ Ottomans by Edward Wormley for Janus Collection

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Kansas City, MO

Original pair of tufted back wingback lounge chairs with ottomans designed by Edward Wormley for the Janus Collection produced by Dunbar Furniture Company, 1950's. Two chairs and two ottomans in the original glamorous deep green avocado velvet...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Wingback Chairs

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Four Cane Back Wing Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Four Cane Back Wing Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

Four Cane Back Wing Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

By Edward Wormley

Located in Dallas, TX

A rare set of four cane back wing chairs model 6016 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1960. Original finish and reupholstered in green velvet.

Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Wingback Chairs

Materials

Velvet

Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in Original Leather
Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in Original Leather

Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in Original Leather

By Edward Wormley

Located in Dallas, TX

A Janus wing chair and ottoman with mahogany base and original leather. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.

Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Wingback Chairs

Materials

Leather

Edward Wormley Model 5761 Janus Wingback Chair and Ottoman
Edward Wormley Model 5761 Janus Wingback Chair and Ottoman

Edward Wormley Model 5761 Janus Wingback Chair and Ottoman

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Located in Highland, IN

Edward Wormley created the "Janus" collection for Dunbar Furniture in 1957. The Greek god Janus seems to perfectly exemplify Wormley’s approach, with one face observing the past whil...

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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Wingback Chairs

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Pair of Cane Back Wing Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Pair of Cane Back Wing Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

Pair of Cane Back Wing Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

By Edward Wormley

Located in Dallas, TX

A rare pair of cane back wing chairs model 6016 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1960. Original finish and reupholstered in green velvet. We have two pairs available.

Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Wingback Chairs

Materials

Velvet

Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Janus" Wing Chair and Ottoman
Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Janus" Wing Chair and Ottoman

Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Janus" Wing Chair and Ottoman

By Edward Wormley

Located in Dallas, TX

A beautifully restored Janus wing chair and ottoman designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.

Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Wingback Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Edward Wormley wingback chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Edward Wormley wingback chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Edward Wormley wingback chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original wingback chairs by Edward Wormley were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider wingback chairs by Dunbar, and Craft Associates. Prices for Edward Wormley wingback chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $4,000 and can go as high as $44,995, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $14,000.
Questions About Edward Wormley Wingback Chairs
  • 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.