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.
$30,000 / set
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 pal...
Linen, Mahogany
Deco Mahogany and Bouclé Wingback Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 103B
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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...
Bouclé, Mahogany
Rare Mid-Century Edward Wormley for Dunbar Wingback Chairs in Exclusive Cartier
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
A stunning, expertly restored pair of early wingback chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, featuring a custom Cartier-exclusive textile and refinished espresso bases. This heirloom-qu...
Mahogany
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 ...
Upholstery, Wood
Edward Wormley Dunbar Lounge Chair, Walnut & Cotton, 1950s Modern
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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...
Cotton, Walnut
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
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...
Wood
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...
Cotton, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Chair, C. 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
Dunbar Lounge Chair designed by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to reach out for efficient shipping quote to your location. Mid Century Modern Lounge Chair. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Fabric, Mahogany
$3,450 / set
H 39 in W 33.5 in D 34 in
Pair of Danish 1940s Style Large Scale High Back Lounge Chairs with Ottomans
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of great large scale Danish club or lounge chairs of newer fabrication in the style of 1940's chairs but likely made around 2000. We found the chairs in Denmark and based on the looks they appeared to be 1940's but upon closer review we found them to be of much newer date. We liked the look and style very much and decided to offer them here. The chairs are superbly charming and similarly comfortable with a very strong presence to anchor any room. Raised on legs of oak. The chairs were made by Danish manufacturer, Hjort Knudsen...
Wool, Oak
Pair of Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of slipper chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Chairs are reupholstered in a Maharam Mohair.
$6,650Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 30.5 in W 31 in D 32.5 in
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Chairs and Ottoman
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Chairs and Ottoman Ottoman Measurements: 29.25 length 25.25 depth 17.25 height
Acrylic, Wood
$5,400 / set
H 38 in W 27 in D 36 in
Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Wing Back Lounge Chairs by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback / Hi Back Lounge Chairs / armchairs by Paolo Buffa. These chairs are large, deep and comfortable; They have sensuous lines and a ...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Danish Modern 1950s Highback Lounge Wing Chair With Wooden Armrests
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and very unique Danish 1940s wingback chair with nicely carved armrest in stained beechwood. Very elegant with strong angular lines and a strong presence to anchor any roo...
Wool, Beech
Incredible Pair of Compatible Lipstick Red Wing Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A Pair of very well made, solid feeling and comfortable wing chairs upholstered in a striking lipstick red leather. Both of the chairs have traditional flat-panel arms and tapered wo...
Brass
$3,250
H 29.25 in W 27.5 in D 36.5 in
Edward J. Wormley Lounge Chair and Ottoman circa 1950s for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward J. Wormley lounge chair and ottoman for Dunbar circa 1950s on solid brass castors. The lounge chair has a trapezoid shape, wider in the front (27.5" W) and tapers to the back....
Upholstery
1940s Early Edward Wormley Dunbar Petite Slipper Chair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Great early modernism design by one of the most prominent designers of the period- Edward Wormely for Dunbar. Nice small scale would allow for a variety of applications.
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bracket Back Sofa, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Hamburg, PA
A classic Bracket Back Sofa #5497 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Edward Wormley always saw furniture as expressions of personality and as a paired-down concept for detail of architect...
Upholstery, Walnut
$4,550Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 34.5 in W 27 in D 31.5 in
Pair of Lounge Chairs Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection
By Edward Wormley
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a lovely pair of lounge chairs from Dunbar's highly regarded Janus line designed by Edward Wormley. The chairs were refinished and reupholstered in the last 10 years or so, b...
Upholstery, Wood
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...
Velvet, Mahogany
Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
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.
Walnut
Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A Janus wing chair and ottoman with mahogany base. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Reupholstered in Holly Hunt fabric.
Mahogany
Sold
H 33.5 in W 28 in D 32 in
Edward Wormley Wing Lounge Chairs for Dunbar Model 6016 Pair in Cane & Mahogany
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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...
Velvet, Cane, Mahogany
Sold
H 41 in W 28.5 in D 34 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Wing-Back Lounge Chair & Ottoman Model 5761
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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 ...
Velvet, Mahogany, Down
Janus Wing Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A Janus wing chair and ottoman designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric.
Fabric
Sold
H 29 in W 29 in L 29 in
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...
Upholstery, Mahogany
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.
Velvet
Sold
H 39.5 in W 28.5 in D 25.5 in
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.
Leather
Edward Wormley Model 5761 Janus Wingback Chair and Ottoman
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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...
Upholstery, Mahogany
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.
Velvet
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.
Fabric