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 Model 4568 Lacquered Steel and Mahogany Bookcase
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 4568 Mid Century Lacquered Steel and Mahogany Bookcase This bookcase measures: 48 wide x 10.25 deep x 51 inches high Fair Vintage Condition - Bookca...
Steel
Edward Wormley Dunbar Banded Mahogany Stepped Bookcase 1960s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A well made and designed bookcase by Edward Wormley for Dunbar and sold by Pioneer Furniture Company, "Detroit's Finest Furniture Store". The bookcase features a subtle stepped silh...
Mahogany
Set of Three Dunbar Stepped Bookcases by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of three mahogany stepped bookcases with built in drawers. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Each cabinet measures 30" w x 11"d x 41"h.
Mahogany
Dunbar Room Divider by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A two piece mahogany room divider with Japanese wood block printers plates. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Mahogany
$2,016Sale Price|22% Off
Edward Wormley Book Case Designed for Dunbar, circa 1953
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Camden, ME
Tapering three-shelved walnut bookcase / plate stand designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Green Dunbar Berne Indiana metal tag is on the reverse. The bookcase is in excellent con...
Walnut
Pair Dunbar Stepped Bookcases by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Stepped Bookcases by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Mahogany stepped Bookcases with two drawers that are stepped out from the frames. Wonderful ...
Mahogany
Cabinet 6026 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful and very elegant cabinet model # 6026 designed by Edward Wormely for Dunbar. This cabinet was purchased for the Neptune Gift Shop in New Jersey in 1963 and is constructed o...
Brass
Edward Wormley Cerused Oak Cabinet for Dunbar, 1950s USA
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous oak cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Made in the 1950s and still a beautiful and practical piece today. Newly refinished in a cerused Oak, making the wood maintain its ...
Leather, Oak
1960's Pair of Vintage Chests by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in London, GB
A magnificent pair of vintage chests, these were made in the USA by Dunbar furniture, they were designed by Edward Wormley. Edward Wormley was one of the leading pioneers of mid-cen...
Wood
$3,895
H 36.25 in W 41.5 in D 18 in
Expertly Restored - Edward J. Wormley Woven Front Cabinet for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer: Edward J Wormley Manufacturer: Dunbar Materials: Walnut-Stained Mahogany Wood, Metal Accents Designed by Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar in the 1950s, this exceptional cabi...
Metal
$9,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 33 in W 33 in D 18 in
Burl and Walnut Edward Wormley for Dunbar Marble Cabinet
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful green marble and burl cabinet, believed to be an Ed Wormly piece for Dunbar. Beautiful condition. Same era as: Charlotte Perriand, Jean Prouve, Pierre Pauline, Serge Moui...
Marble
$8,700Sale Price|40% Off
H 32 in W 88.1 in D 18 in
Mahogany Basket Weave Credenza by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a rare ribbon mahogany and stainless steel basket weave front credenza by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. This piece retains its original Dunbar finish which is in excellent condi...
Stainless Steel
Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar Cabinet with Asian Hardware
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar cabinet with brass Asian hardware. All original dark had rubbed finish on ribbon mahogany, top will be polished and touched up prior t...
Brass
$7,800
H 32 in W 81.25 in D 18 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cain Front Mahogany Sideboard on a Plinth Base
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cain front mahogany sideboard on a Plinth Base, Features: Two drawers and one double drawer with removable dividers, Four sliding doors with 3 storage compa...
Mahogany
Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart Edward Wormley for Dunbar C1953
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous bar cart/server with a drop down top which is 27 inches and 54 when raised, shelves for bottles, cupboard for glasses and other necessities. Model # 5433 created out of waln...
Brass
$6,800 / set
H 29 in W 72 in D 36.5 in
1960s MCM Edward Wormley for Dunbar Large Executive Desk & Return - Refinished
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern 1960s Edward Wormley for Dunbar executive desk, ensuite return. Dark finish over mahogany, to be refinished prior to shipping. Rosewood drawer pulls, brass sabot ...
Brass
$8,100Sale Price|55% Off
H 36 in W 41.5 in D 18 in
Edward Wormley Woven Front Chest by Dunbar, Mahogany & Nickel, 1956
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Edward Wormely for Dunbar woven front chest, mahogany and brushed nickel, signed. Medium scale commode, No. 4465, with two woven front sliding doors,...
Nickel
$12,000 / set
H 36 in W 71 in D 17 in
Pair Restored Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut & Leather 8-Drawer Cabinets
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This pair of dressers was designed by decorated design icon Edward Wormly for equally revered manufacturer Dunbar Furniture. Known for hundreds of successful designs and exceptional ...
Leather, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Credenza
By Edward Wormley
Located in Pasadena, TX
Elegantly crafted credenza made of walnut. Credenza features distinctive half moon drawer and door pulls.
Walnut
Server Bar by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
A multifunctional walnut bar cart on casters by Edward Wormley for Dunbar– Model 5433. The cabinet has two cedar shelves which can be adjusted up or down. One drawer above the cabine...
Sold
H 26.5 in W 30 in D 28 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Style Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Revolving Bookcase
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern or Arts & Crafts revolving bookcase table In the manner of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, Circa 1950s Measures: 30"W x 28"D x 26.5"H. ...
Mahogany
Sold
H 34.5 in W 48 in D 15 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Glass Front Bookcase
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern glass front bookcase or display cabinet By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1950s Bleached mahogany, with glass front doors and orig...
Brass
Sold
H 49.75 in W 43.75 in D 14.25 in
Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Bookcase by Edward Wormley for Drexel
By Edward Wormley, Drexel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Elm Wood, Glass Doors With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage des...
Glass, Elm
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bookcase model 686 in mahogany and leather
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A rare bookcase designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, model no. 686. This bookcase features a mahogany case with subtle fluted edge profile. The suspended drawers are finished in a ...
Leather, Mahogany, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Rotating Bookcase Table '2/2'
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare revolving bookcase designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Model no. 5405. Listing is for one table, a second table is available in the same finish. The other table is list...
Mahogany, Walnut
Sold
H 68.25 in W 47.63 in D 15.75 in
Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Elm Wood Breakfront Bookcase Cabinet, 1951
By Edward Wormley, Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Mid-Century Modern breakfront bookcase cabinet By Edward Wormley for Drexel, "Precedent" Collection USA, 1951 Elm wood, with opaque glazed trim, glass front door...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bookshelf
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a great little bookshelf by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c1960.
Birch, Mahogany
Mid-Century Bookcase Edward Wormley for Dunbar Etagere, 1970
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mod Etagere circa 1970 found in good condition showing normal signs of previous use. Made in the style of Mid-Century Modern. An elegant and simple item th...
Kingwood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut Glass Front Bookcase, 1960s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A stunning Mid-Century Modern display cabinet or bookcase By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1960s Walnut, with glass front doors and original brass hardware. Me...
Brass
Sold
H 30.13 in W 57.25 in D 30.25 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Partners Desk with Bookshelf in Ebony with Red Leather
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Uncommon Edward Wormley for Dunbar, partners or library desk from an Arthur Elrod designed interior. Rear of desk flanked with bookcases on both sides of pedestals and two drawers with pullout writing surfaces. Main side contains center drawer, with four drawers per side, with file depth drawers on both left and right sides. Measurements per drawer are listed below after all text. Each drawer having a round brass pull and inlaid wood insert. Original red leather top, divided into three sections, same leather is used to wrap base. Retain brass Dunbar label. Original finish, with touch up, if perfection is sought, consider refinishing. Elrod placed this Edward Wormley for Dunbar Partners desk...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar End Table with Book Shelf
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Edward Wormley 1940s end table/ bookcase designed for Dunbar Furniture. Retains original finish that shows some wear. Use as is or refinish in your color choice! Retains original label.
Mahogany
Sold
H 96.38 in W 84 in D 15 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Superstructure Breakfront Cabinet or Bookcase
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional custom "superstructure" breakfront wall unit display cabinet or bookcase By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1950s Natural and stained mahogan...
Brass