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.
Octagonal Gaming Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An octagonal gaming or entry table with a leather wrapped cruciform base with brass levelers, and the solid walnut top having an inlaid rosewood Starbur...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Table with Inset Natzler Tiles
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A walnut end table with inset ceramic tiles by Otto and Gertrud Natzler. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Walnut
870 Coffee Table designed by Edward Wormley for DUNBAR
By Edward Wormley
Located in High Point, NC
A table gathers. It defines space, creates community, anchors daily rituals. The Model 870 Coffee Table by Edward Wormley understands this fundamental truth and expresses it through ...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Extension Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, custom cocktail table, 3 positions with polished stone inside brass framed extension leaves. Solid crisscross oiled walnut frame and top. Width without ex...
Stone, Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Constellation, Mid Century, Side Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in South Jordan, UT
Heavily patinated, unique Edward Wormley “Constellation” Side Table for Dunbar, Mid-20th Century. An uncommon Wormley design, this refined side table features a circular off white la...
Ash, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Low Side Table, Wood Frame, Circa 1955
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century low end / side table with a slightly rounded rectangular top with a lighter stained wooden inSet top supported by a darker wooden frame with a shaped apron with ...
Wood
Edward Wormley End Table, Lacquered Wood, Mid-Century Design, USA
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century square lacquered wooden end / side table with an open shelf below the square top, resting on a solid stepped base that creates as a taller lower shelf. (EDWARD W...
Wood
Mid-Century Walnut Occasional Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Lovely occasional table circa 1950. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. This walnut table has a lacquered wood base with leather trim near the feet. The table is in vint...
Leather, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Figured Maple and Rosewood Cocktail Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare Wormley table bentwood burl maple with ebonized rosewood tapered legs. Tray style.
Birdseye Maple, Rosewood
Edward Wormley Elliptical Rosewood Coffee Table by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Highland, IN
This stunning cocktail table by Edward Wormley exemplifies his refined sensibility and fine detailing as well as the quality of Dunbar's construction. The table was custom ordered wi...
Metal
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid century coffee table This table measures: 28 wide x 28 deep x 26 inches high We take our photos in a co...
Wood
$4,800 / set
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Nesting Tables
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Beautiful set of Edward Wormley for Dunbar nesting tables. Signed with big brass D. Largest table measurements are below. Sm...
Brass
Edward Wormley Coffee Table with Tiffany Tiles
By Edward Wormley
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant coffee table incorporating seven beautiful iridescent Tiffany Tiles.This group of furnishing was inspired by a visit by to the gamble resid...
Walnut
Edward Wormley Wedge End Table with Beige Travertine Top, Mid-Century
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century end / side table with a wedge-shaped beige travertine top resting on a dark wooden base with connecting stretchers and four dowel legs ending in black leather wr...
Travertine
Edward Wormley for Dunbar MCM Expanding Mahogany Dining Table - 2 Leaves
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Expanding Mahogany Dining Table with 2 Leaves This table measures: 40 wide x 40 deep x 29 inches high, with a chair clearance of 26.75 inches, ...
Mahogany
Edward Wormley Side Table with Metal Detail by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Highland, IN
In classic Wormley fashion, this walnut side table has very refined, subtle details. In this case the cut-away corners have a channel running down the legs with an inset metal detail...
Metal
Twelve Dunbar Greene & Greene Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An extremely rare set of twelve dining chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Known as the Greene & Greene chair for it's crafted look with exposed tenon crest rail, rosewood ...
Rosewood, Walnut
Early Edward Wormley for Dunbar Step End Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Three-tiered step up side table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950. This table is in wonderful condition and can be used as an end ...
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bar Cart
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A walnut bar cart with sliding faux slate top. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Side End Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Side End Table 22 wide x 28 deep x 22.25 high See below for 5 ways to save! FREE RESTORATION: When you purchase a piece ...
Brass
4699 Long John Table designed by Edward Wormley for DUNBAR
By Edward Wormley
Located in High Point, NC
A table gathers. It anchors daily rituals, defines intimate spaces, creates moments of pause. The Long John coffee table by Edward Wormley, Model 4699, understands this fundamental t...
Walnut
Magazine Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An Edward Wormley for Dunbar magazine table with bentwood holders and Walnut sap grain top.
Walnut
Edward Wormley For Dunbar Furniture Janus Line Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Edward Wormley Janus Line Table Mahogany inset with Natzler Tiles Original Finish Labels present
Walnut
Rosewood Side Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An Edward Wormley for Dunbar sculpted rosewood table with glass top.
Rosewood
$6,800 / item
Pair of Dunbar Game / End Tables with Natzler Tiles
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar large scale end tables or small game tables with inset Natzler ceramic tiles. Priced and sold individually.
Mahogany
Rotating Library Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A bleached mahogany library table with patinated leather top. The table rotates as the top and base remain stationary. Designd by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Mahogany
Rosewood and Stone X-Base Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A solid rosewood X-base campaign table with leathered marble top. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Rosewood
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Rolling Bar Cart
By Edward Wormley
Located in Pasadena, TX
A beautiful rolling bar cart as part of Edward Wormley's Precedent series. Blonde wood, 3 tiered rolling cart with glass shelf and casters. The top features a frosted glass insert. Precedent by Drexel...
Wood
A Fine Edward Wormley Coffee Table for Dunbar in Exotic Burl / Milo Baughman
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Exotic Burl Grain Coffee table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Exceptional selection of Burl Wood matched on top in 4 sections. A variation on the Parsons stretcher form with Triangul...
Burl
Edward Wormley Magazine Table for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley magazine table for Dunbar, Berne Indiana. Classic mid-century design by Edward Wormley, sophisticated yet modern. Newly refinished with original order tags intact, rea...
Walnut
Pair of Tall Travertine End Tables by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of tall wedge shaped travertine top tables with mahogany bases and leather wrapped feet. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Travertine
Mid Century Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Walnut Executive Desk with Plinth Bases
By Edward Wormley
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
A monumental and sophisticated executive desk manufactured by Dunbar Furniture of Berne, Indiana. Designed during the Roger Sprunger era, this piece embodies the transition from mid-...
Mahogany
Impressive Two Tier Triangular Wedge Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A geometrically pure and finely detailed two-tiered table in bleached walnut of triangular form with distinctive beveled edging at a 45 degree angle.
Walnut
Edward Wormley Game Table for Dunbar, Mid-Century, Wooden, Sabre Legs
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century wooden game table with a square tabletop with rounded corners, resting on four sabre legs. (EDWARD J WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNITURE COMPANY...
Wood
Console by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Architectural Console No. 5403 in dark walnut with black laminate top and shelves designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s. Retains original DUNBAR labels.
Laminate, Walnut
Edward Wormley Lamp Table for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish Mid-Century Modern Dunbar lamp table features rich mahogany finish, dovetailed drawers, and uniquely sculpted single drawer design. Unique drawer pull and raised edge st...
Wood
Edward Wormley Walnut Coffee Table with Stone Inlay for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward Wormley extending coffee table for Dunbar, c.1960s, USA. The walnut table features a brass edge detailing around all sides of table. Once extended the table reveals two stone ...
Stone, Brass
1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar Hamptons Occasional Table in Mahogany
By Edward Wormley
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Round Occasional ‘Hamptons’ Table, model 4892, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in 1953. The design is classic and rather simple, having a round top on a pedestal ...
Mahogany, Lacquer
Janus' End Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A walnut 'Janus' end table of Asian inspiration, with raised edges to the legs and diagonal cloud-lift stretchers. Accented with green inlaid ceramic tiles.
Walnut
Tapered Leg Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A tailored two-level square end or lamp table in walnut having splayed tapering legs.
Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Expandable Green & Green Dining Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare expandable dining table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Known as the Greene & Greene table for its crafted look with exposed tenons. The table folds open on the ends an...
Walnut
Parsons End Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A bleached walnut 'Parsons' end table.
Walnut
Brass and Mahogany Nesting Table Set by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Set of Edward Wormley for Dunbar nesting tables,Brass and Mahogany, 1960s. Nesting Tables: 20.75"H x 17.5"W x 13"D
Brass
Mid Century Modern Edward Wormley for Dunbar “Sheaf of Wheat” Marble Top Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sheaf of Wheat Marble Coffee Table Signed Classic and timeless design by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, "Sheaf of Wheat" coffee table/side ...
Marble
Tambour Door Storage Console with Drawer by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare curved front console in rich grained rosewood with a single drawer and slatted tambour storage.
Mahogany
Mid-Century Dunbar Flip Top Expanding Dining Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This dining/console table was designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. The piece was constructed in Burne Indiana. The table top sits on track and folds to fully extend. Widith and d...
Maple
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair of Cube End Tables, 1947
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair of Cube End Tables, 1947 Oiled mahogany. Pair of cube-form end tables designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. The pair includes model 4776, featuring an...
Brass
$9,500 / item
End Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A fine and uncommon pair of end tables having sculptural exposed frames in stained mahogany and expressive floating tops of molded birch with upturned edges.
Mahogany, Birch
Asymmetrical Coffee Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A low console or table with a spare mahogany frame that supports an asymmetrical top with brass capped feet.
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Burlwood Pedestal Drum Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Burlwood Pedestal Drum Coffee Table This coffee table measures: 16.25 wide x 16.25 deep x 16.25 inches high Great Vintage Condition - Table Ba...
Glass, Burl
Dunbar Game Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A marble top game / center table with mahogany pedestal and leather covered base with brass detailing. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Matching pair available.
Marble
Tiered End Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A two-tiered round end table on three legs with single drawer. Shelf height is 16.5".
Walnut
Round Tiered Side Table in Mahogany & Walnut by Edward Wormley for Dunbar 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Troy, MI
Early model 5926 lamp table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar USA circa 1950s Two tier design with round Walnut surfaces supported by three sculpted mahogany legs with subtle co...
Mahogany, Walnut
Mahogany Writing Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An octagonal mahogany writing desk designed by Edward Wormley with a single drawer. Made by Dunbar in the USA, circa 1957.
Mahogany, Walnut
Sheaf of Wheat Travertine Top Coffee Table by Edward Wormley, C. 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Westport, CT
Vintage "Sheaf of Wheat Coffee Table," a timeless piece designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950-1959. This exquisite table features a luxurious travertine top, known for it...
Travertine
$9,500 / set
Edward Wormley Tulip Side Tables
By Edward Wormley
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rarely seen pair of tables designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Label below
Mahogany
Low Table or Bench by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A low table or bench with an ebonized walnut frame which rises slightly above the table surface and can hold a loose cushion if used as a bench.
Walnut
Writing Desk By Edward Wormley For Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Beautiful and rare walnut desk designed by Edward Wormley, manufactured by Dunbar ca' 1950's. Single drawer, dark walnut original finish, with nice graining. Edges are raised to give...
Walnut
Dunbar Game Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A marble top game / center table with mahogany pedestal and leather covered base with brass detailing. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Matching pair available.
Marble
Edward Wormley End Table, Mid-Century Wood, Three-Tier Design, USA
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century three-tier medium brown finished wooden end table with a rectangular top and two shelves below, with rectangular supports on either side, resting on a pedestal b...
Wood