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Edward Wormley Tables

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
Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Rolling Bar Cart
By Drexel, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pistachio green rolling bar cart from the Precedent series by Edward Wormley for Dunbar circa 1960. 3 tiered rolling cart featuring a textured glass top and casters. Precedent by Drexel...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

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 ...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Stone, Brass

Edward Wormley Marble Top Wedge Side Table for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wedge shaped side table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, C.1950s, USA. This end table features a trapezoidal Carrera marble top, which sits atop dark contrasting mahogany legs with angl...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Carrara Marble

Edward Wormley Side Table in Mahogany with Conical Brass Legs 1940s 'Signed'
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Rare side table with chest in mahogany with recessed pulls and conical brass legs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American 1940s (signed on drawer with Dunbar tag). This is a rare Wormley...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Brass

Roll Top Writing Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1960s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A stately and elegant rosewood and mahogany campaign desk having three drawers and two rosewood roll-top compartments flanking a central writing surface with a flip-down back splash,...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Triangular Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A triangular coffee table with burled Carpethian elm top and walnut legs with brass caps. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Elm, Mahogany

Janus' End Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Walnut

Early Edward Wormley Step End Tables / Nightstands for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Early Edward Wormley step end tables for Dunbar.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Wood

Tambour Drum Table With Storage by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1944
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A remarkable end table discreet bar with butterfly hinged top drawers and a tambour cabinet with adjustable shelf.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Ebonized Frame and Maple Top Nest of Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century nest of tables with ebonized wooden frames with stretchers around three sides and honey stained wooden tops. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNITURE COMPANY)
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Wood, Ebony

Clean-Line End Table in Teak by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Clean-line end table in teak by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American, 1950s. (Dunbar metal tag on bottom).
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Teak

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Travertine and Light Wood Wedge End / Side Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century end / side table with a wedge-shaped beige travertine top resting on a light wood base with connecting stretchers and four dowel legs ending in beige leather wra...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Travertine

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Black Painted Refectory Coffee / Cocktail Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century black painted wooden refectory coffee / cocktail table with a rectangular top and two concealed pull out leaves on either side. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNIT...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Metal

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Wooden Open Frame End / Side Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century wooden end / side tables with a rectangular top with rounded corners, a pedestal base, and an open frame design. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNITURE COMPANY)(Si...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar American Mid-Century Dark Walnut Janus Cabinet
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century cabinet with a dark stained walnut cabinet with two hinged doors, a dovetail connected top, and key hole, resting on four ball casters. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR DUNBA...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Blond Wooden Open Frame End / Side Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century blond wood end / side table with a rectangular top with rounded corners, a pedestal base, and an open frame design. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNITURE COMPANY)...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Wood

American Walnut Ed Wormley for Dunbar Double Pedestal Desk w/ Folding Return
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Rockaway, NJ
American walnut Ed Wormley for Dunbar double pedestal desk w/ folding return. Uniquer folding return desk feature, nice architectural design back, beautiful amber honey tone finish.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Walnut

A Drop-Leaf Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A mahogany drop-leaf table with ebonized gate-leg base. Measures: Console table depth of 16.5" deep when closed.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Elusive Set 3 Nest / Stackings Tables by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare and stunning set of 3 nest / stacking tables designed by Edward Wormley, made by the Dunbar Furn. Corporation,, Wonderful stacked wood laminate construction, painted metal legs, Ingenious designmmm Great label explaining colors, Fern, Pompeiian Red and Maple Sugar...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Metal

Telephone Cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An ebonized and polished dark mahogany telephone cabinet or vanity table having a storage drawer and an innovative fold-out bench.
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Green Marble Cocktail Table / Coffee Table, c. 1950s
By Edward Wormley
Located in Deland, FL
The quintessential cocktail table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. A green marble top resting on an ebony black base. Table retains the original Dunbar maker's mark.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Wood

Travertine Dining Table / Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An early bleached mahogany and travertine table / desk designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Travertine

Mid-Century Modern "Long John" Coffee Table By Edward Wormley For Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Long, low, mid-century modern, "Long John" coffee table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar features a beautifully grained, walnut paneled top with upturned edges and bentwood hairpin legs....
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Walnut

Set of 2 Cantilever End Tables by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
A set of two cantilever top end tables--one with shelf and the other without—for a less "matched" look. Made by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. USA, circa 1950. Made of mahogany and pr...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Rare Edward Wormley Lamp Table by Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Highland, IN
This table lamp by Edward Wormley is an exceedingly rare variation on the model 5410 by Dunbar. The model 5410 was produced with a couple base variations, but this example has severa...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Side Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar midcentury side table This table measures: 31.25 wide x 31.25 deep x 23 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintag...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Wood

1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar Extension Dining Set 6 Chairs 2 Leaves
By Edward Wormley
Located in Monrovia, CA
1950s Dunbar, designer Edward Wormley extention dining table with 2 leaves model 5462 with 6 chairs model 5480. Rare Mid-Century Modern 1950s Edward Wormley extension dining table...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Upholstery, Cane, Wood

Dunbar Asian Style Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Atlanta, GA
Dunbar Asians style end table, American, circa 1940s. Retains Dunbar branded mark underneath. This early Dunbar table shows Edward Wormley's Asian design ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Wood

Pair of Wedge Shaped Travertine Tables by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of wedge shaped travertine top tables with mahogany bases and leather wrapped feet. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Travertine

Trapezoid Top Wormley for Dunbar Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural trapezoid coffee table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Handsome Edward Wormley Precedent Collection Bar Cart, Mid-Century Modern
By Edward Wormley
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Handsome Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent collection bar cart. Original light finish with textured glass top and tapered legs on casters. This piece is in vintage condition and do...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Elm

Low Table or Bench by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Walnut

End Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Edward Wormley End Table By Dunbar In Walnut Case And Shelf Supported By Mahogany Legs With Round Carpet Caster Feet And Rosewood And Brass Drawer Pull.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Brass

Roll Top Standing Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A unique and elegant lectern in walnut with a roll top cover and a single drawer.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Walnut

Architectural Walnut and Black Laminate Console by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in North Miami, FL
Architectural table No. 5403 in walnut with black laminate top and shelves designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Walnut, Laminate

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.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cocktail Table with Brass Stretcher, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
We have fully restored this beautiful cocktail table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. It has a mahogany frame and a walnut top, a shelf underneath the top and a brass stretcher that sur...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley Hexagonal Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Highland, IN
This table is an early design by Ed Wormley for Dunbar is a cylindrical form of mahogany with hexagonal faceted sides. It can serve as a side table, or with the addition of a larger ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Slate

Edward Wormley Lamp Table for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Wood

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.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Brass

1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bar Cart
By Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bar cart by Dunbar. Glass top with two leaves. Made of mahogany.
Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Dunbar Console or Sofa Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A mahogany and walnut console table with rosewood pulls. The table features book holders on either side and three drawers. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Wood Framed Inset Top End / Side Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century 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 four...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Wood

Early Elegant Custom Edward Wormley Console for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
An elegant Wormley console with 9 x 9 travertine marble tile insets to form one long marble rectangular form. Most likely a custom form. This console bares the early green Dunbar label.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Wood

Edward Wormley Dubar off White Leather Top Dark Walnut Cocktail Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Westport, CT
Edward Wormley for Dunbar large round off-white leather too dark walnut base cocktail table, with gold metal tag to underside. Model 5219 Dunbar catalog.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Cork Low Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A simple and elegant square low table with a raised cork top on a mahogany 'Parsons' base.  
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Cork

Magazine Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A triangular ash table with an inset cream leather top over two web strap magazine holders.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Ash, Leather

Edward Wormley Precedent Line Coffee Table for Drexel
By Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
An early, modernist Wormley form for Drexel. This vintage item should go to a refinisher. Edward Wormley executed designs for both Dunbar and Drexel.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Wood

Vanity Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A cherry dressing table or vanity, with a beautifully bevelled drawer, Lucite pull and gallery edges, over double-forked base with chromed suppor...
Category

1960s American Scandinavian Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Steel

Mid Century Modern Edward Wormley for Dunbar Carpathian Elm Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Edward Wormley for Dunbar Carpathian Elm Coffee Table A beautiful and rare Edward Wormley burled triangular top coffee table fo...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Elm, Burl

Mid Century Modern Edward Wormley for Dunbar “Sheaf of Wheat” Marble Top Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Marble

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany End Tables - Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany End Tables - Pair Each side table measures: 27 wide x 27.5 deep x 22.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we cal...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Low Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An ebonized mahogany low table with a lower shelf and singe drawer on cylindrical dowel legs.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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".
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

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.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Wood

Impressive Two Tier Triangular Wedge Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Walnut

Parsons End Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A bleached walnut 'Parsons' end table.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Walnut

Walnut Side Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950's
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegantly detailed and finely crafted set of nesting tables in light walnut.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Walnut

Edward Wormley tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Edward Wormley tables 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 tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original tables by Edward Wormley were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider tables by Dunbar, Paul McCobb, and Knoll. Prices for Edward Wormley tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $750 and can go as high as $58,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,400.
Questions About Edward Wormley Tables
  • 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.

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