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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 Ebonized Mahogany Side Tables
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Denton, TX
Edward Wormley ebonized mahogany side table with storage.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection Walnut Dining Table, Newly Restored
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern extension dining table in book-matched walnut By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1950s Measures: 52.5" W x 40.25" D x 29.25" H. Ex...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Walnut

Dunbar Edward Wormley Polygon End Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
A mahogany end table with polygon top. Made by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. USA, circa 1960. Signed with Dunbar brass tag. Dark brown finish. Dimensions: 20" L × 19" D x 19.5" H. Loc...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Dunbar Snack Table Floor Lamp, Model 4856, Designed by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Hanover, MA
Rare Dunbar floor lamp/snack table combo, Model 4856, designed by Edward Wormley circa 1948. Original Dunbar tag on underside. Slender tapered walnut leg and lamp stem. Round top, 25...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Brass

Mahogany Occasional Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Wonderful ribbon mahogany top has jewel-like iridescence. Solid-brass casters. Small brass knobs to tie down an upholstered cushion, for use as an ottoman/stool. Early Dunbar brass l...
Category

1940s American Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Edward Wormley Dunbar End Side Table with Gertrud and Otto Natzler Ceramic Tiles
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture, Gertrud and Otto Natzler
Located in Studio City, CA
This very rare and absolutely stunning Edward Wormley designed end/ occasional table for Dunbar Furniture for their "Janus" collection, circa 1956-1957 comes with inlaid, glazed tile...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

Mid-Century Modern Asian Edward Wormley for Dunbar Long Rosewood Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a pair of midcentury Asian modern end tables, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. These tables have ebonized mahogany bases and rosewood tops. They're in good vintage c...
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany, Rosewood

Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Collection Coffee Table
By Drexel, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An early, modernist Edward Wormley for Drexel coffee table in a trapezoid shape made for the Precedent Collection.  
Category

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

Materials

Wood

1940's Dunbar Furniture Two-Tone Side Table Designed by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Two-tone side table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture, circa late 1940s. Light mahogany top with ebonized lower frame and single stealthy box drawer on slat lower shelf...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Wood

Edward Wormley Dunbar End Table with Shelf, 2 Available
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
A mahogany end table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Two (2) available. Priced individually. USA, circa 1950. Refinished in an ebony stain. Dimensions: L 28" L × 19" D × 22" H.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Elegant Game Low Dinning Table Designed by Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Diego, CA
Elegant low game table in walnut top with mahogany base and brass accents feet, circa 1950s in its original finish very clean for its age has a nice look.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Brass

1950s Walnut '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

Pair of Wormley for Dunbar Long John Tables
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Very rare pair of Long John tables designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Both have been professionally refinished, each has a drawer with the Classic gold D Dunbar metal tag. Offere...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

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

Dunbar Janus Collection Walnut Table by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Dunbar Janus Collection walnut table by Edward Wormley, with dark chocolate finish circa 1950s. Brass label on underside.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Walnut

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

1940s Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Mahogany Bookshelf End Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
From the 1940s Dunbar Enduring Modern catalog is model # 2193, a single large end table with lower tier bookshelf by Edward J. Wormley. Rounded legs, has divider in center to hold bo...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Dunbar Extension Dining Table by Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Classic Asia Modern style dining table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. This example comes with one 24 in leaf, and the fold up center support leg. As expected from Dunbar, thi...
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

Drop-Leaf Table by Edward Wormley
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

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

Architectural Walnut and Black Laminate Console by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in East Hampton, NY
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

Wonderful Pair of Trapezoidal Walnut Side Table with Brass Sabots by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful set of trapezoidal end tables by Edward Wormley with dark walnut tops. The leg bases are ebonized heavyweight wood with antiqued brass fe...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Brass

Rosewood and Mahogany Side Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in the late 1950s, this lovely square side table sets a deeply grained rosewood top into a mahogany frame with curved edges and gracefully shape...
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany, Rosewood

Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dark Chocolate End Tables Nightstands
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of expresso finish mahogany nightstands by Edward Warmley for Dunbar on lacquered leather bases.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Pair of Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent End Tables
By Edward Wormley, Drexel
Located in Buffalo, NY
Refined simplicity designed by Edward Wormley for Drexel. The end tables are part of the Precedent collection that he produced in the 1950s. Professionally restored, stunning off whi...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 3374 Square Cocktail Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Hanover, MA
Late 1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar model number 3374 square walnut cocktail table with distinctive three-sided legs and black micarta to...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Formica, Walnut

Dunbar Dining Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of six dining chairs, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American, circa 1950s. Elegant modern form with a subtle Asian influence to the design. The set consists of two armch...
Category

1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Upholstery, Wood

Edward Wormley Side Table for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley side table for Dunbar. The scarcer form with two-tier tabletop.
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Edward Wormley Nightstand or Side Cabinet by Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A dark ebony stained mahogany nightstand or side cabinet with brass capped legs and a top that is made of laminate but looks so close to wood that it's almost impossible to tell. Two...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Figured Maple and Rosewood Cocktail Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare Wormley table bentwood burl maple with ebonized rosewood tapered legs. Tray style.
Category

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

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Rosewood

Walnut Lectern by Edward Wormley
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

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus coffee table. The table is walnut with a geometric shape and the centre has five, round, Tiffany Studios glas...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Walnut, Glass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut and Rosewood Parsons Leg Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Parsons style coffee table. Exceptional rosewood grained top with clean lined walnut frame. Transitional piece that could work with many design plans. Gold ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Rosewood, Walnut

Edward Wormley for Dunbar 1940s Round or Oval Dining Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Elegant Edward Wormley for Dunbar 1940s mahogany 50" round dining table that opens up to 74" oval with 24" leaf. Legs are flush with 3" apron, retains...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Table and Stool by Edward Wormley
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

Parsons Style Side Table by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Parsons style side table in walnut by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American, 1960s (Dunbar tag and label on bottom).
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Walnut

Edward Wormley "Long John" Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Long John" bench/table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with slat-style top, turned edge and great curved legs. This is the long version. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - wit...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Teak

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

Coffee Table with Faceted Olive Burl Pedestal Base by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Coffee table No. 6302G with faceted olive burl pedestal base and thick glass top by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American, 1963 (Dunbar metal tag on base).
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Glass, Burl

Mahogany Writing Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Walnut

over-sized Dunbar End Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Charleston, WV
Dunbar, Edward Wormley, USA, Model 4478 table, New World Group, Enduring Modern collection Series. Linen White Lacquer over mahogany circa 1949, 30 1/8" deep and wide. 24 7/8" tall....
Category

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

Materials

Brass

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

Custom Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Library Table with Brass Stretcher
By Edward Wormley
Located in Stamford, CT
A mahogany library table with brass stretcher bar designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. The table retains both is Dunbar label and its Dunbar label referring to its custom elements ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Dunbar Asian Style Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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

Mid-Century Edward Wormley Side Table by Dunbar Furniture
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish midcentury end-table adds a splash of vintage elegance with a rich mahogany finish and Parson's style legs. Designed by Edward Wormley and manufactured in Berne Indiana ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Table or Bench with Magazine Display
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
An exceptional Dunbar coffee table or bench (Model 5933a) with built-in brass rods for suspending magazines. Another option would be to recess a glass top over the rods to use as a s...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Vanity Table by Edward Wormley
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

Edward Wormley End Table by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Highland, IN
A beautifully detailed table with great proportions, this Ed Wormley end table by Dunbar features a walnut case and shelf supported by mahogany leg...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Brass

Tambour Door Console by Edward Wormley
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 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...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Wood

Pair of Folding Side Tables by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Rare matched pair of tables by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Folding solid rosewood frames with inset Murano glass tile tops. Table model #5425.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pentagonal Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
All original, signed, Dunbar pentagonal coffee table designed by Edward Wormley. Beautiful patina on the original finish.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Trapezoid Top Wormley For Dunbar Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Original finish Dunbar trapezoid coffee table. We are also separately offering the end tables from this set if you are interested in a full original ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Wood

Edward Wormley Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Coffee/cocktail Table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category

1960s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Walnut, Mahogany

Edward Wormley Dunbar Party Server Bar
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar "party server" or bar cabinet on wheels. Rare and iconic early Wormley design. When extended the top becomes 53.5"L.
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Brass

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

Dunbar X-Base Table with Murano Glass Tile Top
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare form with solid rosewood base and Murano glass tile top. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Edward Wormley Expandable Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Edward Wormley designed coffee table produced by Dunbar. Solid Mahogany construction, professionally restored with the appropriate satin espresso finish. The functionality of thi...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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.

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