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.
$1,807Sale Price|35% Off
Mid Century Modern Bar Cart By Edward Wormley For Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Drexel, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Houston, TX
Mid Century Modern Bar Cart By Edward Wormley For Dunbar,. Offered is a handsome mid century blond wood bar cart or serving cart from the Precedent series designed by Edward Wormley ...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart Edward Wormley for Dunbar C1953
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
$5,120Sale Price|20% Off
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Drop Leaf Bar Cart Model 4487, circa 1950
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Saint Louis, MO
This beautiful Dunbar Model 4487 bar cart was designed by Edward Wormley in the early 1950s and features the iconic and whimsical silhouette form made from bent mahogany wood. Dunbar produced some of the most elegant and sought after midcentury furnishings of the time, and this bar cart exemplifies the merger of artful design with function. The bentwood frame is complimented by curved drop leaves that add counter space for preparing your favorite cocktails or for displaying tasty hors d'oeuvres. The top shelf is made of glass - which makes clean up easy and worry free with no risk of staining. Ready to serve? Bottom trays are removable for presentation and for serving your guests. Casters make it easy to roll the bar cart up to center stage for entertaining and returning it to its desired place. In terms of finish and condition, this 1950s Dunbar bar cart...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Flip-Top Serving or Bar Cart
By Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Description: Serving cart, two drawers, base in mahogany with brass castors, top in walnut with flip-top for extra serving surface, gold Dunbar label, model number 215, white laminat...
Brass
Edward Wormley Bar Cart for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique midcentury bar cart features a unique sliding slate style top that expands to 62 inches wide to reveal locking side cabinet. Additional storage in drawer and open adjusta...
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
Bar Cart by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A walnut bar cart with black laminate top that locks to the side to secure bottle storage. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Walnut
Edward Wormley Bar Cart for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Walnut bar cart by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c.1950s, USA. The cart features a faux slate flip top surface with hidden adjustable shelving on one side. The cart has two additional s...
Brass
Edward Wormley Precedent Collection for Drexel Bar Cart Server in Dark Espresso
By Edward Wormley, Drexel
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Collection bar cart or server. Refinished in dark espresso on silver elm with textured glass top and tapered legs on casters. Edward Wormley also ...
Glass, Elm
$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
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...
Elm
Serving Cart # 242-9 By Edward Wormley for Drexel, 1947
By Edward Wormley, Drexel
Located in New York, NY
1947 Serving Cart by Edward Wormley for Precedent for Drexel. Factory no. 252-5 Stenciled label Additional information: Materials: Elm Documentation: Signed Origin: United States Pe...
Elm
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.
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Rolling Bar Cart
By Edward Wormley, Drexel
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...
Wood
Italian Design Mid-Century Bar Cart, 1950s
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare 1950s Italian desgin serving bar cart. Made of beech wood equipped with two glass shelves and brass wheels for convenient movement. Perfect for serving drinks to your guests. Vi...
Glass, Beech
1950's Italian Wooden Bar or Serving Cart
Located in Paris, FR
A beautiful 1950s Italian mid-century-modern serving cart designed with refined gold brass rollers. Its features two glass tiers and bottle holders at the top. The wooden frame is bu...
Brass
Midcentury Chrome Glass and Marble Bar Cart
Located in Houston, TX
A midcentury two-tiered chrome, glass, and marble bar cart on casters.
Marble, Chrome
Console by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Architectural Console No. 5403 in walnut with black laminate top and shelves designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s. Retains original DUNBAR labels.
Formica, Walnut
$3,995
H 14 in W 33 in D 33 in
Mid Century Modern Edward Wormley for Dunbar Carpathian Elm Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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...
Elm, Burl
Mid-Century Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Occasional Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Forney, TX
A beautiful mid-century custom ordered occasional table, model 426A, designed by Edward Wormley (American, 1907-1995) for Dunbar Furniture; Berne, Indiana. The two-tier Modernist...
Brass
$3,295
H 29.25 in W 64 in D 36 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut Flip Top Dining or Game Table, Newly Refinished
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern flip top game table or dining table By Edward Wormley for Dunbar USA, 1950s Walnut, with original brass hinges, leather wrapped feet, and velvet ...
Leather, Walnut
Panoplie Scalloped Walnut Bar Cart
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful walnut bar cart made by Panoplie. Rectangular cart with two tiers and carved wavy scalloped detail on shelf edges. Curved wood handles and 3 bottle compartments on lower sh...
Walnut
Edward Wormley Long John Shelf for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Long John Shelf can be used as shelf or console. Walnut wood with great sapwood striped details.
Walnut
Mid-Century Executive Walnut Desk by Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful mid-century executive walnut desk designed by Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar in the United States, circa 1950s. This desk is made with a timeless design that has been profess...
Brass
$3,500
H 34 in W 34.25 in D 17.875 in
Walnut Bar Cart by Jack Cartwright for Founders manner of Milo Baughman
By Glenn of California, John Kapel
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid-Century modern bar cart designed by Jack Cartwright. Founders, maker. From the "Patterns" series, model 42190. Beautifully sculpted doors and concealed handles. An understated f...
Wood
Brass and Steel Bar Cart
By Maison Jansen
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Mid-Century Modern four-tier rolling serving trolley in the style of Maison Jansen. Elegant Neoclassical brass medallion accented frame with two floating clear glass shelves....
Brass, Steel
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.
Brass
Sold
H 29 in W 30 in D 16 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bar Cart Server Cabinet, Walnut Rosewood & Brass 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Troy, MI
A rare server designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar circa 1950's Model 460 in dark stained walnut featuring a fixed black lacquered surface framed by sculpted rosewood gallery rails...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bar Cart
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A walnut bar cart with sliding drop top. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Walnut
Edward Wormley Bar Cart for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An ebonized bar cart by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, c.1960s. The cart features a white laminate flip top surface with a double sided caned door f...
Brass
Dunbar Bar Cart by Edward Wormley in Rosewood, Cork and Slate
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A sculpted rosewood bar cart with single drawer, cork shelves and slate top. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Slate
Cork Bar Cart by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1960s, Signed
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This classic Edward Wormley for Dunbar bar cart, circa 1960s, features a cork top with brass trim and the two lower platforms also w...
Wood, Cork
Sold
H 29.25 in W 37.13 in D 16.13 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Walnut Bar Cart, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern rolling bar cart By Edward Wormley for Dunbar USA, 1950s Walnut, with extending faux slate top and original brass hardware. Measures: 37...
Brass
Sold
H 30 in W 40 in D 19 in
Mid Century Walnut Edward Wormley Dunbar Flip Top Rolling Buffet Bar Cart Server
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dayton, OH
"Mid Century Modern Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture bar cart or server. Made of walnut featuring a two tier design with a flip top, lower drawer, Micarta insert and large rolling...
Walnut
Edward Wormley Bar/ Serving Cart by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Highland, IN
This beautifully designed and detailed rolling cart by Edward Wormley has a lovely arrangement of shelves, a cabinet with cane front doors and a highly functional mica top that flips...
Brass
Ebonized Edward Wormley Betwood Bar Cart for Dunbar, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Culver City, CA
Available right now we have this absolutely stunning ebonized bar cart by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950s, Italy. Often imitated, but never replicated, the fine craftsmanship of this Wormley bar...
Bentwood
1960s Rolling Cart by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A two-tiered rectilinear bar cart made of walnut and cork having a floating central drawer and brass casters with an inlaid slate cutting board.
Slate
Sold
H 31.5 in W 27 in D 21 in
Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart or Tea Trolley by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sleek modern design by Edward Wormley and produced by Dunbar in the 1950s. It features walnut construction, sliding and stow away top, black laminate service area, brass accent cas...
Brass