Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail 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
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 ...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
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...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Early Rare Edward Wormley Mahogany Coffee Table, Dunbar Furniture, 1940's
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Culver City, CA
Nestled within the exquisite realm of early mid-century modern design, this diminutive Edward Wormley coffee table for Dunbar Furniture emerges as a timeless masterpiece. Crafted fro...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Mahogany
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 Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Rosewood, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Rosewood and walnut Square Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Classic design from one of periods giants. Bleached rosewood top and walnut frame, parsons coffee table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar furniture. This piece is timeless. It would easil...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Rosewood, Walnut
$2,280 Sale Price
20% Off
Edward Wormley Coffee Table with Italian Travertine Top 1952 'Signed'
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Parsons style coffee table model No. 5206, base in dark mahogany with inset Italian travertine top, by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American 1952 (metal and paper labels on bottom). Ed...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Travertine
Uncommon Edward Wormley Five-Leg Walnut Coffee Table for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Dunbar five-leg walnut coffee table. Another uncommon Wormley design with the addition of a fifth canted leg. Excellent wood grain, recessed apron and brass sabots.
Category
1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern "Long John" Coffee Table By Edward Wormley For Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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 Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Coffee Table
This coffee table measures: 60 wide x 19 deep x 15.25 inches high
All pieces of fu...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wood
Uncommon Edward Wormley for Dunbar Flip Top Coffee Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Flip top coffee table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. In a dark espresso finish with brass capped feet. Table top starts at a 27” by 18” s...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Brass
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 Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Leather, Walnut
American Modern Brass /Wood/Glass Coffee Table, Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American Modern Brass /Wood/Glass Coffee Table, Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Metal, Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Two Tier Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Two Tier Coffee Table
This table measures: 48 wide x 27.75 deep x 22 inches high
Restor...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wood
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 Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Metal
Sheaf of Wheat Coffee Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Travertine, Mahogany
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare coffee table version of the Edward Wormley Sheaf of Wheat designs. Round Travertine top and dark mahogany base. Brass connectors. This example is completely original and well ca...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Travertine, Brass
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 Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut, Glass
Dunbar Walnut Coffee or End Table Model # 3374 by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Elegant Dunbar walnut coffee or end table with triangle legs and black polished laminate top, model # 3374 designed by Edward Wormley.
Original sticker with serial number under the...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Laminate, Walnut
Elliptical coffee table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Uccle, BE
Large elliptical-shaped coffee table, the black laminate (formica) top surrounded by wood.
The top rests on four stainless steel legs with double spacers assembled by screws receivin...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wood
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 Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wood
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
All pieces of furnitur...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wood
Coffee table by Edward Wormley / Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Zurich, CH
Beautiful elongated coffee table with ceramic inlays by Edward Wormley, has been refinished in original stain color.
Category
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Ceramic, Walnut
Edward Wormley "Long John" Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Teak
A Fine Edward Wormley Coffee Table for Dunbar in Exotic Burl
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Burl
Stunning Dunbar Edward Wormley Burled Olivewood Octagon Drum Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stunning Dunbar Edward Wormley burled olivewood octagonal columnar table base supporting a thick round glass top.
This table measures: 42 in diameter x 17 in height, glass .75 inch ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Glass, Burl
$3,960 Sale Price
20% Off
Burl Elm Pentagonal Coffee Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pentagonal coffee table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1970.
Burl elm wood table top with walnut trim and a walnut base.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut, Burl
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 Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Brass
Coffee Table with Faceted Olive Burl Pedestal Base by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Glass, Burl
Burl Olive Wood Glass Top Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar # 6302G
By Edward Wormley
Located in Stamford, CT
A faceted burl olive wood pedestal base with glass top, coffee or low table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar model # 6302G. Metal tag & paper label on bottom of base. Photo to be added...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Glass, Olive
Edward Wormley coffee and cocktail tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Edward Wormley coffee and cocktail 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 coffee and cocktail tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original coffee and cocktail 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 coffee and cocktail tables by Dunbar, Knoll, and Paul McCobb. Prices for Edward Wormley coffee and cocktail tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,400 and can go as high as $23,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,850.
Creators Similar to Edward Wormley
Questions About Edward Wormley Coffee and Cocktail Tables
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024Edward 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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