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.
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
$8,400Sale Price|20% Off
Ebonized Dining Set in Olive Velvet by Edward Wormley, Dunbar, 1950's
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Culver City, CA
This set is absolutely divine! Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in the 1950's this set was manufactured to be of the absolute highest quality, and to last forever... which it ki...
Velvet, Mahogany
$16,000 / set
Dining Set for Six by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A drop-leaf console table opens to seat, six (6) for dining. Set complete with two banquette chairs and four side chairs.
Walnut, Upholstery
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...
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
Dunbar Dining Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautifully grained walnut dining table with leather wrapped feet. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Table measures 60" diameter and has a 20" leaf.
Leather, Walnut
Edward Wormley Dining Armchair for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Walnut dining armchair with splayed back legs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, c.1960s. The seat cushion has been newly reupholstered in a Pierre Frey textured fabric - a perfect t...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
$11,500
H 29.63 in W 70.19 in D 42.19 in
Impressive 1950s Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar Large Dark Mahogany Dining Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
This is want I believe to be a rare Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar dining table, circa 1950, from one owner estate. Since it's not marked, but came from an original estate where all ma...
Mahogany
Set of Four Edward Wormley Dining Chairs for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four dark walnut dining armchairs with tapered legs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, c.1960s. The seat cushions have been reupholstered with blue and green velvet with a lin...
Upholstery, Walnut, Velvet
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.
Walnut
$34,000 / set
H 31 in W 22 in D 23 in
Set of Four Panel-Back Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of four (4) mahogany panel-back chairs retaining their original leather upholstery. Dunbar item no. 6337.
Mahogany, Leather
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Modular Console Table Circa 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Beautiful set of tables designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Architectural and Mid Century Modern in design. Tables have a simple elegant design. Both tables are marked. One long short console table...
Formica, Ash
$38,000 / set
H 31 in W 24.75 in D 22 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Horseshoe Dining Chairs (Model 935) in Mohair
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
This is such a beautiful dining chair with exquisite craftsmanship and detail. The iconic Dunbar Horseshoe chair by Edward Wormley will grace an...
Mohair, Mahogany, Rosewood
Mid Century Vanity by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A striking mid-century modern modular vanity desk featuring a dramatic matte black ebonized finish. The architectural drop-center design features twin four-drawer pedestals with slee...
Mahogany
Early Labeled Mahogany Dunbar Edward Wormley Dining Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sarasota, FL
Stunning very early label Dunbar table designed by Edward Wormley. In stunning mahogany. Labeled to the underside Dunbar in an early tag dating to pre 1940. Comes with 2 leaves. F...
Mahogany
$42,000 / set
H 31.75 in W 19.5 in D 18 in
Set of 10 Spindle Back Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A classic set of ten (10) dining chairs, each features solid walnut wood construction, spindle back detail with brass stretchers. Set includes 8 side chairs and 2 armchairs, all reta...
Leather, Walnut
Set of Four Antler Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Rio Vista, CA
An iconic and rare set of four horned antler chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Known as 5580 model these dining chairs are crafted from rich mahogany with newly caned sea...
Cane, Mahogany
Twelve Edward Wormley Dining Chairs by Dunbar, Restored
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A handsome set of two arm chairs model no. 4593 and ten side chairs model no. 4592, making a full set of twelve chairs. Resigned by Edward Wormley and manufactured by Dunbar, USA. Th...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Dining Table Circa 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Peabody, MA
An Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 5965 mahogany dining table, ca. 1950s. It features a bowed top and blade-form tapered legs with subtle brass cleats. Measures 83.75” long, plus thr...
Brass
No. 4735 Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Set of Four
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Roanoke, VA
Rare set of four No. 4735 Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Chairs were acquired from estate with full Edward Wormley for Dunbar dining set. Rarely seen!
Textile
$4,995
H 29.75 in W 51.75 in D 45 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Dining Table, Newly Refinished
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern hexagonal dining table or game table in gorgeous book-matched rosewood By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1960s Measures 51.75"W x 45"D ...
Rosewood
Sold
H 30.25 in W 32.25 in D 32.25 in
1960s Edward Wormley for Dunbar Set of 4 Model 935 Horseshoe Chairs & Game Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage 1960s Dunbar set of 4 Model 935 Horseshoe chairs and game table. This is an absolutely stunning mid century modern dining/dinette set by Dunbar. The Horseshoe chair, design...
Fabric, Mahogany, Rosewood
Sold
H 28.25 in W 87.5 in D 42 in
Dunbar Green & Green Expandable Dining Table & Consoles by Edward Wormley, 1959
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Dunbar Green & Green Expandable Dining Table & Consoles by Edward Wormley, 1959. The table folds open on each end and the center leaf then moves up and down to level itself. Table me...
Walnut
Tawi Wood Dining Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A ten foot dining table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with expressively grained Tawi wood top and mahogany base with brass cleats. The table has th...
Mahogany
Eight Ash and Rosewood Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of eight dining chairs in Ash and rosewood with leather seats designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Ash, Rosewood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bleached Mahogany Dining Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A bleached mahogany dining table with dark mahogany base. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Table measures 70" with two 15" leaves,...
Mahogany
Set of Ten Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare set of ten armchairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Fully restored with refinished walnut bases and upholstered in Designtex / Lambert fabric.
Fabric, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Expandable Game Table W/ Chairs, C. 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Westport, CT
A rarely found games table executed in mahogany, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950-1950. Features an expandable mechanism that brings the table from 32" square to 62"...
Chenille, Mahogany
Eight Dunbar Horseshoe Armchairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of eight Horseshoe armchairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Mahogany, Rosewood
Twelve Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A large set of twelve model #4592 dining chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. An iconic Wormley design with brass handles and mahogany legs.
Mahogany
Expandable Rosewood Dining Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Excellent
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Stunning dining table designed by Edward Wormley, made by Dunbar, 1960s. Rosewood top and dark mahogany base. The mechanism to add the tow leaves is an exceptional design. The legs r...
Mahogany, Rosewood
Sold
H 29.5 in W 114 in
Edward Wormley Dunbar Dining Table with Eight Chairs and Two Extensions Leaves
By Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward Wormley Dunbar dining table with eight chairs newly upholstered and two extensions leaves refinished, U.S.A, 1950.
Wood
Clean Lined Rosewood Dining Table by Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined rosewood and mahogany dining table, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American, circa 1950s. Elegant modern form with a subtle Asian influence to the design. It exte...
Wood, Mahogany, Rosewood
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...
Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Dining Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
EDWARD WORMLEY (1907 - 1995) Model no. 5640 Dining Table Boat-shaped tawi wood dining table raised on a pair of wide tapering mahogany legs with brass sabots. Featuring 3, 12 inch l...
Brass
Oval Walnut Dining Table, Expandable with Two Leaves by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Early oval dining table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Beautiful Walnut construction. Without leaves this table is 60 inches long and 54 inches deep making it almost round. Full width...
Walnut