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.
Rosewood Clover Game Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
The clover game table in rosewood and mahogany by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. 62.5" dia. Refinished. Dunbar chairs available separately.
Rosewood
Wormley Game Table for Dunbar, Solid Walnut & Olive Burlwood
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Edward Wormley Game Table for Dunbar, Solid Walnut & Olive Burlwood Gorgeous Dunbar table with a four-panel bookmatched olive burl wood top and a solid...
Walnut, Burl
Edward Wormley Game Table in Mahogany with Rosewood Top 1960s 'Signed'
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Elevate your mid-century modern decor with the Edward Wormley Game Table, model no 6348, featuring gently curved sides in rich dark mahogan...
Mahogany, Rosewood
$6,800 / item
Pair of Dunbar Game / End Tables with Natzler Tiles
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar large scale end tables or small game tables with inset Natzler ceramic tiles. Priced and sold individually.
Mahogany
Dunbar Murano Tile Top Game Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare Murano glass tile top game / dining table with brass edging and tapered mahogany legs. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with early green Dunbar label. This is the largest Murano tile table...
Mahogany
Elegant Edward Wormley Rosewood Dinette / Game Table for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Harvey Probber, Milo Baughman, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant Edward Wormley dinette or game table for Dunbar. Appears to be rosewood. wear to the finish. May desire to have restored some.
Wood
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
Octagonal Gaming Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An octagonal gaming or entry table with a leather wrapped cruciform base with brass levelers, and the solid walnut top having an inlaid rosewood Starbur...
Brass
Dunbar Game Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A marble top game / center table with mahogany pedestal and leather covered base with brass detailing. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Matching pair available.
Marble
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.
Brass
Dunbar Game Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A marble top game / center table with mahogany pedestal and leather covered base with brass detailing. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Matching pair available.
Marble
Edward Wormley Game Table for Dunbar, Mid-Century, Wooden, Sabre Legs
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century wooden game table with a square tabletop with rounded corners, resting on four sabre legs. (EDWARD J WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNITURE COMPANY...
Wood
Italian Round Rustic Game Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Italian style rustic round game table with molded edge, made of mahogany, acacia and oak parquetry with reversible leather and chess inlaid center, an inlaid Backgammon board well, on an octagonal flared column pedestal base. Includes a wooden chess set...
Wood
English Walnut Game Table with Game Pieces, 1890-1910
Located in San Francisco, CA
An excellent quality walnut game table features distinctive turned, or "spiral-turned," legs and an X-shaped stretcher base, which are common characteristics of the Victorian/Edward...
Walnut
$12,500 / set
H 20 in W 33 in D 22 in L 20 in
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Occasional Tables with Natzler Tiles
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of rare Edward Wormley for Dunbar occasional tables with Natzler tiles from the Janus Collection. Custom ordered from Dunbar, tiles described as "Jade." Mahogany construction ...
$1,539
H 29 in W 36 in D 18 in
1960s Georgian Furnishing Mahogany and Satinwood Inlaid Console Game Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Made of beautiful mahogany, this console features crafted satinwood inlay detailing the top, the legs and the side panels. Table opens to a beautifully banded finished top in very go...
Mahogany, Satinwood
$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
Edward Wormley Murano Tile Occasional Table for Dunbar, c.1955
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Edward Wormley Murano Tile Occasional Table for Dunbar, circa 1955.
Brass
$12,500
H 24.13 in W 11.25 in D 11.25 in
Edward Wormley Tall Janus Occasional Table with Natzler Tiles for Dunbar 1960s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare, tall version of the Janus Occasional table, Model 6047, designed by Edward Wormley for the Dunbar Janus line in 1960. The table contains twenty five original Gertrude and Otto...
Ceramic, Walnut
$6,850
H 26.5 in Dm 47.25 in
Osvaldo Borsani Round Dining / Center / Game Table with Travertine Top, Signed
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Kansas City, MO
Osvaldo Borsani dining table or center table or game table with the original one inch thick travertine top with a slightly tapered edge. Black steel base with aluminum panels. The t...
Travertine, Aluminum, Steel
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Rosewood Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Rosewood Coffee Table This coffee table measures: 31 wide x 31 deep x 17.25 inches high Great Vintage Condition - Gentle Finish Wear on Top Su...
Rosewood
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
Edward Wormley Elliptical Rosewood Coffee Table by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Highland, IN
This stunning cocktail table by Edward Wormley exemplifies his refined sensibility and fine detailing as well as the quality of Dunbar's construction. The table was custom ordered wi...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Foldable Game Table, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Flexible game table with a foldable base. A functional design. Can be used as a game table or a regular table. The square tabletop is covered with green felt on top and features a ...
Metal
$2,995
H 20.125 in Dm 53.375 in
1960s Italian Gervasoni Game Table with Retractable Rising Bar Storage
Located in Littleton, CO
Italian Mid-Century game table by Gervasoni, 1960s, featuring a large circular playing surface in matte black laminate framed in a warm walnut-veneered edge and pedestal base. A dis...
Laminate, Walnut
$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
Rectangular Biedermeyer Game Chess Side End Table with Drawer
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Classic game table featuring a built-in chessboard of in-laid fruitwood on the surface. The wood table features a single drawer with a handle to store chess pieces. The table was des...
Wood, Fruitwood
Game Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A bleached mahogany game table with cork lined drawers designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Flip-Top Expandable Table and Brass Castors
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Elegant and highly functional, this Edward Wormley for Dunbar flip-top table exemplifies the designer’s mastery of refined modernism and thoughtful versatility. Crafted in richly gra...
Mahogany
Dunbar Rosewood Flip Top Clover Console / Game Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rosewood flip top clover console table that turns into a game table. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Rosewood
Dunbar Game Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A marble top game / center table with mahogany pedestal and leather covered base with brass detailing. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Marble
Edward Wormley, Game Table, Wood, USA, 1960s
By Edward Wormley
Located in High Point, NC
A wood game table designed by Edward Wormley and produced by Dunbar, USA, c. 1960s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 28.0"H x 31.0"W x 31.0"D All items ship from High Point, North Caro...
Wood
Rosewood Clover Game Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
The clover game table in rosewood and mahogany by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. 62.5" dia. Dunbar chairs available separately.
Rosewood
Rosewood Game Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rosewood and mahogany game table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Rosewood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Cork Top Game Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Cork Top Game Table This game table measures: 31.75 wide x 31.75 deep x 28.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call r...
Wood, Cork
Sold
H 28.25 in W 31 in D 31 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany and Rosewood Game Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany and Rosewood Game Table This game table measures: 31 wide x 31 deep x 28.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we...
Mahogany, Rosewood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Adjustable Height Cork Top Game / Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare and beautifully made adjustable height table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950. Heavy brass trim with inset cork. Retractable hidden brass trays for snacks / drinks. Table ad...
Brass
Cork Top Game Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A game table with walnut frame and cork top. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Cork
Sold
H 28 in W 48 in D 48 in
Edward J Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Co. Bleached Rosewood Clover Game Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century game table with a clover-shaped bleached rosewood top resting on four cylindrical walnut legs. (EDWARD J WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNITURE COMPANY)
Wood, Rosewood, Walnut
Edward J Wormley for Dunbar Cork and Wood Concealed Tray Game Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century square game table with a dark wooden frame and and inset cork top, featuring four concealed drink trays that pivot outward from each corner with small brass ring...
Metal, Brass
Table Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautifully crafted table designed by Edward Worley for Dunbar.
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Expandable Game Table W/ Chairs, C. 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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