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Edward Wormley Serving 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
Early Vintage Large Scale Edward Wormley Console / Sofa Table for Dunbar
Early Vintage Large Scale Edward Wormley Console / Sofa Table for Dunbar

Early Vintage Large Scale Edward Wormley Console / Sofa Table for Dunbar

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture, Harvey Probber

Located in Chicago, IL

Model 5294. An early example of this large scale console / sofa table form by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Leather wrapped feet. Early green Label on inside drawer. This piece needs to...

Category

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

Materials

Wood

Edward Wormley Bar Cart for Dunbar
Edward Wormley Bar Cart for Dunbar

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...

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Rolling Bar Cart
Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Rolling Bar Cart

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...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Serving Tables

Materials

Wood

Architectural Walnut and Black Laminate Console by Edward Wormley
Architectural Walnut and Black Laminate Console by Edward Wormley

Architectural Walnut and Black Laminate Console by Edward Wormley

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in North Miami, FL

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 Serving Tables

Materials

Walnut, Laminate

Edward Wormley Party Server
Edward Wormley Party Server

Edward Wormley Party Server

By Edward Wormley

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Edward Wormley Party Server Walnut,Japanese Pine and Laminate. The bar cart features one drawer and 2 adjustable shelves The top pivots and measur...

Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Serving Tables

Materials

Walnut

Serving Table on Casters by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Expertly Refinished
Serving Table on Casters by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Expertly Refinished

Serving Table on Casters by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Expertly Refinished

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Kansas City, MO

Rare serving / console table with drawer designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s. Highly figured walnut top and dark mahogany base and brass casters. We acquired this from the o...

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley Bleached Mahogany Reeded Curule Leg Table
Edward Wormley Bleached Mahogany Reeded Curule Leg Table

Edward Wormley Bleached Mahogany Reeded Curule Leg Table

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Chicago, IL

An uncommon and early Edward Wormley design for Dunbar, this reeded Curule leg end table has a three-sided gallery framed top, three part stretcher connecti...

Category

1940s American Vintage Edward Wormley Serving Tables

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Architectural Console No. 5403 in walnut with black laminate top and shelves designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s. Retains original DUNBAR labels.

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Early Edward Wormley for Dunbar Step End Table
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Three-tiered step up side table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950. This table is in wonderful condition and can be used as an end ...

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Edward Wormley Long John Shelf for Dunbar
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H 11.25 in W 36 in D 13.5 in

Edward Wormley Long John Shelf for Dunbar

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

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Console Table, High Gloss Laminate & Brass Details, Maui Green - M
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Console Table, High Gloss Laminate & Brass Details, Maui Green - M

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Previously Available Items
Mid-Century Hand-Rubbed Walnut Drop Leaf Bar Cart by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
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Mid-Century Hand-Rubbed Walnut Drop Leaf Bar Cart by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

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This Mid-Century Modernist Walnut Drop Leaf Bar Cart was created by the illustrious designer Edward Wormley for Dunbar originating from the United States, Circa 1950. Featuring a lov...

Category

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Mid-Century  Hand-Rubbed Walnut Drop Leaf Bar Cart by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
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Early Vintage Large Scale Edward Wormley Console / Sofa Table for Dunbar
Early Vintage Large Scale Edward Wormley Console / Sofa Table for Dunbar

Early Vintage Large Scale Edward Wormley Console / Sofa Table for Dunbar

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Located in Chicago, IL

An early example of this large scale console / sofa table form by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Leather wrapped feet. Early green Label on inside drawer. This piece needs to be refinish...

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H 30 in W 41 in D 15.75 in

Edward Wormley Bar/ Serving Cart by Dunbar

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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...

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Brass

Rosewood Side Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
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H 25.25 in W 28.25 in D 21 in

Rosewood Side Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

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Located in Denton, TX

Rosewood side table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.

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Vintage Edward Wormley for Dunbar Ash & Black Laminate Low Table, c1955
Vintage Edward Wormley for Dunbar Ash & Black Laminate Low Table, c1955

Vintage Edward Wormley for Dunbar Ash & Black Laminate Low Table, c1955

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Geometrically conceived low table with solid ash construction and black laminate top, Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1955.

Category

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Edward Wormley Bar/ Serving Cart by Dunbar
Edward Wormley Bar/ Serving Cart by Dunbar

Edward Wormley Bar/ Serving Cart by Dunbar

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H 30 in W 41 in D 15.75 in

Edward Wormley Bar/ Serving Cart by Dunbar

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

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...

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Serving or Bar Cart
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Serving or Bar Cart

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Serving or Bar Cart

Sold

H 28.25 in W 30 in D 16 in

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Serving or Bar Cart

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Houston, TX

Great Edward Wormley Walnut Serving or Bar Cart for Dunbar. This serving cart has brass pulls and rosewood accents. The top is a black laminate for fixing your favorite drink!

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Serving Tables

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley Walnut, Micarta and Cane Flip-Top Bar Cart for Dunbar
Edward Wormley Walnut, Micarta and Cane Flip-Top Bar Cart for Dunbar

Edward Wormley Walnut, Micarta and Cane Flip-Top Bar Cart for Dunbar

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Chicago, IL

A rarely offered dual-sided bar cart or server by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. The frame and cane front cabinet are comprised of walnut wood and the service areas are a combination of ...

Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Serving Tables

Materials

Brass

Dunbar / Wormley Buffet Table
Dunbar / Wormley Buffet Table

Dunbar / Wormley Buffet Table

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H 29.25 in W 80 in D 21 in

Dunbar / Wormley Buffet Table

By Edward Wormley

Located in Cincinnati, OH

A dark satin ebony toned mahogany Dunbar Buffet table # 5294 with center drawer, sculpted handle, satin black finished top and wrapped legs tips in a rich brown/ green leather. Retai...

Category

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

Materials

Wood, Leather

Edward Wormley serving tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Edward Wormley serving 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 serving tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original serving tables by Edward Wormley were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider serving tables by and Mastercraft. Prices for Edward Wormley serving tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,400 and can go as high as $7,850, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,200.
Questions About Edward Wormley Serving Tables
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024
    Edward 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.