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Edward Wormley Sofa 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
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Occasional Tables with Natzler Tiles
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Occasional Tables with Natzler Tiles

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 ...

Category

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

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Refinished Two-Tone Console or Sofa Table with Drawer
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Refinished Two-Tone Console or Sofa Table with Drawer

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Refinished Two-Tone Console or Sofa Table with Drawer

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in St. Louis, MO

Elegant Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley for Dunbar model # 5294 two level console or sofa table with centered single drawer. Professionally refinished, in two-tone to match origina...

Category

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

Materials

Walnut, Leather, Mahogany

Edward Wormley Bleached Mahogany Corner Table for Dunbar
Edward Wormley Bleached Mahogany Corner Table for Dunbar

Edward Wormley Bleached Mahogany Corner Table for Dunbar

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Chicago, IL

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Minimalist design bleached mahogany corner table number 4977. Nicely grained woods with open design and expert craftsma...

Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Sofa Tables

Materials

Mahogany

over-sized Dunbar End Table
over-sized Dunbar End Table

over-sized Dunbar End Table

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in South Charleston, WV

Dunbar, Edward Wormley, USA, Model 4478 table, New World Group, Enduring Modern collection Series. Linen White Lacquer over mahogany circa 1949, 30 1/8" deep and wide. 24 7/8" tall....

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Occasional Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1941
Occasional Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1941

Occasional Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1941

By Edward Wormley

Located in Sagaponack, NY

An interesting and uncommon occasional table on casters having a cruciform structure intersected by two circular planes, the top of the table surfaced with leather.

Category

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

Materials

Brass

1940's Dunbar Furniture Two-Tone Side Table Designed by Edward Wormley
1940's Dunbar Furniture Two-Tone Side Table Designed by Edward Wormley

1940's Dunbar Furniture Two-Tone Side Table Designed by Edward Wormley

By Edward Wormley

Located in Las Vegas, NV

Two-tone side table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture, circa late 1940s. Light mahogany top with ebonized lower frame and single stealthy box drawer...

Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sofa Tables

Materials

Wood

Modernist Ash Two Tier Sofa Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Modernist Ash Two Tier Sofa Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

Modernist Ash Two Tier Sofa Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

By Edward Wormley

Located in Montreal, QC

Modernist Ash two tier sofa table model no 5403 inset with black formica by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Signed Etched on Plaque: Dunbar Berne Indiana.

Category

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

Materials

Ash

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Extension Coffee Table
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Extension Coffee Table

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Extension Coffee Table

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Chicago, IL

Edward Wormley for Dunbar, custom cocktail table, 3 positions with polished stone inside brass framed extension leaves. Solid crisscross oiled walnut frame and top. Width without ex...

Category

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

Materials

Stone, Brass

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Located in Atlanta, GA

Elegant Pair of "Sheaf of Wheat" Model Side Tables, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American, circa 1960s. The wood bases are currently being refinished and can be completed i...

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Edward Wormley for Dunbar Triangular Coffee Table
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Located in Dallas, TX

A triangular coffee table with burled Carpethian elm top and walnut legs with brass caps. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.

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Console by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s
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H 23.9 in W 53.5 in D 23 in

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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.

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Edward Wormley Dunbar End Side Table with Gertrud and Otto Natzler Ceramic Tiles
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Located in Studio City, CA

This very rare and absolutely stunning Edward Wormley designed end/ occasional table for Dunbar Furniture for their "Janus" collection, circa 1956-1957 comes with inlaid, glazed tile...

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Edward Wormley Tall Janus Occasional Table with Natzler Tiles for Dunbar 1960s
Edward Wormley Tall Janus Occasional Table with Natzler Tiles for Dunbar 1960s

Edward Wormley Tall Janus Occasional Table with Natzler Tiles for Dunbar 1960s

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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 ...

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Previously Available Items
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A mahogany and walnut console table with rosewood pulls. The table features book holders on either side and three drawers. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.

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1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Sofa Tables

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Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dark Mahogany / Brass Triangle Sofa or Corner Table
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Located in St. Louis, MO

Edward Wormley for Dunbar, all original wedge / triangle shape corner or sofa table in original dark mahogany on brass sabots. Top shows wear, top can be refinished for additional co...

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

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Edward Wormley Ebonized Sofa / Console Table by Dunbar
Edward Wormley Ebonized Sofa / Console Table by Dunbar

Edward Wormley Ebonized Sofa / Console Table by Dunbar

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in New York, NY

Long sofa or console table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. USA, circa 1950. Trapezoid-shaped top on a simple base with brass capped feet. Ebonized wood finish with brass capped legs.

Category

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

Materials

Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Two-Tone Walnut Console or Sofa Table with Drawer
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Two-Tone Walnut Console or Sofa Table with Drawer

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Two-Tone Walnut Console or Sofa Table with Drawer

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in St. Louis, MO

Elegant Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley for Dunbar two level console or sofa table with centered single drawer in two-tone walnut. Supported on Parsons style legs, accented with su...

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

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Brass

Hard to Find Edward Wormley for Dunbar Corner Magazine Triangular Table
Hard to Find Edward Wormley for Dunbar Corner Magazine Triangular Table

Hard to Find Edward Wormley for Dunbar Corner Magazine Triangular Table

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Hudson, NY

A seldom offered Dunbar corner/magazine table designed by Edward Wormley with bent plywood magazine or record compartments .Labeled with warm original fi...

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

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Oak

Stunning Architectural Console Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Stunning Architectural Console Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

Stunning Architectural Console Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

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Located in St.Petersburg, FL

Restored console table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Features a two-tier design done in mahogany. A soft lip follows the outline of the top shelf, with sculpted legs, angled...

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

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Mahogany

Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Tables with Natzler Tiles
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Tables with Natzler Tiles

Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Tables with Natzler Tiles

By Edward Wormley

Located in Dallas, TX

A rare pair of mahogany end tables designed by Edward Worlmey for Dunbar with ceramic tiles by Otto and Gertrude Natzler.

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1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Sofa Tables

Interlocking Ebonized Tables by Wormley for Dunbar
Interlocking Ebonized Tables by Wormley for Dunbar

Interlocking Ebonized Tables by Wormley for Dunbar

By Edward Wormley

Located in Phoenix, AZ

Interlocking ebonized tables by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa mid-1950s. These examples, models 5402 and 5403 have newly ebonized solid oak frames with inset white and black lamin...

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

Edward Wormley Dunbar Triangle Console Table
Edward Wormley Dunbar Triangle Console Table

Edward Wormley Dunbar Triangle Console Table

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H 28.5 in W 43.5 in D 24 in

Edward Wormley Dunbar Triangle Console Table

By Edward Wormley

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A nice architectural design. Made of solid walnut wood construction and plywood with walnut veneer and brass rings detailing around the base.

Category

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

Materials

Wood

Edward Wormley Two-Tier Console Table
Edward Wormley Two-Tier Console Table

Edward Wormley Two-Tier Console Table

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H 24 in W 53.5 in D 23 in

Edward Wormley Two-Tier Console Table

By Edward Wormley

Located in Westport, CT

Edward Wormley walnut and black formica tier console table. With gold metal Dunbar tag.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Edward Wormley Sofa Tables

Sheaf of Wheat Table by Edward Wormley
Sheaf of Wheat Table by Edward Wormley

Sheaf of Wheat Table by Edward Wormley

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A Sheaf of Wheat occasional table having a base of cinched mahogany supporting an expressive circular top of Italian travertine marble.

Category

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

Materials

Travertine, Brass

Edward Wormley sofa tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Edward Wormley sofa 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 sofa tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original sofa 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 sofa tables by Dunbar, Knoll, and Design Institute America. Prices for Edward Wormley sofa tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,650 and can go as high as $12,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,340.
Questions About Edward Wormley Sofa 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.