Lacquered Nightstands with Brass Hardware by Edward Wormley, 1950s
View Similar Items
Lacquered Nightstands with Brass Hardware by Edward Wormley, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Edward Wormley (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.75 in (73.03 cm)Width: 20 in (50.8 cm)Depth: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU108403976513
Edward Wormley
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.
- Massive Carrara Marble Vase with Dramatic Striations, Italy 1950sBy Angelo MangiarottiLocated in New York, NYMassive Carrara Marble Vase with Dramatic Striations, Italy 1950s. Excellent condition. Would make for a gorgeous centerpiece on a dining table, mantel or in a foyer or entryway. Whether furnishing a contemporary Soho loft or stylish post-war Park Avenue penthouse, an artistic Central Park townhome or your eccentric Brooklyn brownstone, our team is happy to help. We ship anywhere, so we can also assist you with that retro Palm Springs...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsMarble, Carrara Marble
- MiniPOP Wall Sconce in Brass + Gray Enamel by Blueprint LightingBy Blueprint LightingLocated in New York, NYMiniPOP wall sconce--a more compact version of our wildly popular 4 foot tall POP wall lamp. Shown in natural brass and our "Pearl" light gray enamel and...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsAluminum, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel
- ASTER Brass and Enamel Chandelier by Blueprint Lighting, 2017By Arteluce, Arredoluce, Robert SonnemanLocated in New York, NYOur standard enamel colors are shown in the final images--there is no additional lead time or cost for these colors. Please contact us with questions and custom requests--we respond quickly and thoroughly! ASTER: a chic, simple brass chandelier with enameled spun aluminum orbs by Blue Print Lighting, 2017. This design is an Italian Modern classic with characteristics of both Mid-Century Modernism and Contemporary design. It offers a sculptural and architectural element as the focal point of your space. The perfect statement piece for any sophisticated interior! Drop height as shown is 28", but this can easily be customized for your space at no additional charge. Dimensions of the lamp body are 34" diameter and 5" h. This piece may use any E12 candelabra base bulb up to 60 watts (or use LED). Bulb is not included. UL-listed May be fully customized: drop height, scale, enamel color, metal finish--you name it and we can do it! Lead time for customization is currently 3-4 weeks. Whether furnishing a contemporary Soho loft or stylish post-war Park Avenue penthouse, an artistic central park townhome or your eccentric Brooklyn brownstone, our team is happy to help. We ship anywhere, so we can also assist you with that retro palm springs...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsAluminum, Brass, Bronze, Copper, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel
- Monolith Wall Sconce in Brass & Enamel, handmade by Blueprint LightingBy Arteluce, Arredoluce, StilnovoLocated in New York, NYEnamel color may be specified with no additional lead time our standard enamel colors are shown in the final images, there is no additional lead time for these colors. Frame patina may be specified, but may impact lead time and/or cost slightly. Priced per piece and may be ordered in any quantity. Handcrafted in NYC by Blueprint Lighting, these Italian Modern "Monolith" wall sconces are shown in brass and our 'Perfect White' enamel. Fabricated with only the highest quality materials, substantial, solid construction. Gorgeous as bedside lamps, over a mantel, in a bathroom, powder room or vanity, or punctuating a painting or other piece of art. These sconces are beautiful on their own, or as a complement to our wildly successful 'Monolith' series of chandeliers. 'Monolith' is a commanding statement piece with design elements in the style of both Italian and French modernism. Dimensions as shown are 11" H x 9" D x 5" W. Cone diameter is 2" at top and 4.5" at bottom. Back plate is 5" diameter. These use E12 candelabra socket bulbs up to 60 watts or LED. Sconces have one bulb in the downward-facing cone. Bulbs not included. Shown in dark indigo high-gloss enamel with a light antique finish. UL-listed. May be hardwired for use with a light switch (as shown), hardwired with a toggle switch on the back plate, or made with a cord and plug with toggle switch if hard wiring is not desired. Please specify when ordering. Whether furnishing a contemporary Soho loft or stylish post-war Park Avenue penthouse, an artistic Central Park town home...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass, Bronze, Copper, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel, Aluminum
- Large Counterbalance Ceiling Fixture, White Enamel + Brass by Blueprint LightingBy Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti, StilnovoLocated in New York, NYHandcrafted and made to order, the Counterbalance commands attention with its fluid architectural silhouette, built from a thoughtfully curated palette of on-trend colors and metal f...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass, Aluminum, Nickel, Chrome, Enamel, Bronze
- 'Monarch' 3-Arm Modern Pendant in Brass and Gray Enamel by Blueprint LightingBy Mathieu Matégot, Blueprint Lighting, StilnovoLocated in New York, NYEnamel color may be specified. Our extensive list of 36 standard enamel colors are shown in the final images-- there is no additional lead time or cost for these colors. Metal finish...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBronze, Copper, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel, Aluminum, Brass
- Edward Wormley Nightstand or Side Cabinet by DunbarBy Edward WormleyLocated in Cincinnati, OHA dark ebony stained mahogany nightstand or side cabinet with brass capped legs and a top that is made of laminate but looks so close to wood that it's almost impossible to tell. Two...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Bleached Mahogany Nightstands with Leather Bases by Edward Wormley for DunbarBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in Dallas, TXEarly minimalist nightstands designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Beautiful bleached mahogany cases with inset matching hardware and leather wrapped bases. Completely refinished.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
- Early Edward Wormley Step End Tables / Nightstands for DunbarBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in Chicago, ILEarly Edward Wormley step end tables for Dunbar.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsWood
- Edward Wormley Pair of Nightstands Precedent Line Drexel, 1950s / 1960sBy Edward Wormley, DrexelLocated in Camden, MEEdward Wormley pair of nightstands for the Precedent collection by Drexel, circa 1947 The pair of silver elm nightstands have been refinished in a blac...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Paul Frankl Ivory Lacquered Nightstands with Brass X Pulls, circa 1950By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul FranklLocated in Saint Louis, MOEveryone loves Paul Frankl furniture. A pillar of design, he created some of the most iconic midcentury pieces of furniture. And here we have a lovely pair of Paul Frankl ivory lacqu...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Nightstands by Edward WormleyBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in Sagaponack, NYA pair of ebonized 'French polish' mahogany nightstands with adjustable inner shelf and opposing hinges.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
$10,500 / set