Skip to main content

Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

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.

51
to
2
49
2
51
51
51
49
51
34
6
6
18
2
5
1
46
18
16
15
11
51
51
659
1,018
224
156
144
Creator: Edward Wormley
Dunbar For Modern: Market Notes, January 8 to January 19, 1951
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Small format brochure published in January 1951 showcasing 39 Edward Wormley designs for Dunbar Furniture, presented at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. Highlights include the Sleepy Hollow chair...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Paper

Vintage Mid Century Modern Illuminated Globe on Mahogany Stand By Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Mid Century Modern Illuminated World Globe on Mahogany Stand By Edward Wormley for Dunbar This light up globe is perfect for anyone searching for eclectic light sources. This soft light will make any living room or waiting area cozier. American designer Edward Wormley was inspired by sleek Scandinavian modernism with this wood stand. This is a great for history buffs, as the globe displays mid...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Pair of Rare Edward Wormley Dunbar for Modern Elegant Nightstands or End Tables
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Rare and very elegant pair of nightstands or end tables designed by Edward Wormley in dark stained mahogany with travertine tops, single drawer has open circular brass pull, from his...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Travertine, Brass

Restored Pair of Chests by Edward Wormley, circa 1947
By Drexel, Edward Wormley
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautiful pair of Modern chests by Edward Wormley for Drexel, circa 1947. Expertly constructed in silver elm and finished in cream lacquer. The functional size and scale allow for ...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Brass

Expertly Restored - Edward J. Wormley Night Stands with Bookshelves for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Walnut

Edward Wormley King Size Headboard for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design King size headboard for Dunbar Furniture, Berne Indiana. Featuring an ebonized mahogany frame with a caned backrest intended for a king size mattress, no rails ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Cane King Headboard
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Cane King Headboard This headboard measures: 82 wide x 2.25 deep x 36 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Cane, Wood

Edward Wormley Exhibition Catalog
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
76-page catalog from the exhibition "Edward Wormley: The Other Face of Modernism," held at the Lin Weinberg Gallery in 1997. The exhibit helped re-introduce Wormley's work to the mar...
Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Paper

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut Magazine Tree Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Utrecht, NL
Magazine tree, model 4765 by American designer Edward Wormley executed in birch and sap grain walnut, designed in 1947 for Dunbar Furniture USA. A very special, functional and aesth...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Birch, Walnut

Edward Wormley Pair of Nightstands Precedent Line Drexel, 1950s / 1960s
By Drexel, Edward Wormley
Located in Camden, ME
Edward 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 Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Walnut Twin Headboards, Pair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Mid-Century Modern sculpted walnut twin headboards By Edward Wormley for Dunbar USA, 1950s Measures: 42.25"W x 1.75"D x 36.13"H. Very good original vin...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Walnut

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Wooden Frame Caned Panel Full-Size Bed Headboard
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century full-sized headboard with a dark stained wooden frame with curved top rail and central caned panel. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNITURE COMPANY).  
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Wood

Magazine Tree by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An olive green stained walnut magazine tree with cantilevered shelves.
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Dunbar Single Headboards in Walnut and Cane by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Two beautifully crafted sculptural single headboards designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s. These are in very good original condition from the...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Cane, Walnut

Edward Wormley Pair of Rare Twin Headboards in Sculpted Walnut 1957, 'Signed'
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Pair of rare twin headboards model no. 5731 in sculpted walnut from the Janus Series by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American 1957 (with original metal labels signed “DUNBAR Berne, Ind...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Walnut

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Queen Size Wooden Storage Headboard
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century wooden queen size storage headboard with two vertical drawers on either side with bentwood handles that open to reveal a lower open compartment and an upper comp...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Wood

Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Steam Bent Wooden Wave Form Twin Sized Bed He
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Pair of American Mid-Century twin-sized bed wooden headboard with an inset steam bent wave form design and light brown painted finish. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNITURE COMPANY) (...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Wood, Paint

Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Steam Bent Wooden Paddle Form Twin Bed Headbo
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Pair of American Mid-Century twin-sized bed headboard with a steam bent wooden paddle-form panel above a brown painted wooden frame. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR ...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Paint, Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Upholstered Fold Down Arm Single Bed Headboard
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century single bed headboard with a walnut frame and beige and red textured fabric channeled upholstered center panel, which pivots ...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood

Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dark Wood Louver Front Commodes / Chests
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Pair of American mid-century dark lacquered wooden commodes / chests with 6 louver-front drawers in descending height. (EDWARD WORMLEY FOR DUNBAR FURNITURE COMPANY)(PRICED AS PAIR)
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar American Mid-Century Upholstered Fold Down Arm Single
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American mid-century single bed headboard with a walnut frame and beige fabric channeled upholstered center panel which angles outward, featuring...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Wood, Upholstery, Walnut

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dark Walnut Louver Front 6-Drawer Commode / Chest
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century 6-drawer walnut louver front commode / chest with a dark stained lacquered finish. (Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Company...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Wood

Illuminated Glass World Globe on Mahogany Stand by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Rand McNally & Co., Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mahogany sculptural globe stand supported by brass sabots originally designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in 1953. The globe itself is a 16" Rand McNally Terrestrial globe composed ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Nightstand
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century nightstand This nightstand measures: 23 wide x 18 deep x 23.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can b...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Brass

Ebonized Mahogany King Headboard by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dorchester, MA
Edward Wormley designed this midcentury headboard for Dunbar. Louvered panels of ebonized mahogany create clean but strong lines that extend the width of a king size bed.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century 2 Piece Cane King Headboard
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century 2 Piece Cane King Headboard This headboard measures: 52.5 wide x 3 deep x 36.5 inches high ?All pieces of f...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Cane, Wood

Edward Wormley Nightstands for Dunbar in Walnut with Mahogany Frame Ebony Pulls
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
These extraordinarily beautiful and generously proportioned nightstands were designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar and manufactured in the 1960s. Bookmatched American walnut woodgra...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Mid Century Elm Magazine Library Table
By Drexel, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent mid century elm magazine library table The table measures: 25 wide x 16 deep x 26.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Wood, Elm

Ed Wormley of Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Illuminated Globe Light Fixture
By Edward Wormley
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Walnut and brass tripod or tri-leg base stand Mid-Century Modern illuminated globe by Ed Wormley.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Ebonized King Size Headboard, Newly Refinished
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern king size headboard By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1950s Newly ebonized mahogany, with unique louvered Front Design. ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Mahogany

Edward Wormley Chests for Dunbar Espresso Lacquered Mahogany with Leather Bases
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of six drawer bachelor chests with inset hardware designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in a dark espresso stain with a clear satin lacquer finish and leather plinth bases. Solid Oak interiors. These would serve well as oversized nightstands.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Leather, Mahogany, Oak

Edward Wormley Pair of Twin Headboards for Dunbar 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Pair of twin headboards in mahogany with inset cane by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American 1950's (original Dunbar paper label on back). The fr...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Nightstands
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early minimalist nightstands designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Beautiful bleached mahogany cases with inset matching hardware and leather wrapped bases. Very functional set and ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Edward Wormley Drexel Precedent Nightstand
By Edward Wormley
Located in Pasadena, TX
Precedent four drawer nightstand. Beautiful in design and material, the Precedent series was designed by Edward Wormley in 1947. Nightstand features wood construction, four pull-o...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Bronze

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Walnut Rosewood and Brass Headboard
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid century walnut rosewood and brass headboard This headboard is 55 wide x 2.5 deep x 37...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Brass

Lovely Pair of Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Nightstand Mid-Century Modern
By Drexel, Edward Wormley
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Lovely pair of Edward Wormley for Drexel precedent end tables or nightstands. These pieces are in vintage condition and do show wear to the finish-we recommend refinishing or lacquer...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Brass

Early Edward Wormley Step End Tables / Nightstands for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Early Edward Wormley step end tables for Dunbar.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Wood

Pair of Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent End Tables
By Edward Wormley, Drexel
Located in Buffalo, NY
Refined simplicity designed by Edward Wormley for Drexel. The end tables are part of the Precedent collection that he produced in the 1950s. Professionally restored, stunning off whi...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley Midcentury Magazine Rack for Dunbar in Brass and Wood Brown, 1950
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Milano, IT
A timeless Classic. The Dunbar production relies on designer Edward Wormley to design this elegant magazine rack, which at the same time serves as a cabinet or coffee table. The pec...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley Nightstand or Side Cabinet by Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A 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 Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Brass

World Globe by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
The ultimate world globe designed by Edward Wormley for Rand McNally, USA, circa 1950. Features a rotating globe mounted on a walnut base with brass capped legs. Marked "Rand McNally...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Bleached Mahogany Nightstands with Leather Bases by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Early 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 Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Pair of Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Nightstands or Small Chests
By Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of silver elm nightstands in dark brown finish with brass hardware. Designed by Edward Wormley for the Precedent collection by Drexel, design...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Adjustable Headboard
By Edward Wormley
Located in Pasadena, TX
Wormley has pioneered in a broad field of design, he was one of those unique designers who was sensitive to the interplay involved in selling modernism and still preserving the nostalgic touch of intimacy, warmth and detail. His first Dunbar chairs, produced in 1932, were reproductions of antique designs, but when they became popular Wormley augmented the set with new pieces to form a full line of furniture for almost every room in the house. Rare Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Adjustable Headboard...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Mahogany

Dunbar Asian Style Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Atlanta, GA
Dunbar Asians style end table, American, circa 1940s. Retains Dunbar branded mark underneath. This early Dunbar table shows Edward Wormley's Asian design ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Wood

Headboard by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An innovative and elegant king size headboard in darkened mahogany having channeled upholstery, adjustable back rests and two pairs of drop-down arms.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Mahogany, Upholstery

Magazine Table by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A triangular ash table with an inset cream leather top over two web strap magazine holders.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Ash, Leather

Edward Wormley Small Chests or Nightstands
By Edward Wormley
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Edward Wormley nightstands or chest of drawers. Manufactured by Dunbar.
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Pair of Nightstands by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair of ebonized 'French polish' mahogany nightstands with adjustable inner shelf and opposing hinges.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Brass

Ultimate King-Size Headboard by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Mahogany framed headboard tilts for comfortable reading slant, has rubber-filled channels, four of which drop down as arm rests. Model no. 4588. By Edward J Wormley for Dunbar. Ameri...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Selection of Modern Headboards
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Edward Wormley
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of Modern Headboards, circa 1950's. They are from top to bottom: 1) King Size Mahogany and Brass Headboard, designed by Edward Wormley for ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley more furniture and collectibles for sale on 1stDibs.

Edward Wormley more furniture and collectibles 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 more furniture and collectibles, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original more furniture and collectibles by Edward Wormley were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider more furniture and collectibles by Dunbar, Widdicomb Furniture Co., and T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings. Prices for Edward Wormley more furniture and collectibles can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $225 and can go as high as $22,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,900.

Recently Viewed

View All