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Edward Wormley Chairs

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
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Captain Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
One of Edward Wormley's most famous and elegant chairs. A timeless masterpiece. The Captain Chair. We have fully restored to highlight the beautiful polished brass, cane back, curve...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Captain Chairs In Holly Hunt Great Plains
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
One of Edward Wormley's most famous and elegant chairs. A timeless masterpiece. The Captain Chair. We have fully restored to highlight the beautiful polished brass, cane back, curve...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Brass

Pair of Janus Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
A chic and playful pair of mid-20th century Janus lounge chairs designed by Edward Wormley for American furniture manufacturer Dunbar, with walnut ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Captain's "Y" Chair, ca. 1955
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Captain's "Y" chair, ca. 1955. Professionally restored walnut frame with new back caning and new upholstered seat with super soft and luxurious ivory wool f...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley Antler Chairs for Dunbar, Model 5580
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design antler dining chairs for Dunbar, Model 5580. Rare and attractive design chair by Wormley in the height of his design career. Frames are bleached mahogany with...
Category

1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

Pair of Edward Wormley Lounge Chairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in Kensington, MD
Pair of Edward Wormley Lounge Chairs Additional information: Material: Wood Featured at Kensington: Beautiful pair of armless slipper chairs designed by Edward Wormley. Solid...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Swiveling Stool
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This sweet early Wormley modern design makes a perfect vanity or desk chair. The fully upholstered seat swivels over dark stained mahogany legs joined by dowel stretches, with capped...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley Toadstool for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Houston, TX
Edward Wormley Toadstool ottoman Dunbar. Stained oak, enameled steel, wool. USA 38 D x 15 H inches. Edward Wormley for Dunbar toadstool ottoman upholstered in wool.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Wool, Wood

Midcentury "Quinn" Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Model 1170, Walnut + Wool
By Edward Wormley, Gunlocke, Jens Risom, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Decatur, GA
"Quinn" chair, Model no. 1170 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar circa 1965. Sculpted walnut arms transition seamlessly to the upholstered back creating a wonderful silhouette. Frame is so...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Wool, Upholstery, Walnut

Set of Six Edward Wormley for Dunbar Caned Dining Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Labeled set of six mid-century modern caned dining chairs featuring new modern boucle upholstery redux. Iconic chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar having walnut frames in an angular design with an ebonized finish. The rectangular back has a cane inset...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Bouclé, Cane, Wood

Four Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of four Edward Wormley for Dunbar high back dining chairs with mahogany bases. Fully restored and reupholstered.
Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Edward Wormley Walnut and Leather Model 675 Dining Chairs for Dunbar, circa 1955
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Edward Wormley walnut & leather model 675 dining chairs for Dunbar, circa 1955. This set has been expertly restored.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Brass

Channel Back Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An unusual and early design by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. This channel back lounge chair has mahogany trim and aluminum legs. Fully restored and reupholstered in Designtex / Lambert ...
Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Set of Six Mid Century Dining Chairs Drexel Precedent by Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Drexel
Located in New York, NY
Chic set of six dining chairs designed by Edward Wormley as part of the classic Precedent Line, for Drexel. The set includes two arm chairs, and four side chairs, they are in very go...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Edward Wormely for Dunbar Janus Chair in Mohair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A dining height Janus armchair designed by Mid-Century Modern master Edward Wormley. The chair features a sculpted dark mahogany frame and mohair upholstery with button-tufted backs....
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Mohair, Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany Dining Chairs, Set of 8
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid century Mahogany dining chairs - set of 8 Each armless chair measures: 20 wide x 20 deep x 33 high, with a seat height of 17 inches Each captains ch...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Edward Wormley Pair of Armchairs in Green Velvet Upholstery
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, pair of armchairs, beech, velvet, United States, 1960s These armchairs are designed by Edward Wormley for the furniture company Dunbar in the sixties. The...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Beech

Four Dunbar Janus Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautifully restored set of four matching Janus lounge chairs with walnut frames and green velvet upholstery. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Lounge Chair with Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid century lounge chair with Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric This chair measures: 24 wide x 30.5 deep x 30.75 high, with a seat height of 16 and arm height/cha...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair of Club Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of side upholstered side chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Medium brown lightly textured fabric and dark brown lacquered wood base. Chairs have been completely redone. Wonder...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Wood

Set of Eight Caned Back Dunbar Dining Chairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic set of eight (8) Dunbar dining chairs designed by Edward Wormley and made by Dunbar ca' 1950's. Large scale with generous seats, klismos style legs and caned backs these chairs are luxurious and elegant. Newly restored and reupholstered in distressed green leather...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Edward Wormley Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Edward Wormley
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An oversized, comfortable lounge chair and ottoman. Manufactured by Dunbar.
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Caned and Ebonized Arm Chair Designed by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Stamford, CT
A sharp looking ebonized chair with caned side panels designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category

1950s American Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Stylish and elegant slipper chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar ca' 1950's. Upholstered in Fret custom Italian silk velvet, luxurious to the touch, (samples available). Chocolate bra...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Edward Wormley Chairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in Westport, CT
Pair Edward Wormley Dark Walnut and off white cord chairs for Drexel co,fabric in and off white ultra suede.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Edward Wormley Chair for Dunbar Model 2424B
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Sleekly sculptural chair with a radically slender, curved seat back designed by Edward Wormley and produced by Dunbar Furniture, c. 1940. An early modernist design by Wormley, in an organic design idiom, that transforms a traditional wingback chair...
Category

1940s American Organic Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Set of Four Edward Wormley for Dunbar Horned Dining Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Iconic and rare set of four horned antler chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Known as 5580 model dining chairs crafted from mahogany with a caned seat. Arguably these are ...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Slipper Chair circa 1950s with Original Upholstery
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Comfortable armless lounge slipper chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in beautiful plaid upholstery. A true collectors piece with no modifications and in excellent vintage condition....
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Mahogany Armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dorchester, MA
Edward Wormley designed this handsome mahogany armchair for Dunbar, juxtaposing modern linearity with curvaceous classic form. It has been expertly reupholstered in Knoll's Rivington...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

1950s Tufted Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An armless button tufted lounge chair of generous proportion having exposed walnut base. Model: 5000.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Pair of Dunbar High Back "Mr." Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A “Mr.” chair from one of Edward Wormley designs for Dunbar. The pair is upholstered in a woven fabric. Chair has a high back, sloped sides and arms, and sits on four thick legs that...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Pair of Edward Wormley "Alexandria" Chairs for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Pair of sinuous “Alexandria” chairs in mahogany designed by Edward Wormley and produced by Dunbar Furniture circa 1961. One of Wormley’s signature des...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Silk, Mahogany

Edward Wormley Set of 4 Dining/Game Chairs in Walnut and Rosewood 1963 'Signed'
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 dining/game chairs model no 935 in walnut and rosewood with upholstered seats by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American 1963 (original Dunbar labels on bottom). These chairs ar...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Rosewood, Walnut

Pair of Edward Wormley Mahogany and Grey Wool Barrel Back Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar barrel back arm chairs in mahogany and blue/gray wool upholstery. Great understated design that reveals unique qualities, would...
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

'A-Frame' Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Mid-Century Modern Classic 'A-Frame' armchair with a woven caned backrest, upholstered black leather seat and brass capped feet. Designed by Edward Wormley, produced by Dunbar in t...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Brass

Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pull-Up Lounge Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar pull-up lounge chairs. Model 971 Jansus line collection. Wormley's Boutique line. Original chocolate brown leather with...
Category

1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Leather

Slipper Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Slipper chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. USA, circa 1950. Signed with brass tag. Features tufted back with piping. Original f...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Edward Wormley "a Chair" for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare chair in mahogany with solid brass legs. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Edward Wormley Tear Drop Lounge Chairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful matched pair of tear drop lounges model #5106. Professionally re-upholstered.
Category

1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Lounge Chairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Edward Wormley design swivel lounge chairs for Dunbar, model #5609 Refinished and reupholstered in a cotton velvet fabric.
Category

1960s American Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

1960s Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
With a nod to the immense popularity of Charles Eames's swivel lounge chair and ottoman, Wormley capitalized on the popularity of his own stationary, winged lounge chair and ottoman ...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Leather

Horned Dunbar Dining Chair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Dunbar for Modern, Edward Wormley Antler chair Model 5580 design, bleached mahogany with cained seat and newly upholstered spinney-beck leather button tufted seat cushion. Early lab...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Leather, Cane, Mahogany

Pair of Janus High Back Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair of 'Janus' high back chairs with the original blue silk faille upholstery, on light walnut legs with cloud lift stretchers.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Walnut, Upholstery

6 Edward Wormley Dining Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of six dining chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Set includes two arm chairs model No. 295W and four side chairs model No. 294W. Original Jack Lenor Larsen Upholstery....
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Edward Wormley chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Edward Wormley chairs 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 chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original chairs by Edward Wormley were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider chairs by Milo Baughman, Dunbar, and Paul McCobb. Prices for Edward Wormley chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $760 and can go as high as $24,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $7,900.

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