Iconic Designs

A-Frame ChairBy Edward Wormley

About the Design

Wormley’s foray into design in the mid-1920s has origins in the correspondence course from New York School of Interior Design that he completed as a high school student as well as a two-year stint at the Art Institute of Chicago.

But it was a trip to Paris in 1930 that had a permanent impact on his aesthetic. There, he spent time with architect and furniture maker Le Corbusier and Art Deco master Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann. Upon returning to the United States, he landed his first job in the design department at Chicago’s Marshall Field & Company department store.

By 1931, Wormley was hired by Indiana-based Dunbar, and he worked there until the company was sold in 1970. Dunbar initially tasked Wormley with transforming its brand from an inexpensive manufacturer into a more high-minded retailer, and his exemplary mid-century modernist work helped solidify the company as a top American furniture producer.

Select pieces that Wormley would go on to create for Dunbar were included in the Good Design annual exhibitions of 1951 and 1952. The show was sponsored by the Chicago Merchandise Mart and New York City’s Museum of Modern Art to celebrate home furnishings that exemplified “excellent appearance and progressive performance.”

Manufactured in 1959, Wormley’s A-Frame chair merged his aptitude for creating comfortable seating with his woodworking expertise and appetite for innovation. The chair was a huge hit for Dunbar — its elegant woven caned backrest, leather seat and compass legs positioned it as an attractive, seamless fit for interiors nationwide.

A Frame Chair

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Captain Chairs

$14,000 / set

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Captain Chairs

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Dallas, TX

Discover one of Edward Wormley's most famous and elegant chairs. A timeless masterpiece, The Captain Chair. We have fully restored this iconic piece to its original splendor, highlighting the beautiful polished brass, cane back, and curved wood frame. The seat has been meticulously reupholstered in Holland & Sherry performance fabric, ensuring both durability and sophistication. Elevate your space with a piece that embodies the essence of mid-century modern luxury. Edward Wormley for Dunbar Captain...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley Ottoman for Dunbar

$8,500 / set

Edward Wormley Ottoman for Dunbar

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in San Francisco, CA

Edward Wormley design x-base ottoman for Dunbar Furniture. Timeless and classic design by Wormley offering additional seating for any arrangement. Newly refinished and upholstered in...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Dunbar Edward Wormley Pair of Janus line armchairs mahogany mid century Berne

$3,450 / set

Dunbar Edward Wormley Pair of Janus line armchairs mahogany mid century Berne

By Edward Wormley

Located in Bridgehampton, NY

Carved detailed Dunbar, Berne IN design by Edward Wormley. Needs reupholstery

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

Edward Wormley Captains Chair for Dunbar, Model 5480

$6,500

Edward Wormley Captains Chair for Dunbar, Model 5480

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in San Francisco, CA

Edward Wormley Captain's Chair for Dunbar Furniture, Model 5480. Elegant looking armchair perfect for a desk or bedroom corner. Made from oak with brass feet and a cane backrest, jus...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Cane, Oak

Edward Wormley Antler Chairs for Dunbar, Model 5580

$12,000 / set

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

Vintage 1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

Early Labeled Mahogany Dunbar Edward Wormley Dining Table

$8,700

Early Labeled Mahogany Dunbar Edward Wormley Dining Table

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Sarasota, FL

Stunning very early label Dunbar table designed by Edward Wormley. In stunning mahogany. Labeled to the underside Dunbar in an early tag dating to pre 1940. Comes with 2 leaves. F...

Category

Vintage 1930s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Mahogany

A-Frame' Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

$10,500

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

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Brass

A-frame Armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

$7,200

A-frame Armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A horseshoe back armchair with white leather upholstery and ebonized mahogany frame.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Chair, C. 1950s

$6,000

H 30 in W 28.5 in D 32 in

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Chair, C. 1950s

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Westport, CT

A swivel lounge chair designed by the iconic Edward Wormely for Dunbar Furniture, circa 1950-1959. Completely restored, fitted with new high-grade hand cut foam with all insides full...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Walnut Dining Table, Refinished

$6,995

H 29.75 in W 114.5 in D 44.25 in

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Walnut Dining Table, Refinished

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional Mid-Century Modern walnut extension dining table By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1950s Measures: 66.5"W x 44.25"D x 29.75"H. Extends up to 114.5"W with ...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Walnut

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Dining Table, Newly Refinished

$4,995

H 29.75 in W 51.75 in D 45 in

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Dining Table, Newly Refinished

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional Mid-Century Modern hexagonal dining table or game table in gorgeous book-matched rosewood By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1960s Measures 51.75"W x 45"D ...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Chairs and Ottoman

$6,650Sale Price / set|30% Off

H 30.5 in W 31 in D 32.5 in

Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Chairs and Ottoman

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Middlesex, NJ

Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Chairs and Ottoman Ottoman Measurements: 29.25 length 25.25 depth 17.25 height

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Acrylic, Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Slipper Chair circa 1950s with Original Upholstery

$2,750Sale Price|50% Off

H 32.5 in W 22.75 in D 29 in

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Slipper Chair circa 1950s with Original Upholstery

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

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

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Walnut Dining Table, Refinished

$6,995

H 29.5 in W 114 in D 44.25 in

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Walnut Dining Table, Refinished

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional Mid-Century Modern walnut extension dining table By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1950s Measures: 66"W x 44.25"D x 29.5"H. Extends up to 114"W with two 2...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Walnut

Edward Wormley Extension Walnut Dining Table for Dunbar, circa 1953

$5,760Sale Price|20% Off

H 29.5 in W 98 in D 42 in

Edward Wormley Extension Walnut Dining Table for Dunbar, circa 1953

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Camden, ME

An Edward Wormley walnut extension dining table designed for Dunbar in the early 1950s. The dark walnut base sets on four leather cased feet contrasts with the walnut top which is a ...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection

$9,500 / set

H 29 in W 26 in D 27 in

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

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Horseshoe Armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

$6,800

H 30 in W 24.5 in D 20 in

Horseshoe Armchair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A first production rare walnut laminated and sculpted horseshoe back dining chair, with a flared rosewood backplate and a loose button tuft...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Rosewood, Upholstery, Walnut

Edward J. Wormley Lounge Chair and Ottoman circa 1950s for Dunbar

$3,250

H 29.25 in W 27.5 in D 36.5 in

Edward J. Wormley Lounge Chair and Ottoman circa 1950s for Dunbar

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in St. Louis, MO

Edward J. Wormley lounge chair and ottoman for Dunbar circa 1950s on solid brass castors. The lounge chair has a trapezoid shape, wider in the front (27.5" W) and tapers to the back....

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining Chairs

$3,150Sale Price / set|70% Off

H 35 in W 24 in D 20 in

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining Chairs

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This is a rare set of 8 Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining chairs in great condition. Upholstery as found, re-upholstery available.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Rare Edward Wormley Custom Mahogany and Natural Rosewood Oval Dining Table

$8,400Sale Price|20% Off

H 29 in W 72 in D 63 in

Rare Edward Wormley Custom Mahogany and Natural Rosewood Oval Dining Table

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Chicago, IL

Outstanding custom-made large oval dining table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Dark stained mahogany border, incised apron and squared legs. Inlaid bookmatched rosewood venee...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Rosewood, Mahogany

Previously Available Items

Edward Wormley Y Armchair for Dunbar, Circa 1950s

Sold

H 32.25 in W 22.25 in D 22 in

Edward Wormley Y Armchair for Dunbar, Circa 1950s

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in San Diego, CA

Beautiful and Sophisticated Edward Wormley Y arms chair in excellent original condition. This chair is made of solid walnut and laminated wood for the curved upper backrest. Incredib...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Cane

Edward Wormley A-Frame Armchair for Dunbar

Sold

H 32.5 in W 24.5 in D 26 in

Edward Wormley A-Frame Armchair for Dunbar

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Dark walnut "A-Frame" armchair with tapered legs and brass capped feet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, c.1960s. The seat cushion has been reupholstered with a sage green mohair - ...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley Swivel Lounge Chairs, Dunbar Model 5609

Sold

H 29.75 in W 27.5 in D 30.5 in

Edward Wormley Swivel Lounge Chairs, Dunbar Model 5609

By Edward Wormley

Located in Downingtown, PA

Edward Wormley Swivel Lounge Chairs, Dunbar Model 5609, Distinctive Design by a Mid-Century Modern Master (1950s-1960s) This elegant pair of swivel lounge chairs exemplifies the en...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Lounge Chairs, Model 4626

Sold

H 30 in W 31 in D 32 in

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Lounge Chairs, Model 4626

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in San Francisco, CA

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture swivel lounge chairs, model 4626. Large comfortable chairs with built in half rounded arms and a deep seat. Newly upholstered in a moss mohair or ...

Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Mohair, Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair of Iconic Lounge Chairs in Laminated Ash 1954

Sold

H 32.5 in W 24.5 in D 22 in

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair of Iconic Lounge Chairs in Laminated Ash 1954

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Pair of masterfully crafted lounge chairs model 5480 in laminated ash with caned back and brass sabots by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American 1954. These chairs are a tour de force ...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley Coffee Table for Dunbar

Sold

H 14 in Dm 48 in

Edward Wormley Coffee Table for Dunbar

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in San Francisco, CA

Edward Wormley design coffee table for Dunbar Furniture, Berne Indiana. Large and impressive table with a beautiful travertine stone top on a shaped round dark walnut frame on four b...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Travertine

Pair of 1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cane Back Brass Armchairs Model 5480

Sold

H 31.5 in W 24.5 in D 25 in

Pair of 1950s Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cane Back Brass Armchairs Model 5480

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in St.Petersburg, FL

A pair of Model 5480 brass stiletto cane chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. Details are everything, and nothing was skipped in this design. With exposed brass ha...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley Captain's Chair for Dunbar

Sold

H 32.5 in W 24.5 in D 26 in

Edward Wormley Captain's Chair for Dunbar

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in San Francisco, CA

Edward Wormley design armchair or Captain's chair for Dunbar, Model 5480. Elegant and iconic design by Edward Wormley executed in lacquered ash molded plywood with original cane and ...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Oak, Plywood

Edward Wormley Constellation Table for Dunbar

Sold

H 19 in Dm 13 in

Edward Wormley Constellation Table for Dunbar

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in San Francisco, CA

Edward Wormley design constellation side table for Dunbar Furniture, USA. Elegant little table perfect for drinks with a laminate top inlaid with wood circles to immitate stars. Spla...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Laminate, Mahogany

Edward Wormley Captain's Chair for Dunbar, Model 5480

Sold

H 25.5 in W 24.5 in D 25 in

Edward Wormley Captain's Chair for Dunbar, Model 5480

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in San Francisco, CA

Edward Wormley design armchair or Captain's chair for Dunbar, Model 5480. Elegant and iconic design by Edward Wormley executed in ash plywood with original cane and finish with a new...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Set of Four Edward Wormley A-Frame Armchairs for Dunbar

Sold

H 32.75 in W 24.5 in D 26 in

Set of Four Edward Wormley A-Frame Armchairs for Dunbar

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Los Angeles, CA

The "A-Frame" armchairs with tapered legs and brass capped feet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, c.1960s. The seat cushions have previously been reupholstered with a striped wool f...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Dunbar Y Back Captian Dining Chair by Wormley

Sold

H 32 in W 22.5 in D 23 in

Dunbar Y Back Captian Dining Chair by Wormley

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in New York, NY

Elegant, sophisticated and chic dining chair, designed by Wormley for Dunbar. The chair features a sculpted walnut frame, caned back and upholstered seat. This example is in good con...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Cane, Walnut

More Edward Wormley Designs

A Frame Chair

Average Price

$8,856

Number Available

A Frame Chair

By Edward Wormley

Materials

Wood, Mahogany, Cane, Fabric, Natural Fiber, Upholstery

Styles

Mid Century Modern

The Dunbar furniture company and designer Edward J. Wormley (1907–95) transformed American furnishings during the mid-20th century. Both Wormley and Dunbar hailed from the Midwest, and the fruit of their decades-long partnership is characterized by a strong ethos of classical design and the prioritization of well-made materials. Wormley’s foray into design in the mid-1920s has origins in the correspondence course from New York School of Interior Design that he completed as a high school stude...

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Edward Wormley Heart Chair

Average Price

$8,800

Number Available

Edward Wormley Heart Chair

By Edward Wormley

Materials

Wood, Fabric, Mahogany, Upholstery

Styles

Mid Century Modern

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