Edward Wormley Vanities

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.

Creator: Edward Wormley

Petite Vanity/Writing Table with Stool Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

$7,500 / set

Petite Vanity/Writing Table with Stool Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Vintage mahogany vanity/writing table with corresponding naugahyde stool designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar (ca. 1950s, Indiana, USA). Angu...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

Materials

Naugahyde, Laminate, Mahogany

Mid Century Vanity by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

$4,950

Mid Century Vanity by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A striking mid-century modern modular vanity desk featuring a dramatic matte black ebonized finish. The architectural drop-center design features twin four-drawer pedestals with slee...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

Materials

Mahogany

Telephone Cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

$4,800

Telephone Cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Sagaponack, NY

An ebonized and polished dark mahogany telephone cabinet or vanity table having a storage drawer and an innovative fold-out bench.

Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

Materials

Mahogany

Vanity Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

$12,500

Vanity Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

By Edward Wormley

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A cherry dressing table or vanity, with a beautifully bevelled drawer, Lucite pull and gallery edges, over double-forked base with chromed suppor...

Category

1960s American Scandinavian Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

Materials

Steel

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Credenza

$7,500

H 28 in W 69.13 in D 18 in

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Credenza

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Denton, TX

Classic Edward Wormley for Dunbar mahogany credenza with solid brass hardware. Nine drawers with center cabinet.

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Two Midcentury Ebonized Walnut Woven Front Credenzas, Edward Wormley for Dunbar

$24,000Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 18 in W 61.5 in D 28.75 in

Two Midcentury Ebonized Walnut Woven Front Credenzas, Edward Wormley for Dunbar

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Chicago, IL

Two signed Edward Wormley for Dunbar ebonized walnut woven front credenzas with brass fittings. One is a darker walnut than the other so they are not exactly matching in coloration. ...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

Materials

Walnut

Writing Desk By Edward Wormley For Dunbar

$12,500

H 29 in W 54 in D 28 in

Writing Desk By Edward Wormley For Dunbar

By Edward Wormley

Located in St.Petersburg, FL

Beautiful and rare walnut desk designed by Edward Wormley, manufactured by Dunbar ca' 1950's. Single drawer, dark walnut original finish, with nice graining. Edges are raised to give...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Executive Walnut Desk by Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar

$6,895

H 29.25 in W 72 in D 38 in

Mid-Century Executive Walnut Desk by Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in North Hollywood, CA

Wonderful mid-century executive walnut desk designed by Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar in the United States, circa 1950s. This desk is made with a timeless design that has been profess...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Desk in Tawi Walnut & Steel

$38,250

H 29 in W 54 in D 30 in

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Desk in Tawi Walnut & Steel

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in New York, NY

An exceptional and rare drop leaf desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in Tawi Walnut & Steel. USA, circa 1950. Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Desk Hardwood veneers Berne, Indiana Angular...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

Materials

Metal

Burl and Walnut Edward Wormley for Dunbar Marble Cabinet

$9,600Sale Price|20% Off

H 33 in W 33 in D 18 in

Burl and Walnut Edward Wormley for Dunbar Marble Cabinet

By Edward Wormley

Located in New York, NY

Beautiful green marble and burl cabinet, believed to be an Ed Wormly piece for Dunbar. Beautiful condition. Same era as: Charlotte Perriand, Jean Prouve, Pierre Pauline, Serge Moui...

Category

Late 20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Vanities

Materials

Marble

1950s Walnut and cane executive desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture

$5,500

H 29 in W 72 in D 38 in

1950s Walnut and cane executive desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Cedar Falls, IA

Walnut, cane, brass, and rosewood executive desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture, circa 1950s. Massive desk with executive proportions. Large 72"x38" desktop surface with imp...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cabinet with Chinese Printing Blocks

$6,800

H 41.75 in W 65.5 in D 13.5 in

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cabinet with Chinese Printing Blocks

By Edward Wormley

Located in Dallas, TX

A walnut cabinet with brass cleats, rosewood drawers and antique Chinese printing blocks. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.

Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

Materials

Rosewood, Walnut

Edward Wormley Woven Front Chest by Dunbar, Mahogany & Nickel, 1950s

$12,500

H 36 in W 41.5 in D 18 in

Edward Wormley Woven Front Chest by Dunbar, Mahogany & Nickel, 1950s

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in New York, NY

Edward Wormley Woven Front Chest by Dunbar, Mahogany & Nickel, 1950s. Medium scale commode, No. 4465, with two woven front sliding doors, two top...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

Materials

Nickel

Mid-Century Walnut and Rosewood Executive Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

$4,800

H 29 in W 60 in D 32.35 in

Mid-Century Walnut and Rosewood Executive Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Edward J. Wormely for Dunbar executive desk in walnut with deeply sculpted inset rosewood drawer pulls, brass shoes, and removable woven cane privacy screen (ca. 1950s, Indiana, USA)...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

Materials

Brass

Server Bar by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

$4,200

H 32 in W 28 in D 21 in

Server Bar by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Asbury Park, NJ

A multifunctional walnut bar cart on casters by Edward Wormley for Dunbar– Model 5433. The cabinet has two cedar shelves which can be adjusted up or down. One drawer above the cabine...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Oval Dining Table

$4,900

H 29 in W 60 in D 54 in

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Oval Dining Table

By Edward Wormley

Located in St. Louis, MO

Edward Wormley for Dunbar oval dining table, model # 696. Mahogany slight oval with sculpted legs and inset apron. Two 14" leaves. Extends to ...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

Materials

Mahogany

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

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

Materials

Rosewood

Mid-Century Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Occasional Table

$1,150

H 22 in W 27.5 in D 27.5 in

Mid-Century Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Occasional Table

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Forney, TX

A beautiful mid-century custom ordered occasional table, model 426A, designed by Edward Wormley (American, 1907-1995) for Dunbar Furniture; Berne, Indiana. The two-tier Modernist...

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Triangular Coffee Table

$5,800

H 14.5 in W 33 in D 33 in

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Triangular Coffee Table

By Edward Wormley

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.

Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

Materials

Elm, Mahogany

Previously Available Items

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Vanity / Desk

Sold

H 31.5 in W 36 in D 18.375 in

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Vanity / Desk

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Dallas, TX

An ash vanity or desk with oak drawer, rosewood trim and brass hardware. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

Category

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

Materials

Oak

Edward Wormley Desk

Sold

H 27.88 in W 58.75 in D 20.5 in

Edward Wormley Desk

By Edward Wormley, Drexel

Located in Los Angeles, CA

1940s vintage Art Deco desk or vanity by Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent collection. Constructed from silver elm with zinc pulls, 2 pullout / pul...

Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

Materials

Brass, Zinc

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Vanity Desk

Sold

H 27 in W 48 in D 18 in

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Vanity Desk

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Mid-Century Modern, double pedestal, tri-tone, vanity writing desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar features a medium mahogany body sitting on slender, ebonized bases with lacquered beig...

Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

Midcentury Drexel Precedent Vanity/Desk Designed by Edward Wormley

Sold

H 28 in W 58.5 in D 20.25 in

Midcentury Drexel Precedent Vanity/Desk Designed by Edward Wormley

By Edward Wormley, Drexel

Located in Pemberton, NJ

This vanity was designed by Edward Wormley for Drexel's Precedent Collection. We just love the bowed top along with the wonderful pull-out shelves on one side and removable caddys on...

Category

1940s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

Materials

Brass

Rare Dunbar Small Vanity or Makeup Table by Edward Wormley

Sold

H 29.5 in W 27.25 in D 16.5 in

Rare Dunbar Small Vanity or Makeup Table by Edward Wormley

By Edward Wormley

Located in Cincinnati, OH

A rare smaller scale mahogany vanity or makeup table with a single drawer and simple leg design with stretches. The higher tapered sides and back edges pr...

Category

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

Materials

Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Vanity Dresser, 1941

Sold

H 29 in W 54 in

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Vanity Dresser, 1941

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in South Bend, IN

Offering a very rare and early vanity and mirror by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. The vanity offers seven drawers for ample storage. It has original brass pulls with an inset glass top and sits on casters. The large matching mirror...

Category

1940s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

Materials

Mahogany

Edward Wormley vanities for sale on 1stDibs.

Edward Wormley vanities 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 vanities, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original vanities 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 vanities by and Herman Miller. Prices for Edward Wormley vanities can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $4,800 and can go as high as $13,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $8,500.

Questions About Edward Wormley Vanities

What materials did Edward Wormley use?
1 Answer
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.

Edward Wormley Vanities

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

1960s American Scandinavian Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

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

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

Late 20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Vanities

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

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

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

1950s Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

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

1940s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

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

1940s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Vanities

Edward Wormley vanities for sale on 1stDibs.

Questions About Edward Wormley Vanities

What materials did Edward Wormley use?