Edward Wormley Sideboards
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
unique edward wormley sideboard
By Edward Wormley
Located in Munich, DE
built on special order for a british duchess this edward wormley sideboard is looking slightly different, than the others you might know. it has a different size and square wooden le...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley Credenza/ Sideboard for Dunbar, 1940s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A very early (late 1930s- early 1940s) sideboard designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. This piece is a testament to his design philosophy of embracing new and holding onto what is t...
Category
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sideboard in Mahogany
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Not often seen, a fully restored sliding door sideboard by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. The cabinet features four sliding doors with loads of interior storage. The top section has two ...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Credenza
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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 Sideboards
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley for Drexel Black Lacquered Sideboard Credenza, Newly Refinished
By Edward Wormley, Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet
By Edward Wormley for Drexel, "Precedent" Collection
USA, 1940s
Black lacquered elm wood, with original...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Sliding Door Credenza
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Sliding Door Credenza
This credenza measures: 41.5 wide x 18 deep x 34 inches hi...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Black Lacquered Sideboard or Bar Cabinet, Refinished
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet
By Edward Wormley for Dunbar
USA, 1950s
Mahogany in black lacquered finish. Cabinet locks and key is in...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Mahogany, Lacquer
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Walnut Sideboard Credenza
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet
By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture
USA, 1950s
Walnut, with original brass hardware.
Measures: 66.25"W x ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Brass
Tambour Door Cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Model 959
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A chic and versatile cabinet with blond tamowood top and burnt almond walnut tambour doors on a dark mahogany case. Nice details like the razor-thin brass door pulls, and dappled var...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Walnut
Wormley Designed Precedent Credenza by Drexel
By Drexel, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Impressive credenza, sideboard, server, designed by Edward Wormley, made by Drexel as part of the classic Precedent line. The cabinet features center bank of five drawers, flanked by...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Metal
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mcm Bleached Mahogany Sliding Door Credenza, Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid-century bleached mahogany sliding door credenza - pair.
Each credenza measures: 41.5 wide x 18 deep x 34 inches high.
All pieces of furniture can ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Woven Front Dark Brown Mahogany Credenza
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century (1950s) mahogany credenza with woven design front panels that slide to reveal a blond wood interior with a large central cabinet and two drawer sets on either si...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Lacquer
Dunbar Cabinet in Burl, Brass Mahogany and Yellow / Gold Lamartine Marble
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare Dunbar cabinet designed by Edward Wormley with burl wood case, mahogany frame and legs with gold / yellow Lamartine Marble top. The two doors lock with the original key and open...
Category
1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Marble, Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Woven Front White Painted Credenza
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century (1950s) white painted mahogany credenza with woven design front panels that slide to reveal a green painted interior with a large central cabinet and two drawer ...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Lacquer
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 5665 Credenza
By Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this handsome Edward Wormley Model 5665 Credenza featuring it original 1950's finish; walnut case; three upper drawers with recessed pulls and divided interiors; three sliding doors of interwoven, laminated walnut veneer; three pull-out tray drawers behind the end doors; adjustable shelves behind the center door; passage in the back panel for cables; and Dunbar metal...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Collection Sideboard
By Drexel, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern Wormley for Drexel, his Precedent collection sideboard-buffet, originally designed in the late 1940s. Center drawers with end cabinet doors and interior shelves. P...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Elm
Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Mid Century Brass and Elm Credenza
By Drexel, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Drexel precedent mid century brass and elm credenza
Credenza measures: 66.75 wide x 20 deep x 32.75 inches high
All pieces of furniture can be had in what we...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Brass
Walnut and Mahogany Sideboard, Model 4579, by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in 1945, this exquisite sideboard, model 4579, appeared in the 1997 exhibition "The Other Face of Modernism." With its bold brass hinges and pul...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cabinet
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Denton, TX
Two Edward Wormley cabinets with corrugated wood sliding doors and center drawer section in a grey brown finish
Each cabinet is 20" deep by 49" wide by 31.25 high.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sideboard, Rare Model
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
This is a beautifully restored sideboard by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. The cabinet has plenty of storage and is executed in a rich mahogany with darker banded wood on edges. Cabinets has 4 front doors...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Mahogany
Modular Six-Piece Credenza by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Very rare and unusual piece by Edward Wormley. This modular credenza in walnut can be put together in a host of different configurations. Detailed with l...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Superstructure Wall Unit or Room Divider, Restored
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional "superstructure" wall unit display cabinet or room divider
By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture
USA, 1950s
Concave cabinet...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cabinet with Brass Hardware, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful sideboard cabinet designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, made of sandalwood with solid brass hardware. Cabinet has drawers on each side, center Lucite pull out shelf and on...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Brass
Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar Sideboard
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar for modern 1940s bleached mahogany sideboard, center stepped out, inset oval drawer pulls, center interior with drawers and space to store table pads, end cabinet doors hinged on sides and have curved wood door shelves, on leather plinth base. Original key. To be refinished, custom colors options available. Dunbar quality...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Walnut & Japanese Fir Sideboard by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dorchester, MA
Edward Wormley designed this handsome sideboard, model 671A, for Dunbar in 1953. The case features Japanese fir panels that contrast with the walnut frame. Two top drawers, one of w...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Fir, Leather, Maple, Walnut
Edward Wormley Sideboard Model 671 A for Dunbar Custom Order 1953
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Camden, ME
An Edward Wormley walnut and Japanese fir sideboard , model 671A for Dunbar, circa 1953.
A rare exquisite Japanese inspired walnut cabinet with two drawers with cast bronze pulls and...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Walnut, Paper
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Sliding Door Sideboard or Credenza Cabinet
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mahogany sideboard. Item features clean Mid-Century Modern lines, brass accents at the base, two dovetail constructed upper drawers. four sliding cabinet do...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Brass
Drop Tambour Front Cabinet by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An innovative and uncommon drop tambour front cabinet of bleached walnut having recessed finger pulls, the cabinet with drawers, shelves and vert...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Walnut
A Walnut Sideboard by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A walnut server with central compartment having a removable glass-bottom serving tray & one adjustable shelf, flanked by two banks of four drawers over one long drawer all with brass...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley Walnut and Olive Ash Burl Tall Cabinet for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Described in Dunbar catalogs as "#6027 High Piece" this incredible curved front cabinet is constructed of walnut with olive ash burled lower cabin...
Category
1950s American Vintage Edward Wormley Sideboards
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley sideboards for sale on 1stDibs.
Edward Wormley sideboards 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 sideboards, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original sideboards 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 sideboards by Dunbar, Paul McCobb, and Mastercraft. Prices for Edward Wormley sideboards can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,595 and can go as high as $28,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $8,500.
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