Essential Design 
12 January 2023
Essential Design 
105

Edward Wormley

Revolving lounge chairs model 5609, pair and ottoman

Dunbar
USA, 1956
mahogany, upholstery, brass chair: 30 h × 27 w × 31 d in (76 × 69 × 79 cm) ottoman: 14 h × 24 w × 20 d in (36 × 61 × 51 cm)
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $1,834
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D-shaped manufacturer's label to underside of ottoman ‘Dunbar’. Manufacturer's mark to decking ‘Dunbar’. Paper manufacturer's label to each seat and cushion ‘Dunbar Furniture Corp. of Indiana’.
literature: Edward Wormley: The Other Face of Modernism, Gura, Kennedy and Weinberg, pg. 41 Dunbar: Fine Furniture of the 1950s, Piña, ppg. 137, 200

This work will ship from Rago in Lambertville, New Jersey.

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Modernism means freedom–freedom to mix, to choose, to change, to embrace the new, but to hold fast to what is good.

Edward Wormley

Edward Wormley 1907–1995

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Born in rural Illinois in 1907, Edward Wormley’s interest in design originated early in life and led him to later study at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Due to financial reasons, Wormley dropped out after 2 years and began his first job in an interior design studio before joining the Indiana-based Dunbar Furniture Company where he served as director of design for nearly 40 years.

Following World War II, Wormley became an independent consultant branching out to design textiles, globe stands, and showrooms. He designed award winning collections for Drexel Furniture Company and was included in the Good Design shows of the Museum of Modern Art, New York. Characteristic of his design elements were functional engineering, decorative laminated plywood, and unconventional upholstery.

Wormley characteristically honored aesthetic qualities, following influences of Scandinavian modernism, while maintaining utilitarian qualities and “designing for the needs” of others. His work is timeless and of the highest quality. Wormley died in 1995, but his legacy is celebrated in collections including the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and the Museum of Decorative Arts in Montreal.

Auction Results Edward Wormley

Edward Wormley

Important slide archive from the estate of Edward Wormley

estimate: $20,000–30,000

result: $38,400

Edward Wormley

Rare bench, model 4871

estimate: $20,000–30,000

result: $35,000

Edward Wormley

Sectional sofas, model 5945A and model 5947L

estimate: $9,000–12,000

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Edward Wormley

Alexandria chairs model 6004, set of six

estimate: $15,000–20,000

result: $28,800

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