American Design 
15 August 2023
American Design 
332

Edward Wormley

Long John bench, model 4699

Dunbar
USA, 1946 / c. 1955
walnut, beech 11¾ h × 61 w × 19 d in (30 × 155 × 48 cm)
estimate: $700–900
result: $983
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Branded manufacturer's mark to underside ‘Dunbar 4699’. Partial paper retailer's label to underside ‘Dunbar Furniture Mfg’.
provenance: Acquired directly from the producer by the original owner | Thence by descent
literature: Edward Wormley: The Other Face of Modernism, Gura, Kennedy and Weinberg, pg. 28 Dunbar: Fine Furniture of the 1950s, Piña, ppg. 160, 192

This work will ship from 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

result: $32,500

Edward Wormley

Alexandria chairs model 6004, set of six

estimate: $15,000–20,000

result: $28,800

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