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Edward Wormley Footstools

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
"Thebes" X Base Stool / Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Original Fabric
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Thebes stool / bench / footrest / footstool designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s. This example retains the original yellow and orange geometric design fabric. The finish on t...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Footstools

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 5002 Mid Century Thebes Mahogany Stools - Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 5002 Mid Century Thebes Mahogany Stools - Pair Each stool measures: 23 wide x 23 deep x 17 high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call r...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Footstools

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection Chair and Footstool, C. 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Westport, CT
Historic set of lounge chair and ottoman designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950-1959. Completely restored, reupholstered in embossed velvet by Holly Hunt. Walnut refinishe...
Category

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

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Two Pairs of Solid Mahogany Stools by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
We are offering two pairs of Dunbar stools with vinyl tops and mahogany bases. They would work well as footstools for your sofa or favorite chair. There is a rectangular Dunbar label...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Footstools

Pair of Edward Wormley Green Leather Ottomans for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of ottomans by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, c.1960s. The tufted seat cushions are upholstered in a dark olive green leather, a beautiful compliment to the rich mahogany frame...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Footstools

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Vintage Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany X-Stretcher Thebes Bench
By Edward Wormley
Located in Doraville, GA
A vintage "Thebes" bench designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in Berne, Indiana. The solid mahogany legs, with an x - stretcher, rests on button feet. The original fabric is most li...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Footstools

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Related Items
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Dining Chairs, Set of 8
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional set of eight Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie dining chairs By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture USA, 1950s Sculpted solid mahogany frames, with u...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Footstools

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Upholstery, Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Classic Modern Mahogany, Brass and Cane Bench or Stool
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
This elegant stool, bench or ottoman was designed by Edward Wormley for the Dunbar Furniture Company in 1950, model number 5006A. This stool, based on the Ancient Roman Curule seat ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Footstools

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley Dunbar Mahogany Armchair Mid Century Restored
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A very versatile mid century mahogany armchair designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar freshly reupholstered in a stunning tribal pattern fabric.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Footstools

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Edward Wormley for Dunbar 'Long John' Bench, C. 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Westport, CT
Elegant and versatile, this Long John Bench by Edward Wormley for Dunbar has been fully restored by Stamford Modern. Crafted from solid walnut, its sleek profile highlights timeless ...
Category

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

Materials

Twill, Walnut

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bermuda Bench as Found Condition
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Ferndale, MI
Edward Wormley design for Dunbar furniture of Berne Indiana. Elegant design rectangular bench on tall taper legs with high sides. I am offering the bench in solid and stable as found...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Mahogany Bench Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar C. 1950
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Bernville, PA
Mahogany bench table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950. Model 2288C. Occasionally referred to as a 'telephone table or bench'. Drawers have original brass and Rosewood hardwar...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Footstools

Materials

Brass

Pair of Green and Brown Mohair X Base Ottomans by Billy Baldwin
By Billy Baldwin
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A glamorous pair of green mohair with dark brown velvet piping X base ottomans by Billy Baldwin. Newly upholstered. Measurements: 22” wide, 18” Deep, 18.5” High.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Footstools

Materials

Mohair, Velvet

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bench, 1960
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bench, 1960. Restored and reupholstered in gray mohair.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Footstools

Materials

Mohair, Walnut

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bench, 1960
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bench, 1960
H 15.25 in W 33 in D 18.5 in
Pair Janus Wing Chairs and Ottomans by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare set of "Janus" wing chairs and ottomans designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. One of his most iconic designs! In the Janus Collection Wormley modernized the lines of eighteen...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Footstools

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection Lounge Chair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Southampton, NJ
Janus Collection lounge chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Ebonized sculpted walnut arms and legs with an exposed frame, and red upholstery with a button tufted back and curved seat...
Category

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

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Lounge Chair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Boynton Beach, FL
Tall back lounge chair designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar furniture. Beautiful crisp lines frame the chair with grace and style. Edward Wormley’s designs are still often mimicked ...
Category

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

Materials

Linen, Upholstery, Wood

Mahogany and Cane Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Mahogany and Cane Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950’s. The armrests are rosewood. Measures 26” wide 30.5” deep 31.5” tall to top back pillow, seat height 16” seat depth...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Footstools

Materials

Upholstery, Cane, Mahogany, Rosewood

Previously Available Items
Bench by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Absolutely stunning bench designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. This piece has been professionally refinished and reupholstered in an amazing leather hide. Retains Dunbar labeling.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Footstools

Materials

Leather, Wood

Bench by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Bench by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
H 15 in W 61 in D 16 in
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Foot Stools/Benches with Upholstered Top
By Edward Wormley
Located in Stamford, CT
Edward Wormley for Dunbar pair of foot stools/ benches. Walnut with upholstered in Rogers & Gofigon fabric, circa 1955.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Footstools

Materials

Upholstery

Edward Wormley “Thebes” Stool for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Miami, FL
Thebes stool designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, newly reupholstered in woven cotton fabric.
Category

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

Materials

Upholstery, Foam, Wood, Cotton

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Toadstool, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Amarillo, TX
Rare toadstool by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in shearling wool. Manufacturer's label to underside. USA, circa 1950s. Measures: 21 D x 17 H in. Wood, stainless steel, white w...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Footstools

Materials

Stainless Steel

Three 1940s Foot Stools by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
A group of 3 foot stools by Edward Wormley for Dunbar made in 1940 with a lacquered mahogany frame, newly upholstered in a zebra pattern hair on hide.
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edward Wormley Footstools

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Custom Brass Ottoman
By Edward Wormley
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Edward Wormley for Dunbar custom brass ottoman, circa late 1950s. This example has a patinated brass square frame and is upholstered in off white Turkish cotton.
Category

20th Century Edward Wormley Footstools

Edward Wormley footstools for sale on 1stDibs.

Edward Wormley footstools 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 footstools, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original footstools 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 footstools by Dunbar, Paul McCobb, and Thayer Coggin. Prices for Edward Wormley footstools can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,000 and can go as high as $8,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,673.
Questions About Edward Wormley Footstools
  • 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.

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