
Furniture is needed for practical reasons, and because it must be there, it may as well be as pleasant as possible to look at, and in a less definable psychological way, comforting to the spirit.
Edward Wormley
Furniture is needed for practical reasons, and because it must be there, it may as well be as pleasant as possible to look at, and in a less definable psychological way, comforting to the spirit.
Edward Wormley
Edward Wormley 1907–1995
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.
Upcoming Lots Edward Wormley
Auction Results Edward Wormley
Important slide archive from the estate of Edward Wormley
estimate: $20,000–30,000
result: $38,400
Rare bench, model 4871
estimate: $20,000–30,000
result: $35,000
Sectional sofas, model 5945A and model 5947L
estimate: $9,000–12,000
result: $32,500
Alexandria chairs model 6004, set of six
estimate: $15,000–20,000
result: $28,800
Janus occasional table, model 6047
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $27,500
Listen-To-Me chaise, model #4873
estimate: $15,000–20,000
result: $25,200
Tete-a-Tete
estimate: $9,000–12,000
result: $24,000
Listen-To-Me chaise, model #4873
estimate: $20,000–30,000
result: $22,800
dining chairs model 4592, set of sixteen
estimate: $10,000–15,000
result: $22,500
Janus occasional table, model 5633
estimate: $9,000–12,000
result: $21,250
Janus occasional tables model 5633, pair
estimate: $15,000–20,000
result: $21,250
bookcases model 5264, pair
estimate: $10,000–15,000
result: $20,480
sofa
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $20,000
wall-mounted console
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $20,000
Janus occasional table, model 6047
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $18,750
sofa
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $18,750
sofa
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $18,750
Janus occasional tables model 5633, pair
estimate: $7,000–9,000
result: $18,750
rare bookcases model 5264, pair
estimate: $10,000–15,000
result: $18,750
Alexandria chairs model 6004, set of six
estimate: $15,000–20,000
result: $17,500
occasional table, model #5633
estimate: $8,000–10,000
result: $16,800
Mr. and Mrs. chests, models #4723 and #4724
estimate: $6,000–8,000
result: $16,800
Snack tables model 479, pair
estimate: $10,000–15,000
result: $16,800
armchairs model 5480, set of six
estimate: $7,000–9,000
result: $16,250