Edward Wormley; Pair of Precedent Chairs

Edward Wormley (1907-1995) was an American furniture and interior designer who was born in Chicago and started his career as an interior designer for Marshall Fields.  As a furniture designer he worked with major makers including Dunbar and Drexel, and is recognized as one of the leaders in bringing Modernism to the American public.  His furniture designs were shown in the early 1950's at the Good Design Exhibitions put on by the MoMA.  The exhibitions showcased top cutting-edge designers of the period including Eames, Nelson and Bertoia.  His work has been shown in other major exhibitions including the Boston Museum of Fine Arts in 1951, the Triennale XIII in Milan in 1964, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 1983.  His designs can be found today in the MoMA, the M.F.A. in Boston and the Museum of Decorative Arts in Montreal.  This handsome pair of chairs were designed by Wormley as part of the Drexel 'Precendent' collection.  There was a 20 page pull-out featuring the collection in the August 1947 issue of House and Garden.  The pieces were described as livable, suitable, matchable and interchangeable, amongst other "bles".  The ads are fantastic and artfully illustrated.  In addition to being livable, likeable and comfortable, these chairs are also available!  They have been expertly restored and newly reupholstered in a rusty gold boucle.  The new cording is a thick nylon in keeping with the original design.  Also in keeping with the original design, the piping on the cushions is rounded and the cushions are reversible.  Modern classics.  24.5" w., 28.5" d., 31.5" h.  American, c. 1947  SOLD
Condition:  Excellent restored condition.

 Wormley with a later, similar chair design for Dunbar

Playboy, July1961  

Nelson, Wormley, Saarinen, Bertoia, Eames, Risom