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Who invented the coffee table?
1 Answer
No one knows for sure who invented the coffee table. The earliest examples of the occasional table can be traced back to Victorian-era Britain. At that time, makers like William Watt and Collinson and Lock were producing coffee tables in large quantities.
Notably, F. Stuart Foote, the designer behind the American Imperial Furniture Company, claimed to have invented the coffee table in the early 20th century. He stated that he did so by cutting down the legs of a dining table. However, it's unlikely that Foote is the actual inventor of the coffee table, as books describing coffee tables existed in the UK a decade before his birth in 1872.
Shop a wide variety of coffee tables on 1stDibs.
Notably, F. Stuart Foote, the designer behind the American Imperial Furniture Company, claimed to have invented the coffee table in the early 20th century. He stated that he did so by cutting down the legs of a dining table. However, it's unlikely that Foote is the actual inventor of the coffee table, as books describing coffee tables existed in the UK a decade before his birth in 1872.
Shop a wide variety of coffee tables on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertApril 12, 2024
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Shop for Coffee and Cocktail Tables on 1stDibs
Modern Bordeira Coffee Table, Calacatta Marble, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Bordeira coffee table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple.
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Coffee Center Cocktail Table Glass Crystal Geometric Collectible Design Italy
Located in Ancona, Marche
The coffee table 'Origami' is made of extra-clear crystal glass. Each sheet of extra-clear crystal glass is cut and ground with extreme precision, then the sheets are assembled by ha...
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
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COntemporary Ceramic Coffee Tables by Agnès Debizet
Located in London, GB
Pebble Tables by Agnès Debizet
Material: Carved stoneware
Dimensions: H 20/24/25 x L 61/50/52 x 50/50/51 cm
Year: 2022
Type: one-of-a-kind
The simple yet powerful “Pebble Coffee Ta...
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21st Century and Contemporary French Organic Modern Coffee and Cocktail ...
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The Fjudl Coffee Table
Located in New Hope, PA
Crafted with inspiration from both Scandinavian and Japanese history, this piece beautifully combines two iconic elements: the feudal era and the fjords. Vikings, known for their leg...
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21st Century and Contemporary American Coffee and Cocktail Tables
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Pr of Reduced French Empire Yew Wood Banquette Tables Designed by Jacob Freres
By Jacob Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Age: 1800 - 1850
Furniture Style: French Empire (Napoleon) (1805 - 1815)
Overall Dimensions: Width - 60" Depth - 18" Height -18"
Pair of French Empire Yew Wood Banquette Tables De...
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Antique Early 19th Century Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
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Naya: Coffee Table, Handcrafted Exclusive Blue Mahoe & Brass Design
Located in Guaynabo, US
"Naya," a masterful exhibit of composition and form, is a coffee table that tells a story of balance and cohesion. Two robust blocks of exquisite Blue Mahoe wood serve as the foundat...
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21st Century and Contemporary Puerto Rican Organic Modern Coffee and Coc...
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