While he may not be as well known as the designers who influenced him, master woodworker Michael Coffey creates tables, case pieces and other hand-carved furnishings that are wholly sculptural and characterized by striking, unexpected forms — they’re provocative statement pieces in any interior.
Born in 1928 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania — where like-minded designers Paul Evans, George Nakashima and Phillip Lloyd Powell shared a studio — Coffey loved working with his hands as a child. However, a sense of youthful idealism led him to pursue a master’s degree in social group work before he endeavored to design on a full-time basis. It wasn't until 1966, at the age of 38, that he started teaching himself woodworking. Coffey was inspired by innovative artisans in the furniture-making field such as Nakashima, Wharton Esherick and Wendell Castle, all of whom are credited as pioneers in the world of art furniture.
In 1972, Coffey earned his first major design commission in the form of a collection for Directional Furniture, a manufacturer that forged an enduring partnership with Paul Evans and a favorite brand of mid-century modern enthusiasts. He continued to collaborate with Directional, working in mahogany and rare Mozambique woods, and integrating abstract carving motifs in his cabinet fronts and table pedestals. Soon afterward, Coffey established a woodworking school and apprenticeships at his Vermont farm. In 1986, he moved to Massachusetts, and, in 1991, he founded a second woodworking school, this one much larger.
Coffey sold his successful Massachusetts school to his staff in 1997 in order to focus on his furniture, as his reputation and client base had grown considerably. His profile reached greater heights in 2003, when a rocking chair called Aphrodite that Coffey had designed more than two decades earlier sold at auction for nearly $50,000. The sale sparked the interest of buyers and collectors worldwide and resulted in a slew of new commissions. Today Coffey continues to make sculptural furniture with a team of woodworkers in his Massachusetts studio.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Michael Coffey tables, seating, bookcases and more.
Michael Coffey Studio, Lily Pad Wood Dining Table, United States, Designed 1980
By Michael Coffey
Located in New York, NY
This sculptural table is composed of several pieces of Mozambique wood fitted seamlessly to create the shape of a lily. Like much of Michael Coffey's work, the piece sets up a contra...
Wood
Michael Coffey, "Jacob's Ladder, " Modular Bookscase, United States, 1973
By Michael Coffey
Located in New York, NY
A black walnut etagere with four adjustable shelves, finished to a satin sheen. First created in Massachusetts by master craftsman Michael Coffey, and fabricated by the artist in 201...
Walnut
Michael Coffey, "Titan" Monumental Bar Cabinet, United States, 1978
By Michael Coffey
Located in New York, NY
This sculptural cabinet is carved from solid, 4-inch thick Mahogany, and weighs 900 lbs. It is divided in two halves. One half is a door, which swings out on hidden hinges and concealed casters. The other half contains revolving shelves...
Mahogany
Michael Coffey, Ebbtide I, Wall-Mounted Cabinet, United States, 2020
By Michael Coffey
Located in New York, NY
A sculptural cabinet carved in solid Mozambique. Coffey debuted this style of carving at Directional Furniture in New York, in 1972. In the 90’s he revived it, ...
Walnut
American 1980s Music Stand by Michael Coffey
By Michael Coffey
Located in New York, NY
An American carved wood music stand by Michael Coffey. This piece represents an evolution in sculptor Michael Coffey's process. Always seeking functionality and beauty in his designs...
Wenge
$12,500 / item
Michael Coffey Viking Chair, 1960s
By Michael Coffey
Located in Pawtucket, RI
A very rare "Viking" chair in stacked and laminated walnut by noted craftsman Michael Coffey, circa 1960s. Two examples available. Signed and documented.
Walnut
Michael Coffey, Vortex, Round Illuminated Coffee Table, United States, 2024
By Michael Coffey
Located in New York, NY
Michael Coffey was deeply influenced by the flow of water, and in particular, its effect on riverbeds over epochal time. Vortex — his last completed work — is one of the finest examp...
Wood
Michael Coffey, "Jacob's Ladder, " Modular Bookcase, United States, 1973
By Michael Coffey
Located in New York, NY
A black walnut étagère with four adjustable shelves, finished to a satin sheen. First created in Massachusetts by master craftsman Michael Coffey, and fabricated by the artist in 201...
Walnut
$68Sale Price / item|20% Off
Michael Coffey: Sculptor and Furniture Maker in Wood
By Michael Coffey
Located in New York, NY
Michael Coffey: Sculptor and Furniture Maker in Wood unsettles the conventional distinction between craftsman and artist, which is often assumed to be the difference between creating...
Paper
Michael Coffey "Encounter" Coffee Table
By Michael Coffey
Located in LAGUNA BEACH, CA
Michael Coffey, known for his sculptural designs, often draws inspiration from organic forms, geometric shapes, and the interplay of materials. The "Encounter" coffee table reflects ...
Lucite, Plexiglass, Wood
Michael Coffey, Galaxy II, Monumental Walnut Wall Sculpture, United States, 2021
By Michael Coffey
Located in New York, NY
Sculpted from walnut, Galaxy II is an exceptional wall-mounted sculpture that exhibits the skill of artist and master woodworker Michael Coffey. It is ...
Walnut
$8,500
Michael Coffey Mirror
By Michael Coffey
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Rare large walnut mirror by Michael Coffey,an important figure within the American Studio Craft movement. Signed and in excellent original condition
Walnut
Michael Coffey, "Megalith, " Round Coffee Table, United States, 2017
By Michael Coffey
Located in New York, NY
This sculptural table is carved into a flowing arrangement from solid, three and a half inch walnut, and features double doors that open up onto an interior cabinet with a revolving ...
Glass, Walnut
Michael Coffey "Perceptions II" Wall Mirror
By Michael Coffey
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Beautifully hand-carved wall mirror by noted craftsman Michael Coffey, circa 1970. Mirror is made of laminated and carved African Mozambique with incised signature to side.
Mirror, Wood
$4,500 / item
H 30 in W 75 in D 12 in
Contemporary Room Divider Shelving "30/30 S" in Oak by Casey Lurie Studio
By Casey Lurie
Located in Chicago, IL
Part room divider, part bookcase, part screen, the "30/30" series is an extremely versatile shelving system. Named for the degrees of the alternately angled dividers which give the p...
Wood
Art deco bar cabinet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Art deco bar cabinet with glass tray. Professionally stained and repolished.
Walnut
Stunning Italian Bar Cabinet
Located in Antwerp, BE
The buffet is mobile and can be driven in the wall unit. The bar has a beautiful copper countertop installed. The cabinets of the wall unit is equipp...
Brass, Copper
Burl Wood Bar Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
A classicly inspired modern bar cabinet with an inset marble top and a three-quarter gallery. With a figured burl walnut exterior, curved corners, a shaped apron, brass brass-finishe...
Marble, Metal
$957 / item
H 20.88 in W 29.5 in D 10.25 in
Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Tangerine by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
By Kartell, Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the Dual role as both container and room divider. IT IS a go...
Resin
$957 / item
H 20.88 in W 29.5 in D 10.25 in
Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Marine by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
By Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the dual role as both container and room divider. IT IS a go...
Resin
Wall-Mounted Cabinet by Phillip Lloyd Powell
By Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare and unusual wall-mounted cabinet by Phillip Lloyd Powell in walnut. Drawers on one side with piano hinge bi-fold doors on the other side, with adjustable shelves inside. Great...
ALF Pisa Collection Cabinet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gorgeous laquered cabinet with polished chrome accents. Master craftsmanship brings multiple wood grain inlays to make a great modern design. Made by ...
Walnut
$5,480 / item
H 42 in W 76 in D 12 in
Casey Lurie Studio Modern Low "Primo" Shelving System in Walnut with Brass
By Casey Lurie
Located in Chicago, IL
“Shelving can be the most mundane thing you own, or it can be the beautiful bones of a room as pleasing to see as anything it displays. Casey Lurie’s Primo system would be the latter.” William L. Hamilton, The wall street journal The primo shelving system is composed of notched solid wood planks...
Brass, Stainless Steel, Metal
$957 / item
H 20.88 in W 29.5 in D 10.25 in
Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Nude by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
By Kartell, Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play the dual role as both container and room divider. IT IS a go...
Resin
Modular Storage 'KOU' Made of Concrete
By Bentu Design
Located in Paris, IDF
'KOU' is a modular storage made of concrete by Bentu Design [Blocks sold individually] Dimension of one block: 36 x 36 x 26cm Bentu Design's furnitu...
Concrete
Danish Viking Bar Cabinet
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A very unusual, hand painted bar cabinet, as a Danish Viking, made in Italy. Striking naive/modern style, humorous and direct. The back is finished and ...
Wood
Sold
H 29 in Dm 60 in
Michael Coffey, Commissioned "Lily Pad" Wooden Dining Table, United States, 1980
By Michael Coffey
Located in New York, NY
This sculptural table is composed of several pieces of Mozambique wood fitted seamlessly to create the shape of a lily. Like much of Michael Coffey's work, the piece sets up a contra...
Wood
Sold
H 23.5 in W 36 in D 51 in
Michael Coffey Signed Pegasus Contemporary Modern Wood and Lucite Coffee Table
By Michael Coffey
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Michael Coffey "Pegasus" coffee table. A spectacular, artistic coffee table from designer Michael Coffey featuring a wood and lucite construction. This table features a free form s...
Wood
Michael Coffey, Serpent I, Coffee Table, United States, 1989
By Michael Coffey
Located in New York, NY
Michael Coffey blurs the line between carpenter and sculptor. A self-taught master with a career over fifty years in the making, Coffey has consistently broken the boundaries of styl...
Wood, Padouk
Michael Coffey, "Pas de Deux I, " Dining Table, United States, 1971
By Michael Coffey
Located in New York, NY
Sculpted in the early 1970s from a rare Mozambique wood, this is one of the very first of Michael Coffey's twisting dining tables. The two supports of this exceptional table rise fro...
Glass, Wood
Michael Coffey, "Lily Pad" Wooden Dining Table, United States, 1980
By Michael Coffey
Located in New York, NY
This sculptural table is composed of several pieces of Mozambique wood fitted seamlessly to create the shape of a lily. Like much of Michael Coffey's work, the piece sets up a contra...
Wood
American "Heron III" Console by Michael Coffey
By Michael Coffey
Located in New York, NY
An American black walnut wood "Heron III" console by Michael Coffey. This remarkable wall-mounted console is hand carved from black walnut and features an almond shaped, inset mirror...
Mirror, Walnut
Michael Coffey "Heron 1" Console Table
By Michael Coffey
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Beautiful handcrafted wall-mounted console table titled "Heron 1" by noted woodworker Michael Coffey. Console in walnut with a curvilinear top, a single drawer upon a single curved l...
Spectacular Rare Nail and Glass Wall Sculpture
By Michael Coffey
Located in North Miami, FL
This amazing rare, brutalist and modernist wall sculpture attributed to Coffey is hard to find. The glass panels in a myriad of colors is amazing set against the brass and nails. Tru...
Brass, Steel
Rare Michael Coffey Swahilli Cabinet
By Michael Coffey
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early example of Michael Coffeys' Signature work. Signed and dated ,sitting on an original lucite base.
Walnut, Plexiglass
Michael Coffey Perceptions II Wall Hanging Mirror
By Michael Coffey
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Modern Michael Coffey Preceptions Mirror. American Craft Movement hand carved exotic African Mozambique with sweeping serpentine detail, accentuated with half moon mirrored...
Glass, Wood