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.
$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 "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
$4,639 / item
H 31.5 in W 24.5 in D 29 in
Clara Porset's Mexican Butaque Chair, licensed reedition by Luteca
By Luteca Furniture, Clara Porset
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cuban-born Clara Porset was a pioneer for modern design in Mexico. Having studied architecture in New York and then Paris, she finally settled in Mexico devoting her life to championing her mutually enriching vision of modernity and tradition. A fierce proponent of historical craft traditions, Clara Porset created wholly contemporary versions of the classic Mexican vernacular forms including the colonial butaque chair...
Hide, Maple
Italian Lounge Chair Attributed to Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lounge chair attributed to Italian designer Paolo Buffa. The chair features a textured linen upholstery with dark green piping at each side. The birch frame showcases beautiful bentw...
Linen, Birch
Pair of Walnut Lounge Chairs by Michael Taylor for Baker
By Baker Furniture Company, Michael Taylor
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful pair of dark walnut wood with aged brass detail lounge chairs from the “Far East” collection by Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture. The frames are in beautiful original c...
Brass
Suelo Modern Side Chair
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This Suelo® modern side chair is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The lounge chair's silhouette is simple, modern, and sleek with comfortable back and seat cushi...
Hardwood
Pair of Custom 'Tree Trunk' Barstools by Michael Taylor
By Michael Taylor
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of custom carved and bleached pine 'Tree Trunk' counter stools with rush seats designed by Michael Taylor for Vern and Gloria Jones...
Pine
Set of Two Chairs by Michael Van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960, we offer this set of two early chairs by Michael Van Beuren made in mahogany and plywood, includes brand label. About Michael Van Beuren: Michael Van Beuren (1911–2...
Mahogany
$4,105 / item
H 32.5 in W 30 in D 34.25 in
Modernist Mexican San Miguel Lounge Chair by Michael van Beuren from Luteca
By Luteca Furniture, Michael van Beuren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The San Miguel lounge chair is a timeless mid-century Mexican piece inspired by the classic Latin American Butaque chair famed by the likes of 20th Century Mexican architect Luis Barragan and Industrial Designer Clara Porset. Michael van Beuren, an American born designer trained at Germany's famous Bauhuas school, produced this award winning piece in 1941 for the MoMA's Organic Design Exhibition in New York along with it's sister-design, the Alacran Chaise...
Teak
$6,790 / item
H 33 in W 24 in D 34 in
Midcentury, Line Lounge Chair by Michael van Beuren, Walnut & Velvet, by LUTECA
By Luteca Furniture, Michael van Beuren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Line lounge chair was designed in circa 1945 by Michael van Beuren, an American who trained at Germany's prestigious Bauhaus school and then immigrated to Mexico to become one of the most successful and sought after furniture designers of the 20th century. The Line chair has a distinctly Latin American flavor with its curved legs whilst honoring the international style...
Velvet, Walnut
$11,500 / set
H 32.5 in W 19.5 in D 19.5 in
Rare Set 6 Cane Dining Chairs by Michael Taylor Circa 1960
By Baker Furniture Company, Michael Taylor
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning rare set of 6 cane back with black lacquer frame dining chairs designed by Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture Circa 1960. This set ...
Cane, Ebony
Chile Modern Side Chair
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This Chile modern side chair is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The lounge chair's silhouette is simple, modern, and sleek with comfortable back and seat cushions. This is the perfect chair for any space, indoor or outdoor. This specific wood species is for indoor only; please contact for outdoor options. Price includes thick weave fabric (multiple colors available) and finish of your choice. Shown here in leather for additional cost. This chair is for indoor use! Please contact us or find our other Suelo® listings for the outdoor version. Designer Inspiration: "I am inspired by my love for travel. So many places that inspire me have very minimal furniture, often built-in sofas with big comfy cushions, hammocks, raw natural wood, etc. The feel is low-key, simple, and comfortable. The wood isn't refined, it just IS. I envision this furniture used for indoor/outdoor spaces or any room that needs some comfort or relief. The Chile chair...
Hardwood
Norman Cherner Mid Century Chair
By Norman Cherner, The Cherner Chair Company
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Norman Cherner mid century chair The chair measures: 17 wide x 20.5 deep x 32 high, with a seat height and chair clearance of 18 inches All pieces of furniture can be had in ...
Wood
Charles Eames LCW Chair for Herman Miller
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Charles Eames lounge chair for Herman Miller, c.1950's, USA. The design features a wide low seated bent plywood chair. This Lounge Chair Wood (LCW), is part of the Plywood Group seri...
Plywood