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
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
$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
$3,200
H 35 in W 24 in D 27.5 in
1960 Alvar Aalto Cantilever Chair Model 406 by Artek in Birch and Cane Webbing
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Chicago, IL
Alvar Aalto, cantilevered chair model 406. Laminated birch, cane. circa 1960 The model 406 chair was originally designed in 1938-39. 35"H x 24"W x 27...
Cane, Birch
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
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
Charles Eames LCW Chair for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles Eames
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
$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 Michael van Beuren, Luteca Furniture
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
Norman Cherner Mid Century Chair
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
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
$644
H 30.32 in W 25.2 in D 12.21 in
Rattan Easy Chair in Style of Dirk Van Sliedregt for Rohe Noordwolde, 1960s
By Dirk Van Sliedregt, Rohe Noordwolde
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This elegant rattan easy chair is very much in style of the designs by Dirk Van Sliedrecht for Rohe Noordwolde in the Netherlands. It has a black metal frame and a comfortable rattan...
Metal
Ib Kofod-Larsen Lounge Chair
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lounge chair by Ib Kofod-Larsen c.1950s, Denmark. The chair features a stained beech frame with sculpted arms and a curved upholstered backrest. The chair has new cushions and has be...
Mohair, Upholstery, Beech
$10,800 / set
H 27 in W 27.5 in D 26 in
Pair of Brass Hollywood Regency Chairs in Leopard Velvet by Mastercraft C. 1960s
By Mastercraft
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Incredibly stylish pair of 1960s Hollywood Regency brass chairs by Mastercraft. Elegance factor to the max and working that room with confidence. Sexy leopard velvet covers a large w...
Brass
$54,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 27 in W 21 in D 31 in
Pierre Jeanneret Low Armless Lounge Chairs 'Kangaroo'
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A really terrific pair of rare low lounge chairs in teak and Indian Sissoo wood. A true matched pair as indicated by the numbered designation on the rear of the seat-backs. In b...
Teak