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, "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, "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
$765Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
$765Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
$7,186 / set
H 29.93 in W 89.77 in D 11.03 in
Mogens Koch Bookcases Set of Three Bookcases for Rud. Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch set of three bookcases in Oregon pine. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/NØRREBROGADE/KØBENHAVN.
Pine
$9,500Sale Price|20% Off
H 80 in W 92.5 in D 17.75 in
Emerald Green Cerused Oak Modular Bookcase Room Divider by Lou Hodges, 1970s
By Lou Hodges
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This absolute show-stopper modular bookcase refinished in gorgeous emerald green cerused oak is by Lou Hodges, designed and produced in California in the 1970s and 1980s. You can con...
Oak
$11,700
H 81.89 in W 188.19 in D 15.75 in
Michel Ducaroy Modular Wall Unit in Black Lacquered Wood and Steel
By Michel Ducaroy
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Michael Ducaroy, free-standing wall unit, chrome-plated steel, lacquered wood, France, 1970s Sleek and stunning free-standing wall unit designed by Michael Ducaroy in the 1970s. In ...
Steel
$765Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
Parts Square Glass Bookcase
Located in Paris, FR
Bookcase Parts square glass with structure in welded smoked glass, 10mm thickness. With 3 cubes in welded blackened glass, 10mm thickness. Also available with welded clear glass stru...
Glass
$765Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 20.88 in W 29.5 in D 10.25 in
Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Blue 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
$765Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 20.88 in W 29.5 in D 10.25 in
Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Amber 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
$9,350Sale Price|22% Off
H 76 in W 97 in D 18 in
Pink Cerused Oak Modular Bookcase Room Divider by Lou Hodges, 1970s
By Lou Hodges
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This absolute show-stopper modular bookcase refinished in gorgeous pink cerused oak with contrasting white grain is by Lou Hodges, designed and produced in California in the 1970s an...
Oak
Rare Midcentury Bookcase in Rosewood by Børge Mogensen, 1960s
By Børge Mogensen, C.M. Madsen
Located in Lejre, DK
Low bookcase roseoowd. Designed by MAA. Børge Mogensen in 1958, this piece is made by CM Madsen cabinetmakers Denmark in the 1960s. Great original condition.
Rosewood