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, 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
Mid-Century Modern Petite Disc Cabinet by Michael van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, we offer this Mid-Century Modern petite disc cabinet by Michael Van Beuren, made in mahogany plywood and brass details, includes VB original l...
Mahogany
$12,850 / set
H 21 in W 32 in D 15 in
Wall Mounted Cabinets by Finn Juhl for Baker, Walnut and Birch, Great Condition
By Finn Juhl, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Kansas City, MO
Set of six wall mount cabinets / wall unit designed by Finn Juhl and manufactured by Baker, 1950s. The entire set is in very good condition, Beautiful grain pattern in the walnut doo...
Birch, Walnut
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
Reeded Antique White Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
A reeded antique white cabinet crafted from reclaimed pine. It features a decorative ribbing running top to bottom on the front and sides and mol...
Wood
Dovetail 2 x 1 Vinyl Storage Cabinet
By Blake Tovin, Andrew Forseth, Matt Richmond
Located in Nyack, NY
Our Dovetail Vinyl Storage Cabinets utilize a “file drawer” approach to store LPs and allow you to easily flip through an entire record collection while enjoying a visual display of record cover art across the front of the cabinet. The design incorporates many of the same details found in our Dovetail Record Crates...
Brass
Mid-Century Burl Cabinet
By Milo Baughman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern cabinet with brilliant burl wood doors. Brown lacquer frame with polished chrome accents. Please confirm location.
Burl, Lacquer
Dovetail 1 x 1 Vinyl Storage Cabinet
By Andrew Forseth, Blake Tovin, Matt Richmond
Located in Nyack, NY
Our Dovetail Vinyl Storage Cabinets utilize a “file drawer” approach to store LPs and allow you to easily flip through an entire record collecti...
Brass
Dovetail 1 x 2 Vinyl Storage Cabinet
By Matt Richmond, Andrew Forseth, Blake Tovin
Located in Nyack, NY
Our Dovetail Vinyl Storage Cabinets utilize a “file drawer” approach to store LPs and allow you to easily flip through an entire record collection while enjoying a visual display of record cover art across the front of the cabinet. The design incorporates many of the same details found in our Dovetail Record Crates...
Brass
Dovetail 2 x 2 Vinyl Storage Cabinet
By Blake Tovin, Matt Richmond, Andrew Forseth
Located in Nyack, NY
Our Dovetail Vinyl Storage Cabinets utilize a “file drawer” approach to store LPs and allow you to easily flip through an entire record collecti...
Brass
Dovetail 4 x 2 Vinyl Storage Cabinet
By Blake Tovin, Andrew Forseth, Matt Richmond
Located in Nyack, NY
Our dovetail vinyl storage cabinets utilize a “file drawer” approach to store LPs and allow you to easily flip through an entire record collecti...
Brass
Globo Lucite Cabochon Cabinet
By Jonathan Adler
Located in New York, NY
Futuristic elegance. A glossy, white lacquer cabinet featuring two front doors capped with blue solid acrylic cabochons. Tapered brass legs give it an elegant edge. Guaranteed to del...
Brass
Dovetail 3 x 2 Vinyl Storage Cabinet
By Matt Richmond, Andrew Forseth, Blake Tovin
Located in Nyack, NY
Our dovetail vinyl storage cabinets utilize a “file drawer” approach to store LPs and allow you to easily flip through an entire record collecti...
Brass
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