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, 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 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 Studio , Satan's Tongue, Side Table, United States, Designed 1982
By Michael Coffey
Located in New York, NY
Michael Coffey blurred the line between carpenter and sculptor. A self-taught master with a career of over sixty years, Coffey consistently broke the boundaries of style and functionality in the decorative arts. Born and raised in New York City, Coffey initially served as a social worker before pursuing art seriously in 1972. He taught himself theory and practice, and took inspiration from icons like Wendell Castle, Walker Reed, George Nakashima, Sam Maloof, and others. In 1978, Coffey first presented his Aphrodite rocking chair, a monumental curved wood form that excited the market and launched his reputation for creativity and skill on a grand scale. That piece, like all of his work, stresses the relationship shared by people with their furniture. Coffey considered himself an artist, but drew a distinction between impersonal visual arts and furnishings. It was important for him that his creations be used. For Coffey, defying expectations has been an important aspect of producing work. Eschewing symmetry in his designs, he preferred to carve hollows and rounded shapes which people can fill. To Coffey’s eye, a piece which is perfectly symmetrical is overly “quiet,” and does nothing to arouse questions or feelings in the mind of the viewer. Michael Coffey passed away in 2024. His works are in museum and private collections worldwide, and his legacy in the annals of American studio craft furniture...
Wood, Padouk
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
$9,375Sale Price|25% Off
H 11 in W 40 in D 19 in
Illuminated Cicada / Beetle Sculpture as Coffee Table
By Henri Fernandez
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Illuminated Cicada sculpture with agate wings as coffee table by Henri Fernandez. Measurements shown are for the base only. Glass top shown is 50” by 30” and not included.
Agate, Brass
Willy Daro Illuminated Coffee Table in Brass and Agate
By Willy Daro
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Willy Daro, illuminated coffee table, etched brass, agate, lacquered laminated wood, Belgium, 1970s Mesmerizing coffee table by the Belgian artist Willy Daro from the 1970s. The re...
Agate, Brass
Michael Taylor Designs Montecito Round Glass Outdoor Coffee Table
By Michael Taylor
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
A substantial Michael Taylor Designs “Montecito” round cocktail or coffee table, circa 2000s, combining the relaxed sophistication of California design with a classically inspired ar...
Aluminum
$16,361
H 29.53 in W 118.51 in D 51.19 in
Large Dining Table Vincent Vincent 80 20 Burnt Wood Organic Modern Design
By Vincent Vincent
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Very large dining table in burnt solid wood designed and handmade by the cabinetmaker Vincent Vincent in Lyon. This table completes the chairs ...
Wood, Beech
Paul Laszlo, Coffee Table, Wood, United States, 1950s
By Paul Laszlo, Brown Saltman
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden coffee table designed by Paul Laszlo and produced by Brown Saltman, America, 1950s.
Wood
Modern Round Coffee Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A coffee table with six legs and a stretcher base, a warm rustic natural finish in with a steel base in an aged bronze finish. Dimensions: 42" W x 42" D x 18" H
Metal
$1,295
H 22 in W 28 in D 28 in
Michael Taylor for Baker Chinoiserie Rosewood Cocktail Table or Side Table
By Baker Furniture Company, Michael Taylor
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie two-tier cocktail table or occasional side table By Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture, "Far East" Collection USA, 1...
Rosewood, Walnut
$2,560Sale Price|44% Off
H 16 in W 66 in D 18 in
Michael Taylor, Walnut Coffee Table designed for Baker
By Michael Taylor, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Camden, ME
A walnut cocktail table designed for Baker in the 1950s by Michael Taylor for the Far East collection. A segmented palomino-colored stained top is placed on a framework of dark sta...
Walnut
Round LaVerne Coffee Table
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in New York, NY
An etched and patinated circa 1960's coffee table by Phillip and Kevin Laverne. Measurements: Height: 17" Diameter: 42"
Metal
$656Sale Price|20% Off
H 14 in W 14 in D 14 in
Alexey Krupinin, Interior Object/Side Table/Silver Leaf, United States, 2022
By Alexey Krupinin
Located in Topanga, CA
A multi-function object. Artist Alexey Krupinin This multi-function object is a visually captivating piece crafted from wood with a complex geometric shape. Its striking design is ...
Silver Leaf
Round LaVerne Coffee Table
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in New York, NY
A midcentury LaVerne coffee table with silver and patinated bronze finish. Measurements: Height: 21.5" Diameter: 47.5"
Metal, Bronze
Alexey Krupinin, Coffee table, Black, Plaster 2024
By Alexey Krupinin
Located in Topanga, CA
Coffee table Artist Alexey Krupinin Its simple geometric shape has a durable finish and is made of wood with multiple layers of hand-trowelled Venetian plaster, creating unique sil...
Plaster, Plywood
Bond Burled Wood Dining Table
By Jonathan Adler
Located in New York, NY
Timelessly chic. From our chic burled wood collection, a Minimalist dining table that feels organic, worldly, and wonderfully warm. Naturally honey-hued, pieced mappa wood...
Brass, Nickel
Jura Coffee Table by Ah Um Design Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Jura Coffee Table by Ah Um Design Studio Handmade Dimensions: D 118.1 x W 85 x H 33 cm. Materials: Mahogany wood, oil finish, hand-glazed tiles. Available in other wood and tile opt...
Mahogany
$8,792Sale Price|49% Off
H 17 in W 29 in D 17 in
Jacques Duval-Brasseur Illuminated Butterfly Coffee Table
By Jacques Duval-Brasseur 1
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Jacques Duval-Brasseur illuminated brass butterfly with blue agate wings coffee table. Approximate measurements are for the base only. Glass top shown is 40" x 32" and not included.
Agate, Brass
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...