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 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
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
$840Sale Price / item|65% Off
H 30 in W 33 in D 28 in
S.S. United States Rectangular Pedestal Dining Tables
By Dorothy "Dot" Marckwald
Located in Hanover, MA
BG GALLERIES END OF SUMMER SALE We have five original rectangular pedestal dining tables from the first class dining room of the SS ...
Aluminum, Steel
$1,051
H 28.75 in W 59.06 in D 59.06 in
Bamboo Dining Table Sheaf of Wheat by McGuire, circa 1970, United States
By John and Elinor McGuire
Located in Marbella, ES
Bamboo dining table sheaf of wheat by McGuire, circa 1970 United States Measure of the foot of table 72 x 61 cm.
Bamboo, Glass
$11,227 / item
H 29.93 in W 63 in D 55.12 in
Contemporary round dining table, black glass & black oak wood, Belgian design
By barh.design, Jeroen Thys van den Audenaerde
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
Tubular is the ultimate decorative table. Its presence in the room is subtle. It enhances the other objects in the room and at the same time offers beauty to whomever can catch its e...
Glass, Oak, Wood
$10,045 / item
H 29.93 in W 63 in D 55.12 in
Contemporary round dining table, natural ash wood, shifting disc, Belgian design
By Jeroen Thys van den Audenaerde, barh.design
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
A refined and eye-pleasing design. The disc table is a seemingly round table of which the tabletop is supported by a central column, surprisingly interrupted by a decentralised disc....
Ash, Wood
$7,317 / item
H 28.55 in W 86.62 in D 39.38 in
Sleek Wood Dining Table, Designed by Karim Rashid, Made in Italy
By Karim Rashid
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products. (1.8) Table made entirely of solid wood with top having glued boards upon which, by means of...
Wood
$8,208 / item
H 29.5 in W 94.5 in D 43 in
Incucina Wood Dining Table, Designed by Marc Sadler, Made in Italy
By Marc Sadler
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products. (1.8) Table made with solid wood top, geometric iron base with visible welds and special sha...
Wood
Dining Table by Michael van Beuren for Domus
By Domus, Michael van Beuren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bauhaus trained, Mexico City based designer Michael van Beuren created highly functional modern pieces inspired by Mexican vernacular styles and materials. This example is a dining t...
Rattan, Pine
Liam Wood Dining Table, Designed by C.R. & S, Made in Italy
By Riva 1920
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products. (1.8) Liam wood dining table Table made entirely of solid wood with glued boards and squared...
Iron
Full Wood Oak Dining Table
Located in Paris, FR
Dining table full wood oak with all structure in solid oak wood with knots, the 2 bases are passing through the top. Also available in solid walnut wood with knots, on request, inc...
Oak
20th Century Exotic Wood Italian Design Table, 1980
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Italian design table from the 1980s. Exotic wood and woven wood furniture of beautiful lines and pleasant decor. Extendable table that can reach a...
Wood
$10,132 / item
H 29.9 in W 78.7 in D 39.4 in
Contemporary Modern 111 Dining Table in Oak Wood by Collector Studio
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
Is like having a huge block of wood and turn it in a huge lathe, making it look like it’s revolved shape was originated by a single gesture. This wooden table will not only look beau...
Oak, Walnut
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
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