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, Galaxy II, Monumental Walnut Wall Sculpture, United States, 2021
By Michael Coffey
Located in New York, NY
Sculpted from walnut, Galaxy II is an exceptional wall-mounted sculpture that exhibits the skill of artist and master woodworker Michael Coffey. It is ...
Walnut
$4,212 / item
H 19.7 in W 10 in D 7.3 in
Organic Modern Monumental Shell Wall-Mounted Sculpture White Plaster
Located in London, GB
Handmade monumental shell wall-mounted sculpture, in silky smooth white plaster, created by artist Hannah Woodhouse in her London studio. Contemporary design inspired by nature and midcentury European sculpture. Height 19.7" ( 50 cm). In this listing you are purchasing a single wall mounted sculpture, opening to the right, but you can purchase them in mirror image pairs. All our plaster wall-mounted sculptures can be custom colored to a color of your choice if you supply a paint color reference (for an additional charge quoted on an individual order basis). If you do not request our color service, the lights are shipped in our trademark calm white color. Monumental shell wall-mounted sculpture Hannah Woodhouse/2006 (date of design). We run plaster casting...
Plaster
Vintage Monumental Mixed Media Disc Wall Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This monumental wall sculpture is a captivating exploration of form and texture, perfect for the collector seeking a bold architectural statement. Hand-crafted with an experimental m...
Resin, Wood
$4,200Sale Price|22% Off
H 94.5 in W 31.5 in D 3 in
A Monumental Brutalist Wall Sculpture in Three Panels
Located in Chicago, IL
This striking communist-era wall art composition is crafted from richly figured walnut veneer-covered geometric forms arranged in a bold mosaic. Angular planes, linear grooves, and v...
Walnut
$2,200
H 48 in W 39 in D 1.25 in
Monumental Mid-Century Modern Cast Bronze Tree Wall Sculpture, circa 1950s
Located in Essex, MA
A striking and highly sculptural mid-century modern wall sculpture depicting a bare, ancient tree rendered in richly detailed cast bronze. Dating to the 1950s, this exceptional piec...
Bronze
$11,280Sale Price|20% Off
H 36 in W 87 in D 8 in
Levitaz Wind Panel II, Large Contemporary Gold Wall Sculpture
By Isaac Katz
Located in San Jose del Cabo, BCS
Levitaz Wind Panel II by Katz Studio, Velura Satin Gold Finish Levitaz Wind Panel II is a sculptural wall panel by Katz Studio, capturing a suspended moment of flight — an abstract ...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Paint, Composite
Rare Peter Pepper Brass & Walnut Sailboats Wall Art Sculpture
By Peter Pepper Products
Located in Toledo, OH
Brass sculptural sailboats on a walnut background by Peter Pepper Products circa 1960's. 12" x 48".
Brass
Rusted Wall Sculpture
Located in Seattle, WA
Large abstract wall sculpture with rusted patina.
$6,750
H 87 in W 12.5 in D 3.75 in
Incredible Wall Art Sculpture in Silver Leaf, Manner of L. Nevelson II
By Louise Nevelson
Located in North Miami, FL
Silver leaf over wood totem wall sculpture in the style of Louise Nevelson. This is one of two. (Other is Gold leaf). Louise Nevelson (September 23, 1899–April 17, 1988) was an Ameri...
Silver Leaf
$5,600 / set
H 61 in W 23.5 in D 2 in
Monumental and Rare Frederick Weinberg Iron Horse Themed Wall Sculptures
By Frederic Weinberg
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental and rare 60" Frederick Weinberg Iron Horse's on hind legs wall sculptures, truly amazing design, iron structure with enamel painted squares and rectangles, Classic midcent...
Metal, Wrought Iron
Joanna Poag Flourish II Wall Ceramic Sculptures, 2015
By Joanna Poag
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary American ceramic artist Joanna Poag's Flourish II Sculptures are hand built and glazed white to give them a lightness and more attention to shadow. Flourish II looks at ...
Ceramic
$2,705
H 14.18 in W 63 in D 2.76 in
Monumental Unique Midcentury Brass / Copper Wall Sculpture, Germany, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
- custom production - the only original piece - very representative
Brass, Copper
$65,901 / item
H 2.37 in Dm 236.23 in
Nucleus Gradient, Monumental Wall Sculpture / Mirror in Stainless Steel - D600
By Oskar Zieta, Zieta
Located in Paris, IDF
Nucleus Gradient: contemporary mirrors or wall sculpture by Zieta Prozessdesign Stainless steel Gradient of two colors: blue / green Measures: 600 x 6 cm Zieta is best known ...
Stainless Steel
Spectacular Rare Nail and Glass Wall Sculpture
By Michael Coffey
Located in North Miami, FL
This amazing rare, brutalist and modernist wall sculpture attributed to Coffey is hard to find. The glass panels in a myriad of colors is amazing set against the brass and nails. Tru...
Brass, Steel