Items Similar to MCM White Formica Top & Steel Modernist Coffee Table by William Plunkett 60's
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6
MCM White Formica Top & Steel Modernist Coffee Table by William Plunkett 60's
About the Item
Rare White Formica Top & Steel Modernist Coffee Table 1960's by Famous British Furniture Designer William Plunkett (1928 - 2013) His Designs Sold by Heals and Libertys of London.
Label to the underneath
Provenance: The Estate of John Graham architect (1927-2021) of Harlow, Essex
William Plunkett
Made a memorable and lasting contribution to postwar British design. His heyday was the 1960s but some of his designs are still being revived today. Working in a Modernist idiom but in a highly individual style, he combined engineering skills with sculptural flair to create striking metal-framed seating and tables that won a string of design awards. "My generation of designers were idealists," Plunkett reflected in later life. "We really believed we could make a difference to Britain by producing well-designed products."
Although his furniture was sold by design-conscious retailers such as Heal's and Liberty, there was only a limited market in the domestic field. For this reason, and also because of the uncompromising modernity of his designs, the main focus of the business was high-specification projects for the contract market, such as the Commercial Union's London headquarters in 1969. His steel-framed semi-circular Coulsdon Chair (1964) and glass-topped Coulsdon Coffee Table (1965) – which won a Council of Industrial Design Award – were particularly refined in form, materials and construction. These pieces were juxtaposed to stunning effect in a bar on the QE2
William followed an unusual path to realise his creative output. He trained as an army officer at Sandhurst and served in the Royal Artillery from 1948 for 11 years. Plunkett then enrolled at Kingston School of Art in 1959 and specialised in sculpture and furniture.
He won the 1961 Aeropreen Award with a chair constructed in flat-bar steel with Pirelli webbing and went on to set up his own company in 1963.
Plunkett‘s preference for metalworking and his attention toward form and construction ensured designs were both sculptural and architectural.
The labour-intensive nature of his designs created a high retail price. This was married with uncompromising modernity and meant only selected design-conscious retailers offered his work and exports accounted for a significant proportion of the company's output through the 1960s.
‘Plunkett’s designs accent purity of form and craftsmanship' British Export Gazette, 1964
The sculptural quality of his designs was central to their ethos. Even at the height of his success, Plunkett's furniture was only ever batch-produced in limited quantities, which explains why his work is less well known than his more high-profile contemporaries, such as Robin Day. Plunkett preferred to keep the operation small so he could retain creative control. "I don't want my furniture to lose its character,"
- Creator:William Plunkett (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 14.38 in (36.5 cm)Width: 60.04 in (152.5 cm)Depth: 24.02 in (61 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. In original condition, with surface wear in keeping with use and wear.
- Seller Location:High Wycombe, GB
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 2016
1stDibs seller since 2023
52 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: High Wycombe, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Cherrywood & Chrome Square Coffee Table Raised on Splayed Legs by Matthew HiltonBy Matthew HiltonLocated in High Wycombe, GBMatthew Hilton Prototype Cherrywood Square Coffee Table Raised on Splayed Legs Inset With Chrome - Esteemed Industrial British Designer MATTHEW HILTON Regarded as one of Britain’s...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Ta...
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Mid Century Danish Teak Columnar Low Statement Coffee Table 1960'sLocated in High Wycombe, GBMid Century Danish Teak Veneer Low Plinth Statement Coffee Table 1960's With Danish export stamp on the reverse. A perfect example of a mid century Danish substantial low table. Wo...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Rectangular Coffee Table With Magazine RackLocated in High Wycombe, GBA Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Rectangular Coffee Table With Magazine Rack Featuring A Sunburst Inlaid Table Top from the 1960's An ...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Georg Jensen Kubus Radial Teak Coffee Table Mid Century Danish ModernBy Georg JensenLocated in High Wycombe, GBSoren Georg Jensen Kubus Radial teak coffee table, raised on intersecting v shaped supports made in Denmark. Søren Georg Jensen (4 October 1917 – 20 September 1982) was a Danish s...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Poul Cadovius Rosewood Coffee Table Designed For France & Son Circular 1960sBy Poul Cadovius, CadoLocated in High Wycombe, GBPoul Cadovius Rosewood Coffee Table Designed For France & Son Circular Top Inlaid With Brushed Chrome Floral Decoration Made In Denmark 1960's Poul Cadovius (1911 - 2011) was one of the most colourful and successful persons in the history of Danish furniture industry. He was originally educated as an upholsterer but became very interested in design at an early stage, and in 1945 he established his own furniture manufacturing company Royal System. A few years later, in 1948, he designed the iconic shelving system ROYAL...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsSteel
- Dyrlund Rosewood & Teak Square Coffee Table Mid Century Made in Denmark 1970sBy DyrlundLocated in High Wycombe, GBDyrlund Rosewood & Teak Square Coffee Table Mid Century Made in Denmark 1970s Rosewood Frame with teak veneered top. About: Founded in 1960, we at Dyrlund pride ourselves in delive...Category
Late 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsRosewood, Teak
You May Also Like
- 1960s Rectangular Wood Coffee Table with White Formica Laminate TopLocated in Ferndale, MIThis 1960s era clean-lined rectangular shaped coffee table offers mid-century style with plenty of durable surface area. It is minimal and functional and doesn't shout at you and tha...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWood, Formica
- Modernist Formica and Aluminum Coffee Table after MayenBy Paul MayenLocated in New York, NYChic architectural coffee table having a rectangular faux marble formica top, on rectangular brushed aluminum base. The table is in very good original condition, the formica has a co...Category
Mid-20th Century American Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsAluminum
- Restored 3' Foot Wide Rattan Coffee Table W/ Formica TopLocated in Van Nuys, CAExtra wide 36" square coffee table with 9-strand vertically stacked rattan legs and a Formica wood grain pattern top with a rattan trim along the borders. 1950, United states We on...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsRattan
- Large Square Rattan Coffee Table with Formica TopLocated in Van Nuys, CALarge 31" long square coffee table with pole rattan legs and wood grain formica top with a rattan trim along the borders. Restored to new for you. All rattan, bamboo and wicker f...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsRattan
- Modernist Patinaed Steel Coffee Table with Limestone TopBy Brendan BassLocated in Dallas, TXModern coffee table with limestone top and geometric patinaed steel base. Designed by Brendan Bass for the Vision and Design Collection, by using high quality materials and texture...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Industrial Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsLimestone, Steel
- MCM Cocktail Coffee Table Brushed Steel WoodBy BernhardtLocated in Lake Worth, FLFor FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A MCM Modern Brushed ...Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsSteel
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Large Acrylic And Glass Coffee Table
Kagan Tile Table
Mastercraft Round Brass Coffee Table
Travertine Parsons Table
Brown Saltman Black And White Table
Danish Enamel Coffee Table
Danish Teakwood Magazine
Bellini Quattro Gatti
Bzippy Xl
Liagre Low Table
Lunapark Colored Murano Glass Coffee Table New Colors
Maguire Rattan Table
Mdf Sculpture Auction
Seller Dk
Scandinavian Coffee Table 1960
Marble And Glass Coffee Table Round
Stone And Bronze Cocktail Table
Round Glass Coffee Table Marble Black