Flipper Coffee Table

Origin: Britain

Era: 1987

Dimensions: L100 × W100 × H29.5 cm

Material: Glass, cast aluminum, polished

Description:

Designed by Matthew Hilton for SCP in 1987, the Flipper coffee table is a striking example of late 20th-century British design, combining playful biomorphic form with rigorous industrial craftsmanship. The table is distinguished by its clear glass top, which appears to float above three sculptural cast aluminum supports shaped like abstracted fins or flippers, lending the piece both visual lightness and a sense of motion.

The polished aluminum legs are finely finished, with smooth, fluid contours that contrast elegantly with the crisp transparency of the glass surface. This dialogue between material weight and visual delicacy reflects the experimental yet restrained design language of the period, where functional objects were treated as sculptural forms without sacrificing usability.

Both iconic and timeless, the Flipper coffee table functions as a centerpiece within modern interiors. Its balanced proportions and distinctive silhouette make it equally suited to minimalist spaces or curated design collections, standing as a testament to British contemporary design at the close of the 20th century.