G Plan “Astro” Circular Coffee Table
Model 8040, Designed by Victor Wilkins, 1960s
Iconic Astro Coffee Table by VB Wilkins for G Plan, c1969
An iconic creation of British mid-century design, this exceptional circular coffee table by G Plan is crafted from solid Afrormosia wood and distinguished by its sculptural, architectural presence.
Officially catalogued as the Model 8040 occasional table, the design is more commonly and affectionately referred to as the Astro—though this name was originally attributed in error to another G Plan design. The table was conceived by Victor Wilkins, G Plan’s gifted in-house designer, and introduced as part of the celebrated Brasilia Collection in 1964.
Its sweeping base, inspired by the modernist vision of Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, elegantly supports the circular top inset with a clear glass panel. The interplay of organic curves and geometric precision lends the piece both sculptural dynamism and timeless refinement.
Widely regarded as one of G Plan’s most significant and enduring designs, the Astro coffee table remains a highly coveted work of mid-century furniture—admired equally for its beauty, craftsmanship, and historic importance.
Designer: V.B. Wilkins
Maker: G-Plan
Country: United Kingdom
Year: 1960's
Dimensions: Height – 45cm | Diameter – 84cm
Materials: Afromosia with a glass insert.
Condition: We have gently refurbished and refinished the wood to ensure it is in very good vintage condition. A natural knot was present in the wood on one of the legs; we chose to fill and stain it to achieve visual uniformity.
The glass top shows light surface scratches consistent with age and use. These do not detract from the overall appearance and are commensurate with the piece’s age.
About G-Plan
G-Plan was established in 1952 by Donald Gomme, a member of the family behind the traditional furniture maker E. Gomme Ltd. The brand introduced a fresh approach to furniture design, characterised by three key concepts: lifestyle branding, a consistent range that could be expanded over time, and a commitment to modern style.The Festival of Britain in 1951 played a significant role in popularising contemporary design in the UK, and G-Plan became one of the first brands to bring modern furniture to a mass market. Despite being priced above the average budget, G-Plan furniture was highly sought after for its quality craftsmanship and forward-thinking design.
Today, G-Plan pieces remain iconic examples of mid-century design, valued for their timeless style and enduring appeal.
Read more here
British furniture designer Victor Bramwell (V.B.) Wilkins is best known for his Fresco range for G-Plan. Although all of Wilkins known works were produced by G-Plan, there is little biographical information available on the designer. It can be assumed, however, that he worked as an in-house designer for the British manufacturer for many years.
Although most of the British public reverted to traditional tastes after the war, there was a small but growing market for high-quality, modernist furniture, and G-Plan successfully spoke to this younger, more progressive audience. Through clever marketing campaigns, G-Plan set the standard for modernist, mass-market furniture in post-war Britain. G-Plan’s C Range, with an aesthetic that celebrated its machine production, was launched in 1953, and by 1957 it had become enormously popular.
By the 1960s, the Scandinavian look was sweeping international design, and British-made furniture was being outsold by Danish imports. To compete, G-Plan brought in Danish designer Ib Kofod-Larsen (1921-2003) to create new collections in fine woods, like teak and rosewood. While these Kofod-Larsen pieces have become very collectible today, at the time, they were not well appreciated by the design community—perhaps viewed as lesser variations on the furniture available from Scandinavia. It can be assumed that Wilkins was highly influenced by Kofod-Larsen’s designs as Wilkin’s pieces are often wrongly attributed to Kofod-Larsen.
Riding on the coattails of Kofod-Larsen’s success, Wilkins’ Fresco range also had a strong Scandinavian influence. Designed in 1966 and launched the following year, the range – which was G-Plan’s most successful range – included a suite of furniture for almost every room in a house, all finished in teak with beautiful, rich grain. The design itself combined the sleek and sculptural aesthetic of Italian furniture with the definitive Scandinavian style that was so popular at the time.
We try to capture the condition of our items in our photographs as best as possible. Prior to dispatch all items are carefully cleaned and re-coated with danish oil to ensure your item is looking its best when delivered.
Prices do not include delivery.
Contact us to arrange to view, discuss collection or if you have any queries.
We deliver locally within Cape Town for a small fee and can accommodate collection by courier or in person. Collections must be made within two weeks of purchase as we cannot hold furniture for extended periods.
As to be expected with vintage items, this item may have minor amounts of wear. All of our items are available to view prior to purchase.
Although all effort is made to lighly refurbish and clean our furniture to best represent their original state, it must be noted that the majority of the items we source date from before 1980’s. For this reason signs of their vintage condition & age might still be visible. We try to point out any visible concerns.
Please note that all items are described to the best of our ability, we strongly encourage our clients to closely inspect item photos, descriptions, and details before purchasing anything. Please review all images as they are considered part of the item description.We are happy to answer any questions you may have.
VINTAGE CONDITIONS:
excellent - Like new, exhibiting minimal to no indications of wear, with scarcely any visible signs of age or use.
very good - Light use marks and signs of age, such as minor scratches and minimal wear on areas like feet or inconspicuous spots on veneer or leather.
good - Displays light to moderate scratches, with some more noticeable blemishes. May have small damages and stains, and the possibility of ring marks. Leather may exhibit small rips.
fair - Exhibits more pronounced scratches, including lighter ones in many prominent areas (e.g., the top of a sideboard). Leather may show tears and stress marksUnfortunately we currently only deliver in Cape Town area, but you are welcome to arrange courier on your side, we can also arrange on your behalf.
Shipment outside of Cape Town is NOT calculated at check-out and is quoted based on the item's dimensions and or weight.
Unfortunately we can not reserve any items until shipping has been finalized (the item should be purchased and checked out, with payment confirmation received if paid via EFT).
After purchase, we can assist you with costs from our preferred supplier.
Please note that all items shipped outside of Cape Town are wrapped extensively, we charge a small packaging fee depending on the item, starting cost of R100 per individual item. The cost of wrapping depends on the size of the item. For ALL our items, especially fragile items, i.e. glass and mirrors we recommend professional crating.
For fragile items or items that have glass elements we don't recommend shipment and transport outside of Cape Town.
Please refer to our Shipping Policy
Restoration Process:
In our studio workshop, every item undergoes a meticulous inspection and careful restoration process. We prioritize maintaining the original charm and patina of the piece, while also making it a beautiful addition to modern interiors.
Our Approach Includes:
- Examining and reinforcing the joints
- Cleaning the wood and removing any stains
- Conducting veneer repairs as necessary
- Polishing or refinishing surfaces to enhance their appearance
