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. The glass top shows light surface scratches consistent with age and use and a small chip located beneath the edge, discreet and not visible when viewed from above or in situ. Overall, the table presents beautifully and retains its refined mid-century character.

 

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.

- reference 

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.