With their curvaceous metal surfaces and shapes often resembling sheets of folded paper, Mathieu Matégot's inspiring furniture and lighting designs are easily recognizable and highly sought after by collectors. By working with perforated sheet metal and metal tubing, the Hungarian-born French architect, artist and designer — who is known by aficionados for his “rigitulle” technique — created tables, chairs and decorative objects that are celebrated works of French modernism and make a statement in any interior.
Matégot attended the Budapest School of Fine Arts and Architecture. He graduated in 1929 and traveled before settling in Paris in 1931, where he worked as a window dresser for department stores and as a set designer for cabaret halls.
In 1939, Matégot joined the French army in resistance to invading Nazi forces. He was soon captured and sent to work in a German factory. It was at this factory where Matégot became familiar with the materials and techniques that would inform and inspire his trademark rigitulle method.
After the war ended, Matégot opened a workshop in Paris and began to create handcrafted furniture that didn't conform to established styles of the time. Matégot explored merging traditional and non-traditional materials — he worked with formica, glass and natural materials such as rattan — and engaged in other forward-looking experiments. Matégot soon patented his career-defining rigitulle technique and material, which saw the designer working with metal tubing and perforated metal sheets and producing thin, airy folds into the metal as if he were manipulating fabric or paper.
Many of Matégot’s designs for table lamps, pendants, tables and more are reflective of the rigitulle technique, but the best-known work that exemplifies this process is his elegant three-legged Nagasaki chair, which he exhibited in 1954 at the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs. The original Nagasaki chair gave way to a collection that included a stool and an armchair. Matégot’s Nagasaki dining chair has been reissued by Gubi and is part of the permanent collection at the Vitra Design Museum, which is home to one of the world’s most important furniture collections.
Matégot created a range of smaller items for the home — serveware, side tables and magazine racks, each distinctive in their fluid and organic forms — but halted his career in design and moved to Angers in the early 1960s in order to turn to creating art. Today he is known for his abstract tapestries as well as his furnishings.
Find vintage Mathieu Matégot furniture on 1stDibs.
2024 Pair of Mathieu Mategot for GUBI Tropique Dining Chairs without Fringes
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Tropique Dining Chairs, originally designed by Mathieu Mategot for GUBI in 1951. These particular examples were produced in Denmark in 2024. Their frames are compri...
Steel
2024 Pair of Mathieu Mategot for GUBI Tropique Dining Chairs with Fringes
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Tropique Dining Chairs, originally designed by Mathieu Mategot for GUBI in 1951. These particular examples were produced in Denmark in 2024. Their frames are compri...
Steel
$5,828
Fauteuil de jardin
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Paris, FR
Wrought iron chair, 6 available
Iron
2024 Pair of Mathieu Mategot for GUBI Tropique Dining Chairs with Fringes
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Tropique Dining Chairs, originally designed by Mathieu Mategot for GUBI in 1951. These particular examples were produced in Denmark in 2024. Their frames are compri...
Steel
$4,651
Chaise de jardin
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Paris, FR
Wrought iron chair, 4 available
Iron
Wink Fabric Lounge Chaise, by Toshiyuki Kita from Cassina
By Toshiyuki Kita, Cassina
Located in Vancouver, BC
A versatile chaise longue, a cross between an ergonomic car seat, adjustable with a knob, and the playful silhouette of Mickey Mouse. Designed in 1980 by Kita, the internationally famous Japanese designer, Wink is a timeless model, a break away from the banal due to its transformability and range of interchangeable upholstery. Additional information: - Dimensions: D.90 x W.83 x H.102 cm. Wink fabric lounge chaise...
Fabric
$1,499 / item
H 31.1 in W 16.14 in D 20.86 in
Marcel Gascoin 'C-Chair' Dining Chair in American Walnut for GUBI
By Marcel Gascoin, Gubi
Located in Glendale, CA
Marcel Gascoin 'C-Chair' Dining Chair in American Walnut for GUBI Originally, designed in 1947, this authorized re-edition from GUBI features the same elegant shape and sturdy cons...
Cane, Oak
$780Sale Price|40% Off
H 28 in W 82 in D 39 in
Vladimir Kagan Style Tuffed Dunkirk Right Arm Chaise Lounge
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Dunkirk Right Arm Facing Chaise from Century Furniture. It features a low-profile design with a tufted seat, a single arm on the right (when facing), and a contemporary, textured hea...
Cotton, Wood
Empire Style Mahogany Library Tub Fauteuil de Bureau or Desk Chair
Located in Nashville, TN
Of generous proportions and presence . The front mounted with well cast bronze mounts (of some size and weight ). The top with French interpretations of the Greek Caryatids (very att...
Wood
$1,550
H 38 in W 19 in D 18 in
Bespoke Artist Made Iron Modernist / Decorative Chair..after Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Buffalo, NY
Bespoke Artist Made Iron Modernist / Decorative Chair./ SCULPTURE,, .after Mathieu Matégot.. Great design,, Most unusua design.., Great little decorative item,, Truely a piece of art...
Brass, Iron
Mathieu Mategot pair of Cap d’Ail chairs 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Paris, IDF
This iconic pair of Cap d’Ail chairs is an original creation by Mathieu Matégot, dating back to the 1950s. The armchairs are crafted from white lacquered metal. The meticulous handli...
Metal
$1,049 / item
H 31.89 in W 16.15 in D 20.87 in
Marcel Gascoin 'C-Chair' Outdoor Dining Chair Natural Teak for GUBI
By Gubi, Marcel Gascoin
Located in New York, NY
The garden gets an upgrade with the simple functionality of French architect and designer Marcel Gascoin’s most enduring iconic design. GUBI’s new outdoor collection, now in teak, re...
Wood, Wicker, Teak
Daumiller Dining Armchair in Golden Pine for GUBI
By Gubi, Rainer Daumiller
Located in Glendale, CA
Daumiller Dining Armchair in Golden Pine for GUBI Solid in construction, simple in form, and sculptural in expression, the Daumiller dining armchair reflects designer Rainer Daumill...
Pine
Chaise Morelato
By Mario Botta, Morelato
Located in Milan, IT
Designed by Mario Botta, this exquisite chair is a functional sculpture and will make an arresting effect in any room it is placed. The geometric shape...
Textile, Birch
Grand fauteuil vintage en tissu de laine des années 70
Located in BESANÇON, FR
Grand fauteuil vintage des années 70, assise, dossier et accoudoirs en tissu de laine à carreaux dans les tons beige, marron et blanc. Très bon état général, confort ferme. Ref 230 5...
Fabric
Set of Four Mathieu Mategot "Tube" Chairs, 1951
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in London, GB
A rare set of four "Tube living room" dining chairs by French Hungarian designer Mathieu Mategot (1910 - 2001). Designed in 1951 and produced in France in the early 1950's, the chai...
Metal
“Fauteuil de Paquebot” Chair, France 1950s
Located in ŁÓDŹ, PL
This iconic “Fauteuil de Paquebot” (also known as a “boat chair” or “cruise chair”) is a striking piece of mid-century design with historical significance. Originally used as deck ch...
Cane, Wood
French Rattan Cone Armchair in the Style of Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
perfect armchairs for gardens and terrasses. Metal and rattan give a modern twist to these french 60's armchairs.
Metal
Mathieu Matégot pair of Anthéor armchairs 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Paris, IDF
This iconic pair of armchairs is an original creation by Mathieu Matégot, dating back to the 1950s. The armchairs are crafted from white lacquered metal. The meticulous handling of t...
Metal
Sold
H 32.68 in W 25.99 in D 24.02 in
set of four white steel armchairs "Cap d'Ail" by Mathieu Matégot, ca 1950
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Rome, IT
rare set of four garden armchairs designed by Mathieu Matègot and named "Cap d'Ail" circa 1950 painted steel originale condition: many signs of rust the set comes directly from an ...
Steel
Mathieu Mategot "Tube" Armchair, 1951
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in London, GB
A rare "Tube living room" armchair by French Hungarian designer Mathieu Mategot (1910 - 2001). Designed in 1951 and produced in France in the early 1950's, the chair is made from qu...
Metal
Mathieu Mategot 'Anthéor' Armchair in Green Lacquered Iron
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mathieu Matégot, armchair model 'Anthéor', lacquered wrought iron, France, 1951 This rare armchair is designed by the French artist Mathieu Matégot. The designer (1910-2001) was bor...
Wrought Iron
Vintage armchair by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in AIGNAN, FR
Armchair, "tube" model, in white metal designed by the French designer Mathieu Matégot in the 1950s. With its iconic pattern, the armchair does not lack character and elegance. I...
Metal
Set of four Mathieu Matégot Armchairs "Tube", circa 1931, France
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Girona, Spain
Set of four Mathieu Mategot armchairs "Tube". Made with Iron. Painted in white. Circa 1931, France. Mid-Century Modern (MCM) is an America...
Iron
Sold
H 31.11 in W 24.41 in D 20.48 in
Mathieu Matégot White "CAP D'ail" Chair & Armchair Set, France, 1950's
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
Iconic "Cap d'Ail" set of outdoor steel chair and armchair by Mathieu Matégot. Circa 1955. Original paint Price includes sanding and new paint i...
Steel
Mathieu Matégot Lounge Chair
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in West Hartford, CT
Features perforated metal work with the classic Matégot sling seat support. Outdoor or indoor versatility. Buyer would need to add their own seat cushion if desired. Arm height is 1...
Metal
Pair of Mathieu Matégot Armchairs, Model Cap d'Ail
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Timeless design for this pair of chairs in vintage condition. Two other chairs available in need of restoration Literature: Mathieu Matégot, Jousse and Mondineu, page 149 circa 19...
Metal
French Mid-Century Cap d'Ail Chair by Mathieu Matégot, 1950's
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Paris, FR
20th-century vintage armchair, or side chair by the iconic French pioneer designer Mathieu Matégot. We have deliberately left the tubular steel structure untouched in order to preser...
Steel
Sold
H 27 in Dm 27.5 in
Pair French Mid-Century Modern Iron 'Copacabana' Chairs, by Mathieu Matégot 1955
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
Rare pair of French Mid-Century Modern 'Copacabana' chairs in black enameled iron by Mathieu Matégot. These lounge chairs/armchairs are rich fantasy creations with their sweeping cur...
Wrought Iron