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.
Gubi Copacabana Outdoor Lounge Chair in Orange base and Lorkey, Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
20th Century, Mathieu Mategot Table Lamp mod. Baghdad
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Here we have the table lamp model "Baghdad" designed by Mathieu Mategot in about 1950, in perforated steel and brass. In good condition, fully original and working, patina of time. ...
Metal, Brass
Mathieu Mategot (Jousse Enterprise)
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
Early monograph on the French modernist designer Mathieu Mategot, featuring his celebrated and still prized “transparent metal” furniture and lighting, often with juxtaposed elements...
Paper
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in White Base, Limonata White by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in White Base with Fringes by Mathieu Matégot
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in Black Base with Fringes by Mathieu Matégot
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in White Base with Fringes by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in Black Base, Strip Blue by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Gubi Copacabana Outdoor Lounge Chair in Black base and Lorkey, Mathieu Matégot
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in Black Base, Limonata White by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in Black Base with Fringes by Mathieu Matégot
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in Black Base with Fringes by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
$16,000 / set
Pair of Rare Bedside Tables by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in London, GB
A pair of black rigitule bedside table or originally telephone table. Manufactured by Les Ateliers Matégot, 1953, France. Original paint. Published in Patrick Favardin Book p6.
Steel
Mathieu Mategot Wrought Iron & Saint Gobain Glass Gueridon, France 1950's
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
Elegant wrought iron and glass center table with a Saint Gobain top, the base is a double-looped rod that gracefully connects to a sphere in the center. The model is a variation of t...
Wrought Iron
Trolley Mathieu Matégot Cocktail Serving Table, Venise Model, 1953
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in London, GB
Serving table in perforated sheet metal or rigitule by Mathieu Matégot by Ateliers Mathieu Mategot, France. Rigitule glass and brass. Venise model, 1953. Documented and referenced in Mathieu Matégot by Jousse Entreprise...
Brass, Steel
Mathieu Mategot Lounge chair model "Copacabana"
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Barcelona, ES
Lounge chair model "Copacabana" Manufactured by Atelier Mategot France, 1950´s Lacquered and perforated metal and fabric upholstery Measurements 68,6 x 59,1 cm x 75,6h cm. 27 in x 2...
Metal
Gubi Copacabana Outdoor Lounge Chair in Orange and Leslie Stripe Mathieu Matégot
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Gubi Copacabana Upholstered Lounge Chair by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Mathieu Matégot 'La Foret Petriei' Stitched Tapestry
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Dallas, TX
Hungarian-born Frenchman Mathieu Matégot, (1910-2001) left behind a successful career designing furniture and in the early 1960s devoted himself exclusively to the creation of tapest...
Fabric, Canvas, Cotton, Linen
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in White Base with Fringes by Mathieu Matégot
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in Black Base, Limonata Beige by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in White Base, Strip Blue by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Gubi Copacabana Outdoor Lounge Chair in Black and Leslie Stripe, Mathieu Matégot
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in Black Base, Strip Beige by Mathieu Matégot
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in White Base, Strip Beige by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Matégot Bookshelf Jardinière Library
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in London, GB
Matégot is perhaps the last and most important metalsmith of the French after war era. Had incredible originality in his design. Always very poetic in his realization. Time to collec...
Steel
Ateliers Mathieu Matégot Triple Plant Stand Jardiniere Flower Stand Cache Pot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in London, GB
Triple plant stand in yellow and black metal expanded. Manufactured by "Les Ateliers Matégot". Documented
Steel
Mathieu Mategot, Serving Cart, Tea Trolley, Lacquered black metal, France, 1950
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mathieu Mategot (1910-2001). Serving cart Manufactured by Atelier Mategot. France, 1950s. Lacquered and perforated metal. Measurements 55 x 40 cm x 63.5 H cm. 21.65 in x 15.74 in x 25H in. Literature Philippe Jousse...
Metal
Mathieu Matégot Coat Rack in Brass and Ochre for GUBI
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mathieu Matégot Coat Rack in Brass and Ochre for GUBI Designed in 1956 by Matégot, this is an authorized re-edition by GUBI of Denmark, who meticulo...
Brass
$308Sale Price|71% Off
H 5.12 in W 5.91 in D 13.78 in
Sought after Vintage Yellow Mathieu Mategot Table or Desk Light, 1950
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Markington, GB
1960 retro vintage stunning yellow Mathieu Mategot table or desk light incredibly sought after and rare item a wonderful clean example of a moder...
Metal
20th Century Table Lamp with Shells
Located in Buggiano, IT
Table lamp with plastic sphere manually coated with shells, very elegant. In working condition. Equipped with original 20th century European wiring. We recommend buyer consults an ex...
Shell, Plastic
Mathieu Matégot Red and black Wall-Mounted Coat Rack, 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Den Haag, NL
Mathieu Matégot black and Red coat rack for Artimeta the Netherlands 1950s. Painted black and Red metal with brass ball ends each hook. In very good vintage condition, all original p...
Metal, Brass
$873 / set
H 7.49 in W 5.52 in D 2.37 in
Green and White Metal Pair of Table Lamps Style of Mathieu Matégot, 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Green and white metal pair of table lamps style of Mathieu Matégot, 1950s Minimal and very high quality design Fully functional. These lamps made of perforated metal and brass. Or...
Metal, Brass
$1,746
H 22.05 in Dm 9.06 in
French Industrial Table Lamp, in the manner of Mathieu Matégot, France, c 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Hønefoss, 30
French Industrial Table Lamp, in the manner of Mathieu Matégot, France, circa 1950s. Perforated metal shade in black lacquer on tripod base with brass rim detail. A sculptural and a...
Metal, Brass
A Large Modernist Abstract Tapestry by Mathieu Mategot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Atlanta, GA
A modernist wool woven tapestry designed by French artist and designer Mathieu Mategot (1910-2001) circa 1960s. The piece is signed with Matégot and monogrammed TMP fino (Manufactur...
Canvas, Wool
Mathieu Matégot Wicker and Iron Magazine Rack
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mathieu Matégot wicker and iron magazine rack Hand woven handle Signature perforated metal detail Sculptural design Natural color variations in the ...
Iron
$12,837
H 31.5 in W 25.6 in D 22.84 in
Rare Mid-Century Modern Copacabana Chair by Mathieu Matégot, 1954
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Paris, FR
A rare collectible vintage lounge Copacabana chair by iconic French designer Mathieu Matégot composed of curved tubular steel legs and structure. This...
Steel
Mathieu Matégot Baghdad Lamp
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very rare Mathieu Matégot "Baghdad" lamp. Red perforated metal. Illuminates beautifully. Old welding and patina. Original European socket with new wiring for US. Great condition. Ma...
Metal, Brass
$20,307 / item
H 30.32 in W 37.41 in D 32.29 in
Webbing Outdoor Armchair in Solid Teak with Outdoor Fabric
Located in Paris, FR
Armchair Webbing outdoor with structure in solid natural teak wood. Upholstered and covered with special outdoor fabric in light grey finish. Treated...
Fabric, Teak
$3,930 / item
H 27.96 in W 31.89 in D 25.99 in
"Wind" Swivel Armchair in Velvet and Silk Fringes in Black
By Studio Marta Manente
Located in Centro, RS
The breeze is identified with the lightness and freshness of the feeling of the skin, of the wind, in its constant movement. Thus came the inspiration for the design of the Wind swivel armchair...
Velvet
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
Mathieu Mategot Coffee Table, France 1950's
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
Coffee table made of lacquered square tubing linked by a brass stretcher, the top wrapped in leather and stitched around the edge.
Brass, Steel
Mathieu Mategot Daybed, France 1950's
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Daybed in folded steel tubing and mesh sheet-metal on tapered legs and brass feet.
Steel, Cut Steel
Mathieu Mategot Wrought Iron & Wicker Table, France 1950's
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
Wicker and wrought iron table by Mathieu mategot. Multi layered rod base with all the rods converging in a central sphere. Finished in a gunmetal patin
Wrought Iron
Mathieu Matégot table lamp made in France 1950
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Charming yellow table lamp designed by Mathieu Matégot and made by Ateliers Matégot in France in 1950. This table lamp is made of metal, and its shade is created with the Rigitulle t...
Metal, Aluminum, Brass
Mathieu Mategot Demon Tea Cart, France, 1952
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Well designed and typical fifties serving cart designed by Mathieu Mategot and manufactured by Ateliers Mategot, France 1952. The chart has a black painted frame, with trays in red, white and black. Trays are die...
Metal
Mathieu Matégot Daybed, France, 1950
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Culver City, CA
Mathieu Matégot Daybed, France 1950. Newly reupholstered in Mahaham worsted wool charcoal grey with black trim. Pierced metal frame painted black and...
Metal
Mathieu Matégot Model Gin. Rare Green 2 Wheels Cocktail trolley
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in London, GB
Serving table in perforated sheet metal or rigitule by Mathieu Matégot by Ateliers Mathieu Mategot, France. Gin 1953. Documented and referenced in Mathieu Matégot by Jousse Entreprise. Totally untouched and in its original paint. Documented & referenced in Mathieu Matégot by Jousse Entreprise Patrick Favardin, Mathieu Matégot, Norma Editions, 2014 The drinks trolley seems to have been one of Mategot's favourites. They symbolize a time of peace and leisure, whilst 'theoretically' lightening the load of household work. They also represent a blurring between the indoors and the outside, at a time when the everyday living space was being extended to balconies and gardens. He was to produce over 20 drinks trolley permutations. After the war Mategot took part in a major revival of the decorative arts, which had become reliant on the elegant but expensive materials inherited from Art Deco. The war had forced all cultural assumptions to be re-examined while also dramatically interrupting traditional supply channels. The necessities of reconstruction and limited budgets thus called on all creators...
Cut Steel
Mathieu Mategot Monograph
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
Monograph on the French designer Mathiieu Mategot published by Jousse Enterprise Editions in 2003. First edition in paperback, as issued. 256 pages w...
Paper
Sold
H 26.5 in W 77.5 in D 40 in
Mid-Century French "Kyoto'' Daybed By Mathieu Matégot in Black Enameled Iron
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
A black enameled Iron "Kyoto daybed by Mathieu Matégot, France 1950s. The ends loop directly into the legs and create a floating impression. The dual fram...
Metal
Perforated Steel Waste Basket by Mathieu Mategot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A perforated steel wastebasket on three legs designed by Mathieu Mategot. Made in France, circa 1950s.
Steel
Mathieu Matégot Wastepaper Basket
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An enameled, perforated steel can. Elegant and useful.
Steel