As the descendant of four generations of Swedish master cabinetmakers, Bruno Mathsson was born to design furniture. Mathsson was known as a methodical perfectionist who made usefulness the fundamental attribute of his iconic lounge chairs, tables, armchairs and other works, yet he was also a ceaseless experimenter, who constantly searched for improvements in form, materials and methods of design.
Like the Finnish designer Alvar Aalto, Mathsson was one of the first Scandinavians to embrace undulating, biomorphic forms in furniture. His early pieces such as the Eva and Pernilla series of chairs incorporate dramatically flowing bent beechwood frames, making them some of the most instantly recognizable works of 20th-century design.
Mathsson was also a pioneer of ergonomics — he is said to have based the contours of his chairs on the impression his body made when he sat in a snow bank — and used supple, accommodating woven webbing for seats. His concern for practicality is shown by pieces such as the Maria table. An elegant design with gate legs and hinged leaves, the table measures more than nine feet long when fully extended, but folds down to just nine inches in thickness.
From the mid-1940s through the 1950s, Mathsson focused on architecture, designing and building houses with insulated, triple-glazed window walls and heated floors — construction that flew in the face of traditional wood-clad Swedish residential design, and consequently met with some skepticism. He returned to furniture in the 1960s, employing an entirely new suite of materials: Stainless-steel framing and mesh seats feature in pieces like the Jetson chair; with the mathematician Piet Hein, Mathsson designed the Super-Elliptical table, which has a laminate top and four-part tubular steel legs that sprout like flower stems from a single base.
Bruno Mathsson’s stylistic flexibility as a designer made him a creator whose pieces meet all tastes and needs.
Find vintage Bruno Mathsson dining tables, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Bruno Mathsson Milton Swivel Lounge Chair Model Mi 441
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Sweden Designer: Bruno Mathsson Manufacturer: Bruno Mathsson International Era: 1975 Dimensions: 24 wide x 23 deep x 34"tall Seat: 18 wide x 17 deep x 20 tall Condi...
Chrome
Pair of Easy Chairs in Birch & Original Leather Webbing by Bruno Mathsson, 1968
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pair of Easy Chairs in Laminated Birch and Original Leather Webbing by Bruno Mathsson, 1968 Additional Information: Material: Laminated birch and original leather webbing Style: Mid...
Birch
$1,504Sale Price|35% Off
Mid-Century 'Mina' Lounge / Arm Chair by Bruno Mathsson, Sweden, 1950s
By Bruno Mathsson, Mathsson International
Located in Karis, Nyland
Mid-Century Modern 'Mina' lounge / arm chair stamped Bruno Mathsson, Sweden, 1950s Iconic Mid-Century seating in leather upholstery. Ma...
Leather, Birch
Circa 1940 Eva Easy Chair By Bruno Mathsson For Karl Mathsson
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Norwich, England
An Eva easy chair by Swedish architect and designer Bruno Mathsson for Karl Mathsson. Circa 1940. Labelled. The chair is made from laminated birch plywood and solid birch. It has t...
Jute, Birch, Bentwood
“Mio” Chair by Bruno Mathsson, 1980s
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Brescia, IT
Chair with a chrome-plated tubular steel frame and a contoured, one-piece seat that is padded and upholstered in red fabric. "Mio" Mi 408 model by Bruno Mathsson, manufactured in Swe...
Steel
$2,229 / set
“Mio” chairs by Bruno Mathsson, Sweden, 1980s
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Brescia, IT
Set of four chairs with a chrome-plated tubular steel frame and red fabric upholstery. "Mio" model by Bruno Mathsson, made in Sweden, 1980s. Designed by Bruno Mathsson in 1981, the ...
Steel
“Eva” Sofa by Bruno Mathsson, Sweden, 1960s
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Brescia, IT
Frame made of laminated and curved beech wood, with seats and backrests made of wide, woven fabric straps. Original mark present. Made in Sweden, 60s. The “Eva” three-seater sofa em...
Fabric, Beech
Bruno Mathsson Eva Swedish Mid-Century Lounge Chair with Leather Cover, 1960s
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Balen, BE
This elegant Eva lounge chair was designed by Swedish designer Bruno Mathsson and produced in Sweden in the 1960s. The chair features Mathsson's characteristic gently curved bentwoo...
Leather, Wood
Swivel armchair "Jetson" by Bruno Mathsson
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Brescia, IT
Iconic Swedish armchair from 60s-70s, chrome base and capitonné seat with headrest: futuristic lines, enveloping comfort, timeless. Designed by Bruno Mathsson, the "Jetson" combines...
Steel
Original Dux of Sweden EVA Sessel Bruno Mathsson Armchair Buche
By Dux of Sweden, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen schwedischen Armlehnstuhl "EVA" aus Buchenholz und Sattelleder von Dux of Sweden zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Bruno Mathsson aus dem Jahr 193...
Leather, Wood
Price Upon Request
Berlin Daybed by Bruno Mathsson Sweden, circa 1960
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in New York, NY
Chic "Berlin" daybed by Swedish modern master, Bruno Mathsson. Made by Firma Karl Mathsson Sweden, circa 1960 Molded Beech, new upholstery Measures: 80" L x 40" W x 18.5" H. Bruno M...
Upholstery, Beech