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.
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Mid Century Tan Leather tufted chrome ottoman with casters by DUX
By Dux of Sweden, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post Modern Tan Leather tufted chrome stool, bench, footstool or ottoman with casters. Designed by Bruno Mathsson for DUX. Great stool, bench or ottoman with a Leather cushion and a ...
Chrome
De Sede Tan Patchwork Leather Ottoman, 1960s Switzerland
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful tan colored leather pouf/ottoman by Swiss designer De Sede with square patchwork. Wonderful faded patina of varying degrees of tan, beige and brown. Perfect accent piece. G...
Leather
De Sede Deep Tan Leather Patchwork Ottoman, 1970s Switzerland
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous deep tan-colored leather pouf/ottoman by Swiss designer De Sede with square patchwork. Handmade with wonderful faded patina. Gorgeous accent piece. Good vintage condition. W...
Leather
$743
H 13.19 in W 22.05 in D 22.05 in
Chesterfield Brown Leather Tufted Square Footstool Vintage Biker Tan Leather
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this lovely Tan brown leather chesterfield tufted footstool A good looking and comfortable stool, it has a nice heritage patina to it We have cleaned ...
Leather
Mid-Century Modern Bruno Mathsson Lounge Chair and Ottoman by DUX
By Bruno Mathsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stunning vintage modern lounge and ottoman covered in tufted black leather with a tubular chrome plated frame. This sleek lounge chair boasts thick cushioned arm rests, a sculpted ...
Metal
$3,000 / set
H 18.25 in W 22.5 in D 22.5 in
American Designer, Mid-Century Modern Tufted Ottomans, Stools, Walnut, Bouclé
Located in Manhasset, NY
Mid-Century Modern American Designer Tufted Ottomans, Stools, Footstools Walnut, Bouclé Pair of Mid-Century stools or ottomans by an unknown American designer having organic curve...
Textile, Wood
Pair of Mid Century Ottomans with Cushion Tops
By Edward Wormley
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Ca. 1960. A stylish Square ottoman pair in a dark brown stain with square legs reminiscent of the type of furniture designed by Edward Wormley and produced by Dunbar from roughly the...
Wood, Fabric
$1,280
H 14.57 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Mid-20th Century, Cube Pouf / Ottoman in Patinated Brown Leather, 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
A cube-shaped ottoman, pouf, or stool upholstered in beautifully patinated brown leather with a quilted square pattern. The padded upholstery provides a comfortable seat, while the g...
Leather, Upholstery
$4,400
H 38 in W 33 in D 30 in
Mid-Century Modern Tan Leather Egg Style Wide Back Lounge Chair & Ottoman
By De Sede, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Chrome star base swivel tan leather lounge chair and ottoman probably Scandinavian. Jacobsen style, vintage circa 1960s. Ottoman dimensions: 16 x 22 x 16.
Chrome
Mid-Century Gelderland Extra Long Chocolate Brown Leather Ottoman
By Gelderland
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gelderland ottoman showcases the Dutch manufacturer's commitment to substantial, functional design. Crafted in chocolate brown leather with a generous cushioned top, the piece demons...
Leather
Mid-Century Modern Bench / Ottoman, Leather, Steel
By J.A. Casillas
Located in Manhasset, NY
American designer mid-century leather bench. A sectioned leather bench on a steel base by J. A. Casillas. A sleek and stylish bench in the Mid Centu...
Steel
$6,410 / item
H 18 in W 24 in D 18 in
COSETTE OTTOMAN - Modern Leather Ottoman with Tibetan Mongolian Lamb Fur Pelt
By Susan Hornbeak-Ortiz
Located in Laguna Niguel, CA
COSETTE OTTOMAN - Modern Leather Ottoman with Tibetan Mongolian Lamb Fur Pelt The Cosette Ottoman is a one-of-a-kind piece that combines luxurious leather an...
Metal
Pair Of 1960s Ottomans On Casters
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Pair of 1960s ottomans on casters.
Wood
Bruno Mathsson Ottoman
By Dux of Sweden, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ottoman by Bruno Mathsson for DUX, c.1960s, Sweden. The ottoman was originally paired with the Ingrid armchair. This piece features a tufted caramel leather seat on a bent beech wood...
Leather, Beech
Bruno Mathsson Chair & Footstool
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bruno Mathsson "Pernilla" armchair with footstool
Leather