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.
Modern "Pernilla" Lounge Chair in Cognac Leather by Bruno Mathsson for DUX
By Dux of Sweden, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Chireno, TX
Mid-Century Modern "Pernilla" lounge in Cognac leather by Bruno Mathsson for DUX (circa 1969-1979). Designed by Bruno Mathsson for DUX in 1969, the iconic bentwood frame Pernilla lou...
Leather, Linen, Beech, Birch
Mid Century Vintage Pernilla 69 Lounge chair by Bruno Mathsson Sweden
By Bruno Mathsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Vintage Pernilla 69 Lounge chair by Bruno Mathsson Sweden The Pernilla 69 is a classic easy chair designed by iconic Swedish designer Bruno Mathsson. Bentwood beech fram...
Leather, Canvas, Upholstery, Beech, Bentwood
Vintage Jetson High Back Swivel Lounge Chair by Bruno Mathsson for DUX
By Bruno Mathsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Sweden Designer: Bruno Mathsson Manufacturer: Dux Era: 1960s Dimensions: 23 wide x 30 deep x 28 tall Seat: 17 wide x 18 deep x 16 tall Condition: Frame in excellent or...
Chrome
$1,958
H 37.8 in W 33.86 in D 35.44 in
Bruno Mathsson Pernilla Armchair Model 69 in Striped Fabric for DUX, 1960s
By Bruno Mathsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Lejre, DK
Bruno Mathsson Pernilla armchair model 69 from DUX in striped fabric and beech wood. Classic Scandinavian design from the 1960s. — Origin: Sweden — Designer: Bruno Mathsson — Produc...
Fabric, Beech
$4,881
H 37.8 in W 34.26 in D 36.42 in
Scandinavian Modern Pernilla Lounge Chair Ottoman Bruno Mathsson DUX 1970 Sweden
By Bruno Mathsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Vienna, AT
Scandinavian Modern vintage Pernilla lounge chair or easy chair with ottoman from bentwood and fabric in butter cream color by Bruno Mathsson for Dux, 1970s. Iconic lounge chair mod...
Fabric, Bentwood
$3,488
H 38.59 in W 33.47 in D 35.44 in
Bruno Mathsson Pernilla Lounge Chair. 25 years limited edition
By Bruno Mathsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Bruno Mathsson Pernilla lounge chair with patinated leather. Frame in beech. Made by DUX. 25 years annivesary model
Leather, Beech
$5,811
H 38.19 in W 25.2 in D 70.87 in
Bruno Mathsson Lounge Chair Model Pernilla 3 / T-108 by Karl Mathsson in Sweden
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Lounge chair model Pernilla 3 / T-108 designed by Bruno Mathsson. Produced by Karl Mathsson in Värnamo, Sweden.
Canvas, Birch
Scandinavian Chaise Longue "Pernilla 3" by Bruno Mathsson
By Firma Karl Mathsson, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Karlstad, SE
Gorgeous chaise lounge Pernilla 3, designed by Bruno Mathsson for Karl Andersson & Söner, Sweden. Condition: Good original condition with light patina. No damage to the webbing, and...
Birch
1969, Bruno Mathsson for Dux, Pernilla Lounge Chair
By Bruno Mathsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach...
Leather, Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
$3,290
H 38.19 in W 25.99 in D 33.08 in
Bruno Mathsson Jetson Swivel Chair in Chrome & Black Leather, Dux late 20th C.
By Dux of Sweden, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Helsinki, FI
A fine example of the iconic Jetson lounge chair designed by Bruno Mathsson for DUX, featuring its characteristic sculptural form, chromed steel base, and original black leather upho...
Chrome
Bruno Mathsson "Pernilla" Lounge Chair
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Bruno Mathsson "Pernilla" Chair. Re-upholstered.
Fabric, Birch
Bruno Mathsson Lounge Chair "Pernilla" in Bluegrey Sheepskin
By Bruno Mathsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Montclair, NJ
NOTE! The first image in Dove Blue is for color of the lounge chair only. The actual chair offered is dressed in Off White sheepskin in pictures BUT this has been replaced sheepskin ...
Sheepskin, Birch
$3,134
H 37.41 in W 33.47 in D 35.83 in
Pernilla Leather Lounge Chair and foot stool by Bruno Mathsson for DUX
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Chesham, GB
A Pernilla leather lounge chair and foot stool. Designed by Bruno Mathsson and made by Dux. 1960s. Leather and canvas on a bentwood beech frame, organic in form. Bruno Mathsson (...
Leather, Beech
Bruno Mathsson Leather 'Ottoman, Dux, Sweden, c. 1969
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bruno Mathsson Leather Chair & Ottoman, Dux, Sweden, c. 1960 Beech, Leather Ottoman: H: 15.75 W: 26.75. D: 25.5 in. Chair also availab...
Leather, Beech
Bruno Mathsson Ottoman
By Bruno Mathsson, Dux of Sweden
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
Woven Leather Pernilla 2-Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Bruno Mathsson
By Firma Karl Mathsson, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Patinated woven leather "Pernilla 2" lounge chair and ottoman by Bruno Mathsson for Firma Karl Mathsson. Made in Sweden, circa 1977. Ottoman measures: 26...
Beech, Leather
Bruno Mathsson "Karin" Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Dux of Sweden, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Highland, IN
We love Bruno Mathsson's designs– from his early works in bentwood with hemp webbing, to his late futuristic looking designs. This "Karin" lounge chair by DUX comes complete with it'...
Steel
Bruno Mathsson Pernilla Ottoman
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Bruno Mathsson Pernilla Ottoman dated 1941 on decal. This piece is completely original and shows minor staining but no rips or tears. Finding an ottom...
Canvas
Pernilla Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Bruno Mathsson for DUX
By Dux of Sweden, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful early curvilinear lounge chair and ottoman by Bruno Mathsson for DUX, composed of a tufted dark forest green leather cover on canvas, supported by a molded beech plywood fr...
Leather, Canvas, Beech
Pernilla Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Bruno Mathsson
By Bruno Mathsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Pernilla lounge chair with ottoman by Bruno Mathsson. The ottoman measures: 24.25 wide x 16" tall x 27.5" deep.
Leather, Canvas, Beech
Pernilla Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Bruno Mathsson
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Canvas and bent beechwood Pernilla chair with ottoman by Bruno Mathsson for DUX, made in Sweden, circa 1970s. Ottoman measures: 20.5 W x 26 D x 16 H inches.
Beech, Canvas, Leather
Miranda Lounge Chairs and Ottoman by Bruno Mathsson
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful early curvilinear lounge chair by Bruno Mathsson Design Studio, composed of hemp webbing on a molded beech plywood frame with adjustable headrest on leather straps, stamped...
Beech, Hemp
Two Miranda Lounge Chairs and Ottoman by Bruno Mathsson
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Two wonderful early curvilinear lounge chairs by Bruno Mathsson Design Studio, composed of hemp webbing on a molded beech plywood frame with adjustable headrests on leather straps, s...
Beech, Hemp
Bruno Mathssson "Pernilla" Armchair with Ottoman
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Washington, DC
Excellent example of Bruno Mathsson's "Pernilla" chair and ottoman with original cotton webbing and head rest. Head rest needs to be reupholstered. Ottoman measures 20"W x 24"D x 1...
Vintage Swedish "Pernilla 1" Chair and Ottoman by Bruno Mathsson
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Atlanta, GA
Originally designed by the renowned classic Swedish Modern designer Bruno Mathsson in 1943, this excellent example of his "Pernilla 1" chair was made in the...