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.
Sofa in Laminated Birch and Original Leather Webbing by Bruno Mathsson, 1968
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Sofa in Laminated Birch and Original Leather Webbing by Bruno Mathsson, 1968 Additional Information: Material: Laminated birch and original leather webbing Style: Mid century, Scand...
Birch
$4,663Sale Price|40% Off
Very Rare Bruno Mathsson Sofa in Perfect Condition
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Munich, DE
No.T201 sofa designed by Bruno Mathsson in 1936 and made by Karl Mathsson. Re-upholstered to perfect condition. Vintage nos fabric. One from the first year...
Fabric, Wood
Sofa in Laminated Birch and Original Leather Webbing by Bruno Mathsson, 1968
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Sofa in Laminated Birch and Original Leather Webbing by Bruno Mathsson, 1968 Additional Information: Material: Laminated birch and original leather webbing Style: Mid century, Scand...
Birch
RARE Bruno Mathsson T201 Sofa
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Unbelievably rare T201 sofa by Bruno Mathsson, made in Sweden. Retains it's original production tag on the back left leg, pictured. Upholstery shows scattered wear with some light ...
Fabric
Bruno Mathsson Sofa Model Karin Produced by DUX in Sweden
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare sofa model Karin designed by Bruno Mathsson. Produced by DUX in Sweden.
Steel
$10,019
H 70.87 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
Teak Sofa with Leather Webbing by Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs, Finland, 1950s
By Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sofa by Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs, made from teak with sculptural details. The amazing leather webbing backrest makes this sofa a real room jewel. Seat upholstered in cream fabric.
Leather, Teak
Vintage Pernilla Armchair by Bruno Mathsson for Dux
By Dux of Sweden, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Chicago, IL
Pernilla 69 lounge chair by DUX Sweden, circa 1970 laminated and steam-bent beech, canvas webbing chair: 38½ h × 29½ w × 35 d in Condition: Good overall condition. General wear exi...
Bentwood
$6,072
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
$2,951Sale Price|55% Off
H 40.95 in W 90.56 in D 27.56 in
Decorative and Architectural Biedermeier Sofa in Birch
Located in Kastrup, DK
Decorative and architectural Biedermeier sofa in birch, Copenhagen Denmark , 1820-1830. Upholstered with black fabric.
Birch, Fabric
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
$17,584 / set
H 38.78 in W 30.32 in D 37.01 in
Rare Pair of Pernilla Chairs and Ottoman by Bruno Mathsson, Sweden, 1960s
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A very rare pair of Pernilla chairs and ottoman by Bruno Mathsson, for Karl Mathsson, Värnamo, Sweden, 1960s. Beech frames and original leather seats. Rarely found in such good con...
Leather, Beech
$18,217
H 32.68 in W 59.06 in D 20.08 in
Bruno Mathsson Lounge Chair Model 36 Produced by Karl Mathsson
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare early lounge chair model 36 designed by Bruno Mathsson. Produced by Karl Mathsson in Värnamo, Sweden.
Birch
Bruno Mathsson "Eva" Lounge Chair by Karl Mathsson, 1970s
By Bruno Mathsson, Ivan Schlechter
Located in Odense, DK
Vintage "Eva" lounge chair by Bruno Mathsson made by Karl Mathsson in 1974. The beechwood and hemp webbings has a nice patina and the chair comes with a leather cover hand sewn by Iv...
Hemp, Beech, Leather
Bruno Mathsson "Berlin" Daybed
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Long Island City, NY
Bruno Matthson descended from five generations of master cabinetmakers in Sweden. “He carefully studied the ‘mechanics of sitting.’ For example, in search of the perfect seating curv...
Upholstery, Beech
$5,100
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
$1,544Sale Price|20% Off
H 34.26 in W 77.96 in D 36.62 in
1980s, Danish 3 seater sofa, original very good condition, velour.
Located in Tarm, 82
1980s, Danish 3 seater sofa in original very good condition: no smells and no stains. Classic 80s design. Brown/red furniture velour. Manufactured by Danish furniture manufacturer in...
Velvet, Plastic
$3,400 / set
H 32.68 in W 23.63 in D 25.6 in
Pair of Mid-Century Swedish Armchairs by Bruno Mathsson, Model "Eva", 1960s
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Odense, DK
A beautiful pair of mid-century Swedish easy chairs, crafted in the 1960s by Bruno Mathsson, Sweden. Celebrated for his innovative approach to functionalist furniture design, Mathsso...
Birch, Fabric, Textile
Sofa in Pierre Frey Fabric, Sweden circa 1961
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Culver City, CA
Sweden circa 1961 Model T201, designed by Bruno Mathsson. Newly upholstered in Pierre Frey fabric. 93”L x 36”d x 30.5”h x 16”seat
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 19.3 in W 76.78 in D 37.41 in
Vintage Model Berlin Daybed by Bruno Mathsson for Firma Karl Mathsson, 1960s
By Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl Mathsson
Located in Odense, DK
Rare daybed designed by Bruno Mathsson for by Karl Mathsson in Värnamo, Sweden. Model Berlin Made in beech and original wool fabric with leather buttons. Good vintage condition.
Wool, Birch
"EVA" Sofa in Birch & Webbing by Bruno Mathsson, Sweden, 1969
By Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl Mathsson
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Two-seat “EVA” sofa designed by Bruno Mathsson. Produced by Firma Karl Mathsson in Värnamo, Sweden, dated 1969. Lacquered birch and beech with later linen webbing.
Linen, Beech, Birch
Sold
H 30.71 in W 71.66 in D 29.53 in
Swedish Midcentury Sofa in Wool Designed by Bruno Mathsson, 1950s
By Bruno Mathsson, Karl Mathsson
Located in Lejre, DK
Sofa in wool designed by Bruno Mathsson and produced by Firma Karl Mathsson in 1950s. Great condition.
Beech, Wool
Sold
H 33.08 in W 38.19 in D 27.17 in
Scandinavian Modern "EVA" Sofa in Birch & Webbing by Bruno Mathsson, Sweden
By Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl Mathsson
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Two seater “EVA” sofa designed by Bruno Mathsson. Produced by Firma Karl Mathsson in Värnamo, Sweden, dated 1969. Lacquered birch and beech with later linen webbing.
Linen, Beech, Birch
Bruno Mathsson 1939 Sofa
By Bruno Mathsson, Karl Mathsson
Located in New York, NY
The "car seat" sofa, model T201, designed by Bruno Mathsson in 1939. This example produced by Karl Mathsson, circa 1970. With vintage ultrasuede fabric, still in fine condition, and ...
Ultrasuede, Wood
Very Rare Sofa Designed by Bruno Mathsson in 1939
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Munich, DE
Very rare No.T201 sofa designed by Bruno Mathsson in 1939 and made by Karl Mathsson. Perfect condition.