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, Stool, Wood, Mohair, Sweden, 1940s
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in High Point, NC
A beige mohair and wood stool designed by Bruno Mathsson and produced by Firma Karl Mathsson, Sweden, c. 1940s. Minor signs of wear to wood legs. Overall Dimensions (inches): 18.5"...
Mohair, Wood
Bruno Mathsson extremely rare original 1936 stool collector in mint condition
By Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl Mathsson
Located in Forest, BE
Tabouret dans son état d'origine. Daté de 1936 et produit en 1941 dans les ateliers de son père Karl Mathsson. Ce tabouret est unique et invite au repos. Les sangles sont en bon état...
Birch
$3,480 / set
H 16.54 in W 17.33 in D 11.03 in
Set of 4 Sculptural French Art Deco Stools in Wood & Lambswool, 1940s
Located in Odense, DK
A sculptural set of four mid-century stools, crafted in France circa 1930–1940. The design showcases forms, and subtle sculptural qualities characteristic of Art Deco furniture movem...
Lambskin, Wool, Wood
$1,172
H 14.57 in W 17.33 in D 13 in
Extremely Rare Perttu Mentula Sauna / Sports Pine Stool for Artek, 1960s
By Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful and exceedingly rare stool from the mid 1960s by Finnish designer Perttu Mentula for Artek. This "active man stool" as it was called was onl...
Pine
Scandinavian Lounge Chair "Pernilla 1" by Bruno Mathsson, 1940s
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"The Scandinavian Lounge Chair 'Pernilla 1,' designed by the Swedish furniture designer Bruno Mathsson in the 1940s, is a masterpiece of mid-century modern ...
Wood
Bruno Mathsson Lounge Chair with Ottoman Model "Migo"
By Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl Mathsson
Located in Karlstad, SE
Bruno Mathsson, Lounge Chair with Ottoman, Model Migo, Mathsson International, 1982 A rare lounge chair with matching ottoman, model Migo, designed by Bruno Mathsson and produced by...
Leather, Oak
$12,263
H 35.83 in W 25.6 in D 66.15 in
Bruno Mathsson "Pernilla" Chaise Longue Chair in Patinated Saddle Leather, 1964
By Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl Mathsson
Located in Odense, DK
Bruno Mathssons iconic "Pernilla" Chaise Longue made in 1964 at Firma Karl Mathsson, Sweden. Edition with patinated saddle leather. Solid birchwood with a beautiful warm patina. Equi...
Leather, Sheepskin
$15,183
H 35.83 in W 25.2 in D 37.8 in
Scandinavian Lounge Chair "Pernilla 1" by Bruno Mathsson, 1940s
By Firma Karl Mathsson, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Karlstad, SE
Gorgeous lounge chair and ottoman "Pernilla 1", designed by Bruno Mathsson for Karl Andersson & Söner, Sweden. This rare version with red paper cord webbing...
Birch
$4,454 / set
H 18.12 in Dm 12.6 in
Pair of Nordiska Kompaniet Stools/ Side Tables in Solid Pine, Sweden, 1940s
By Nordiska Kompaniet, David Rosén, Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare pair of stools/side tables was produced by Nordiska Kompaniet in Sweden in the 1940s. Crafted from solid pine, the pieces have developed a beautiful natural patina over tim...
Pine
$32,276
H 35.44 in W 57.88 in D 24.81 in
Vintage Midcentury "Pernilla" Chaise Lounge by Bruno Mathsson, Sweden, 1940s
By Karl Mathsson, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Rare, early edition “Pernilla” chaise lounge with wheels by Bruno Mathsson. Made from solid birch with curved lines. Original wreathed paper web...
Papercord, 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
$4,219
H 17.33 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Rare Alvar Aalto original condition 1940's stool 60 with war legs, Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Kiiminki, FI
Very nice and rare Alvar Aalto Stool 60 with War Legs from the 1940s, Artek. The stool is in original condition including the screws There are some scratches on the seat. Very few o...
Birch
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
Spanish Colonial Stool / Side Table in Carved Wood, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Carved Wood Stool or Small Side Table, Spain, 1940s This eye-catching Spanish Revival wood stool has squared top and four legs with hand-carved scalloped details. This stool has a ru...
Wood, Pine
Sold
H 16.54 in W 20.48 in D 13 in
Early stool with cognac leather and birch by Bruno Mathsson, Karl Mathsson 1941
By Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl Mathsson
Located in Hägersten, SE
Early stool designed by Bruno Mathsson. Produced by Firma Karl Mathsson in 1941. Very early example with paper label, hand signed BM -41 for the manufacturing year, 1941. Made from ...
Leather, Birch
Stool Designed by Bruno Mathsson for Karl Mathsson, Sweden, 1959
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Ash and leather. Measures: H 46,4 cm/ 18 1/4" L 51 cm/ 20" D 33 cm/ 13".
Leather, Ash
Bruno Mathsson Stool by Karl Mathsson in Värnamo, Sweden
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare stool designed by Bruno Mathsson. Produced by Karl Mathsson in Värnamo, Sweden.
Leather, Sheepskin, Ash