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 Wall-Mounted Bookcase by Karl Mathsson in Sweden
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare wall-mounted bookcase designed by Bruno Mathsson. Produced by Karl Mathsson in Värnamo, Sweden.
Birch, Pine
Bruno Mathsson wall shelf, Sweden, 1970s
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Wall shelf model designed by Bruno Mathsson during the 1970s, produced by Bruno Mathsson International, Sweden. Very good vintage condition.
Steel
Bruno Mathsson Bookcase Produced by Karl Mathsson in Värnamo, Sweden
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare bookcase designed by Bruno Mathsson. Produced by Karl Mathsson in Värnamo, Sweden.
Steel
$4,585Sale Price|20% Off
Bruno Mathsson reading stand, Karl Mathsson 40's Sweden modernist collector
By Firma Karl Mathsson, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Forest, BE
Table de lecture en bois et acier nickelé. Daté du début des années 1940. La tablette en bois a été restaurée mais la patine du piétement reste non touché et dans son état le plus proche de l'origine. Ajustable en hauteu. Il y à de beaux détails en laiton. Produite dans les ateliers de son père Karl Mathsson...
Steel, Nickel
Birch and pine wall shelf by Bruno Mathsson. Firma Karl Mathsson, Sweden 1967
By Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl Mathsson
Located in Hägersten, SE
Wall mounted shelf designed by Bruno Mathsson. Produced in Sweden by Firma Karl Mathsson in 1967. Bent wood consoles made from birch with shelf made from beautiful fine grained pine,...
Birch, Pine
Bruno Mathsson 'Anita' Shelving System, 1970s
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lacquered steel, birch and beech wood. Measures: height 250 cm Depth 34 cm. Width 145.5 cm.
Steel
Bruno Mathsson Shelf Model MI 1050, Sweden, 1960s
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Wall shelf model MI 1050 designed by Bruno Mathsson during the 1960s, produced by Bruno Mathsson International, Sweden. Very good vintage condition.
Birch
Bruno Mathsson Book Crib in Elm by Firma Karl Mathsson, 1976
By Firma Karl Mathsson, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Odense, DK
Book crib designed by Bruno Mathsson in 1941. This example made by original manufacturer Firma Karl Mathsson in 1976. Made from solid elm and bent wood beech in the legs. Subtle join...
Elm
MI 806 Aluminum Sideboard by Bruno Mathsson, 1967, Scandinavian Modern
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in LYON, FR
MI 806 Bruno Mathsson Aluminum Sideboard A rare “MI 806 Aluminum” sideboard by Swedish designer and cabinetmaker Bruno Mathsson, best known for his strap-seated furniture, such as th...
Metal, Aluminum
Bruno Mathsson wall shelf, Sweden, 1970s
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Wall shelf model designed by Bruno Mathsson during the 1970s, produced by Bruno Mathsson International, Sweden. Very good vintage condition.
Steel
Bruno Mathsson Wall-Mounted Bookcase by Bruno Mathsson International in Sweden
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Wall-mounted bookcase designed by Bruno Mathsson. Produced by Bruno Mathsson International in Sweden.
Beech
Magazine table Designed by Bruno Mathsson for Firma Karl Mathsson
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
This rare Bruno Mathsson magazine table for Firma Karl Mathsson in Värnamo is a thoughtful expression of Swedish design and Scandinavian vintage design at its most architectural. Des...
Birch
Shelf 'Book crib' model T-709 Designed by Bruno Mathsson for Firma Karl Mathsson
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Bruno Mathsson’s “Book crib” model T-709 is a refined example of Scandinavian vintage design where function and sculpture are perfectly aligne...
Birch
Birch and pine wall shelf by Bruno Mathsson. Firma Karl Mathsson, sweden 1960s
By Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl Mathsson
Located in Hägersten, SE
Wall mounted shelf designed by Bruno Mathsson. Produced in Sweden by Firma Karl Mathsson during the 1960s. Bent wood consoles made from birch with shelf made from beautiful fine grai...
Birch, Pine
Original Bruno Mathsson Book Cradle for Karl Mathsson ( 1st Production Example )
By Bruno Mathsson, Karl Mathsson
Located in Chicago, IL
Original Bruno Mathsson Book Cradle for Karl Mathsson 1st Production Label still attached. Handwritten Date of '41 in pencil on top of Label. Des...
Birch
Shelf ‘Book crib’ designed by Bruno Mathsson for Firma Karl Mathsson, 1961
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Shelf ‘Book crib’ model T-709 designed by Bruno Mathsson for Firma Karl Mathsson, Sweden, 1961. Frame in elm, legs in laminated beech. Stamped. H: 25.5 cm / 10" L: 50 cm / 19 3/4'...
Beech, Elm
Scandinavian Bookcase in Pine by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Karlstad, SE
A beautiful shelf designed by Carl Malmsten, manufactured in his own studio, 1940s. This piece goes together well with pine furniture from other Swedish designers from the era, suc...
Pine
Secretary Swedish Rococo. Black
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Swedish Rococo Secretary Desk in Black-Painted Pine. Executed in a beautiful and characteristic Rococo style with a wavy body, sides, and back. The slanting writing flap with...
Brass, Iron
$7,700
H 52 in W 48 in D 20 in
19th Century Swedish Mahogany Chiffonje, Writing Agency - Cabinet by Karl Johan
By Karl Johan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique Swedish Biedermeier writing agency, secretary table made of hand crafted polished, partly veneered Mahogany with a writing flap, designed by Karl-Johan in goo...
Metal, Brass
$4,814 / set
H 27.96 in W 31.5 in D 9.85 in
Set of Swedish Grace Bookcases in Elm & Birchwood with Fluted Feet, 1930s
By Otto Schulz
Located in Odense, DK
A refined pair of Swedish Modern bookcases in the style of Otto Schulz dating from the 1930s–1940s, crafted in warm-toned elm and birchwood. Their restrained architectural form is el...
Birch, Elm
$2,100Sale Price|30% Off
H 84 in W 30 in D 11.5 in
Pair of Scandinavian modern birch blonde tall 6 shelf bookcases wall unit
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Mid century Scandinavian Modern blonde birch wood shelf wall unit or open bookcases. Very modern design and well built. Made of birch veneer plywood shelves and structural. V...
Birch
$3,600Sale Price|40% Off
H 80 in W 134 in D 12 in
Kajsa & Nisse Strinning White Laminate 4 bay String wire wall shelf unit Sweden
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Kajsa & Nisse Strinning White Laminate 4 bay String wire wall unit circa 1970 Sweden. Great unit very high end laminate with chrome hinges and white leather pulls. Has all hardware in tack. Great mid century Swedish wall unit...
Metal
Modular Freestanding Shelving System, France, 1950s
By Strafor
Located in Antwerp, BE
This rare modular shelving system by Strafor (Forges de Strasbourg) exemplifies post-war French industrial design with its clean lines and functional engineering. Constructed in lacq...
Metal
$10,202
H 98.43 in W 94.89 in D 19.3 in
1960s 1970s Rio Rosewood Shelving System by Poul Cadovius for Cado Denmark
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Neuenkirchen, NI
1960s/70s Rio Rosewood Shelving System by Poul Cadovius for Cado Denmark Object: Shelving Unit Manufacturer: Cado Condition: Good Age: Circa 1960-1970 Dimensions: Width = 241cm...
Rosewood
Tomado modular shelving system Teak 1950s Holland
By Adriaan Dekker, Tomado
Located in Den Haag, NL
Tomado wall shelf from the 50s, it is made up of 2 black metal uprights dyed in the mass and stamped + 3 teak wood shelves with fixings included. The whole is in very good condition ...
Teak
$1,500 / set
H 14.18 in W 27.56 in D 6.3 in
Pair Wall-Mounted Bookcases in Solid Oregon Pine, Made in Denmark, 1970s
Located in Lejre, DK
Pair of wall-mounted units in solid Oregon Pine. Designed and made in Denmark. Great original condition.
Pine
Olof Pira Modular Teak Shelving System, Sweden, 1950s
By Olof Pira, String Design AB
Located in Rødekro, DK
A refined example of Scandinavian Modern design, this modular shelving system was designed by Olof Pira in Sweden during the 1960s. The system features beautifully grained teak shel...
Stainless Steel
Norwegian Teak Modular Shelving System Mid Century 1960s
By John Texmon
Located in Norwich, England
Stylish mid century Norwegian teak modular system. Circa 1960s. A versatile system that can be configured in different ways: as two separate single bays, as two bays joined together...
Teak, Birch
Sold
H 31.5 in W 78.75 in D 13.78 in
Birch and pine wall shelf by Bruno Mathsson. Firma Karl Mathsson, sweden 1964
By Firma Karl Mathsson, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Hägersten, SE
Wall mounted shelf designed by Bruno Mathsson. Produced in Sweden by Firma Karl Mathsson in 1964. Consisting of steam bent birch consoles, shelf in solid pine and bookshelf made from...
Metal
Private listing: Bruno Mathsson bookcase
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare bookcase designed by Bruno Mathsson Produced by Karl Mathsson in Värnamo, Sweden Lacquered teel, birch and pine 1950s Mid century, Scandinavian Dimensions (W x D x H): 250 x 37 ...
Metal
Sold
H 10.04 in W 19.69 in D 10.63 in
Book crib by Bruno Mathsson, Karl Mathsson, Sweden 1941, elm no.2
By Firma Karl Mathsson, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Hägersten, SE
Book crib designed by Bruno Mathsson in 1941. Very early example made by Firma Karl Mathsson the first year. Made from solid elm and bent wood beech in the legs. Small brass screw de...
Beech, Elm
Bruno Mathsson, book cart, Dux, 1980s
By Dux of Sweden, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Uppsala, Uppsala
Book cart / book crib (bokvagga in Swedish) in beech designed by Bruno Mathsson for Swedish company DUX. Designed in 1941 but this example is produced in...
Beech
Sold
H 10.04 in W 19.69 in D 10.63 in
Book case "Bokvagga/Book crib" by Bruno Mathsson , Sweden 1941, elm and beech
By Firma Karl Mathsson, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Hägersten, SE
Book crib designed by bruno Mathsson in 1941. This example made by Firma Karl Mathsson in 1964. Made from solid elm and bent wood beech in the legs. Very good vintage condition with ...
Beech, Elm
Mid-Century Modern Sideboard by Bruno Mathsson, Sweden, 1960s
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Sleek sideboard, model “MI-806” by Bruno Mathsson. Made from silver birch with a beautiful natural pattern, smooth steel doors and feet. Movable shelves and compartments inside. Beau...
Steel
Sold
H 83.08 in W 27.56 in D 11.82 in
Shelving Systems Designed by Bruno Mathsson for Mathsson International
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Shelving systems designed by Bruno Mathsson for Mathsson International, Sweden, 1960s. Pine and lacquered wood. Measu...
Wood, Pine, Lacquer
Sold
H 92.92 in W 78.75 in D 15.75 in
Shelving system designed by Bruno Mathsson for Mathsson International, 1960s.
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Shelving system designed by Bruno Mathsson for Mathsson International, Sweden, 1960s. Beech and lacquered steel. Dimension...
Steel
Bruno Mathsson Freestanding Sideboard in Birch, 1960s
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Prague, New Town
Rare Scandinavian freestanding sideboard model MI 806 designed by Bruno Mathsson in Sweden, 1960s. This freestanding sideboard is made out of t...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 51.19 in W 35.83 in D 17.72 in
Custom order: Kurt Østervig cabinet and "Eva" lounge chair by Bruno Mathsson
By Kurt Østervig, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Cool oak cabinet by Kurt Østervig, in a neat size and with a timeless look. Strict lines, decor of embossed stripes on the fronts. Very nice leather strap handles with decorative whi...
Leather, Beech, Oak
Sold
H 10.24 in W 19.69 in D 11.03 in
Book Cradle Designed by Bruno Mathsson for Karl Mathsson, Sweden, 1941
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Birch. Measures: H 26 cm/ 10 1/4" W 50 cm/ 19 11/16" D 28 cm/ 11 1/32".
Birch
Bruno Mathsson Birch Cabinet
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Dallas, TX
A birch sliding door cabinet designed by Bruno Mathsson.
Birch