Bruno Mathsson Secretaires

Swedish, 1907-1988

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.

Creator: Bruno Mathsson

Bruno Mathsson reading stand, Karl Mathsson 40's Sweden modernist collector

$4,641Sale Price|20% Off

Bruno Mathsson reading stand, Karl Mathsson 40's Sweden modernist collector

By Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl 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...

Category

1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bruno Mathsson Secretaires

Materials

Steel, Nickel

19th Century Swedish Mahogany Chiffonje, Writing Agency - Cabinet by Karl Johan

$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...

Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Bruno Mathsson Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Bruno Mathsson Shelf Model MI 1050, Sweden, 1960s

$9,500 / set

H 40.56 in W 62.21 in D 11.03 in

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.

Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bruno Mathsson Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Swedish Pine Secretary, Circa 1820-40

$5,100

H 79 in W 48.25 in D 19.25 in

Swedish Pine Secretary, Circa 1820-40

Located in Round Top, TX

It is the warm patina of the aged pine that draws one to this secretary with graceful Swedish country charm. Desktop rests on two extended arms. Desk opens reveals 8 small drawers an...

Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Antique Bruno Mathsson Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Swedish Modern Bureau by Otto Schulz for Boet, 1940s

$11,072

H 42.92 in W 38.19 in D 18.12 in

Swedish Modern Bureau by Otto Schulz for Boet, 1940s

By Otto Schulz, Boet

Located in Karlstad, SE

Very rare bureau by Otto Schulz for Boet, circa 1940. This bureau is covered in cream white vinyl attached with pearl nails, significant for the designer. The skewed front is made o...

Category

20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Bruno Mathsson Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Antique Georgian Mahogany Bookcase Secretary Collectors Doctors Cabinet 1790

$9,500

H 90.5 in W 45 in D 22 in

Antique Georgian Mahogany Bookcase Secretary Collectors Doctors Cabinet 1790

Located in Portland, OR

A very rare antique George III English Mahogany secretary bookcase, with a fitted collector's or doctor's cabinet to the base, circa 1790. The bookcase in two sections; the top section with a flared cornice with a frieze of dentil molding below, the bookcase with twin glazed doors with intersecting curvilenear astragals, the doors enclosing a pair of adjustable shelves. The base having a deep drawer with a locking fall front desk, fitted with a tooled & gilded leather writing surface, and a fitted interior with pigeonholes with removable doors and drawers each fitted with an oval gilded name label. Below are a pair of locking doors enclosing an elaborately fitted interior; comprising one long shallow tray shaped drawer above a host of 13 drawers of various sizes, all with the original brass hardware and corresponding oval gilded name tag, to the left side is a file space. The secretary bookcase is raised on bracket feet with a shaped skirt, it is made from the finest figured Cuban mahogany, all original finish and hardware. Georgian bookcase secretaries...

Category

1790s English Georgian Antique Bruno Mathsson Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Bruno Mathsson 'Anita' Shelving System, 1970s

$12,500

H 94.49 in W 118.12 in D 14.18 in

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.

Category

1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bruno Mathsson Secretaires

Materials

Steel

Swedish Gustavian Secretary, circa 1790

$13,000

H 86.75 in W 44.25 in D 22 in

Swedish Gustavian Secretary, circa 1790

Located in Huntington, NY

A two part Swedish Gustavian secretary. The bonnet top consists of an impressive overhanging arched pediment cornice. Upper section has three shelves and two small drawers. Lower sec...

Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Bruno Mathsson Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Iron

Secretary Swedish Rococo. Black

$5,245

H 39.77 in W 33.86 in D 23.04 in

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...

Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Bruno Mathsson Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Iron

Bruno Mathsson Wall-Mounted Bookcase by Karl Mathsson in Sweden

$6,382

H 36.23 in W 78.75 in D 11.82 in

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.

Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bruno Mathsson Secretaires

Materials

Birch, Pine

Swedish Rocco Style Secratery Hutch

$3,495

H 81 in W 42 in D 20 in

Swedish Rocco Style Secratery Hutch

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a Swedish Rocco Style Secratery Hutch . its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"

Category

1970s Swedish Rococo Vintage Bruno Mathsson Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Swedish Gustavian Style Secretary and Vitrine

$10,950

H 87 in W 43 in D 19.25 in

Swedish Gustavian Style Secretary and Vitrine

Located in Atlanta, GA

A beautifully crafted Swedish Gustavian style secretary vitrine finished in hand-painted black with a softly aged character. The upper cabinet features glazed doors opening to displa...

Category

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Bruno Mathsson Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood

Bruno Mathsson wall shelf, Sweden, 1970s

$11,024

H 64.57 in W 62.21 in D 11.03 in

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.

Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bruno Mathsson Secretaires

Materials

Steel

Previously Available Items

Writing Bureau Designed by Bruno Mathsson for Karl Mathsson, Sweden, 1934

Sold

H 39.1 in W 41.34 in

Writing Bureau Designed by Bruno Mathsson for Karl Mathsson, Sweden, 1934

By Bruno Mathsson

Located in Stockholm, SE

Rosewood and birch.

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Bruno Mathsson Secretaires

Materials

Birch, Rosewood

Ultra Rare Wall Secretary

Sold

H 19.69 in W 27.56 in D 3.55 in

Ultra Rare Wall Secretary

By Bruno Mathsson

Located in Munich, DE

Designed by Bruno Mathsson in 1938 and made by Karl Mathsson. There is a common version in birch. This one is in masur birch! Located in hamburg.

Category

1930s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bruno Mathsson Secretaires

Bruno Mathsson secretaires for sale on 1stDibs.

Bruno Mathsson secretaires are available for sale on 1stDibs. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Bruno Mathsson secretaires, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original secretaires by Bruno Mathsson were created in the mid-century modern style in sweden during the 1930s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider secretaires by Kai Kristiansen, Børge Mogensen, and Arne Wahl Iversen. Prices for Bruno Mathsson secretaires can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $14,519 and can go as high as $14,519, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $14,519.

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