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.
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
$23,688
H 97.64 in W 105.12 in D 16.54 in
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
Scandinavian Modern Sideboard 'Bastone', 200, Black Oak
By Antrei Hartikainen, Poiat
Located in Paris, IDF
Sideboard 'Bastone' designed by Antrei Hartikainen for Poiat Dimensions : H. 80 cm / W. 200 cm / D. 50 cm Model shown in the picture : - Color : Black Oak - Without doors ---- Designed by the award-winning master cabinet maker and designer Antrei Hartikainen for Poiat Furniture, the Bastone Low Sideboard creates a natural continuum to the Bastone Collection. Standing at the forefront of art and design, the Bastone cabinets and sideboards showcase Hartikainen’s interest in studying light and shadow and his appreciation of craftsmanship. By expanding the collection with a lower-sized version, the Bastone Low Sideboard introduces the opportunity for media console use...
Oak
Scandinavian Modern Rosewood Sideboard by Gunni Oman
By Omann Jun Møbelfabrik
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The elegant modern style of Scandinavian designer Gunni Oman sets this sliding door Rosewood sideboard apart from other Mid-Century servers. Featuring four felt lined drawers, spacio...
Rosewood
$2,795
H 25.6 in W 57.09 in D 18.12 in
Italian industrial modern Aluminum and glass sideboard by Ycami, 1990s
By Ycami Collection
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian industrial modern Aluminum and glass sideboard by Ycami, 1990s Sideboard with rectangular base and rounded corners, in aluminum and glass. The top is made of glass, while th...
Aluminum
Mid-Century Kai Kristiansen Sideboard, Scandinavian Modern
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Long teak server by Kai Kristiansen featuring four drawers and three doors with adjustable shelving makes the perfect storage piece for any modern home. Midcentury design is evidence...
Metal
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
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Sideboard, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Sideboard, 1960s
Wood
Scandinavian Modern sideboard by Otto Schulz, Sweden, 1930s
By Boet, Otto Schulz
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant functionalist sideboard by Otto Schulz, with bold lines and contrasting birch and darker colored wood. Large round drawer handles with decorative ...
Birch
$6,514
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.
Birch, Pine
$4,263
H 32.29 in W 80.71 in D 18.12 in
Sven Andersen Sideboard in Teak, Scandinavian Modern, Mid Century Modern, 1950s
Located in Wrocław, Poland
Introducing the sideboard designed by Sven Andersen – an exquisite masterpiece that seamlessly blends the timeless elegance of Scandinavian Modern design with the iconic flair of Mid...
Brass
$1,790Sale Price|20% Off
H 37.41 in W 72.84 in D 21.66 in
Scandinavian Modern Danish Sideboard, 1960 / Massive Oak
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1960 - Denmark - Whole sideboard is made of massive wood, no vaneer - Profesionally restored - Perfect condtion.
Oak
$4,086
H 25.2 in W 59.06 in D 18.51 in
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Sideboard in Rosewood by Henning Kjaernulf
By Bruno Hansen, Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century Modern scandinavian sideboard in rosewood by Henning Kjaernulf for Bruno Hansen.
Rosewood
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
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