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.
1960s Maria Table by Bruno Matthson for Firma Karl Mathsson, Sweden
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1960 Bruno Mathsson Maria folding table by Firma Karl Mathsson, Sweden. Really neat mid century table that expands from easily storable to seating double digits comfortably. Can be...
Beech, Walnut
Expanding Table in the Style of the Maria Flap, Bruno Mathsson Yugoslavia, 1960s
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Deland, FL
This remarkable expanding table, inspired by Bruno Mathsson's renowned 'Maria Flap' design, showcases the ingenuity of 1960s European craftsmanship. Constructed from European walnut,...
Walnut
$10,086
H 11.42 in W 51.19 in D 15.75 in
Bruno Mathsson Side Table Produced by Karl Mathsson in Värnamo, Sweden
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare side / magazine table designed by Bruno Mathsson. Produced by Karl Mathsson in Värnamo, Sweden.
Metal
$1,180
H 13.78 in Dm 21.66 in
Swedish Bruno Mathsson Coffee Table Annika, Masur Birch by Karl Mathsson Sweden
By Karl Mathsson, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Small round coffee table model Annika designed by the Swedish furniture designer and architect Bruno Mathsson (1907-1988). The table is made of birch with masur birch on the top The...
Birch
$8,600Sale Price|21% Off
H 28.5 in W 110.5 in D 35.5 in
Bruno Mathsson 'Maria' Drop-Leaf Folding Table in Walnut, Sweden, c 1950s
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautifully crafted and refinished 'Maria' drop-leaf / gateleg dining table by Bruno Mathsson, Sweden, circa 1950s to 1960s, executed in richly figured walnut with an elegant warm ...
Walnut
$3,900
H 28.7 in W 110 in D 35.5 in
Expanding Teak / Oak 'Maria' Table attributed to Bruno Mathsson, Classic Modern
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Buffalo, NY
Elegant Teak & Oak "Maria" table attributed to Bruno Mathsson featuring the iconic ingenious modular drop leap design that offers flexibility and sculptural form.Crafted with beautif...
Oak
Side Table by Bruno Mathsson, Sweden, 1968
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Karlstad, SE
A refined side table by Bruno Mathsson, designed in 1968, showcasing his signature balance of lightness and structural clarity. The round tabletop in teak veneer rests on elegantly c...
Birch, Teak
$4,094
H 25.6 in W 37.41 in D 37.41 in
'Annika' Table Designed by Bruno Mathsson for Karl Mathsson, Sweden, 1936
By Bruno Mathsson, Karl Mathsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table Annika designed by Bruno Mathsson for Karl Mathsson, Sweden. 1936. Elm top and birch legs. Measurements: H: 65 cm / 2' 2" D: 95 cm / 3' 1 7/8" This round “Annika” occasional table was manufactured in 1967 and designed in 1936; it is made of birch with a smooth Oregon pine top. Bruno Mathsson created various iterations of his “Annika” model — they come in three shapes with different wood combinations and various heights. They can be round with three legs, square with four legs, or rectangular with six legs, allowing exciting and contrasting combinations when grouped. While the design aesthetic is delicate, the table is very well-made because of the strong plywood. Bruno Mathsson’s love for nature pervades all his designs — he frequently slept outside in the forest or his garden on a specially designed foldable bed. His furniture shapes, particularly the legs, bring bull's horns or insects to mind. Mathsson was one of the most important Swedish designers of the 20th century. He was a contemporary of Alvar Aalto and Marcel Breuer, all of whom had already experimented with bent plywood during the 1930s. Karl Mathsson, Bruno Mathsson's father, was the fifth generation in a family of master cabinet makers. He owned a furniture manufacturing company that produced the earlier pieces; later, they founded "Mathsson International”. The stamp indicates the manufacturing date and, sometimes, the design date. Bruno Mathsson often gave his furniture Swedish woman...
Birch, Elm
$5,195
H 28.5 in W 110 in D 35 in
Bruno Mathsson Maria Style Mid Century Swedish Teak 10 Seater Dining Table
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Bruno Mathsson Maria Style Mid Century Swedish Teak Expanding 10 Seater Dining Table This dining table measures: 9.25 wide x 35.5 deep x 28.5 i...
Teak
$1,847
H 11.54 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
Birch Coffee Table by Bruno Mathsson, Karl Mathsson, Sweden, 1973
By Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl Mathsson
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Coffee table by Bruno Mathsson, made from birch. Very low design, with elegantly rounded corners and curved legs.
Birch
$1,800
H 11.5 in Dm 17.75 in
1962 Bruno Mathsson for Firma Karl Mathsson Annika Side Table w/ 18 in. Wood Top
By Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl Mathsson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Annika Side Table, initially designed by Bruno Mathsson for Firma Karl Mathsson in 1936. This piece dates to 1962 and was produced in Sweden. The design features graceful ...
Birch, Burl
Midcentury "Maria" Dining Table by Bruno Mathsson
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
First edition “Maria” dining table by Bruno Mathsson, made with a teak table top and beech legs. Beautiful brass locking mechanism that keeps the middle part from moving when folded....
Brass
$2,017
H 16.54 in Dm 25.6 in
Occasional Table Annika Designed by Bruno Mathsson for Karl Mathsson, Sweden
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Occasional table Annika designed by Bruno Mathsson for Karl Mathsson, Sweden. 1973. Birch and Karelian birch. Dimensions: H: 42 cm / 1' 4" D: 65 cm / 2' 1''
Birch
Folding table "Maria Flap" by Bruno Mathsson
By Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl Mathsson
Located in Brescia, IT
Oak folding table model "Maria Flap" by Bruno Mathsson, 1969, with original mark. Folding table model "Maria Flap" designed by Bruno Mathsson and manufactured by Firma Karl Mathsson...
Oak
Sold
H 24.81 in W 37.01 in D 31.5 in
Folding "Berit" Side Table by Bruno Mathsson for Mathsson International AB
By Bruno Mathsson, Mathsson International
Located in Karis, Nyland
Side table / folding table, model "Berit", designed by Bruno Mathsson in the 1960s for Mathsson International AB. Table top of beautiful masur birch with chrome plated legs on wheels...
Chrome
Sold
H 24.81 in W 37.01 in D 31.5 in
Bruno Mathsson, Berit Drop-Leaf Side Table, Mathsson International AB, 1980s
By Bruno Mathsson, Mathsson International
Located in Uppsala, SE
Side table / folding table, model Berit, designed by Bruno Mathsson in the 1960s for Mathsson International AB. This example is from the 1980s. Table top of ash with chrome plated le...
Chrome
Sold
H 29.14 in W 110.24 in L 29.14 in
"Maria Flap" Dining Table by Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl Mathsson, Sweden, 1930s
By Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl Mathsson
Located in Hägersten, SE
Rare early example of "Maria Flap" folding table designed by Bruno Mathsson in 1936. This example with the brass lock mechanism in the middle folding leaves. This feature of the tabl...
Brass
Sold
H 29.14 in W 110.24 in D 35.44 in
"Maria Flap" Dining Table by Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl Mathsson, Sweden, 1930s
By Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl Mathsson
Located in Hägersten, SE
Rare early example of "Mari Flap" folding table designed by Bruno Mathsson in 1936. This example with the brass lock mechanism in the middle folding leaves. This feature of the table...
Brass
Sold
H 23.63 in W 31.5 in D 14.97 in
Table, Berit, Designed by Bruno Mathsson for Mathsson International
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table, Berit. Designed by Bruno Mathsson for Mathsson International Sweden, 1960s.
Steel
Sold
H 28.5 in W 9 in D 43.5 in
Teak & Beech “Maria Flap” Drop Leaf Folding Dining Table by Bruno Mathsson, 1960
By Firma Karl Mathsson, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Hudson, NY
Fantastic drop leaf and accordion fold extension table designed by Bruno Mathsson for Karl Mathsson. This is the wider version of this table th...
Beech, Teak
Bruno Mathsson "Maria" Expandable Modern Rosewood Dining Table
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Washington, DC
Exceptional butcher block pattern rosewood dining table by Bruno Mathsson. Incredible design allows for table to be reduced to just 9.5 inches wide and then unfolded into various le...
Brass
Rare Early Bruno Mathsson ''Maria Flap'' Dining Table in Oak
By Firma Karl Mathsson, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Hudson, NY
This is an early example from the late 1930s-1940s in oak with beech legs signed on retaining bar. A very versatile table that can seat up to ten or fold to a compact size, perfect f...
Oak
Bruno Mathsson 'Maria' Gateleg Extending Dining Table
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Astoria, NY
The 'Maria' teak wood dining table, originally designed by Bruno Mathsson, manufactured in Denmark, circa 1960s, the top comprised of drop leaves on a gateleg base, which enables thi...
Teak
Bruno Mathsson Extending Mid-Century Table
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Danish drop-leaf table with multiple sizes, great for small dining areas. Can open one leaf (33" wide), two leaves (60" wide), or fully extended for over nine feet of surface...
Bruno Mathsson "Maria" Expanding or Folding Table
By Karl Mathsson, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Highland, IN
This ingenious design by architect Bruno Mathsson is incredibly versatile. When completely collapsed, it is only nine inches wide. Fully expanded, it is nine feet in length and seats...
Brass
Sold
H 28.25 in W 60 in D 43.5 in
Rare Bruno Mathsson for Karl Mathsson Gate-Leg Drop-Leaf Dining Table
By Bruno Mathsson, Karl Mathsson
Located in Hudson, NY
A versatile and rare Bruno Mathsson table in teak with sculptural beech legs, and brass detail. The table compacts to an easy to store 9" width.
Brass