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.
Trolley in beech and chrome, designed by Bruno Mathsson, Sweden
By Bruno Mathsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Goteborg, SE
This trolley was designed during Mathssons late metal period, but his design is still very recognizable with the lovely wooden details. The trolley is made in chromed steel and beech...
Birch
Yngve Ekström Trolley Model Thea Produced in Sweden
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Trolley model Thea designed by Yngve Ekström. Produced in Sweden. Measure: width: 72 ( 100 ) cm.
Formica, Rosewood
Side table by Bruno Mathsson for Dux, Sweden
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
'Annika' side table by Swedish designer Bruno Mathsson in 1936. Sculpted legs with a beautiful birch top. Some wear on table top.
Birch
$10,004
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
$1,171
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
$4,060
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
$5,296
H 29.73 in W 19.69 in D 32.88 in
Serving trolley model 2248 Designed by Josef Frank Sweden, 1940s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Serving trolley model 2248, designed by Josef Frank, Sweden, 1940s H: 75.5 cm / 2' 5 3/4" W: 50 cm / 1' 7 11/16" D: 83.5 cm / 2' 8 7/8"
Mahogany
$2,212
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
$1,883
H 16.34 in Dm 25.6 in
“Annika” Curly Birch Coffee Table by Bruno Mathsson for Dux, Sweden, 1960s
By Dux of Sweden, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Karis, Nyland
A round curly birch-veneered “Annika” coffee table designed by Bruno Mathsson and produced by Dux in Sweden. The table has a light, functional form with a circular top and slender, t...
Beech, Birch
$1,553Sale Price|46% Off
H 16.54 in Dm 25.6 in
“Annika” Coffee Table in Masur Birch by Bruno Mathsson for Dux, Sweden
By Bruno Mathsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Karis, Nyland
Occasional table model "Annika" designed by Bruno Mathsson and manufactured by Dux, Sweden. Birch and Karelian birch. Dimensions: H: 42 cm / 1' 4" D: 65 cm / 2' 1''
Birch
$2,000
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
$12,299
H 28.15 in W 110.24 in D 35.44 in
Maria Flap Dining Table in Walnut, Brass and Beech by Bruno Mathsson, 1968
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Maria Flap Dining Table in Walnut, Brass and Beech by Bruno Mathsson, 1968 Additional Information: Material: Walnut, brass and beech Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Kar...
Brass
$14,712
H 29.14 in W 108.27 in D 39.38 in
Maria Flap Dining Table in Rosewood, Beech and Brass by Bruno Mathsson, 1950's
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Maria Flap Dining Table in Rosewood, Beech and Brass by Bruno Mathsson, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Rosewood, beech and brass Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced ...
Rosewood
"Berit" Trolley by Bruno Mathsson
By Firma Karl Mathsson, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
“Berit” trolley designed by Bruno Mathsson. Manufactured by Firma Karl Mathsson. Labeled and hand signed 1941. Solid oak surface with two flaps. Steel chassis with wheels. Width...
Steel