Mathieu Matégot Furniture

French, Hungarian, b. 1910

With their curvaceous metal surfaces and shapes often resembling sheets of folded paper, Mathieu Matégot's inspiring furniture and lighting designs are easily recognizable and highly sought after by collectors. By working with perforated sheet metal and metal tubing, the Hungarian-born French architect, artist and designer — who is known by aficionados for his “rigitulle” technique — created tables, chairs and decorative objects that are celebrated works of French modernism and make a statement in any interior.

Matégot attended the Budapest School of Fine Arts and Architecture. He graduated in 1929 and traveled before settling in Paris in 1931, where he worked as a window dresser for department stores and as a set designer for cabaret halls.

In 1939, Matégot joined the French army in resistance to invading Nazi forces. He was soon captured and sent to work in a German factory. It was at this factory where Matégot became familiar with the materials and techniques that would inform and inspire his trademark rigitulle method.

After the war ended, Matégot opened a workshop in Paris and began to create handcrafted furniture that didn't conform to established styles of the time. Matégot explored merging traditional and non-traditional materials — he worked with formica, glass and natural materials such as rattan — and engaged in other forward-looking experiments. Matégot soon patented his career-defining rigitulle technique and material, which saw the designer working with metal tubing and perforated metal sheets and producing thin, airy folds into the metal as if he were manipulating fabric or paper.

Many of Matégot’s designs for table lamps, pendants, tables and more are reflective of the rigitulle technique, but the best-known work that exemplifies this process is his elegant three-legged Nagasaki chair, which he exhibited in 1954 at the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs. The original Nagasaki chair gave way to a collection that included a stool and an armchair. Matégot’s Nagasaki dining chair has been reissued by Gubi and is part of the permanent collection at the Vitra Design Museum, which is home to one of the world’s most important furniture collections.

Matégot created a range of smaller items for the home — serveware, side tables and magazine racks, each distinctive in their fluid and organic forms — but halted his career in design and moved to Angers in the early 1960s in order to turn to creating art. Today he is known for his abstract tapestries as well as his furnishings.

Find vintage Mathieu Matégot furniture on 1stDibs.

Creator: Mathieu Matégot

Mathieu Matégot Enameled Metal Plate, Mid-Century Modern, France, 32cm

$1,151

Mathieu Matégot Enameled Metal Plate, Mid-Century Modern, France, 32cm

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in Barcelona, ES

Enameled metal plate designed by Mathieu Matégot. Manufactured by Artimeta (Holland), circa 1950. Lacquered perforated metal, seem to be repainted many years ago. In great original ...

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Metal

Customizable Gubi Copacabana Lounge Chair by Mathieu Matégot

$2,199 / item

Customizable Gubi Copacabana Lounge Chair by Mathieu Matégot

By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi

Located in New York, NY

The Copacabana lounge chair was created in 1955 by Mathieu Matégot. The low Copacabana Lounge Chair has the impression of being designed with a...

Category

2010s Danish Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Metal

Coffee Table / Magazine Rack “java”, Mathieu Mategot, 1955

$3,587Sale Price|20% Off

Coffee Table / Magazine Rack “java”, Mathieu Mategot, 1955

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in MOUGINS, FR

Coffee table / magazine rack, "Java" model, circa 1955, top in "rigitulle" lacquered in light yellow-green, bordered by a square section gallery, lacquered tubular base, copper sabot...

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Metal, Sheet Metal

Perforated Sheet Black Lacquerd Magazine Rack, French by Mathieu Matégot

$1,746Sale Price|20% Off

Perforated Sheet Black Lacquerd Magazine Rack, French by Mathieu Matégot

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France

This is a very nice magazine rack made of black lacquered perforated sheet of metal. This is a work by famous designer Mathieu Matégot Circa 1970.

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Metal

Mathieu Matégot Black Lacquered Metal Magazine Holder, circa 1950

$2,124

Mathieu Matégot Black Lacquered Metal Magazine Holder, circa 1950

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in Barcelona, ES

Magazine holder, designed by Mathieu Matégot. Manufactured by ateliers Matégot (France), circa 1950. Folded, perforated metal. In good original condition, with minor wear consistent...

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Metal

White Metal Magazine Holder by Mathieu Matégot, circa 1950

$3,304

White Metal Magazine Holder by Mathieu Matégot, circa 1950

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in Barcelona, ES

Metal Magazine Holder, designed by Mathieu Matégot. Circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. With some rust. On...

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Metal

Vintage Set of Four Attributed to Mathieu Matégot Dining Chairs, France, 1950s

$1,287Sale Price / set|64% Off

Vintage Set of Four Attributed to Mathieu Matégot Dining Chairs, France, 1950s

By Mathieu Matégot, Mathieu Matégot

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Striking set of four vintage dining chairs attributed to Mathieu Matégot in his trademark perforated and lacquered sheet steel. Wonderful lightness to these, masterful use of steel e...

Category

1950s French Modern Vintage Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Steel

Mathieu Matégot Enameled Metal Plate, Mid-Century Modern, France, 36"

$1,003

Mathieu Matégot Enameled Metal Plate, Mid-Century Modern, France, 36"

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in Barcelona, ES

Enameled metal plate designed by Mathieu Matégot. Manufactured by Artimeta (Holland), circa 1950. Lacquered perforated metal, seem to be repainted many years ago. In great original ...

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Metal

Gubi Satellite Outdoor Pendant by Mathieu Mategot

$1,049 / item

Gubi Satellite Outdoor Pendant by Mathieu Mategot

By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot

Located in New York, NY

Building on the Satellite Collection of whimsical, modernist sculptural lamps, the Satellite Outdoor Pendant and Satellite Outdoor Floor Lamp are GUBI...

Category

2010s Danish Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Mathieu Matégot Mid-Century Modern Enameled Metal Plate, Atelier Matégot, 1950s

$944

Mathieu Matégot Mid-Century Modern Enameled Metal Plate, Atelier Matégot, 1950s

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in Barcelona, ES

Enameled metal plate designed by Mathieu Matégot. Manufactured by Atelier Matégot (France), circa 1950. Lacquered perforated metal, seem to be repainted many years ago. In great ori...

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Metal

Mathieu Matégot Enameled Metal Plate, Mid-Century Modern, 39 cm

$1,298

Mathieu Matégot Enameled Metal Plate, Mid-Century Modern, 39 cm

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in Barcelona, ES

Enameled metal plate designed by Mathieu Matégot. By unknown manufacturer, circa 1950. In great original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautif...

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Metal

Mathieu Matégot Enameled Metal Plate, Mid-Century Modern, France, 1950

$708

Mathieu Matégot Enameled Metal Plate, Mid-Century Modern, France, 1950

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in Barcelona, ES

Enameled metal plate designed by Mathieu Mate´got. Manufactured by Artimeta (Holland), circa 1950. Lacquered perforated metal with original paint. In great original condition, with ...

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Metal

Mathieu Matégot White Lacquered Metal Magazine Holder, circa 1950

$1,286

Mathieu Matégot White Lacquered Metal Magazine Holder, circa 1950

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in Barcelona, ES

Magazine holder, designed by Mathieu Matégot. Manufactured by ateliers Matégot (France), circa 1950. Folded, perforated metal. In good original condition, with minor wear consiste...

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Metal

Étagère clé de sol par Mathieu Matégot

$8,496

Étagère clé de sol par Mathieu Matégot

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR

Étagère clé de Sol par Mathieu Matégot, rare en cette version de couleur. Couleur d’origine.

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Metal

Mathieu Matégot Mid-Century Modern Fruit Black Plate, circa 1950

$1,121

Mathieu Matégot Mid-Century Modern Fruit Black Plate, circa 1950

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in Barcelona, ES

Enameled metal Plate designed by Mathieu Matégot. Manufactured by Artimeta (Holland), circa 1950. Lacquered perforated metal with original paint. In great original condition, with m...

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Metal

Satellite Pendant, Medium, White

$1,199 / item

Satellite Pendant, Medium, White

By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi

Located in Berkeley, CA

The Satellite Pendant of two sizes is designed by Mathieu Matégot in 1953 with geometrical shapes and an organic shade to create outstanding sculptur...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Metal

Satellite Pendant Large Black

$1,439 / item

Satellite Pendant Large Black

By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot

Located in Berkeley, CA

The Satellite Pendant of two sizes is designed by Mathieu Matégot in 1953 with geometrical shapes and an organic shade to create outstanding sculptur...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Metal

Satellite Pendant, Large, White

$1,439 / item

Satellite Pendant, Large, White

By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot

Located in Berkeley, CA

The Satellite Pendant of two sizes is designed by Mathieu Matégot in 1953 with geometrical shapes and an organic shade to create outstanding sculptur...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Metal

White Round Perforated Metal Tray by Mathieu Mategot, France, c. 1950

$1,850

White Round Perforated Metal Tray by Mathieu Mategot, France, c. 1950

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in New York City, NY

Exquisite white round perforated metal tray by Mathieu Matégot, France, circa 1950s.

Category

20th Century French Modern Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Metal

Mathieu Matégot Iron and Bronze Petite Two Tier Stand or Shelf Display

$5,900

Mathieu Matégot Iron and Bronze Petite Two Tier Stand or Shelf Display

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in Westport, CT

Mathieu Matégot black iron and bronze mesh two tier stand / shelf display Piece. Hungarian born 1910 -2001, then turned nationality French designer circa 1950s, pioneered perforated...

Category

Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Iron

Clé de sol shelves by Mathieu Matégot

$5,664

Clé de sol shelves by Mathieu Matégot

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR

Étagère dite clé de sol par Mathieu Matégot, laqué noir d’origine.

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Metal

French Midcentury Mathieu Matégot 'Tube' Perforated Steel Chair

$2,207 / item

French Midcentury Mathieu Matégot 'Tube' Perforated Steel Chair

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in London, GB

Sold separately. A set of four welded and perforated steel ‘Tube’ chairs by Mathieu Matégot (1910-2001), recently finished in a satin black. French,...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Steel

2024 Pair of Mathieu Mategot for GUBI Tropique Dining Chairs with Fringes

$1,950 / set

2024 Pair of Mathieu Mategot for GUBI Tropique Dining Chairs with Fringes

By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a pair of Tropique Dining Chairs, originally designed by Mathieu Mategot for GUBI in 1951. These particular examples were produced in Denmark in 2024. Their frames are compri...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Mathieu Matégot Metal Black and White Bookstand for Artimeta, 1956

$3,420

Mid-Century Mathieu Matégot Metal Black and White Bookstand for Artimeta, 1956

By Artimeta, Tomado, Mathieu Matégot

Located in DE MEERN, NL

Vintage Magazine Holder by Mathieu Matégot for Artimeta, France 1950 Introduce timeless elegance into your living space with this exquisite Vintage Magazine Holder designed by the r...

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Metal, Sheet Metal

Mathieu Matelot Trolley

$1,600Sale Price|36% Off

Mathieu Matelot Trolley

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Cart in original condition from the 1950s Pink lacquer had been added later on Located in Brooklyn.

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Metal

Table d'appoint

$3,481

Table d'appoint

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in Paris, FR

wrought iron side table

Category

20th Century Modern Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Mathieu Matégot "Wicker" Chair Made with Iron and Natural Fiber, France, 1950

$531Sale Price|45% Off

Mathieu Matégot "Wicker" Chair Made with Iron and Natural Fiber, France, 1950

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in Madrid, ES

"Wicker" chairs by Mathieu Matégot, painted yellow with lacquered iron structure in black and natural fiber seat.

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Iron

Mathieu Matégot Perforated Tray

$1,725

Mathieu Matégot Perforated Tray

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in Stockton, NJ

A Mathieu Matégot metal perforated tray. This rare example includes thick brass banding.

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Wrought Iron Side Table by Mathieu Matégot, Mid-Century, France

$12,000

Wrought Iron Side Table by Mathieu Matégot, Mid-Century, France

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

Wrought iron table by Mathieu Matégot (1910 - 2001). Diabolo shape base and glass top. Argus Valentine's (2003) "20ème Siècle - Les Principales Antiquités Des Années 1880-2000" p. ...

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Iron

Mathieu Mategot, Serving Cart, Tea Trolley, Lacquered black metal, France, 1950

$4,956

Mathieu Mategot, Serving Cart, Tea Trolley, Lacquered black metal, France, 1950

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in Barcelona, ES

Mathieu Mategot (1910-2001). Serving cart Manufactured by Atelier Mategot. France, 1950s. Lacquered and perforated metal. Measurements 55 x 40 cm x 63.5 H cm. 21.65 in x 15.74 in x 25H in. Literature Philippe Jousse...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Mathieu Matégot Furniture

Materials

Metal

Mathieu Matégot furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Mathieu Matégot furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Mathieu Matégot furniture, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 221 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 45 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Mathieu Matégot were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by David Lange, Line Vautrin, and Roger Feraud. Prices for Mathieu Matégot furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $249 and can go as high as $30,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,670.