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.
Mathieu Matégot Mid-Century Metal Planter, Fretwork Design, c.1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in London, GB
A pierced metal planter by Mathieu Mategot original paint. c.1950’s.
Metal
Mathieu Mategot large decorative white metal plate or basket or vide-poche 1950
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Mathieu Mategot Large 20th century design decorative plate by Mathieu Mategot Original good conditions Height 3 cm Large 45 cm
Metal
Black Round Metal Tray Designed by Mathieu Matégot, France, 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Den Haag, NL
Black metal Tray designed by Mathieu Matégot. Manufactured by Ateliers Matégot, France, circa 1950. Lacquered perforated metal
Metal
Round Black Metal Tray Designed by Mathieu Matégot, France, 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Den Haag, NL
Black metal tray designed by Mathieu Matégot. Manufactured by Ateliers Matégot, France, circa 1950. Lacquered perforated metal.
Metal
Large Mathieu Matégot Bowl Dish in Original Condition
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Berlin, DE
Large Matégot dish bowl in original vintage condition.
Metal
Large Mathieu Matégot White Planter, France, c. 1955
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Large Mathieu Matégot white planter, France, c. 1955 Original paint & in superb vintage condition.
Metal, Enamel
Rare Mathieu Matégot Wall Plant Rack ''Rigitulle'' Atelier Artimeta 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Den Haag, NL
Extreme Rare Mathieu Matégot Wall Plant Rack Rigitulle Atelier Artimeta 1950s. This is the only known copy, it is depicted in the Mategot Artimeta sales catalogue. The pots can be h...
Metal
Georges Jouve and Mathieu Matégot Style Ceramic Standing Vide-Poche
By Georges Jouve, Mathieu Matégot
Located in North Miami, FL
Sculptural green and black ceramic catchall likely designed by Matégot and Georges Jouve. Iron frame with circular base, zig zag body and circular top. Green and black glazed ceramic...
Metal
A " Rigitulle " Wastepaper Basket by Mathieu Matégot France 1950's
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in HYÈRES, FR
A " Rigitulle " Wastepaper Basket by Mathieu Matégot France 1950's Original paint and condition. Colour : Off - White Traces of rust ( non-perforating ) and oxidation. In good ge...
Metal
Ateliers Mathieu Matégot Triple Plant Stand Jardiniere Flower Stand Cache Pot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in London, GB
Triple plant stand in yellow and black metal expanded. Manufactured by "Les Ateliers Matégot". Documented
Steel
Mathieu Matégot Perforated Tray
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Stockton, NJ
A Mathieu Matégot metal perforated tray. This rare example includes thick brass banding.
Metal, Brass
$3,431 / set
H 12.21 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
Three Rattan Bamboo Planters / Baskets with Brass Rim, Italy, 1970s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of Three Mid-Century Modern rattan planters / baskets with brass rims. Italy, 1970s Three rattan baskets in different sizes. The larger one in squared shape and the smallers roun...
Brass
Massive Swiss Concrete Ball Planter, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete Swiss ball planters in the style of Willy Guhl. Great patina the planter. Great for indoors or outside. Only one in primary image available. Oth...
Concrete
$118 / item
H 1.97 in W 13 in D 8.27 in
Les Ottomans "The Peacock Design" Rectangular Iron Tray by Matthew Williamson
By Matthew Williamson, Les Ottomans
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Renowned British designer Matthew Williamson, known for his bold use of colour and nature-inspired motifs, has created a tabletop and textile collection with Les Ottomans. This colla...
Iron
$159 / item
H 1.78 in W 13.59 in D 19.3 in
Les Ottomans "The Peacock Design" Oval Iron Tray by Matthew Williamson
By Matthew Williamson, Les Ottomans
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Renowned British designer Matthew Williamson, known for his bold use of colour and nature-inspired motifs, has created a tabletop and textile collection with Les Ottomans. This colla...
Iron
$2,700 / set
H 25.99 in Dm 11.03 in
Sculptural Wooden Planters / Decorative Bowls Hand-Crafted in Indonesia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
These sculptural display bowls were hand crafted on the island of java from solid teak wood. With their elevated elongated shape they would look great as a collection of decorative b...
Wood, Teak
Three-planter metal plant stand by Mathieu Matégot circa 1950
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in NICE, FR
This elegant mid-century plant stand was designed by Mathieu Matégot in the 1950s. Crafted in metal, it features three distinct pot holders, each fashioned from perforated sheet meta...
Metal
$159 / item
H 1.78 in Dm 15.75 in
Les Ottomans "The Peacock Design" Round Iron Tray by Matthew Williamson
By Les Ottomans, Matthew Williamson
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Renowned British designer Matthew Williamson, known for his bold use of colour and nature-inspired motifs, has created a tabletop and textile collection with Les Ottomans. This colla...
Iron
$532
H 10.24 in W 16.54 in D 7.88 in
Vide Poche or Decorative Basket, Swan Sculpture Shaped in Porcelain Italy, 1970s
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is a vide poche in porcalain, or a decorative bascket, as also an swan sculpture from the 1970s. It has been made in Italy.
Porcelain
$1,242Sale Price|30% Off
H 0.79 in W 6.3 in D 7.88 in
Guido Gambone Ceramic Decorative Cup Vide-Poches or wall decoration 1950's
By Guido Gambone
Located in Paris, FR
Guido Gambone (1909-1969) Hand enameled geometric decor on grey glazed ceramic. Can be used as vide-poche or wall decor Signed Gambone, Italy with donkey mark. Nice condition Guido G...
Ceramic
$2,130Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.17 in W 6.07 in D 6.11 in
Large Cenedese Italian Asymmetric Blue Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl, Dish, Ashtray
By Antonio da Ros, Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Antonio da Ros (attributed) for Cenedese large & heavy vintage Italian Murano glass bowl, serving dish or ashtray, circa 1965-1975. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this large, heavy...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Fornasetti's Panel by Piero Fornasetti, 1950s
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Panel realized by Piero Fornasetti in 1950s. Screen print on wood. Brass frame. Covered with glass. Most probably a unique specimen, realized in 1950s for Sartoria Fanucchi...
Metal, Brass
$650
H 2.17 in W 14.97 in D 11.42 in
French Ceramic Plate by Etienne Daniel, Vallauris, France - 1950s - Era Picault
By Robert Picault
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
French Ceramic Plate By Etienne Daniel. Signed. Vallauris, France - 1950s Large dish enamelled in white, green and brown tones adorned with stylized t...
Enamel
Rigitule Mategot Basket
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in London, GB
A brass mounted black rigitule basket, probably by Mathieu Mategot France, 1950s
Brass
A Mathieu Mategot Cocktail Tray
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Tetbury, England
Pierced metal cocktail tray, with a brass trim and snaking handles by Mathieu Matégot. Matégot was a French designer and architect, who studied in Budapest. Whilst he was held capt...
Brass
Mathieu Mategot pierced metal tray
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in London, GB
A French 1950’s pierced metal tray with rope detail rim. Some paint loss and minor rust marks.
Metal
Perforated Metal Tray by Mathieu Mategot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful perforated brass metal tray with metal band around edge and looped metal handles by Mathieu Mategot from France. Nice age and patina.
Metal
Large pierced metal tray by Mathieu Mategot.
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in London, GB
Good example of a large pierced metal tray by Mathieu Mategot. Some paint loss and minor bend to the rim with a few rust marks, but retains original yellow paint colour and generally...
Metal
Mathieu Matégot Enameled Metal Plate, circa 1950
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Enameled metal plate designed by Mathieu Matégot. Manufactured by Artimeta (Holland), circa 1950. Lacquered perforated metal with original paint. In great original condition with mi...
Metal
Circular Tray by Mathieu Mategot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in London, GB
A circular rigitule tray by Mathieu Mategot France, mid 20th Century 3 cm high by 32 cm diameter
Iron
1950s documented Mathieu Matégot perforated steel basket
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
rare example of a bottle basket by Mathieu Matégot perforated steel with brass feet Original white paint, Edition Les Ateliers Matégot circa 1955 Illustrated on page 12 in the back of Patrick...
Steel
Mathieu Mategot White Pierced Metal Tray, French, c.1955
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in London, GB
A good rare example of a round pierced metal tray/ serving platter by the French designer Mathieu Mategot. Highly collectable and sought after.
Metal
Mathieu Matégot Enameled Metal Plate, circa 1950
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Enameled metal plate designed by Mathieu Matégot. Manufactured by Artimeta (Holland), circa 1950. Lacquered perforated metal with original paint. In great original condition with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Mathieu Matégot (1910-2001) was a Hungarian and French designer and material artist. He was one of the most renowned French designers of the 1950s. Born and educated in Budapest, he moved to France in the early 1930s, where he worked as a window dresser and women’s clothing...
Metal
Mathieu Matégot Enameled Metal Plate, circa 1950
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Enameled metal plate designed by Mathieu Matégot. Manufactured by Ateliers Matégot (France), circa 1950. Lacquered perforated metal with original paint. In good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Mathieu Matégot (1910-2001) was a Hungarian and French designer and material artist. He was one of the most renowned French designers of the 1950s. Born and educated in Budapest, he moved to France in the early 1930s, where he worked as a window dresser and women’s clothing...
Metal
Mathieu Matégot Yellow Enameled Metal Plate, circa 1950
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Enameled metal Plate designed by Mathieu Matégot. Manufactured by Ateliers Matégot (France), circa 1950. Lacquered perforated metal with original paint. In original condition, w...
Metal