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Mathieu Matégot Decorative Baskets

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.

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Creator: Mathieu Matégot
Mathieu Matégot Mid-Century Metal Planter, Fretwork Design, c.1950s
Mathieu Matégot Mid-Century Metal Planter, Fretwork Design, c.1950s

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.

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Mathieu Matégot Decorative Baskets

Materials

Metal

Mathieu Mategot large decorative white metal plate or basket or vide-poche 1950
Mathieu Mategot large decorative white metal plate or basket or vide-poche 1950

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

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Mathieu Matégot Decorative Baskets

Materials

Metal

Large Mathieu Matégot White Planter, France, c. 1955
Large Mathieu Matégot White Planter, France, c. 1955

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.

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mathieu Matégot Decorative Baskets

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Rare Mathieu Matégot Wall Plant Rack ''Rigitulle'' Atelier Artimeta 1950s
Rare Mathieu Matégot Wall Plant Rack ''Rigitulle'' Atelier Artimeta 1950s

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Mathieu Matégot Decorative Baskets

Materials

Metal

A " Rigitulle " Wastepaper Basket by Mathieu Matégot France 1950's
A " Rigitulle " Wastepaper Basket by Mathieu Matégot France 1950's

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...

Category

1950s French Vintage Mathieu Matégot Decorative Baskets

Materials

Metal

Ateliers Mathieu Matégot Triple Plant Stand Jardiniere Flower Stand Cache Pot
Ateliers Mathieu Matégot Triple Plant Stand Jardiniere Flower Stand Cache Pot

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

Category

1950s French Vintage Mathieu Matégot Decorative Baskets

Materials

Steel

Mathieu Matégot Perforated Tray
Mathieu Matégot Perforated Tray

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 Decorative Baskets

Materials

Metal, Brass

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Previously Available Items
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By Mathieu Matégot

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A brass mounted black rigitule basket, probably by Mathieu Mategot France, 1950s

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A Mathieu Mategot Cocktail Tray
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H 14.6 in W 9 in D 0.9 in

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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...

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Mid-20th Century French Mathieu Matégot Decorative Baskets

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1950s documented Mathieu Matégot perforated steel basket
1950s documented Mathieu Matégot perforated steel basket

1950s documented Mathieu Matégot perforated steel basket

By Mathieu Matégot

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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...

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Mathieu Matégot Magazine Holder
Mathieu Matégot Magazine Holder

Mathieu Matégot Magazine Holder

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H 17.72 in W 5.52 in D 5.52 in

Mathieu Matégot Magazine Holder

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in Barcelona, ES

Mathieu Matégot magazine holder in colour green metal. Original condition, wear consistent with age and use.

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1950s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mathieu Matégot Decorative Baskets

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Large Mathieu Matégot Black Metal Wastepaper Basket, First Edition, 1950s
Large Mathieu Matégot Black Metal Wastepaper Basket, First Edition, 1950s

Large Mathieu Matégot Black Metal Wastepaper Basket, First Edition, 1950s

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in Den Haag, NL

Large Mathieu Matégot black metal waste paper basket, original first edition by Artimeta, the Netherlands, 1950s. In very good original vintage condition.

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Rare Metal Basket with Wicker Handles by Mathieu Matégot
Rare Metal Basket with Wicker Handles by Mathieu Matégot

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A rare Mathieu Matégot liquor basket with a wicker handle perforated metal, original black paint. In excellent original condition. documentation: this version on page 12 of the do...

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Mathieu Matégot Mid-Century Modern Enameled White Metal Plate, circa 1950
Mathieu Matégot Mid-Century Modern Enameled White Metal Plate, circa 1950

Mathieu Matégot Mid-Century Modern Enameled White Metal Plate, circa 1950

By Arimeta, Mathieu Matégot

Located in Barcelona, Barcelona

Enameled metal plate designed by Mathieu Matégot. Manufactured by Artimeta (Netherlands), circa 1950. 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...

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Mathieu Matégot Mid-Century Modern Red Cruet, circa 1950
Mathieu Matégot Mid-Century Modern Red Cruet, circa 1950

Mathieu Matégot Mid-Century Modern Red Cruet, circa 1950

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Enameled metal cruet designed by Mathieu Matégot. Manufactured by Ateliers Matégot (France,) circa 1950. Lacquered perforated metal. In original condition, with wear consist...

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Pair of Mathieu Matégot, Mid-Century Modern, Enameled Metal Basket, circa 1950
Pair of Mathieu Matégot, Mid-Century Modern, Enameled Metal Basket, circa 1950

Pair of Mathieu Matégot, Mid-Century Modern, Enameled Metal Basket, circa 1950

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in Barcelona, Barcelona

Set of two enameled white metal baskets designed by Mathieu Matégot. Manufactured by Ateliers Matégot (France,) circa 1950. Lacquered perforat...

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Mathieu Matégot Painted White Metal Dish or Plate 20th Century French Design
Mathieu Matégot Painted White Metal Dish or Plate 20th Century French Design

Mathieu Matégot Painted White Metal Dish or Plate 20th Century French Design

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR

Mathieu Matégot Original vintage white metal dish by the french designer circa 1950 Original condition White original color and golden brass rim Slack lack of paint Me...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Mathieu Matégot Decorative Baskets

Materials

Metal

Pair of Mathieu Matégot, Mid-Century Modern, Enameled Metal Basket, circa 1950
Pair of Mathieu Matégot, Mid-Century Modern, Enameled Metal Basket, circa 1950

Pair of Mathieu Matégot, Mid-Century Modern, Enameled Metal Basket, circa 1950

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in Barcelona, Barcelona

Enameled metal baskets designed by Mathieu Matégot. Manufactured by Ateliers Matégot (France,) circa 1950. Lacquered perforated metal, it has some traces of rust. In original co...

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mathieu Matégot Decorative Baskets

Materials

Metal

Black Rigitule Bowl by Mathieu Matégot
Black Rigitule Bowl by Mathieu Matégot

Black Rigitule Bowl by Mathieu Matégot

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H 1.58 in W 13 in D 8.67 in

Black Rigitule Bowl by Mathieu Matégot

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in London, GB

A black enamelled iron rigitule bowl by Mathieu Matégot (1910-2001). France, Circa 1950.

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Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Mathieu Matégot Decorative Baskets

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Mathieu Matégot decorative baskets for sale on 1stDibs.

Mathieu Matégot decorative baskets 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 decorative baskets, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original decorative baskets by Mathieu Matégot were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider decorative baskets by and Vallauris. Prices for Mathieu Matégot decorative baskets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $896 and can go as high as $4,244, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,725.