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 Enameled Metal Bowl, Gubi, Mid-Century Modern, France
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Enameled metal bowl designed by Mathieu Matégot, circa 1953. Reedition by Gubi. Mathieu Matégot designed his contemporary Matégot bowl in 1953. The characteristic appearance of th...
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
Serving Tray by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This white metal tray was designed by Mathieu Matégot in the 1950s. The metalwork displays the hallmarks of Matégot’s style. The metal sheet is accentuated by decorative perforation...
Metal
Mathieu Matégot Enameled Metal Tray with Rattan Design, France, 1950
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Barcelona, ES
Enameled metal tray designed by Mathieu Matégot. Manufactured by Ateliers Matégot (France), circa 1950. Dark Blue - Black Lacquered perforated metal with original paint and rattan de...
Metal
Set of 3 Midcentury Mategot Trays with Brass Rims
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in London, GB
Set of 3 perforated metal trays, in original paint with brass rims. By Mathieu Matégot, circa 1950. Largest: 58 x 39cm.
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Metal Trays by Mathieu Matégot, France, 1955
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in London, GB
A pair of original pierced white painted metal trays by Mathieu Mategot c.1955. Original paint. Some minor rust marks and dents.
Metal
Pair of Mathieu Matégot Rigitulle Perforated Metal Nesting Trays, France, 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Pasadena, CA
A pair of round nesting trays attributed to Mathieu Matégot, crafted in perforated sheet metal using the designer’s signature “Rigitulle” technique. Each tray features a shallow, ge...
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
Chambord plate by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Plateau dit chambord par Mathieu Matégot, laqué jaune, d’origine.
Metal
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
Trays Mondrian Style Set of 5
Located in Paris, FR
Mondrian style set of 5 trays with structure and frame in solid wenge, each tray is covered with natural genuine leather, 2 trays in red, 1 tray in b...
Leather, Wenge
$691
H 2.37 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Italian MidCentury Serving Tray Basket in Lucite, Rattan and Brass, 1970
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Italian MidCentury Serving Tray Basket in Lucite, Rattan and Brass, 1970 Gorgeous serving tray or basket, in the shape of a shell, made of Lucite, rattan and brass. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Braided rattan is cast within the Lucite acrylic material. Beautiful workmanship. The brass part is kept in original vintage version, with the patina from that time. Since the shape is as a shell, the tray inside...
Brass
Jens H. Quistgaard Teak Serving Tray by Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in New York, NY
A divided teak wood tray with an end-grain teak cutting surface and a recessed section, designed by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk. Branded "Dansk Designs Denmark IHQ...
Wood, Teak
$160 / 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
$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
Dansk Teak Serving Tray
By Dansk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful teak serving tray by Dansk, made in Denmark.
Teak
$4,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.88 in Dm 16 in
Large Frank Smith Chippendale Sterling Silver Tray with Piecrust Rim
By Frank W. Smith
Located in New York, NY
Large Georgian-style sterling silver serving tray. Made by Frank Smith in Gardner, Mass. Round with molded curvilinear ogee-arch piecrust rim. A nice traditional piece in the aptly n...
Sterling Silver
$160 / item
H 1.78 in Dm 15.75 in
Les Ottomans "The Peacock Design" Round 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
$652
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
Vintage Fornasetti Panel by Piero Fornasetti, Italy, 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
$711Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 1.38 in W 4.73 in D 11.42 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern French Ceramic Decorative Trays Albert Thiry, 1960s
By Albert Thiry
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Pair of Mid-Century Modern French Ceramic decorative trays Albert Thiry, 1960s Very nice set of two decorative ceramic trays decorated with red flowers. The chalk white enamel is of very good quality. It brings out the motifs engraved by the artist. The price is for the two potteries together. Do not hesitate to contact me if you want only one of the two pieces. Circa 1960-1970. In very good condition. 3.5cmx12cmx29xm 3cmx11cmx29xm ----------- Albert Thiry (1923-2009) Ceramist from Nice, he studied at the School of Decorative Arts in the city. He settled with his wife Pyot Gavaudan in 1943 in the pottery village of Vallauris. There he continued his training as a ceramist in various workshops, notably that of Charles Voltz (1923-1997). In 1956, he joined Claire and René Batigne as a decorator, who had run the Tapis Vert workshop since 1950. There he rubbed shoulders with Marcel Vertès and Anton Prinner...
Enamel
Mathieu Matégot Mid-Century Modern Red Enameled Metal 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, seem to be repainted many years ago. In good original c...
Metal
Mathieu Mategot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in London, GB
A French 1950’s pierced metal round tray by Mathieu Mategot. Original paint. Minor paint loss and some rust marks.
Metal
Mathieu Mategot pierced metal tray c.1950’s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in London, GB
A large black pierced metal tray by Mathieu Mategot. Some paint loss and minor rust marks.
Metal
Large Mathieu Mategot Red Enameled Perforated Metal Serving Tray
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Mathieu Mategot red enameled perforated sheet metal serving tray with curved frame and decorative wire handles. In original condition with beautiful patina and visible wear, in...
Metal
Sold
H 1.25 in W 21.5 in D 13.625 in
Mathieu Mategot Black Perforated Metal Serving Tray with Rolled Edge Frame
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mathieu Mategot black perforated sheet metal serving tray with rounded rolled edged frame. In original condition with a nice patina. The tray has visible wear, including scratching a...
Sheet Metal
Mathieu Matégot Enameled Metal Gubi Bowl
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Enameled metal bowl designed by Mathieu Matégot, circa 1953. Reedition by Gubi. Mathieu Matégot designed his contemporary Matégot bowl in 1953. The characteristic appearance of th...
Metal
Mathieu Matégot Mid Century Steel Bar Cart
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Calgary, Alberta
French Mid Century Mathieu Matégot stylish perforated mesh steel bar cart with removable trays on the top and bottom. Matégot was the creator of the pioneering and innovative Rigi...
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 Mate´got. Manufactured by Artimeta (Holland), circa 1950. Lacquered perforated metal with original paint. In great original condition wi...
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 wit...
Metal
Mathieu Mategot Perforated White Metal Tray
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
French Modernist perforated tray with metal banding around perimeter and sinuous handles. Worn center. We will leave it to you to decide whether to rep...
Metal
Mathieu Mategot Black Perforated Metal Tray
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
French mid century black enameled perforated serving tray with a brass rim.
Metal, Brass
Large Perforated Metal Tray by Mathieu Matégot, France, 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in La Teste-de-Buch, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Large perforated metal serving tray by Mathieu Matégot Made in France in the 1950s Scarce in this dimension Literature: "Mathieu Mategot" Jousse Archive section.
Metal