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.
20th Century, Mathieu Mategot Table Lamp mod. Baghdad
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Turin, Turin
Here we have the table lamp model "Baghdad" designed by Mathieu Mategot in about 1950, in perforated steel and brass. In good condition, fully original and working, patina of time. ...
Metal, Brass
Mathieu Matégot 'Satellite' Outdoor Metal Pendant for Gubi in Cream
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Glendale, CA
Mathieu Matégot 'Satellite' Outdoor Metal Pendant for Gubi in Cream Designed in 1953 by Matégot, this authorized re-edition by GUBI of Denmark meticulously reproduces his work with...
Metal
Original Mathieu Matégot "Java" Pendant in Red Lacquer, 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Paris, FR
This striking piece of design, the "Java" pendant by Mathieu Matégot in red, is a brilliant testament to the designer's mastery of form and material. Crafted in the 1950s, this piece...
Metal
$1,499 / item
Gubi Satellite Outdoor Floor Lamp 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 G...
Aluminum
Mathieu Matégot's Chandelier, Designed in France in 1950
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mathieu Matégot's chandelier, designed in France in 1950, is an iconic piece of modern design. Matégot, known for his skill in creating furniture and decorative objects using lightwe...
Metal, Brass
Set of 2 Mathieu Matégot for Holophane Ceiling Lamps in Metal and Glass, 1960's
By Mathieu Matégot, Holophane
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Set of 2 Mathieu Matégot for Holophane Ceiling Lamps in Metal and Glass, 1960's Unique set of two pendants designed by Mathieu Matégot for Holophane, France, circa 1960s. These pend...
Metal
Large Mathieu Matégot 'Satellite' Pendant in Black for GUBI
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Mathieu Matégot 'Satellite' Pendant in Black for GUBI Designed in 1953 by Matégot, this authorized re-edition by GUBI of Denmark meticulously reproduces his work with scrupul...
Metal
Large Mathieu Matégot 'Satellite' Pendant in Black and Cream Metal for GUBI
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Mathieu Matégot 'Satellite' Pendant in Black and Cream Metal for GUBI Designed in 1953 by Matégot, this authorized re-edition by GUBI of Denmark meticulously reproduces his w...
Metal
Extremely Rare Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp 'Java' by Mathieu Matégot 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Munich, DE
Exceptional Mid-Century Modern table lamp "Java". Designed & manufactured by Mathieu Matégot, France, 1950s. Important design object for collector! Executed in black and white pai...
Metal
Important French Mid-Century Modern 'Baghdad' Table Lamp by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
Rare French Mid-century table lamp or desk lamp in black enameled perforated metal by Mathieu Matégot. The piece has a unique sculptural form composed of series of non-linear angl...
Metal
Mathieu Matégot 'Satellite' Outdoor Metal Pendant for GUBI in Mustard
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Glendale, CA
Mathieu Matégot 'Satellite' Outdoor Metal Pendant for GUBI in Mustard Designed in 1953 by Matégot, this authorized re-edition by GUBI of Denmark meticulously reproduces his work wit...
Metal
Mathieu Matégot 'Satellite' Pendant in Black and Cream for GUBI
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Glendale, CA
Mathieu Matégot 'Satellite' Pendant in Black and Cream for GUBI Designed in 1953 by Matégot, this authorized re-edition by GUBI of Denmark meticulously reproduces his work with scru...
Metal
Pendant by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pendant designed my Mathieu Matégot, France, circa 1950s. Opal glass shade with clear textured glass diffuser and lacquered aluminum. Original paint. Marked on glass: Made in Fra...
$918Sale Price|60% Off
Mathieu Matégot Metal and Brass, Desk Lamp, 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in LYON, FR
Very rare French table lamp designed by Mathieu Matégot, executed by Atelier-Matégot. A beautiful lampshade in the shape of a diabolo, perforated metal which made Matégot famous. The...
Metal, Brass
Mathieu Matégot, Java Table Lamp, 1954
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare yellow Java lamp designed by Mathieu Mategot in 1954. Featuring his signature perforated metal shade and delicate, curved design.
Metal, Iron
$1,518 / item
Four French Pendant lights by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Antwerp, BE
Four pendant lights in enameled metal and opaline. Four pendant lights designed my Mathieu Matégot, France, circa 1950s. Opal glass shade with clea...
Metal
$869Sale Price|20% Off
Mathieu Matégot Rare Table Lamp France 1955
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Oirlo, LI
A beautiful exceptional and rare table lamp from the 1950s, made in France by Mategot. The lamp is of high quality and made with great attention to detail. The lampshade is white...
Metal, Brass
MidCentury White Enamel and Holophane Glass Diffuser Pendant by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
This Mid-Century Modernist pendant chandelier epitomizes the streamlined elegance and industrial design aesthetic of the 1950s. Crafted in Holophane glass, and white enameled steel, ...
Aluminum, Steel
Mathieu Matégot - Pair of Perforated Sconces
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Stratford, CT
Very rare and exquisite sconces from the artist. Two perforated metal shades joined together by a solid brass ring. The brass ring is fixed to the arm which connects the fixture t...
Metal, Chrome
Mathieu Matégot Baghdad Lamp
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very rare Mathieu Matégot "Baghdad" lamp. Red perforated metal. Illuminates beautifully. Old welding and patina. Original European socket with new wiring for US. Great condition. Ma...
Metal, Brass
Brass Suspension Lamp 4 Lights Design Mathieu Mategot, 1960s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in taranto, IT
Rare original 60s chandelier, design mathieu mategot, made of sage green perforated sheet metal on a brass structure with four lights and as many opalines in white murano glass It...
Brass
$1,439 / item
Satellite Pendant Large Black
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...
Metal
Set of 4 Mathieu Mategot for Holophane Ceiling Lamps in Metal and Glass, 1950's
By Mathieu Matégot, Holophane
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Unique set of four pendant lamps by Mathieu Matégot. The pendant consists of downturned hemispherical shade complete with original two-part prisma...
Metal
$3,400Sale Price|20% Off
Cap d'Ail Collection Plant Holder Floor Lamp by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and rare plant holder floor lamp is made of a white lacquered iron with removable pot holders. This is a Cap d'Ail Collection piece by famous French designer Mathieu M...
Wrought Iron
$1,499 / item
Gubi Satellite Outdoor Floor Lamp by Mathieu Mategot
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
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 G...
Aluminum
$1,439 / item
Satellite Pendant, Large, 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...
Metal
$1,199 / item
Satellite Pendant, Medium, Black
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...
Metal
Customizable 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...
Aluminum
$1,049 / item
Gubi Satellite Outdoor Pendant by Mathieu Mategot
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
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...
Aluminum
1950 Mid Century Mathieu Mategot Perforated Metal and Brass Table Lamp
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Madrid, ES
Table lamp from the 50s designed by Mathieu Mategot, in lacquered metal and gilded brass, three lampshades in perforated metal and in off-white color, it retains all its original ele...
Metal, Brass
$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...
Metal
1 of 12 Perforated Metal and Glass Pendants by Mathieu Matégot, France, 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot, Holophane
Located in Echt, NL
Industrial pendants in very good original condition. Designed by Mathieu Mategot in the 1950s. Produced by ‘Holophane' We have 12 of these pendants available. The pendants consis...
Metal