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.
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in White Base with Fringes by Mathieu Matégot
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
'Copacabana' Indoor Outdoor Lounge Chair by Matégot in Leslie Fabric for GUBI
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Glendale, CA
'Copacabana' Indoor Outdoor Lounge Chair by Matégot in Leslie Fabric for GUBI Few designs express the talent of Mathieu Matégot so beautif...
Steel
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in White Base, Limonata White by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
$3,000 / item
Mathieu Matégot Metal Heart Chair
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare metal chairs by French designer Mathieu Matégot. White metal chairs with hairpin legs, signature Mategot perforated metal seat and heart sha...
Metal
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in Black Base with Fringes by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
'Copacabana' Indoor Outdoor Lounge Chair by Matégot in Lorkey Fabric for GUBI
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Glendale, CA
'Copacabana' Indoor Outdoor Lounge Chair by Matégot in Lorkey Fabric for GUBI Few designs express the talent of Mathieu Matégot so beauti...
Steel
Rare Mid-Century Modern Copacabana Chair by Mathieu Matégot, 1954
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Paris, FR
A rare collectible vintage lounge Copacabana chair by iconic French designer Mathieu Matégot composed of curved tubular steel legs and structure. This...
Steel
$17,359 / set
Mathieu Mategot pair of Cap d’Ail chairs 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Paris, IDF
This iconic pair of Cap d’Ail chairs is an original creation by Mathieu Matégot, dating back to the 1950s. The armchairs are crafted from white lacquered metal. The meticulous handli...
Metal
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in Black Base, Strip Blue by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
$225 / item
Mathieu Matégot Perforated Steel Chairs
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage French Midcentury Mathieu Matégot Perforated Steel Chair in a black painted original finish. In vintage condition with slight signs of wear and rust. The chairs are level and...
Metal
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in Black Base, Limonata White by Mathieu Matégot
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in Black Base with Fringes by Mathieu Matégot
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in Black Base with Fringes by Mathieu Matégot
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
2024 Pair of Mathieu Mategot for GUBI Tropique Dining Chairs with Fringes
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
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...
Steel
2024 Pair of Mathieu Mategot for GUBI Tropique Dining Chairs without Fringes
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
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...
Steel
Gubi Nagasaki Soft Black Semi Matt Chair Un-Upholstered by Mathieu Matégot
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
The Nagasaki dining chair is designed in 1954 and is still Mathieu Matégot’s best-known piece. It was exhibited for the first time at the 1954 Salon des Artistes Décorateurs and, alo...
Metal
Mathieu Mategot Lounge chair model "Copacabana"
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Barcelona, ES
Lounge chair model "Copacabana" Manufactured by Atelier Mategot France, 1950´s Lacquered and perforated metal and fabric upholstery Measurements 68,6 x 59,1 cm x 75,6h cm. 27 in x 2...
Metal
Rare White Mathieu Matégot "Copacabana" Chair by Atelier Mategot France, 1954
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Den Haag, NL
Rare Mathieu Matégot "Copacabana" Chair by Atelier Mategot France, 1954
Metal
$1,196 / item
Mathieu Matégot Wicker Lounge Chairs, France 1950
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in DE MEERN, NL
Mathieu Matégot Wicker Lounge Chairs, France 1950s. These iconic pieces are not just chairs; they are timeless works of art that effortlessly merge for...
Metal, Metallic Thread
$4,281Sale Price / set|35% Off
Set of Four Mathieu Mategot "Tube" Chairs, 1951
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in London, GB
A rare set of four "Tube living room" dining chairs by French Hungarian designer Mathieu Mategot (1910 - 2001). Designed in 1951 and produced in France in the early 1950's, the chai...
Metal
Gubi Copacabana Outdoor Lounge Chair in Orange base and Lorkey, Mathieu Matégot
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Gubi Copacabana Outdoor Lounge Chair in Black base and Lorkey, Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in White Base with Fringes by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
$2,871 / set
Pair of Mathieu Matégot Garden Chairs
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Henley-On-Thames, GB
This pair of iconic heart-shaped garden chairs designed by Mathieu Matégot are extremley rare. They are a classic hallmark of Matégot's work, featuring the turbular steel heart-shape...
Wrought Iron
Set of Six 20th Century French 'Antheor' Chairs by Mathieu Mategot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Set of six mid-20th Century French wrought, painted and perforated metal garden chairs by Mathieu Mategot. Mategot is know to have exhibited alongside and collaborated with some of t...
Metal
$8,620 / set
Rare pair of Mathieu Matégot chairs
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Mathieu MATEGOT (1910-2001) Paire de chaises, circa 1951, à assise et dossier en tôle perforée laquée noir, disposés sur une structure tubulaire formant un piètement tubulaire joint ...
Metal
$5,926
Fauteuil de jardin
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Paris, FR
Wrought iron chair, 6 available
Iron
$4,310 / set
Pair of Mathieu Matégot Chairs
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Très élégante paire de chaises par Mathieu Matégot. Le métal a quelques usures du temps, manques de peintures.
Metal
$3,531
Chaise de jardin
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Paris, FR
Wrought iron chair, 2 available
Iron
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...
Metal
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in White Base with Fringes by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Gubi Copacabana Upholstered Lounge Chair by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Gubi Copacabana Outdoor Lounge Chair in Black and Leslie Stripe, Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Mathieu Matégot "Kyoto" Kids Chair, 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Mathieu Matégot chair for kids. "Kyoto" series. 1950s. Black lacquered tubular steel and peacock green upholstery.
Metal
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in Black Base, Limonata Beige by Mathieu Matégot
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in Black Base, Strip Beige by Mathieu Matégot
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in White Base, Strip Blue by Mathieu Matégot
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in White Base, Strip Beige by Mathieu Matégot
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
Gubi Copacabana Outdoor Lounge Chair in Orange and Leslie Stripe Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created in the 1950s by the Hungarian-born French master of postwar design, Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique Collection of outdoor furniture captures the timeless glamour and exotic lux...
Stainless Steel
$4,729
Chaise de jardin
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Paris, FR
Wrought iron chair, 4 available
Iron
$538Sale Price / item|34% Off
Mathieu Matégot "Wicker" Chair Iron Natural Fiber, France, 1950
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Madrid, ES
"Wicker" chairs designed by Mathieu Matégot, with lacquered iron structure in black with seat in natural fiber.
Iron
$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...
Steel
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,...
Steel
Mid-Century 1954 Vintage Mathieu Matégot Santiago Armchair
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in London, GB
Mathieu Matégot was a Hungarian designer renowned for his innovative use of multiple industrial materials such as wood, leather and metal. For the Santiago chair designed in 1954, he...
Metal, Sheet Metal
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...
Steel
$538Sale 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.
Iron