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 Copacabana Outdoor Lounge Chair in Orange 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
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
$5,759
Fauteuil de jardin
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Paris, FR
Wrought iron chair, 6 available
Iron
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
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 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
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 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
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 Black 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
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
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
$4,596
Chaise de jardin
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Paris, FR
Wrought iron chair, 4 available
Iron
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
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 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 Tropique Outdoor Armchair in Black Base, Limonata Beige 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 Tropique Outdoor Armchair in White 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
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
Gubi Tropique Outdoor Armchair in Black Base, Strip Beige 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 Tropique Outdoor Armchair in White Base, Strip Beige 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
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
Fauteuil Getsuen de Masanori Umeda pour Edra
Located in Rouen, FR
Fauteuil Getsuen conçu par Masanori Umeda et édité par Edra. Structure rembourrée recouverte de velours rouge bordeaux, formant une assise en forme de fleur avec de larges pétales en...
Fabric
“Fauteuil de Paquebot” Chair, France 1950s
Located in ŁÓDŹ, PL
This iconic “Fauteuil de Paquebot” (also known as a “boat chair” or “cruise chair”) is a striking piece of mid-century design with historical significance. Originally used as deck ch...
Cane, Wood
18th Century French Fauteuil de la Reine Armchair Nutwood
Located in Münster, DE
Armchair, so called Fauteuil à la Reine, rococo around 1750, walnut carved, foliage and rocaille motifs, cover with petit point embroidery, this from the 1st half of the 19th century...
Nutwood
$4,985 / set
H 31.5 in W 31.89 in D 37.01 in
Paire de fauteuils brutalistes en acajou et bouclettes écrues 1970's
Located in TOURCOING, FR
Paire de fauteuils brutalistes en acajou et bouclettes écrues 1970's Paire de fauteuils brutalistes des années 1970, structure en acajou aux volumes épais et arrondis. Accotoirs scu...
Wood
$12,799
H 31.5 in W 25.6 in D 22.84 in
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
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
$20,245 / item
H 30.32 in W 37.41 in D 32.29 in
Webbing Outdoor Armchair in Solid Teak with Outdoor Fabric
Located in Paris, FR
Armchair Webbing outdoor with structure in solid natural teak wood. Upholstered and covered with special outdoor fabric in light grey finish. Treated...
Fabric, Teak
$2,499 / item
H 30.8 in W 25.3 in D 34.1 in
'Copacabana' Indoor Outdoor Lounge Chair by Matégot in Lorkey Fabric for GUBI
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Copacabana' Indoor Outdoor Lounge Chair by Matégot in Lorkey Fabric for GUBI Few designs express the talent of Mathieu Matégot so beauti...
Steel
Daumiller Dining Armchair in Brown/Black Pine for GUBI
By Rainer Daumiller, Gubi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Daumiller Dining Armchair in Brown/Black Pine for GUBI Solid in construction, simple in form, and sculptural in expression, the Daumiller Armchair reflects designer Rainer Daumille...
Pine
Daumiller Dining Armchair in Golden Pine for GUBI
By Rainer Daumiller, Gubi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Daumiller Dining Armchair in Golden Pine for GUBI Solid in construction, simple in form, and sculptural in expression, the Daumiller dining armchair reflects designer Rainer Daumill...
Pine
$2,199 / item
H 30.8 in W 25.3 in D 34.1 in
'Copacabana' Indoor Outdoor Lounge Chair by Matégot in Leslie Fabric for GUBI
By Gubi, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Copacabana' Indoor Outdoor Lounge Chair by Matégot in Leslie Fabric for GUBI Few designs express the talent of Mathieu Matégot so beautif...
Steel
Fauteuil dans le goût de Peter Maly pour Cor
Located in Rouen, FR
Fauteuil dans le goût de Peter Maly pour COR, accompagné de son repose-pied. Ensemble entièrement noir composé d’une structure métallique et d’un revêtement en cuir. État : très bon...
Metal
Mathieu Mategot 'Anthéor' Armchair in Green Lacquered Iron
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mathieu Matégot, armchair model 'Anthéor', lacquered wrought iron, France, 1951 This rare armchair is designed by the French artist Mathieu Matégot. The designer (1910-2001) was bor...
Wrought Iron
French Rattan Cone Armchair in the Style of Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
perfect armchairs for gardens and terrasses. Metal and rattan give a modern twist to these french 60's armchairs.
Metal
Mathieu Matégot pair of Anthéor armchairs 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Paris, IDF
This iconic pair of armchairs is an original creation by Mathieu Matégot, dating back to the 1950s. The armchairs are crafted from white lacquered metal. The meticulous handling of t...
Metal
Sold
H 32.68 in W 25.99 in D 24.02 in
set of four white steel armchairs "Cap d'Ail" by Mathieu Matégot, ca 1950
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Rome, IT
rare set of four garden armchairs designed by Mathieu Matègot and named "Cap d'Ail" circa 1950 painted steel originale condition: many signs of rust the set comes directly from an ...
Steel
Mathieu Mategot "Tube" Armchair, 1951
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in London, GB
A rare "Tube living room" armchair by French Hungarian designer Mathieu Mategot (1910 - 2001). Designed in 1951 and produced in France in the early 1950's, the chair is made from qu...
Metal
Vintage armchair by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in AIGNAN, FR
Armchair, "tube" model, in white metal designed by the French designer Mathieu Matégot in the 1950s. With its iconic pattern, the armchair does not lack character and elegance. I...
Metal
Set of four Mathieu Matégot Armchairs "Tube", circa 1931, France
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Girona, Spain
Set of four Mathieu Mategot armchairs "Tube". Made with Iron. Painted in white. Circa 1931, France. Mid-Century Modern (MCM) is an America...
Iron
Sold
H 31.11 in W 24.41 in D 20.48 in
Mathieu Matégot White "CAP D'ail" Chair & Armchair Set, France, 1950's
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
Iconic "Cap d'Ail" set of outdoor steel chair and armchair by Mathieu Matégot. Circa 1955. Original paint Price includes sanding and new paint i...
Steel
Mathieu Matégot Lounge Chair
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in West Hartford, CT
Features perforated metal work with the classic Matégot sling seat support. Outdoor or indoor versatility. Buyer would need to add their own seat cushion if desired. Arm height is 1...
Metal
Pair of Mathieu Matégot Armchairs, Model Cap d'Ail
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Timeless design for this pair of chairs in vintage condition. Two other chairs available in need of restoration Literature: Mathieu Matégot, Jousse and Mondineu, page 149 circa 19...
Metal
French Mid-Century Cap d'Ail Chair by Mathieu Matégot, 1950's
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Paris, FR
20th-century vintage armchair, or side chair by the iconic French pioneer designer Mathieu Matégot. We have deliberately left the tubular steel structure untouched in order to preser...
Steel
Sold
H 27 in Dm 27.5 in
Pair French Mid-Century Modern Iron 'Copacabana' Chairs, by Mathieu Matégot 1955
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
Rare pair of French Mid-Century Modern 'Copacabana' chairs in black enameled iron by Mathieu Matégot. These lounge chairs/armchairs are rich fantasy creations with their sweeping cur...
Wrought Iron