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.
A Large Modernist Abstract Tapestry by Mathieu Mategot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Atlanta, GA
A modernist wool woven tapestry designed by French artist and designer Mathieu Mategot (1910-2001) circa 1960s. The piece is signed with Matégot and monogrammed TMP fino (Manufactur...
Canvas, Wool
Clef de Sol étagère by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
Clef de Sol bookshelf Produced by Ateliers Matégot France, c.1955 White painted metal (later painted) documentation : - MONDINEU, Mathieu Mategot, éd. Jou...
Metal, Steel
$18,239Sale Price|20% Off
1960's Signed Mathieu Matégot Abstract Tapestry, Highly Coveted 1st Piece 1/6
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Dallas, TX
78078 Vintage Mathieu Mategot Abstract French Aubusson Tapestry, 04'07 x 08'00. This handwoven wool tapestry by renowned Hungarian-French artist Mathieu Matégot is a masterful blend ...
Wool
$12,600Sale Price|30% Off
Mathieu Matégot Wool Rug by Aubusson, circa 1950, France
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Girona, Spain
Mathieu Matégot wool rug by Aubusson Made by the Aubusson manufacture Bold abstract design Signed Providence: Christie's auction house, circa 1950, France With restorations Go...
Wool
Mathieu Mategot Aubusson Tapestry
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
Mathieu Mategot abstract Aubusson Tapestry woven by Atelier Tabard Freres & Soeurs. Known as a French furniture designer he devoted his work full time to tapestries in the 1960s beco...
Wool
Matégot Bookshelf Jardinière Library
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in London, GB
Matégot is perhaps the last and most important metalsmith of the French after war era. Had incredible originality in his design. Always very poetic in his realization. Time to collec...
Steel
$1,960Sale Price|20% Off
H 50.01 in W 25.99 in D 0.3 in
1960 Vintage Art Nouveau Tapestry Abstract Fish Handwoven 2x4
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Art Nouveau Tapestry Abstract Fish Handwoven "This is a beautiful vintage handwoven tapestry featuring a unique abstract fish design with artistic Art Nouveau influence. The...
Wool
Antique English Barley Twist Carved Fruitwood Wall Shelf / Etagere
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a late 19th century large scale English wall shelf with barley twist supports. It is in very good condition for its age. Proper anchoring is...
Oak
$200 / item
H 0.1 in W 60 in D 50 in
Bit Map Series 02, Multicolor Modern Graphic Woven Wall Tapestry & Throw Blanket
By Luft Tanaka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bit Map Series 02 by Luft Tanaka Studio A multicolored and visually striking throw blanket / wall tapestry woven out of 100 % cotton yarn. 50" x 60" / 127cm x 152cm (custom sizes available upon request) Reversible. Opposite side has the same design with inverted colors. The Bit Map Series is based on digital “doodles” Luft makes using Kid...
Cotton
Antique French Silk Aubusson, circa 1890
Located in Secaucus, NJ
The Aubusson workshops, on the river Creuse in France, are famous for their antique European rugs, carpets and tapestries, woven since the 18th century. The Royal Council established...
Wool, Silk
Pretty antique french Aubusson tapestry
By Royal Manufacture of Aubusson
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Very beautiful antique French Aubusson tapestry featuring a view of a woman showing a bird in the nature in the woods. With nice natural colours in the hues of yellow, green, pink, o...
Wool, Silk
1970s Sculptural Rattan & Glass Etagere
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
1970s sculptural rattan & glass etagere The case with continuous book-matched rattan The upper section measures 24.5" W x 43" H, fitted with two 2...
Rattan, Glass
$859
H 44.1 in W 77.17 in D 0.2 in
French Vintage Tapestry, Romantic Garden Scene, Aubusson Style, 1950s
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Vintage Tapestry Gallant Scene from the mid-20th century. A beautiful French tapestry in Aubusson style, within a flower border featuring a romantic scene in a garden. Dimensi...
Fabric, Cotton
$425
H 28.5 in W 12 in D 15 in
1950's Matthieu Mategot Attributed Standing Planter and Magazine holder
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Matthieu Mategot attributed planter with magazine rack. Versatile 50's style black enameled wire frame planter with ceramic pot and plastic wrapped accents. A lightweight...
Wire
19th Century French Aubusson Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
A French Aubusson tapestry from the 19th century, depicting several young courtiers spending a leisurely afternoon gaily dancing and carousing within the splendidly maintained verdan...
Wool
Mathieu Mategot for Artimeta magazine rack , 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Delft, NL
Mathieu Mategot for Artimeta magazine rack , 1950s
Metal
$5,425
H 48 in W 60 in D 0.2 in
Antique French Tapestry 4X5 Handmade Tapestry Verdure Tapestry 122cm x 153CM
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent antique French tapestry depicting a hunting scene set within a lush verdure background. It features a beautiful colorway that enhances its artistic detail and timeless...
Wool
Pretty Vintage Aubusson Style Jacquard Tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful vintage French Aubusson style tapestry with a nice design . and with beautiful colours, entirely woven with wool And cotton on Jacquard looms ✨✨✨ "Experience the epitome o...
Wool, Cotton
French Metal Wall Shelf "Clé de Sol" by Mathieu Matégot, 1955
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Paris, FR
20th century French vintage collectible wall shelf in original yellow-lacquered steel tube and perforated sheet (rigitulle), designed by Mathieu Matégot in the mid-1950s. The sinuous...
Metal
French Metal Wall Shelf "Clé de Sol" by Mathieu Matégot, 1955
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Paris, FR
20th century French vintage collectible wall shelf in black-lacquered steel tube and perforated sheet (rigitulle), designed by Mathieu Matégot in the mid-1950s. The sinuous, treble-c...
Metal
Mathieu Mategot Dedal Wall Shelf, France, C 1950
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Chicago, IL
Dedal wall shelf designed by Mathieiu Mategot, circa 1950 Painted perforated steel. The Dedal wall shelf by Mathieu Matégot is a modular metal shelf. This shelf can be hung alone or ...
Metal
Mathieu Matégot Red Metal Wall Shelve 1950s
By Artimeta, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Den Haag, NL
Designed by Mathieu Matégot. Red metal perforated shelve. Manufactured by Artimeta The Netherlands in the 1950's
Metal
Mathieu Mategot Dedal Wall Shelf, France, C 1950
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Chicago, IL
Dedal wall shelf designed by Mathieiu Mategot, circa 1950 Painted perforated steel. The Dedal wall shelf by Mathieu Matégot is a modular metal shelf. This shelf can be hung alone or...
Metal
Tapestry by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
limited edition “Arène” wool tapestry by Mathieu Matégot designed in the 1950’s for Tapecarias de Portalegre, Portugal. Numbered 1/6 Multicoloured ground woven in shades of red, p...
Wool
Mathieu Matégot Coat Rack for Artimeta Soest, circa 1950
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Coat rack designed by Mathieu Matégot. Manufactured by Artimeta (Netherland), circa 1950. Perforated, lacquered metal. In good original condition, with minor wear consistent w...
Metal
Mathieu Matégot "Nocturne" Abstract Wool Tapestry, circa 1970
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in San Francisco, CA
Mathieu Matégot "Nocturne" handwoven abstract wool tapestry, circa 1970 Mathieu Matégot (April 1910-February 2001) was a Hungarian / French designer and material artist. He was on...
Wool
Sold
H 19.75 in W 35.25 in L 19.75 in
Mathieu Matégot Dedal Vintage French Shelf Painted White France Circa 1950
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Chicago, IL
The Dedal wall shelf by Mathieu Matégot is a modular metal shelf. This shelf can be hung alone or in a grouping. Made of folded and painted perforated steel, this shelf is in great c...
Metal
Mathieu Matégot Wall Shelf with Adjustable Shelves
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Miami, FL
Mathieu Matégot wall shelf with adjustable shelves Offered for sale is a rare Mid-Century Modern Mathieu Matégot hanging wall shelf with origin...
Steel
Mathieu Mategot Yellow Metal Dedal Wall Book Shelf
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Atlanta, GA
Very nice large modular wall mounted shelf designed in the 1950s by French Mathieu Mategot (1910-2001) and known as the "dedal" bookcase. Featuring folded and perforated yellow lacquered steel metal. This wall shelf can be hung alone or in a grouping. Produces in France by Ateliers Mategot. In the 1950s, Mategot creates new material, the steel mesh that he calls "Rigitulle", and develops a machine that can shape sheet metal like a fabric. The ultra-graphic lines of the Dedal shelf remain incredibly modern, more than half a century after its creation. Measurements: 34.88 in. wide (88.5 cm) x 7.50 in. deep (19 cm) x 19.13 in. high (48.5 cm) (Last ambiance picture might not have the exact actual size of the shelf). (Vitra miniature chairs...
Metal, Steel
Set of Four Dedal Shelves by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four Dedal shelves by Mathieu Matégot for Atelier Matégot. Made in France, circa 1956. literature: Mathieu Matégot, Jousse and Mondineu, ppg. 194-195, 229.
Steel