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Mats Theselius Chairs

Swedish, b. 1956

Although prolific Swedish architect and designer Mats Theselius moves freely between creating furniture, lighting, objects, installations, exhibitions, set designs, and more, he is perhaps best known for his innovative armchairs. Described by critics as “surprising and ingenious,” Theselius is responsible for some of the most noteworthy furniture designs of the 1980s and 1990s.

Born in 1956 in Stockholm, Theselius attended the city’s prestigious Konstfack (University of Arts, Crafts and Design), where he studied Interior Architecture. After graduating in 1984, he worked at various architecture firms in Stockholm.

In 1985, Theselius debuted a cylindrical club chair upholstered with elk leather. The chair’s unique, molded curved frame, which served as a backrest and armrests, became a signature design characteristic of many of Theselius’s seating pieces. He partnered with entrepreneur Sven Lundh, and Lundh’s company, Källemo, produced a limited-edition variation of this seat, the Älgskinns­fåtöljen chair, in 1991. The Iron/Suede lounge chair followed in 1994.

Another iconic Theselius piece is the National Geographic bookcase. Made of beech with glass doors and brass detailing, the bookcase features shelves sized to accommodate 25 years' worth of National Geographic magazines. For its debut in 1988, Theselius painted the bookcase the same recognizable yellow color that typically frames the cover of the publication.

While working on furniture design and other projects, Theselius served as a professor at the HDK – Academy of Design and Crafts at the University of Gothenburg from 1995 to 1996. He has also collaborated with several well-known Swedish and European manufacturers in addition to Källemo, including String, Marrakech Design, Minus-tio and David Design.

Throughout his career, Theselius’s works have garnered critical acclaim and won numerous awards. Among them are the Red Dot Design Award, the Torsten and Wanja Söderberg Prize, the Wallpaper Design Award and the King of Sweden’s Prince Eugen Medal (2018). Theselius also received the Bruno Mathsson Award in 1997, which is named for the revered Swedish master cabinetmaker. Theselius is said to have created his coveted Bruno armchair immediately afterward.

Today, Theselius’s pieces can be found in the permanent collections of the National Museum in Stockholm, the State Russian Museum in Moscow and the Danish Museum of Art and Design in Copenhagen.

Find vintage Mats Theselius seating, case pieces, storage cabinets and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Mats Theselius
"El Rey" by Mats Theselius, 1999
"El Rey" by Mats Theselius, 1999

"El Rey" by Mats Theselius, 1999

By Mats Theselius, Källemo

Located in Stockholm, SE

Limited edition of 360 pcs produced 1999. This example is number 146. Brass frame. Seat and back in crocodile patterned prime leather. Leatherclothes-wound armrests.

Category

1990s Swedish Modern Mats Theselius Chairs

Materials

Brass

Aluminium Easy Chair
Aluminium Easy Chair

Aluminium Easy Chair

By Mats Theselius, Källemo

Located in Courbevoie, FR

Mats Theselius designed the Aluminum armchair in 1990. Today it belongs to the real Swedish classics and is used extensively both in homes and in the public environment. Manufactured...

Category

2010s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Mats Theselius Chairs

Materials

Leather, Foam

Rare pair of "El Rey" by Mats Theselius, 1999
Rare pair of "El Rey" by Mats Theselius, 1999

Rare pair of "El Rey" by Mats Theselius, 1999

By Källemo, Mats Theselius

Located in Stockholm, SE

Brass frame, seat and back in crocodile patterned prime leather. Leatherclothes-wound armrests. Limited edition of 360 chairs produced in 1999. This is chair #234 and #235. Excellent...

Category

1990s Swedish Modern Mats Theselius Chairs

Materials

Brass

Rare pair of "El Rey" by Mats Theselius, 1999
Rare pair of "El Rey" by Mats Theselius, 1999

Rare pair of "El Rey" by Mats Theselius, 1999

By Mats Theselius, Källemo

Located in Stockholm, SE

Brass frame, seat and back in crocodile patterned prime leather. Leatherclothes-wound armrests. Limited edition of 360 chairs produced in 1999. This is chair...

Category

1990s Swedish Modern Mats Theselius Chairs

Materials

Brass

Bridland Easy Chair, Limited Edition
Bridland Easy Chair, Limited Edition

Bridland Easy Chair, Limited Edition

By Mats Theselius, Källemo

Located in Courbevoie, FR

Frame in birch, milled and chromed steel details, armrests in Corian, Tärnsjö leather. Frame in stainless steel, chromed frame and milled fittings, corian armrest, leather Indian re...

Category

2010s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Mats Theselius Chairs

Materials

Steel

Rare pair of "El Rey" by Mats Theselius, 1999
Rare pair of "El Rey" by Mats Theselius, 1999

Rare pair of "El Rey" by Mats Theselius, 1999

By Källemo, Mats Theselius

Located in Stockholm, SE

Brass frame, seat and back in crocodile patterned prime leather. Leatherclothes-wound armrests. Limited edition of 360 chairs produced in 1999. Excellent condition.

Category

1990s Swedish Modern Mats Theselius Chairs

Materials

Brass

Armchair in Copper and Leather by Mats Theselius
Armchair in Copper and Leather by Mats Theselius

Armchair in Copper and Leather by Mats Theselius

By Mats Theselius

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Armchair in Copper and Leather by Mats Theselius Additional Information: Material: Copper, leather Style: Contemporary, Scandinavian Armchair model Ambassad designed by Mats Theseli...

Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Mats Theselius Chairs

Materials

Leather

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Previously Available Items
Pair of “El Rey” Lounge Chairs by Mats Theselius for Källemo, Sweden, 1999
Pair of “El Rey” Lounge Chairs by Mats Theselius for Källemo, Sweden, 1999

Pair of “El Rey” Lounge Chairs by Mats Theselius for Källemo, Sweden, 1999

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A striking pair of limited edition lounge chairs designed by Mats Theselius for Källemo, Sweden, in 1999. These sculptural chairs feature a patinated brass frame with sinuous, leathe...

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Mats Theselius 'Algskimsfatsolj' Chair
Mats Theselius 'Algskimsfatsolj' Chair

Mats Theselius 'Algskimsfatsolj' Chair

Sold

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Mats Theselius 'Algskimsfatsolj' chair in mixed metal and moose hide for Kallermo with label #1200, 1991 Measures: Seat height 19.25 inches.

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20th Century Swedish Mats Theselius Chairs

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Mats Theselius for Källemo 'Järn/Mocca' Easy Chair Edition 4/18
Mats Theselius for Källemo 'Järn/Mocca' Easy Chair Edition 4/18

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Mats Theselius for Källemo, Järn/Mocca chair edition HC 4/18, cognac suede steel, Denmark, 1994. This rare chair is named the Jarn/Mocca chair, which translates into iron / mocca,...

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Two Mats Theselius 'El Rey' Chairs
Two Mats Theselius 'El Rey' Chairs

Two Mats Theselius 'El Rey' Chairs

Sold

H 28 in W 21.5 in D 29 in

Two Mats Theselius 'El Rey' Chairs

By Mats Theselius

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Two Mats Theselius 'EL REY' brass and leather easy chairs, Kallemo AB, Varnamo, Sweden. Signed: el Rey by Mats Theselius 1999 by Kallemo, Sweden.

Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Mats Theselius Chairs

Materials

Brass

Mats Theselius chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Mats Theselius chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Mats Theselius chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 3 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 2 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original chairs by Mats Theselius were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider chairs by Jonas Bohlin, Arne Norell, and Uno & Östen Kristiansson. Prices for Mats Theselius chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $7,040 and can go as high as $32,034, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $17,357.