Set of Four Mathieu Mategot "Tube" Chairs, 1951
About the Item
- Creator:Mathieu Matégot (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 33.47 in (85 cm)Width: 18.12 in (46 cm)Depth: 20.08 in (51 cm)Seat Height: 12.6 in (32 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 4
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1951
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6465238147902
Mathieu Matégot
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- 1930's Thonet B33 Chair By Marcel BreuerBy Marcel BreuerLocated in London, GBAn original 1930's Thonet B33 side chair by Marcel Breuer (Hungarian 1902-1981) designed 1925-7 , slung with Tygan. This particular chair came from the co...Category
Vintage 1930s Bauhaus Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Rene Herbst Sandows Dining ChairsBy René HerbstLocated in London, GBA pair of model 101 Sandows dining chairs designed by French architect Rene Herbst in 1928 and reproduced in the 1990's. First exhibited at the Paris Salon d'Automne des Artistes D...Category
Late 20th Century Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- 19th Century Turners Corner ChairLocated in London, GBA 19th century Turners corner chair constructed from ash with the original rush seat. In good condition with no movement to the joints and no damage to the rush seat.Category
Antique Late 19th Century Side Chairs
MaterialsAsh
- Uno Åhren For Gemla Dining Table & Chairs, 1930'sLocated in London, GBA birch dining table and chairs by Swedish architect and city planner Uno Åhren (1897-1977) for Gemla. Masterly crafted in birch wood with birch ply seat backs and pegged joints. ...Category
Vintage 1930s Dining Room Tables
MaterialsWood
- Pair Of Long French MirrorsLocated in London, GBA pair of unusually long black painted wooden framed mirrors, France, circa 1950's The glass is in good condition with no damage. Wear to the painted frames (see photos).Category
20th Century Wall Mirrors
MaterialsWood
- Northern School Oil on Canvas Of An Industrial SettingLocated in London, GBAn unsigned 20th century northern school oil on canvas oil on canvas of labourers in an industrial setting. There is a study of a young boy playing the violin verso. In good conditi...Category
20th Century Paintings
MaterialsCanvas
- Vintage Set of Four Attributed to Mathieu Matégot Dining Chairs, France, 1950sBy Mathieu Matégot, Mathieu MatégotLocated in Brooklyn, NYStriking 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...Category
Vintage 1950s French Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Mathieu Matégot Metal Heart ChairBy Mathieu MatégotLocated in Los Angeles, CARare metal chairs by French designer Mathieu Matégot. White metal chairs with hairpin legs, signature Mategot perforated metal seat and heart sha...Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Nagasaki chair by Mathieu MategotBy Mathieu MatégotLocated in PARIS, FRPainted metal tube and Rigitulle, Beautiful patina made from time and use.Category
Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Mathieu Matégot Wicker Chair 1950sBy Mathieu MatégotLocated in Oostrum-Venray, NLFrench Mathieu Matégot armchairs from the 1950s. The wicker tubs are still in very good condition and can last for years to come. The chair...Category
Vintage 1950s French Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Mathieu Matégot Set of 2 chairs and 2 armchairs in perforated metal 1950By Mathieu MatégotLocated in Saint Rémy de Provence, FRMathieu Matégot Set of 2 chairs and 2 armchairs in wrought iron 1950 from the "Carré d'As" series Seats in Ruguitule Armchairs : H. 92 x W. 47 x D. 50 cm Chairs : H.92 x W. 47 x D....Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWrought Iron
- Mathieu Mategot Lounge chair model "Copacabana"By Mathieu MatégotLocated in Barcelona, ESLounge 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...Category
Vintage 1950s French Chairs
MaterialsMetal