Round Tray by Mathieu Matégot, Metal and Rattan, France, circa 1950
View Similar Items
Round Tray by Mathieu Matégot, Metal and Rattan, France, circa 1950
About the Item
- Creator:Mathieu Matégot (Manufacturer, Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 1.4 in (3.56 cm)Diameter: 15.2 in (38.61 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Barcelona, ES
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2938312776702
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.
- Mathieu Matégot Yellow and Black Trolley, circa 1950By Mathieu MatégotLocated in Barcelona, BarcelonaTrolley designed by Mathieu Matégot. Manufactured by Ateliers Matégot (France), circa 1950. Folded, perforated metal lacquered in black. In good original condition, with minor w...Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
MaterialsMetal
$3,957 Sale Price20% Off - Mathieu Matégot Set of 3 Extra Large French, 1960, TrayBy Mathieu MatégotLocated in Miami, FLExceptional set of 3 huge Mathieu Matégot tray, Classic Matégot Rigitulle pattern with a polished brass trim Dimensions: 1 red 1 1/8 H, 25 3/8 L, 16 1/4 D 1 white 1 5/8 H, 35 1/8 ...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Mid-Century Modern Mathieu Mategot Tray Table, Trolley, Ca. 1960sBy Mathieu MatégotLocated in Schagen, NLStriking bar cart or serving table, designed by Mathieu Matégot, ca. the 1950s.-1960s. The piece features an original Yellow tray, a cream/White Minimalist base with typical perforat...Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
MaterialsMetal
- In the Style of Mathieu Mategot Serving Cart with Removable TrayBy Mathieu MatégotLocated in Saint-Ouen, IDFOriginal three wheels trolley with two levels including a removable tray with brass setting. Three dedicated spots for bottles. In the style of Mathieu Mategot in white perforated e...Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Pair of French Metal and Rattan Magazine Tables by Mathieu MatégotBy Mathieu MatégotLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis rare matching pair of rattan and wrought iron tables were designed by Mathieu Matégot (Ateliers Matégot), circa 1950. Composed of a perforated surface above a stained rattan ra...Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Rare White Metal side Table Cocktail drinks Tray by Mathieu Matégot France 1950By Mathieu MatégotLocated in Den Haag, NLRare side Table Cocktail Tray by Mathieu Matégot France 1950's With many wear of use but all original.Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsMetal