As the descendant of four generations of Swedish master cabinetmakers, Bruno Mathsson was born to design furniture. Mathsson was known as a methodical perfectionist who made usefulness the fundamental attribute of his iconic lounge chairs, tables, armchairs and other works, yet he was also a ceaseless experimenter, who constantly searched for improvements in form, materials and methods of design.
Like the Finnish designer Alvar Aalto, Mathsson was one of the first Scandinavians to embrace undulating, biomorphic forms in furniture. His early pieces such as the Eva and Pernilla series of chairs incorporate dramatically flowing bent beechwood frames, making them some of the most instantly recognizable works of 20th-century design.
Mathsson was also a pioneer of ergonomics — he is said to have based the contours of his chairs on the impression his body made when he sat in a snow bank — and used supple, accommodating woven webbing for seats. His concern for practicality is shown by pieces such as the Maria table. An elegant design with gate legs and hinged leaves, the table measures more than nine feet long when fully extended, but folds down to just nine inches in thickness.
From the mid-1940s through the 1950s, Mathsson focused on architecture, designing and building houses with insulated, triple-glazed window walls and heated floors — construction that flew in the face of traditional wood-clad Swedish residential design, and consequently met with some skepticism. He returned to furniture in the 1960s, employing an entirely new suite of materials: Stainless-steel framing and mesh seats feature in pieces like the Jetson chair; with the mathematician Piet Hein, Mathsson designed the Super-Elliptical table, which has a laminate top and four-part tubular steel legs that sprout like flower stems from a single base.
Bruno Mathsson’s stylistic flexibility as a designer made him a creator whose pieces meet all tastes and needs.
Find vintage Bruno Mathsson dining tables, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Armchair by Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender-Madsen, Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1950s
By Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Karis, Nyland
Rare version of Aksel Bender Madsen & Ejnar Larsens model 4205 designed in 1955 for Fritz Hansen. The armchair has stained beech legs and armrests and is very comfortable. Chair has...
Fabric, Beech
'Ingeborg' Easy Chair by Flemming Lassen, Asko, 1950s
By Asko, Flemming Lassen
Located in Karis, Nyland
A neat and functional easy chair by Danish architect Flemming Lassen (1902-1984). The 'Ingeborg' series has been named after Flemming Lassen’s beloved mother, artist Ingeborg Winding...
Fabric, Wood
Model 401 Lounge Chair by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland, 1970s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Karis, Nyland
Model 401 lounge chair designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek, originally introduced in 1933. One of Aalto’s most celebrated designs, the Model 401 combines his pioneering bent laminated ...
Upholstery, Birch
Finnish Mid-Century Easy Chair in the Style of Carl-Johan Boman, 1950s–1960s
By Carl-Johan Boman
Located in Karis, Nyland
A sculptural Finnish mid-century easy chair with softly flowing lines and a generous, enveloping form. The chair features a curved backrest that wraps around the sitter, creating an ...
Fabric, Wood
Mid-Century Swedish Sawbuck Easy Chair
Located in Karis, Nyland
A Swedish 1950s easy chair made from solid beech with a distinctive sawbuck-shaped profile. Re-upholstered in a brown textile with a boucle style knotty texture. A neat model, comfor...
Fabric, Beech
Aino Aalto Savoy Armchair in Birch, Leather and Fabric, Artek, Finland, 1940s
By Artek, Aino Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Located in Karis, Nyland
An early and rare Savoy Armchair designed by Aino Aalto, featuring a solid birch structure with gently curved armrests and tapered legs. The armrests ar...
Leather, Fabric, Birch
Mid Century Armchair Model "Eva" by Bruno Mathsson Birch/Hemp, Sweden
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in München, BY
Mid century armchair model "Eva" made of birch and braided hemp webbing. Design by the well-known Swedish designer Bruno Mathsson, Sweden. The Eva armchair is a design from 1941. Ve...
Hemp, Birch
Rare Swedish Easy Chair by Svante Skogh, 1950s
By Svante Skogh
Located in Stockholm, SE
A mahogany easy chair designed by Svante Skogh, Sweden, 1950s. Reupholstered. Excellent condition.
Mahogany
Bruno Mathsson Eva chair, Karl Mathsson 1941 Sweden modernist original collector
By Firma Karl Mathsson, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Forest, BE
Chaise modèle Eva dans son état d'origine. Daté de 1941, elle a passé toute sa vie dans la maison d'été d'une famille suédoise ou elle a été lentement décolorée par le soleil. La couleur d'origine est visible au revers des sangles. Chaise extrêmement bien préservée et très rare dans cet état. Produite dans les ateliers de son père Karl Mathsson...
Birch
Original Dux of Sweden EVA Sessel Bruno Mathsson Armchair Buche
By Dux of Sweden, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen schwedischen Armlehnstuhl "EVA" aus Buchenholz und Sattelleder von Dux of Sweden zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Bruno Mathsson aus dem Jahr 193...
Leather, Wood
Beautiful Lounge Chair Mod. Eva by Bruno Mathsson, 1960ies Sweden No.2
By Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl Mathsson
Located in Berlin, DE
Lounge Chair “Eva” by Bruno Mathsson for Karl Mathsson, Värnamo, Sweden, 1960s Offered here is an iconic “Eva” lounge chair, designed by celebrated Swedish furniture designer Bruno ...
Leather, Beech
Model 596 Chair by Lawrence Peabody & Ib Kofod Larsen for Selig, Denmark, 1950's
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing an ultra-rare Model 596 Lounge Chair in solid Beech originally designed by the renowned Lawrence Peabody for Selig. This iconic armchair has recently been fully restored ...
Beech
