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.
Mid-Century Coffee Table by McIntosh
Located in London, England
Mid-Century circular coffee table by McIntosh. Lovely, flamed veneer on the top. Some replaced veneer and re-polished. U.K circa 1960.
Walnut
Swedish Pine Coffee Table
Located in London, England
Swedish solid pine coffee table with brass details. Re-finished. Sweden circa 1960.
Pine
Mid-Century Dining Table by Bramin
Located in London, England
Extending mid-century dining table designed by Henry Walter Klein in 1950s Denmark, crafted by the skilled cabinetmakers at Bramin. Fantastic table in great condition. Re-finished. D...
Teak
Ercol Coffee Table
By Ercol
Located in London, England
Round Ercol coffee table stripped and re-finished. Retaining original blue label. U.K circa 1960. H 45cm x W 74cm x D 74cm Please be in touch for an...
Beech, Elm
Mid-Century Coffee Table with Magazine Rack
Located in London, England
Mid-Century coffee table with suspended magazine rack. Black legs walnut veneered top and brass feet.
Brass
Mid-Century Extending Dining Table
Located in London, England
Mid-Century extending teak dining table seating 6-8 people. Re-finished. U.K circa 1960. Width 189cm when extended
Teak
Mid-Century Table by Henredon
By Heritage-Henredon
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oval surfboard coffee table by Henredon with added walnut trim and tapered legs. Please confirm location.
Walnut
Swedish Coffee Table by Bruno Mathsson
By Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl Mathsson
Located in Karlstad, SE
An elegant and understated table in birch, designed with the lightness and organic simplicity closely associated with Bruno Mathsson’s work. The softly rounded top is paired with sle...
Birch
1970s Bruno Mathsson for Firma Karl Mathsson Annika Coffee Table, 37 inches
By Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl Mathsson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Annika Coffee Table, initially designed by Bruno Mathsson for Firma Karl Mathsson in 1936. This piece dates to the 1970s and was produced in Sweden. The design features gr...
Birch, Teak
Midcentury Couchtisch ähn. Johannes Andersen coffee table Vintage
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen authentischen Vintage Couchtisch aus Pekannussholz zu, Verkauf an. Das Design erinnert an die Entwürfe von Johannes Andersen, wobei ihm dieses Modell nicht sicher zu...
Wood
Cees Braackman for Editions Pastoé, coffee table
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Cees Braackman for Editions Pastoé, coffee table the tray is scratched and there is a major blow, it will be necessary to sand the tray, or even to reapply it.
Beech
Jens Risom Mid Century Coffee Table
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom mid century coffee table. Coffee table measures: 32 wide x 32 deep x 16 inches high All pieces of furniture can be h...
Wood
