Scandinavian Easy Chairs "Arbetsstolen" by Bruno Mathsson, 1940s
About the Item
- Creator:Firma Karl Mathsson (Manufacturer),Bruno Mathsson (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32.68 in (83 cm)Width: 19.3 in (49 cm)Depth: 27.56 in (70 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1940s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Karlstad, SE
- Reference Number:
Bruno Mathsson
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Karlstad, Sweden
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Scandinavian Lounge Chair "Pernilla 1" by Bruno Mathsson, 1940sBy Firma Karl Mathsson, Bruno MathssonLocated in Karlstad, SEGorgeous lounge chair and ottoman "Pernilla 1", designed by Bruno Mathsson for Karl Andersson & Söner, Sweden. This rare version with red paper cord webbing...Category
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBirch
- Scandinavian Chaise Longue "Pernilla 3" by Bruno MathssonBy Firma Karl Mathsson, Bruno MathssonLocated in Karlstad, SEGorgeous chaise lounge Pernilla 3, designed by Bruno Mathsson for Karl Andersson & Söner, Sweden. Condition: Good original condition with light patina. No damage to the webbing, and...Category
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBirch
- Scandinavian Midcentury Leather Sofa "Eva" by Bruno MathssonBy Firma Karl Mathsson, Bruno MathssonLocated in Karlstad, SERare “Eva” three-seat sofa by Bruno Mathsson, with a wreathed leather seat on a beech bentwood frame. Perfect patinated naturally colored leather. Manufactured in 1966 by Firma Karl ...Category
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Beech
- Scandinavian Easy Chair and Ottoman Model 272 Designed by Illum WikkelsøBy A. Mikael Laursen, Illum WikkelsøLocated in Karlstad, SEVery rare easy chair and ottoman model 272 in rosewood and leather designed by Illum Wikkelsø. Beautifully designed chair in rosewood and black saddle leather. The solid rosewood le...Category
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsRosewood, Leather
- Swedish Coffee Table by Bruno MathssonBy Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl MathssonLocated in Karlstad, SERare birch coffee or side table by Bruno Mathsson, Sweden. The slim curved legs are significant for Mathsson’s designs and add to the elegance of this table. Condition: Very good c...Category
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofa Tables
MaterialsBirch
- Swedish Table "Maria Flap" by Bruno Mathsson, 1960sBy Firma Karl Mathsson, Bruno MathssonLocated in Karlstad, SESwedish table "Maria Flap" by Bruno Mathsson, circa 1960. This table is made of teak, with beech legs. The tabletop shows a beautiful grain in the wood. Th...Category
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsTeak, Beech
- Bruno Mathsson Mid-Century Easy Chair "Arbetsstolen" Produced in Sweden, 1960sBy Firma Karl Mathsson, Bruno MathssonLocated in Stockholm, SERare easy chair model "Arbetsstolen" designed by Bruno Mathsson and produced by Firma Karl Mathsson i Värnamo, Sweden. In good vintage condition with small signs from age and use. Si...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBirch, Paper
- Bruno Mathsson "Eva" High Back Armchair in Birch & Hemp by Karl Mathsson, 1940sBy Firma Karl Mathsson, Bruno MathssonLocated in Stockholm, SERare mid century wooden armchair model "Eva" in birch and hemp webbing by Bruno Mathsson produced by Firma Karl Mathsson, 1941. In good vintage condition with the original webbing. S...Category
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsHemp, Birch
- Bruno Mathsson Mid Century Lounge Chair "Model 36" Produced in Sweden, 1940sBy Firma Karl Mathsson, Bruno MathssonLocated in Stockholm, SERare lounge chair model " Vilstol 36" designed by Bruno Mathsson and produced by Firma Karl Mathsson i Värnamo, Sweden. Original condition with a newer cushion upholstery. Original w...Category
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBeech, Paper
- Pernille Easy Chair Designed By Bruno Mathsson Made By DUX From 1960sBy Dux of Sweden, Bruno MathssonLocated in Lejre, DKThe Pernilla armchair, designed by Bruno Mathsson and manufactured by Dux during the 1960s, represents a piece of Scandinavian furniture design. This chair, with its distinctive curv...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWood
- Bruno Mathsson Eva Lounge Chair, 1940s SwedenBy Bruno MathssonLocated in Balen, BEFirst generation of the Eva lounge chair by Bruno Mathsson with full grain leather upholstered sleeve which is completely saddle stitched. Produced in the 1960s by Karl Mathsson in S...Category
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Birch
- "Vilstol 36" Lounge Chair by Bruno MathssonBy Firma Karl Mathsson, Bruno MathssonLocated in Borås, SE"Vilstol 36" lounge chair by Bruno Mathsson. ca. 1936. Laminated beech, bleached linen webbing. Replaced webbing. Manufacture label dated 1939. Designed by Bruno Mathsson in 1936, produced by Firma Karl Mathsson. One of the earliest commercial designs of Bruno Mathsson. Literature: Hedqvist, Hedvig, Bruno Mathsson, Orosdi-Back, Stockholm, 2014, p. 50, 72 Bruno Mathsson (1907-1988) is one of Swedens most internationally recognised designers. He made a breakthrough with his first exhibition held at Röhsska Konstslöjdmuseet in Gothenburg in 1936. He continued to gain attention at the Paris Expo...Category
Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Beech