Reading Stand by Bruno Mathsson
About the Item
- Creator:Bruno Mathsson (Designer),Firma Karl Mathsson (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 40.75 in (103.51 cm)Width: 21.75 in (55.25 cm)Depth: 21 in (53.34 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Good vintage condition, professionally cleaned and polished.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1645232656282
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: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Bruno Mathsson OttomanBy Bruno Mathsson, Dux of SwedenLocated in Los Angeles, CAOttoman by Bruno Mathsson for DUX, c.1960s, Sweden. The ottoman was originally paired with the Ingrid armchair. This piece features a tufted caramel leather seat on a bent beech wood...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsLeather, Beech
- Hexagonal Brass Umbrella StandLocated in Los Angeles, CABrass, hexagonal umbrella stand with a decorative rim. Can alternatively be used as a waste bin or decorative vessel. Dimensions 9.5" width x 8" depth x 18.25" height. Condition Ex...Category
Mid-20th Century American Industrial Umbrella Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Black Kartel Umbrella StandBy KartellLocated in Los Angeles, CAFree standing simplistic barbell design of brushed aluminum and black plastic make up this umbrella stand from Italian design house Kartell. This stand features a circular pedestal b...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Post-Modern Umbrella Stands
MaterialsAluminum
- Magazine Side Table by Edward Wormley for DunbarBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in Los Angeles, CATriangular walnut and mahogany side table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar c.1940s, USA. The table, model - 5313, showcases a triangular walnut table top with rounded corners and a mahog...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsWalnut, Mahogany
- Piero Fornasetti Strumenti Musicali Magazine RackBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Los Angeles, CAMagazine rack by Italian designer and artist, Piero Fornasetti, circa 1950s, Italy. The rack features a musical themed lithograph printed on plywood with a wire brass divider on the ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Joe Colombo Black Boby Trolley CartBy Joe Colombo, BieffeplastLocated in Los Angeles, CATrolley cart by Joe Colombo c.1970s, Italy. This unique plastic cart has three shallow swivel drawers and two shelves. The opposite side of the cart has t...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts
MaterialsPlastic
- Bruno Mathsson Reading Stand Produced by Karl Mathsson in Värnamo, SwedenBy Bruno MathssonLocated in Limhamn, Skåne länVery rare reading stand with light designed by Bruno Mathsson. Produced by Karl Mathsson in Värnamo, Sweden.Category
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Magazine Racks and Stands
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- George III Mahogany Reading StandLocated in Essex, MAWith rectangular hinged adjustable top over a turned support and candleholder, tripartite cabriole legs and pad feet.Category
Antique 1760s English George III Music Stands
MaterialsMahogany
- George III Mahogany Reading StandLocated in Essex, MARectangular hinged top over a drawer. With turned baluster support ending on three cabriole legs.Category
Antique 1760s English George III Magazine Racks and Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Book Rest, Reading or Music StandLocated in Chillerton, Isle of WightBook rest, reading or music stand This is a charming piece, it is made in mahogany it has a superb and stabile design with several angle settings to suit ...Category
Vintage 1950s Arts and Crafts Magazine Racks and Stands
MaterialsMahogany
- Paper Basket/Umbrella stand "Sicilia" by Bruno Munari, 1959.By Bruno Munari, Danese MilanoLocated in Roma, ITPaper basket/umbrella stand "Sicilia" was designed by Bruno Munari in 1959. H. 56 x 22 x 24 cm. Made by Danese, Milan. Sheet metal, painted blue. Marked: manufacturer's embossing...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Coat Racks and Stands
MaterialsSheet Metal
- Arts and Crafts Menu Podium, Reading StandLocated in Chillerton, Isle of WightArts and Crafts Menu Podium, reading stand This is a charming piece full of character, the book frame at the top tilts from horizontal upwards and it is a good size to hold a menu...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Adam Style Music Stands
MaterialsFruitwood