BRUNO MATHSSON. Armchair, “Jetson”, DUX, designed 1969.

Armchair with swivel function. Chromed steel frame. Canvas seat, upholstery and neck pillow in brown leather.
Back height 98 cm. Seat height 43 cm. Width 65 cm.

Bruno Mathsson was a prominent Swedish furniture designer and architect born on 13 January 1907 in Värnamo, Sweden. He died on 17 August 1988 in the same city at the age of 81. Mathsson is known internationally as one of Sweden's most prominent furniture designers.

His early years were marked by his upbringing in Värnamo, where he grew up in a family with a long tradition of furniture production. He learned the craft of carpentry from scratch in his father's workshop, but he soon aspired to explore new avenues in furniture design and was inspired by the ideals of functionalism.

Mathsson's first commissioned work, Grasshopper, was designed in 1931 for Värnamo lasarett. Although initially not well received, it gave him the opportunity to experiment with new techniques and the mechanics of sitting. He developed bending gluing technology and began experimenting with materials such as saddle cloth and solid wood to create comfortable and ergonomic chairs.

In 1936 he had his first solo exhibition at the Röhsska Art Craft Museum, which became a breakthrough for him as a designer. He was invited to participate in the 1937 Paris World's Fair, where his furniture was well received and drew international attention.

He strongly believed that the shape of a piece of furniture or a building should be derived from its function. Mathsson always adapted his design to the human scale and strove to create welcoming and functional environments. His work has continued to inspire designers and architects over the years and has left a significant legacy in modern design.