With their curvaceous metal surfaces and shapes often resembling sheets of folded paper, Mathieu Matégot's inspiring furniture and lighting designs are easily recognizable and highly sought after by collectors. By working with perforated sheet metal and metal tubing, the Hungarian-born French architect, artist and designer — who is known by aficionados for his “rigitulle” technique — created tables, chairs and decorative objects that are celebrated works of French modernism and make a statement in any interior.
Matégot attended the Budapest School of Fine Arts and Architecture. He graduated in 1929 and traveled before settling in Paris in 1931, where he worked as a window dresser for department stores and as a set designer for cabaret halls.
In 1939, Matégot joined the French army in resistance to invading Nazi forces. He was soon captured and sent to work in a German factory. It was at this factory where Matégot became familiar with the materials and techniques that would inform and inspire his trademark rigitulle method.
After the war ended, Matégot opened a workshop in Paris and began to create handcrafted furniture that didn't conform to established styles of the time. Matégot explored merging traditional and non-traditional materials — he worked with formica, glass and natural materials such as rattan — and engaged in other forward-looking experiments. Matégot soon patented his career-defining rigitulle technique and material, which saw the designer working with metal tubing and perforated metal sheets and producing thin, airy folds into the metal as if he were manipulating fabric or paper.
Many of Matégot’s designs for table lamps, pendants, tables and more are reflective of the rigitulle technique, but the best-known work that exemplifies this process is his elegant three-legged Nagasaki chair, which he exhibited in 1954 at the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs. The original Nagasaki chair gave way to a collection that included a stool and an armchair. Matégot’s Nagasaki dining chair has been reissued by Gubi and is part of the permanent collection at the Vitra Design Museum, which is home to one of the world’s most important furniture collections.
Matégot created a range of smaller items for the home — serveware, side tables and magazine racks, each distinctive in their fluid and organic forms — but halted his career in design and moved to Angers in the early 1960s in order to turn to creating art. Today he is known for his abstract tapestries as well as his furnishings.
Find vintage Mathieu Matégot furniture on 1stDibs.
Mid-Century French Coffee Table by Mathieu Matégot, 1960
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1960 / Coffee Table / Mathieu Matégot / metal / Mid-century A sculptural and rare example of mid-century French design, this coffee table by Mathieu Matégot. It captures th...
Metal
Mathieu Matégot French Midcentury Small Bar Table 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Mid-Century Small Bar Table by Mathieu Matégot, France, 1950s This elegant mid-century small bar table by Mathieu Matégot was crafted in France in the 1950s and showcases the design...
Iron
Kangouru Coffe Table by Mathieu Matégot, 1954
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Barcelona, ES
Kangouru coffee table designed in 1954 by French designer Mathieu Matégot and edited by Gubi in 2000's. Metal and perforated metal sheet lacquered in black and white with brass...
Metal, Brass
Sofa Corner tables by Mathieu Matégot - 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Uccle, Bruxelles
A magnificent set of sofa corner tables designed by Mathieu Matégot in the 1950s. These are beautiful triangular tables made of clover-patterned sheet metal. This set is in its ori...
Metal
Pair French Mid-Century Modern Nesting / Coffee Tables by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
Rare and Elegant pair of French Mid-Century Modern nesting/ side tables or cocktail tables in perforated steel by Mathieu Matégot. The pieces are enameled black. The tables represent...
Metal
Mathieu Mategot Tripod Coffee Table / Magazine Rack
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Soho, London, GB
Occasional table with magazine rack by Mathieu Mategot (France circa 1955). The table is made in Mategot's iconic perforated sheet metal paired with a glass top.
Sheet Metal
Mid-Century Modern Shelves by Mathieu Matégot, Metal, France, 1950
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Barcelona, ES
Shelves in the style of Mathieu Matégot Manufactured in France, circa 1950. In good condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Math...
Metal
Coffe Table , 1930 , France, Design: Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our A...
Chrome, Iron
Very scarce coffee table by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Table d'appoint. Circa 1956. Fibrociment gravé, métal laqué, laiton. Bibliographie: - Philippe JOUSSE & Caroline MONDINEAU : Mathieu Matégot, Jousse Entreprise, 2003, fig.192. - Pat...
Concrete, Metal, Brass
A MID-CENTURY-MODERN MODERNIST Terrasse TABLE, by MATHIEU MATEGOT, France 1950
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in PARIS, FR
A rare sculptural circular table, Modernist, Mid-Century-Modern, free-form bended metal structure forming 4 legs around one central black sphere, supporting a wide bounded black "Rig...
Metal
Scarce coffee table by Mathieu Matégot in leather and brass
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rare table basse par Mathieu Matégot de sa serie en cuir piqué sellier, partie méconnue de son travail mais toutefois d’une grande qualité.
Brass
Coffee Table by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Brussels, BE
Model Canasta by Mathieu Matégot, circa 1960. Coffee table with four square section legs covered in black leather with saddle stitching. Brass cruciform spacer and oval shaped new g...
Brass
Incredible variant of the Kangourou side table by Mathoeu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Incroyable table d’appoint dite Kangourou, variante du modèle à deux tables. Jolie état d’origine.
Metal, Brass
Mathieu Mategot, Domino Tables, by Les Ateliers Mategot, France 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Mathieu Matégot Pair of Domino Tables, design 1953 one yellow, one black lacquered perforated steel and tubular steel, brass ball feet made in early 1950s by Les Ateliers Matégot, France bearing label to underside: MATEGOT / Made in France Each L shaped table...
Brass, Steel
$26,276 / set
H 18.9 in W 83.08 in D 73.63 in
Modern Bordeira Nesting Coffee Table, Set/3, Marble, Handmade by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Bordeira Nesting Coffee Table, Set/3, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Bordeira nesting coffee table was designed to bring the ess...
Travertine, Granite, Marble, Carrara Marble, Onyx, Quartz, Brass, Stainl...
Mathieu Mategot wrough iron bar cart , circa 1950
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Miami, FL
Mathieu Mategot Wrought Iron Bar Cart , circa 1950
Wrought Iron
Pair of Rare Bedside Tables by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in London, GB
A pair of black rigitule bedside table or originally telephone table. Manufactured by Les Ateliers Matégot, 1953, France. Original paint. Published in Patrick Favardin Book p6.
Steel
Table d’appoint à étages par Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Table d’appoint par Mathieu Matégot avec sa couleur d’origine jaune.
Metal
$8,500 / set
H 17.5 in W 60 in D 32 in
Parchment Modern Sculptural Nesting Coffee Tables by Costantini, Cadenza
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Cadenza Parchment Modern Sculptural Nesting Coffee Tables. The Cadenza Nesting tables are handcrafted out of wood wrapped with geniune Argentine Goatskin, shown here in a natural fi...
Goatskin, Wood
$7,633 / item
H 13.78 in W 43.71 in D 39.38 in
Mid-Century Modern Dornes Coffee Table, Oak Root, Handmade by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Dornes Coffee Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Dornes coffee table is a trib...
Brass, Stainless Steel
$6,458
H 16.54 in W 21.66 in D 11.03 in
French Mid Century Side Console Table in Black Metal by Mathieu Matégot, 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare French black lacquered mid century half round console side table by Mathieu Matégot for Steph Simon Paris, 1950s. In good original condition with patina from age and use. Matche...
Metal
SOUMBA occasional table by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Saint Ouen, France
Born in Hungary on April 4, 1910, Mathieu Matégot spent four years at the Budapest School of Fine Arts before becoming a theater decorator. In 1931, he moved to Paris, where he worked as a window dresser, producing his first rattan objects...
Metal
$4,600
H 27.96 in W 76.78 in D 19.3 in
French 1950s Perforated Metal Console in the Style of Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Long Island City, NY
A French midcentury perforated metal console in the style of Mathieu Matégot with a tubular metal base.
Metal
$11,156 / set
H 14.97 in W 60.24 in D 40.16 in
Modern Bordeira Nesting Coffee Table, Travertine, Handmade Portugal Greenapple
By Rute Martins, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Bordeira Nesting Coffee Table, Set/2, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Bordeira nesting coffee table was designed to bring the ess...
Onyx, Marble, Statuary Marble, Travertine, Quartz, Brass, Stainless Steel
$16,163Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 14.97 in W 68.9 in D 38.98 in
Modern Saara Nesting Travertine Coffee Table, Set/2, Handmade by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Saara Nesting Coffee Table Set/2, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Saara nesting coffee table is a tribute to Africa’s scenic beau...
Limestone, Travertine, Granite, Marble, Carrara Marble, Onyx, Brass, Sta...
$8,161 / set
H 16.54 in W 23.63 in D 12.6 in
French Mid Century Triangle Black & Red Metal Tables by Mathieu Matégot, 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare pair of French mid century triangular side tripod tables in black and red lacquered metal with decorative and patinated brass feet by Mathieu Matégot for Steph Simon Paris, 19...
Metal
A " Canasta " Coffee Table by Mathieu Matégot France 1960's
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in HYÈRES, FR
A " Canasta " Coffee Table by Mathieu Matégot France 1960's Version with the wooden top. Legs covered in leather and joined by a brass crossbar. In good condition.
Brass
Mathieu Mategot Perforated Metal Coffee Table, France, 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an iconic piece, executed in perforated yellow sheet metal with a matte finish. This coffee table showcases French designer Mathieu Mategot's mastery of his sheet metal technique Rigitulle where he created lightweight yet strong, fabric-like forms from folded and punched metal. Great mid-century design. Height: 18.5 inches Width 63 inches Depth: 20 inches Very good vintage condition with minor flaws as expected with age. We currently have this paired with a pair of Cleo Baldon bar stools...
Metal
Mathieu Mategot Coffee Table, France 1950's
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
Coffee table made of lacquered square tubing linked by a brass stretcher, the top wrapped in leather and stitched around the edge.
Brass, Steel
Mathieu Matégot Copacabana Table
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very rare Mathieu Matégot Copacabana Table. Enameled steel, France, 1955.
Metal
Sold
H 16.54 in W 15.75 in D 15.36 in
Mathieu Matégot Soumba Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquered Metal Table
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Soumba coffee and side table designed by Mathieu Matégot. Manufactured in France, circa 1950. Black lacquered Metal. In good condition, with minor wear consistent with age and u...
Metal
Midcentury Coffee Table Base Design Mathieu Mategot, 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in taranto, IT
Original coffee table base from the 50s, design mathieu mategot, made of brass tubular and green perforated sheet metal It measures 50 cm in height, base measures approximately 45...
Metal, Brass
Mathieu Matégot French Midcentury Small Table, 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Midcentury small table by Mathieu Matégot, France, 1950s. Metal and perforated metal. Measures: Height 23.4"(59.5cm), diameter of the top 15.3"(38.8cm). Refinishing with original off...
Iron
Mathieu Matégot Model Gin. Rare Green 2 Wheels Cocktail trolley
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in London, GB
Serving table in perforated sheet metal or rigitule by Mathieu Matégot by Ateliers Mathieu Mategot, France. Gin 1953. Documented and referenced in Mathieu Matégot by Jousse Entreprise. Totally untouched and in its original paint. Documented & referenced in Mathieu Matégot by Jousse Entreprise Patrick Favardin, Mathieu Matégot, Norma Editions, 2014 The drinks trolley seems to have been one of Mategot's favourites. They symbolize a time of peace and leisure, whilst 'theoretically' lightening the load of household work. They also represent a blurring between the indoors and the outside, at a time when the everyday living space was being extended to balconies and gardens. He was to produce over 20 drinks trolley permutations. After the war Mategot took part in a major revival of the decorative arts, which had become reliant on the elegant but expensive materials inherited from Art Deco. The war had forced all cultural assumptions to be re-examined while also dramatically interrupting traditional supply channels. The necessities of reconstruction and limited budgets thus called on all creators...
Cut Steel
Mathieu Matégot French Midcentury Small Table, 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Midcentury small table by Mathieu Matégot, France, 1950s. Metal and perforated metal. Measures: Height 23.6"(60cm), overall diameter 15.7"(40cm), diameter of the top 15.3"(38.8cm). R...
Iron
Sold
H 14.97 in Dm 24.02 in
Mathieu Matégot Mid-Century Modern Metal and Glass Coffee Table, circa 1950
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Coffee table designed by Mathieu Matégot. Manufactured by Ateliers Matégot, (France), circa 1950. Lacquered perforated metal with original paint. In good original condition, wit...
Metal
Perforated Metal Cocktail Table by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Patinated circular coffee table by Mathieu Matégot. Made in France, circa 1950s.
Metal
Pair of Triangular Mathieu Matégot Tables for Artimeta, 1950s
By Artimeta, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Echt, NL
Beautiful pair of Mathieu Matégot tables in good condition. Manufactured by Artimeta in the 1950s Perforated metal top and frame lacquered in b...
Metal