Bruno Mathsson: Six Generations Of Furniture Excellence
Richard Guilfoyle Bruno Mathsson was descended from five generations of the production of top-quality wood furniture. Bruno was born in Varnamo, Sweden in 1907, and the love of fine wood-crafting was in his blood. Under his father's tutelage he learned technical furniture-making skills, the textures and capabilities of a variety of woods, and the importance of always striving for excellence. After Mathsson became interested in the technical aspects of making furniture, he began to absorb all the information that he could about furniture making. He borrowed books from designers and museums, and contacted people who would become long-term associates and mentors. He became intrigued by functionalism as a result of his self-education in technical issues and design. He earned a scholarship with a functionalist chair design. Mathsson wasn't content with building only the flat board furniture his family traditionally crafted. His furniture was designed with clean, elegant lines including some chairs with positional adjustments. Some of the chairs he worked on didn't have springs or upholstery. His ideas were revolutionary for his time. Therefore, he put some of his early items into storage until he had become famous in the furniture-making world. Mathsson was worried about the "mechanics of sitting". He did tests to see what kind of pattern a human being made when sitting. He even sat in the snow to see what effect it would have. Mathsson won the Grand Prix design award in 1937 at the Paris Expo. Bruno was finally able to get his once hidden chairs out for the world to see once he obtained some recognition. One of his most memorable creations is the Bruno Mathsson Pernilla chair. It is built in easy chair or lounge chair styles in addition to bentwood and laminating methods used for a portion of the plan. It's possible to upholster or make with webbing. In the time of war when materials were scarce, Mathsson conducted tests with jute as well as hemp or whatever else he was able to find, and this motif may be used with almost any organic or inorganic objects. Bruno Mathsson Pernilla chairs usually have a pillow that is connected. Another famous Bruno Mathsson design was the Fällbord table, a modular table that can be folded and reconfigured in many different arrangements. It was designed in 1935 and remains a modern looking piece of furniture to this day. This timelessness is a common thread running through many of his designs including his highly sought after Jetson, Miranda, Eva and Pernilla chair designs. Another notable table (Mathsson bord) that is still particularly popular is the Mathsson Superellips. It is a huge testament to his work that so many pieces of his furniture (Mathsson m?bler) continue to be in such high demand. Mathsson died in 1988 after an illness, leaving a legacy of his family craft taken to an even higher level. About the Author
Swedish designer Bruno Mathsson was born in Varnamo in 1907 into a woodworking tradition. He wanted to learn everything he could about the technical issues and design styles he worked with. Since he wasn't satisfied with the limitations imposed by flat board furniture (m?bler), Mathsson branched out to chairs without springs and heavy upholstery. The Pernilla chair is one of his classic designs. It comes in both easy chair and lounge chair formats. Another historical piece that captures a contemporary feel is the modular Fällbord table. His designs have held their popularity well into the 21st century. Richard Guilfoyle may be contacted at http://www.nordicmobler.com/. Click here to view more articles by Richard Guilfoyle. Reprinted with Permission from IdeaMarketers.com
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