Firma Karl Mathsson

Firma Karl Mathsson was a Swedish furniture manufacturing company closely associated with the legacy of Bruno Mathsson, one of Sweden’s most influential modernist designers. Founded in 1934 in Värnamo, Småland, the firm was established by Bruno Mathsson’s father, Karl Mathsson, as a way to produce Bruno’s experimental furniture designs on a larger scale. The company became a key platform for translating radical design ideas into high-quality, commercially produced furniture.

The firm specialized in seating furniture, particularly lounge chairs and armchairs, distinguished by their ergonomic focus and innovative construction. Firma Karl Mathsson is best known for producing early and iconic designs by Bruno Mathsson such as the Pernilla chairs, Eva chair, Jetson chair (later produced in collaboration with Dux), and the Mina chair. These designs explored the relationship between the human body and furniture, using curved laminated wood frames, canvas or webbing seats, and later molded plywood.

Firma Karl Mathsson played a crucial role in the development of Swedish functionalism, emphasizing comfort, lightness, and structural clarity over traditional heavy furniture forms. The company’s production combined craftsmanship with technical experimentation, helping establish Sweden’s international reputation for progressive modern furniture.