N/A Bruno Mathsson Pernilla 3, 1944

Pernilla 3 chaise by Bruno Mathsson.

The Pernilla 3 chaise was designed in 1944 and reflects the theories and elegance that formed part of Mathsson’s long pursuit to create designs offering high levels of comfort. The Pernilla family was a development of an earlier series, though with a more tilted backsupport and almost vertical head support. The sinuous designs were available with a footstool or combined as with the Pernilla 3 chaise, with upturned foot support. The design became a symbol of modern comfort and of Mathsson’s progressive approach to furniture design.

Bruno Mathsson developed concepts for seating that did not rely on upholstery and used laminated wood for their structure. From 1933 he worked on a progression of designs that culminated in a model that accepted an arm that could be added to a range of his contoured and ergonomic designs. He worked with new glue technologies to laminate frames and used hemp webbing to provide support for the sitter. His organic forms and thoughtful consideration of the human form and comfort were highly influential across the world.

Bruno Mathsson came from a long line of cabinet makers. Although trained at his father’s firm, he took a distinctly different path pursuing modernism over classicism. Bruno Mathsson’s work was strongly influenced by two predecessors: Marcel Breuer and Alvar Aalto. The bent plywood designs by Breuer for Isokon demonstrated that comfortable furniture could be created without the use of a headcushion. Mathsson’s theory of the ‘sitting curve’ reflects the Breuer Longchair. The work of Aalto proved to Mathsson that international success was possible.

Mathsson’s extensive seating designs, the Super Elliptical table system and his other designs for wall storage and occasional tables have marked his career as being one of the great furniture designers of modern times. Much of his work has been in continuous production and are key elements in museum collections worldwide.

Dimensions:
64w x 160d x 32/88cmh