'Berlin 57' Daybed by Bruno Mathsson for Firma Karl Mathsson
About the Item
- Creator:Firma Karl Mathsson (Cabinetmaker),Bruno Mathsson (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 19.69 in (50 cm)Width: 76.78 in (195 cm)Depth: 38.59 in (98 cm)Seat Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1968
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading.
- Seller Location:Little Burstead, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2100327120172
Berlin Daybed
With its long mattress gently elevated on a molded wooden frame, the Berlin daybed created by Bruno Mathsson (1907–88) offers a simple space for relaxation and reveals the Swedish architect as a pioneer in ergonomic furniture design.
While outwardly minimal, its four tapered legs with their sculptural details reflect Mathsson’s technical innovations in working with wood. The Berlin daybed — an update of the “lounge bed” he introduced at the 1937 Paris Exposition — debuted at the 1957 International Building Exhibition in Berlin, which showcased contemporary urban living.
Each element of the Berlin daybed was conceived with optimal support in mind. Mathsson was influenced by the aesthetics of fellow Scandinavian designers Alvar Aalto and Gunnar Asplund, but he prioritized human comfort. Mathsson observed how people positioned themselves on furniture and made anatomical studies of posture. This guided his furniture design, which began in the 1930s. Born into a family of cabinetmakers, Mathsson also understood the properties of wood and its untapped potential. By laminating and bending the material, he molded lightweight forms that would fit the body. Mathsson conducted various experiments with seating and chair backs, all of which had curved dynamic lines, a contrast to Bauhaus-style hard angles, which were then dominating modernism.
Despite his international success, Mathsson never opened his own firm. His Berlin daybed entered production at his father’s studio, Firma Karl Mathsson, in his hometown of Värnamo, in 1964. Such intimate oversight gives this and the other pieces of Mathsson’s furniture that were manufactured by his father’s firm — all constructed with the natural materials that characterize Scandinavian mid-century design — an enduring quality.
Bruno Mathsson
As the descendant of four generations of Swedish master cabinetmakers, Bruno Mathsson was born to design furniture. Mathsson was known as a methodical perfectionist who made usefulness the fundamental attribute of his iconic lounge chairs, tables, armchairs and other works, yet he was also a ceaseless experimenter, who constantly searched for improvements in form, materials and methods of design.
Like the Finnish designer Alvar Aalto, Mathsson was one of the first Scandinavians to embrace undulating, biomorphic forms in furniture. His early pieces such as the Eva and Pernilla series of chairs incorporate dramatically flowing bent beechwood frames, making them some of the most instantly recognizable works of 20th-century design.
Mathsson was also a pioneer of ergonomics — he is said to have based the contours of his chairs on the impression his body made when he sat in a snow bank — and used supple, accommodating woven webbing for seats. His concern for practicality is shown by pieces such as the Maria table. An elegant design with gate legs and hinged leaves, the table measures more than nine feet long when fully extended, but folds down to just nine inches in thickness.
From the mid-1940s through the 1950s, Mathsson focused on architecture, designing and building houses with insulated, triple-glazed window walls and heated floors — construction that flew in the face of traditional wood-clad Swedish residential design, and consequently met with some skepticism. He returned to furniture in the 1960s, employing an entirely new suite of materials: Stainless-steel framing and mesh seats feature in pieces like the Jetson chair; with the mathematician Piet Hein, Mathsson designed the Super-Elliptical table, which has a laminate top and four-part tubular steel legs that sprout like flower stems from a single base.
Bruno Mathsson’s stylistic flexibility as a designer made him a creator whose pieces meet all tastes and needs.
Find vintage Bruno Mathsson dining tables, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Little Burstead, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- 'Minerva' Daybed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgard Nielsen for France & SonBy France & Søn, Hvidt & MølgaardLocated in Little Burstead, EssexAn excellent example of classic Scandinavian modern daybed, best quality Teak and freshly reupholstered in white boucle.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Daybeds
MaterialsFabric, Teak
- Teak Desk by Severin Hansen for HaslevBy Severin Hansen, Haslev MobelsnedkeriLocated in Little Burstead, EssexA beautiful example of this classic Scandinavian Modern design, a great example of form and function. This is the more desireable 4 drawer version, and is in great condition.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Santos Rosewood Stool by Hugo Frandsen for SpottrupBy Spøttrup Stolefabrik, Hugo FrandsenLocated in Little Burstead, EssexThis is a very nice example, all original except for the fresh white boucle fabric upholstery. Made from Santos Rosewood or Machaerium Scleroxylon which is a sustainable species and ...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Stools
MaterialsBouclé, Hardwood
- Teak 6 Drawer chest by Aksel Kjersgaard for OdderBy Odder Furniture, Erik KirkegaardLocated in Little Burstead, EssexA stylish and useful piece by Aksel Kjersgaard, looks good enough for a lounge, and has enough storage for the bedroom. Wherever you choose it is great quality and is in great condit...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsTeak
- Nest of 3 Tables by Johannes Andersen for SilkeborgBy Johannes Andersen, CFC SilkeborgLocated in Little Burstead, EssexA very nice original nest of tables in excellent condition.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking ...
MaterialsTeak
- 8 Drawer Teak Chest by Borge Mogensen for FDBBy Børge Mogensen, FDB MøblerLocated in Little Burstead, EssexThis chest of 8 drawers by Borge Mogensen is in very nice original condition and has original brass pulls.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Rare ‘Berlin’ daybed by Bruno Mathsson for Firma Karl Mathsson, Sweden 1969By Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl MathssonLocated in Antwerp, BERare ‘Berlin’ daybed designed by Bruno Mathsson for Firma Karl Mathsson, Sweden 1969. This first edition daybed has the original canvas upholstery with leather cognac buttons. The fr...Category
Vintage 1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Daybeds
MaterialsBeech
- Bruno Mathsson Berlin DaybedBy Firma Karl Mathsson, Bruno MathssonLocated in Oakland, CARare version of model "Berlin" daybed designed in the 1930s by Bruno Mathsson for Firma Karl Mathsson, made in Sweden. Production year 1963. Frame-platform is constructed of steam-b...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Daybeds
MaterialsBirch, Fabric
- Rare 'Berlin' Daybed by Bruno Mathsson for Karl Mathsson, 1957By Karl Mathsson, Bruno MathssonLocated in Antwerpen, VANA rare and beautiful ‘Berlin’ daybed designed by Bruno Mathsson for Karl Mathsson in 1957. It was first shown in 1957 at the International Building Exhibition in Berlin where it rece...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Daybeds
MaterialsWool, Beech
- Berlin T303 Daybed by Bruno MathssonBy Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl MathssonLocated in Portland, ORRare model Berlin daybed by Bruno Mathsson in Beech. Platform daybed features lovely sculptural lines and it’s quality construction makes it e...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Daybeds
MaterialsBeech
- Bruno Mathsson Daybed Model Berlin Produced by Karl Mathsson in SwedenBy Bruno MathssonLocated in Limhamn, Skåne länRare daybed model Berlin designed by Bruno Mathsson. Produced by Karl Mathsson in Värnamo, Sweden.Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Daybeds
MaterialsLeather, Beech
- Swedish Modern Berlin Daybed T303 by Bruno Mathsson 1960By Firma Karl Mathsson, Bruno MathssonLocated in Rio Vista, CASublime stamped Berlin daybed model #T303 designed by Bruno Mathsson for Firma Karl Mathsson in Varnamo, Sweden 1960. Crafted from blonde beechwood in the Scandinavian modern style o...Category
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Daybeds
MaterialsFabric, Foam, Beech