Johnny Mattsson sculpture

This sculptural wooden vessel was designed and produced by Johnny Mattsson in Sweden during the 1950s. It is crafted from solid pine, a softwood commonly used in Scandinavian woodworking for its warm tone, visible grain pattern, and workability. The piece is a hybrid form between a bowl and an abstract sculpture, indicative of mid-century Scandinavian design’s blurring of function and form.

The object features a highly organic and fluid shape, with two asymmetric vertical projections rising from a low, boat-like basin. One side extends into a pronounced, tapered peak, while the opposite rises in a shorter, curved arc, creating a sense of tension and movement in the composition. The grain of the pine is a central visual feature, with its concentric lines accentuating the curvature and volume of the form. The piece is finished smoothly, allowing the natural character of the wood to remain prominent.

The condition is good vintage with minor signs of age and use, including a split along one of the glued seams at the base, which does not detract from the sculptural integrity of the object but indicates its hand-crafted and timeworn nature.

Johnny Mattsson was a Swedish designer and woodworker known for his small-scale wooden objects that combine sculptural form with subtle utility. His works often embody the sensibilities of the Scandinavian modern era—favoring natural materials, minimal ornamentation, and biomorphic lines. Although his output was modest compared to mass manufacturers, his hand-carved pieces are highly valued for their craftsmanship and artistic presence.

The dimensions of the piece are 8.5 cm in width, 10 cm in depth, and 16 cm in height, which converts approximately to 3.3 inches wide, 3.9 inches deep, and 6.3 inches high.