Bruno Mathsson lounge chair

The lounge chair model Pernilla 3, also known as T-108, was designed by Swedish architect and furniture designer Bruno Mathsson and produced by Firma Karl Mathsson in Värnamo, Sweden, in 1961. This chair is constructed from laminated beechwood shaped through bentwood techniques, creating an organic, undulating form that highlights Mathsson’s commitment to ergonomic design. The frame’s sculptural curves integrate armrests and continuous leg supports, balancing strength and flexibility. The original green webbing used for the seat and backrest is woven in a wide, flat pattern and tensioned across the frame, providing both support and comfort. Accompanying the chair is a white sheepskin throw, a period-appropriate accessory that enhances thermal comfort and tactile experience.

Bruno Mathsson (1907–1988) was a pivotal figure in Swedish modernist design, renowned for his functionalist approach that emphasized the human body’s contours, simplicity, and craftsmanship. His Pernilla series, named playfully after a Swedish journalist, began in the 1940s and evolved over time, with the Pernilla 3 model representing one of the most refined and fully reclined versions in the series. Mathsson’s philosophy combined traditional woodworking skills with modernist principles, aiming to create furniture that was both aesthetically pleasing and physically supportive.

Firma Karl Mathsson, established by Bruno Mathsson’s father, was instrumental in producing these designs with a focus on high craftsmanship and the preservation of traditional techniques adapted to modern aesthetics. The workshop was a key player in Swedish furniture production, particularly noted for the quality and innovation in manufacturing Bruno Mathsson’s work.

This particular Pernilla 3 lounge chair is stamped with the production date of 1961 beneath the frame. It is preserved in good vintage condition, showing typical signs of age such as slight patina on the birch frame and wear on the webbing. The overall structure remains stable, reflecting the durability and thoughtful construction typical of Scandinavian mid-century furniture. The chair embodies the period’s ideals through its use of natural materials, expert craftsmanship, and minimalist yet expressive design.

The dimensions are 64 cm in width, 170 cm in depth, and 90 cm in height, with a seat height of 32 cm, equivalent to approximately 25.2 inches wide, 66.9 inches deep, 35.4 inches high, and a seat height of 12.6 inches.