It’s a start of a new week here on the Swank Lighting blog, and we have a furniture designer influence to show you that we bet you’ve never seen before. Unfortunately—and we swear we’re not doing this on purpose—it’s another designer who doesn’t have a lot of information about his past. George Mathias, your past might be a mystery, but your furniture designs certainly aren’t.
What we do know about this Belgian designer is that he is from Bruxelles, Belgium, and designed primarily during the 1970s. His work presents the most delectable dichotomy: it’s definitely modern in shape, but its details are traditional. Somehow all of these things come together to create fabulous pieces of furniture that are in the same vein as Paul Evans.
Mathias’ pieces are strong. Manly, even. Tough, definitely. Streamlined, without doubt. His pieces are mostly low; low tables that have flat, expansive tops. Low tables with stocky, geometrically-shaped bases. Low tables with sharp edges and sleek lines. What makes his pieces so unique, are the details of the etching that he includes on his pieces. There are credenzas with finely etched bronze doors, a table with a bronze top etched in a sunburst pattern.
Many of these pieces also feature red-lacquered wood, which is a strong and warm complement to the warm colors of the brass and bronze metal. He wasn't afraid of contrast though, as we spot some black lacquer, as well. And we love that he mixed natural elements in his work, like inset Agate stone.
There’s something so quietly strong about his pieces. Like they wouldn’t necessarily jump out in a space, but rather be the anchor which holds all the other designs and pieces together. There’s something safe, sturdy and comforting about his work. It’s no doubt been an inspiration to many others throughout the years.
We know what you’re thinking. Swank Lighting is an amazing resource not just for the best vintage Murano glass lamps in the market today, but also a wonderful resource for interior design inspiration and a great place to get an education about past and present designers. Keep up-to-date with everything we do on our
Facebook page and our
twitter. 
What we do know about this Belgian designer is that he is from Bruxelles, Belgium, and designed primarily during the 1970s. His work presents the most delectable dichotomy: it’s definitely modern in shape, but its details are traditional. Somehow all of these things come together to create fabulous pieces of furniture that are in the same vein as Paul Evans.
Mathias’ pieces are strong. Manly, even. Tough, definitely. Streamlined, without doubt. His pieces are mostly low; low tables that have flat, expansive tops. Low tables with stocky, geometrically-shaped bases. Low tables with sharp edges and sleek lines. What makes his pieces so unique, are the details of the etching that he includes on his pieces. There are credenzas with finely etched bronze doors, a table with a bronze top etched in a sunburst pattern.
Many of these pieces also feature red-lacquered wood, which is a strong and warm complement to the warm colors of the brass and bronze metal. He wasn't afraid of contrast though, as we spot some black lacquer, as well. And we love that he mixed natural elements in his work, like inset Agate stone.
There’s something so quietly strong about his pieces. Like they wouldn’t necessarily jump out in a space, but rather be the anchor which holds all the other designs and pieces together. There’s something safe, sturdy and comforting about his work. It’s no doubt been an inspiration to many others throughout the years.
We know what you’re thinking. Swank Lighting is an amazing resource not just for the best vintage Murano glass lamps in the market today, but also a wonderful resource for interior design inspiration and a great place to get an education about past and present designers. Keep up-to-date with everything we do on our Facebook page and our twitter. 
