Vicente Sánchez Pablos

VICENTE SÁNCHEZ PABLOS (Fuentes de Béjar, 1927) for M.A.S.
See-saw "Matacán". 1963.
Stained beech wood, cowhide leather seat.
Cushion upholstered in velvet.
Measurements: 75 x 68 x 90 cm.

The rocking chair of the Matacán series, designed by Vicente Sánchez Pablos in 1963 and produced by Manufacturas Artesanas Salamantinas (M.A.S), is an emblematic piece within the Spanish design of the middle of the 20th century. It represents a perfect synthesis between traditional craftsmanship and functional modernity, two values that defined the career of its creator.

Vicente Sánchez Pablos, originally from Fuentes de Béjar (Salamanca), was a pioneer of industrial design in Spain during the 1960s and 1970s. His work was distinguished by the search for his own language that united the precision of contemporary design with local craftsmanship. This approach allowed him to develop furniture of great formal and constructive quality, ahead of its time.

The Matacán rocking chair stands out for its light and elegant structure, made of stained beech wood, with a design that combines structural robustness and a fluid line that accentuates the natural rocking movement. The seat, made of cowhide leather, adds character and durability, while the patina developed over time lends authenticity and warmth to the whole. In addition, the velvet upholstered cushion adds an extra level of comfort, balancing the understated aesthetic of the design with a more welcoming tactile feel.

Its relevance was recognized internationally: the Matacán was selected for the 1964 New York World's Fair, where it represented emerging Spanish design, and subsequently awarded the Delta de Oro Prize in 1966, given by the FAD Industrial Design Association (ADI-FAD).

This piece not only embodies the spirit of innovation and quality of post-war Spanish design, but also reflects a humanistic and artisanal vision of modern furniture, where form, material and function are harmoniously integrated. Today, the Matacán rocking chair is considered an icon of Spanish rationalist design and a key work in the history of 20th century furniture.

Vicente Sánchez Pablos was a pioneer in the concept of Contract (furniture for communities: hotels, universities, public housing developments). He also pioneered the showroom concept with his store in Gran Vía de Salamanca. Many of his designs were dismountable, anticipating the concept of kit furniture.

He founded the company M.A.S. (Manufacturas Artesanas Salamanca), which manufactured his designs until 1983. His works are part of the collective imagination and are exhibited in museums such as the Reina Sofía (Mecedora Matacán) and the National Museum of Decorative Arts (where he has a permanent exhibition).