Early Thonet Chairs
Early 20th Century Austrian Chairs
Wood, Bentwood
Antique 1890s German Other Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Rocking Chairs
Early 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Plywood
Early 20th Century Czech Arts and Crafts Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Czech Other Chairs
Bentwood, Beech
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Chairs
Fabric, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Rocking Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Czech Other Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Belle Époque Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Belle Époque Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Arts and Crafts Swivel Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Belle Époque Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Chairs
Brass
Early 20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Side Chairs
Beech, Cane
Antique Mid-19th Century Chairs
Nutwood, Plywood
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Chairs
Beech
Early 20th Century Austrian Belle Époque Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Chairs
Bentwood
20th Century European Modern Chairs
Bentwood
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Straw, Beech
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Chairs
Brass
Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Swivel Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
Vintage 1930s Italian Art Nouveau Dining Room Chairs
Beech
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Chairs
Straw, Wood
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Rocking Chairs
Bamboo, Cane
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Side Chairs
Leather, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Chairs
Brass
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Bentwood
Vintage 1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fabric, Beech
Early 20th Century Austrian Belle Époque Swivel Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Cane, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Rocking Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
Vintage 1930s German Bauhaus Lounge Chairs
Steel
Antique 19th Century Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1920s German Bauhaus Chairs
Steel, Chrome
Vintage 1910s Italian Art Nouveau Rocking Chairs
Leather, Beech
Vintage 1960s Romanian Art Deco Chairs
Straw, Beech
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Belle Époque Wingback Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Bauhaus Dining Room Chairs
Oak
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Chairs
Beech
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Chairs
Textile, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Belle Époque Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Dining Room Chairs
Wicker, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
Antique Early 1900s French Arts and Crafts Chairs
Straw, Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Swivel Chairs
Fruitwood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Walnut
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Dining Room Chairs
Straw, Wood
Antique 1890s Austrian Aesthetic Movement Side Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Bentwood, Cowhide
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century Polish Art Nouveau Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Beech
Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal, Chrome
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Steel, Chrome
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Early Thonet Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Early Thonet Chairs?
Finding the Right seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
- What is a Thonet chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024A Thonet chair can be any chair developed by the furniture maker Thonet, which has been manufacturing furniture for more than 180 years. However, most people are referring to one designed by founder Gebrüder Thonet. It features a bentwood frame produced with a patent steam method that Thonet patented and a curved seat. Find a range of Thonet chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Michael Thonet is a German-Austrian furniture maker who designed the famed bentwood chair in 1830. His last name, Thonet, is pronounced “TOE-net,” but it’s commonly mispronounced “tho-NAY.” Shop a collection of vintage and modern Michael Thonet pieces on 1stDibs.
- Are Thonet chairs marked?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Yes, Thonet chairs are marked. You will usually find the brand's label on a tag or burned into the wood under the seat. On 1stDibs, you can shop a variety of expertly vetted Thonet furniture from top sellers around the world.
- Are Thonet chairs stackable?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Whether or not Thonet chairs are stackable depends on their design. The bentwood chairs produced by the company do easily stack, but others like cantilever chairs do not. Find a range of Thonet chairs forms some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023Perhaps the most significant thing about the Thonet chair was that it was the first chair to ever be shipped in parts with instructions that allowed the purchaser to assemble it themselves. As a result, the beech wood and rattan chairs could be mass produced and sold all over the world more easily. Shop a range of Thonet chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022An authentic Thonet chair will have the company’s name with a solid line underneath carved somewhere on the chair. The brand can also confirm the authenticity and age of a Thonet chair via its website. Shop a variety of authentic Thonet furniture on 1stDibs.
- What is a Thonet-style chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023A Thonet-style chair is a wooden chair that has a curvy, bent backrest, a round seat and subtly flared legs. The chairs get their name from the original manufacturer, Thonet, which produced chairs in the mid-century modern style in Europe during the 20th century. Shop a range of Thonet furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To identify a Thonet rocking chair, look for the company name. You will normally find it stamped directly onto the underside of the seat, arms or legs. You can find a collection of expertly vetted Thonet rocking chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024To tell if a Thonet chair is real, you can use Thonet's authenticity verification service. To take advantage of it, you will need to take many photographs of the chair from different angles and close-up images of markings and paper labels. You can learn more about the authentication process on the Thonet website. Shop a diverse assortment of Thonet chairs on 1stDibs.
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