Thonet Furniture
Austrian, German
For more than 180 years, Thonet — or Gebrüder Thonet — has produced elegant and durable tables and cabinets as well as chairs, stools and other seating that wholly blur the lines between art and design. Widely known as a trailblazer in the use of bentwood in furniture, the European manufacturer has reimagined the places in which we gather.
Noted for his skill in parquetry, German-Austrian company founder Michael Thonet received an invitation from Austrian Chancellor Prince Metternich to contribute Neo-Rococo interiors to the Liechtenstein City Palace in Vienna. The Boppard-born Thonet had honed his carpentry skills in his father’s workshop, where he carried out experiments with plywood and modified the Biedermeier chairs that populated the studio.
Thonet’s work for the chancellor raised his profile, and the cabinetmaker gained international recognition, including at London’s Great Exhibition of 1851, which featured works created by members of the Arts and Crafts movement as well as industrial products of the day. Thonet showed a range of furniture at the fair and won the bronze medal for his bentwood chairs. He incorporated his family’s company, the Thonet Brothers, with his sons in 1853.
Bentwood furniture dates as far back as the Middle Ages, but it is the 19th-century cabinetmaker Thonet who is most often associated with this now-classic technique. Thonet in 1856 patented a method for bending solid wood through the use of steam, and from there, the bentwood look skyrocketed to furniture fame. The works of renowned mid-century modern designers such as Alvar Aalto, Arne Jacobsen, and Charles and Ray Eames that put this technological advancement to use would not be as extensive or celebrated were it not for the efforts of the pioneering Thonet.
Considered the world’s oldest mass-produced chair, Michael Thonet’s ubiquitous Chair No. 14 demonstrated that his patented bentwood technology made it possible to efficiently produce furniture on an industrial scale. Now known as the 214, it won the German Sustainability Award Design for 2021, a recognition of the company’s commitment to environmentally responsible production.
Often called the Coffee House chair — the company’s first substantial order was for a Viennese coffeehouse — the No. 14 remains an icon. Thonet originally designed the chair in 1859, and it is considered the starting point for modern furniture.
The bentwood process opened doors — there were investments in machinery and new industrial processes, and the business began mass-producing furniture. By the end of the 1850s, there were additional Thonet workshops in Eastern Europe and hundreds of employees. Michael Thonet’s reputation attracted the attention of notable architects including Otto Wagner, Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
The No. 14 was followed by the No. 18, or the Bistro chair, in 1867, and the 209, or the Architect’s chair, of which Le Corbusier was a fan. (The influential Swiss-French architect and designer used Thonet furniture in his Pavillon de l’Esprit Nouveau at the 1925 International Exposition of Decorative Arts in Paris.)
Thonet’s chair designs also appeared in artwork by Toulouse-Lautrec, John Sloan and Henri Matisse in his Interior with a Violin Case. The noteworthy Thonet rocking chair remains a marvel of construction — in the middle of the 19th century, Michael produced a series of rockers in which the different curved parts were integrated into fluid, sinuous wholes. Thanks to Thonet, the humble rocker acquired something unexpected: style. It was captured in the paintings of Pablo Picasso, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and James Tissot.
Thonet is currently split into global divisions. Thonet Industries U.S.A. was acquired in 1987 by Shelby Williams and joined the CF Group in 1999, while the Thonet brand in Germany is owned by Thonet GmbH.
Find a collection of antique Thonet furniture on 1stDibs.
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Creator: Thonet
Bentwood Music Stand No.1 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood music stand no.1 by Thonet professionally stained and repolished.
Category
1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Set of 6, Mid Century Cow Hide Upholstered Bentwood Chairs by Thonet, 1950s
By Thonet
Located in Basel, BS
These make an incredible opportunity for a complete rare hard to find set of beautiful early American Made, Mid Century Thonet chairs after Eames.
Stunning, very cool authentic Bruno Weil...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood, Cowhide
Pierre Paulin & Thonet Desk with Drawer, Metal Teak & Formica, France Circa 1955
By Pierre Paulin, Thonet
Located in La Teste De Buch, FR
Desk with a single drawer designed by Pierre Paulin and manufacture by Thonet.
France circa 1955
Black lacquered metal feet, teak veneer drawer on the right side and a teak venee...
Category
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Metal
20th Century Thonet Austrian Bentwood Hatrack
By Thonet
Located in New York, NY
Austrian Bentwood hatrack / coat tree with replaced finial top (original THONET paper label).
Category
20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Thonet Furniture
Materials
Wood, Bentwood
Mid-Century Dining Chairs by Verner Panton for Reupholstering Set of 4
By Verner Panton, Thonet
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Very rare set of (4) four Mid-Century high-back chairs designed by Verner Panton. Tubular metal frame with original upholstery (also deigned by Verner Panton). Produced for a short p...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Metal
Four Armhairs Thonet, circa 1920
By D. G. Fischell, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state with a pleasant patina of age, perfectly cleaned and repolished with french polish.
Category
Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Thonet Furniture
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
Dining Chair by Thonet in Original Vintage Silk & Oak, Czechoslovakia, 1940s
By Thonet
Located in Zohor, SK
Elegant dining chair produced by Thonet company in an original condition. The chair is made of strong oak wood with upholstered seat and backrest. The fabric is vintage silk. Some patina is visible on the wooden parts which adds to the vintage look...
Category
1940s Czech Art Deco Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Silk, Oak, Bentwood
Modernist Oakwood Thonet Table, circa 1930
By Thonet
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table designed and manufactured by Thonet, circa 1930.
Manufactured in Germany.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiful patina, i...
Category
1930s German Art Nouveau Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Wood
Two Chairs Thonet 811, Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state with a pleasant patine of age, perfectly cleaned and re-polished.
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Set of 7 Thonet Bentwood Caned Dining Chairs
By Thonet
Located in New York, NY
SET of 7 Antique Bentwood dining chairs with steam bent ebonized wooden frames with caned seats and backs, resting on four gently curved...
Category
20th Century Post-Modern Thonet Furniture
Materials
Wood, Ash
After Thonet Wood Chair
By Thonet
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
After Thonet chair, manufactured by unknown manufactured, circa 1920.
In good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preservi...
Category
1890s German Other Antique Thonet Furniture
Materials
Wood
Bentwood Plant Stand by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood plant stand by Thonet professionally stained and repolished.
Category
1920s Czech Art Deco Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Red High-Quality Leather Bauhaus Sofa by Thonet, Chrome, Fully Restored, 1930s
By Thonet
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Red high-quality leather Bauhaus sofa with chrome tubular steel frame.
Period : 1930-1939.
Source : Czechia (Czechoslovakia).
Maker : Thonet
Material : Beech, high-quality leat...
Category
20th Century Czech Bauhaus Thonet Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Early 20th C Thonet Quartetto Nesting Tables
By Thonet
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1900 set of four Thonet nesting tables with original label. Bent wood beech frames with original dark finish. Very good overall antique condition with some scattered surface we...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Thonet Furniture
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
Mid-Century Design Chair No.515 by Oswald Haerdtl for Thonet
By Oswald Haerdtl, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Mid-century design chair no.515 by Oswald Haerdtl for Thonet.
Category
1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Faux Leather, Wood
1980s Beech Dining or Side Chair by Ton, Up to 20 Pieces
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia
- the chairs are stackable
- material used : beech bentwood and plywood
- height of seat 45 cm.
Category
1980s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Beech, Plywood
Secession Dining Chairs by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession bentwood Thonet dining chairs. Professionally stained and repolished with new handmade rattan seats.
Category
1910s Slovak Vienna Secession Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Rattan, Bentwood
1960s Set of 4 Oswald Haerdtl Dining Chairs for Ton/Thonet, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia in the 1960s
- Made of wood, fabric.
- Good, original condition.
- Seat height 47 cm
- The wood shows signs of use
- Fabric suitable for exchange.
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Small Art Deco Table, Made by Thonet, Walnut, Czechia, 1930s, Fully Restored
By Thonet
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Small Art Deco table, Made by Thonet.
Fully restored. Revived original varnish.
Period: 1930-1939
Source: Czechia
Material: Walnut.
Category
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Wood, Walnut, Lacquer
Original Thonet Brass-Footed Bistro Table
By Thonet
Located in Port Chester, NY
A Thonet bistro table from France. This rectangular base is bentwood with terrific brass accents-base feet and center rail. The top, recently added...
Category
Early 20th Century French Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
1960s Ton/Thonet Beech Armchair, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Newly upholstered - wooden parts have been repolished.
Category
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Fabric
1930s Adolf Loos Office Chair Model 669 for Cafe Capua by Thonet
By Thonet, Adolf Loos
Located in Praha, CZ
- Carefully refurbished and finish by shellac.
- Measures: height of the armrests are 71cm.
- height of seat 44 cm.
Category
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Wood
Thonet Rocking Chair No.7014
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Thonet rocking chair no.7014 in very good original condition. Original rattan seat.
Category
1920s Czech Vienna Secession Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Black Leather Sofa Made by Thonet in 1930s Czechia
By Thonet
Located in Horomerice, CZ
The sofa has been completely restored by our professional refurbishing team in Czechia with new, high quality leather, fully polished chrome and revived beechwood.
It was made in...
Category
1930s Czech Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Thonet Nesting Tables
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Nesting tables by Thonet Debrecsen Hungary in original condition.
Category
1920s Czech Art Deco Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Thonet H 6760 Prayer Kneeling Chair
By Thonet
Located in Budapest, HU
Prayer Kneeling by Thonet.
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Thonet Furniture
Materials
Wood
Postmodern Thonet Bentwood Armchair Lounge Chair, 1970s
By Thonet
Located in Madison, WI
1970's accent bentwood chair made by Thonet.
Condition: Great vintage condition throughout.
Additional information:
Materials: Bentwood, Upholstery
Color: Red
Period: 1970s
Brand: ...
Category
20th Century Post-Modern Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood, Upholstery
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Black Thonet Bentwood and Vinyl Chairs
By Thonet
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome pair of Thonet bentwood Mid-Century Modern chairs in black with black vinyl upholstery. They are in good vintage condition. The vin...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood, Faux Leather
August Thonet Chairs, Set of 6, Czech Republic, 50s Signed Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
this description has been automatically translated and may not be completely accurate.
H77 x W37 x D44
They are in very good condition, very solid.
Category
Early 20th Century Czech Other Thonet Furniture
Materials
Cane, Bentwood
Alvar Aalto Style Side Table or Stool by Thonet
By Thonet, Joe Atkinson, Alvar Andersson
Located in Ferndale, MI
This laminated wood stool or side table by Thonet, New York and attributed to Joe Atkinson as designer. A circular top and three bentwood legs made of plywood. Perfect mid-century mo...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood, Plywood
Round Coffee Table by Thonet
By Thonet, August Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Round coffee table by Thonet professionally stained and repolished.
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Secession Marble Coffee Table by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Office chair no.811 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet.
Category
1910s Hungarian Vienna Secession Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Marble
Set of Two '2' Minimalist Thonet Floating Walnut Armless Chairs, c. 1960s
By Thonet
Located in Deland, FL
A limited production by Thonet from the early 1960s. This minimal set draws influences from period designs by the likes of American Designers like Jens Risom and also from Danish Mod...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Art Deco Pedestal by Thonet Debrecen
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Art deco pedestal by Thonet Debrecen.
Category
1930s Hungarian Art Deco Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Beech
Secession Plant Table No.38 Otto Wagner for Thonet
By Otto Wagner, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession plant table no.38 Otto Wagner for Thonet professionally stained and repolished.
Category
Early 1900s Czech Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Thonet Frères, Games Table, 1940
By Thonet
Located in Catonvielle, FR
Maison Thonet, Games table in curved and blackened beech, 1940. The square top is dressed in red felt, 4 token-holder drawers are arranged on the sides.
Thonet label under the tray.
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Beech
1900s Marcel Kammerer Chair No.6517 for Thonet, Austria
By Thonet, Marcel Kammerer
Located in Praha, CZ
- newly upholstered in Backhausen fabric
- carefully refurbished and finished with ebony shellac
- Height of seat 47 cm.
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Thonet Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Original Anton Lorenz for Thonet Cantilevered Steel Tube SS33 Chair, 1930s
By Anton Lorenz, Thonet
Located in New York, NY
Anton Lorenz (1891–1966)
Timeless, early edition Bauhaus Model SS33 cantilevered armchair by Anton Lorenz for Thonet, circa 1930, ...
Category
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Chrome, Steel
1980s Rare Dining/Side Chair by Ton in White Cream Bouclé Fabric, Up to 20Pieces
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia.
- Newly upholstered.
- Wooden parts with minor signs of use.
- Measures: height of seat 42 cm.
- Cream white color.
Category
1980s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Wood, Bouclé
Thonet Side Chair
By Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
Beech bentwood frame with upholsterd seat. Manufactured by Thonet in Austria about 1880.
Category
1880s Austrian Antique Thonet Furniture
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
Unique Armchair Thonet B 1045, since 1938
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
It is unique, the only known piece, made to order for a special customer. This unique armchair has never been shown in a regular sales catalog. Documents about the armchair were kept only in the in-house archive of the Thonet company.
Thonet B...
Category
Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Thonet Furniture
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
Michael Thonet Sofa Bench NR22
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Chicago, IL
Michael Thonet sofa bench Kanapee Sittee NR22 First original form, produced 1889-1890
Cane replaced with mohair
Seat Height: 20.5".
Category
1880s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Thonet Furniture
Materials
Mohair, Beech
Pair of Secession Armchairs Atr. Adolf Loos Ex. by Thonet
By Adolf Loos, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Pair of secession armchairs atr. Adolf Loos ex. by Thonet in original condition.
Category
1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
4 Thonet Chairs, Model Prague No. 811, First Half of the 20th Century
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Herentals, BE
The chairs were designed by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet around 1920 and executed by FMG - Fabryka Mebli Gietych - in Poland in the first half of the 20th century. They have been reupho...
Category
Early 20th Century Polish Art Deco Thonet Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Bentwood
Art Nouveau Bentwood Flower Tub / Plant Stand by Thonet, Austria, circa 1915
By Thonet
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Beautiful bentwood plant stand or flower tub made by the company of Thonet Vienna. A unique shaped piece from the well known company in Austria from around ...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Thonet Furniture
Materials
Metal
Cantilevered Chrome Club Tub Chair by Burgasser & Anton Lorenz for Thonet
By Thonet, Anton Lorenz
Located in Buffalo, NY
From a design by Joan Burgasser and Anton Lorenz, these Thonet Club Tub armchairs set deeply contoured barrel-back seats, Retains original knoll fabric ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Thonet Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Beech Dining Chairs by Oswald Haerdtl and Produced by Ton 'Thonet'
By Oswald Haerdtl, Thonet
Located in Denventer, NL
Rare set (6) beech dining table chairs designed by the Austrian designer Oswald Haerdtl and produced by Ton (Thonet) in the former Czechoslovakia 1950s. Characteristic beech wood cha...
Category
1950s Czech Art Deco Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Beech
1970s, Beech Rocking Chair by Ton, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Very good original condition with minor signs of use.
-Measures: Height of seat 42 cm.
Category
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Art Nouveau Bentwood Salonfauteuil Easy Chair / Armchair Thonet No. 1 circa 1890
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Thonet
Located in Lucenec, SK
Very rare antique Thonet easy chair no 1 produced by Gebruder Thonet from the late 19th century in a very good condition. New upholstery.
Last picture is from Gebruder Thonet catalogue...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood, Upholstery
Beechwood Armchairs Thonet B974, 1930´s, Czechoslovakia, Set of 2
By Thonet
Located in Prague 8, CZ
These Art Deco armchairs (cataloque No. B974) were made by Thonet in the former Czechoslovakia in the 1930’s.
Made of bent beechwood and upholstery.
They are in good Vintage co...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Thonet Furniture
Materials
Wood, Beech, Bentwood, Fabric
Unique Thonet Desk Chair, Museum Piece
By Thonet
Located in Delft, NL
Unique Thonet desk chair, Museum piece
One of our unique Thonet desk chair
It's from a collection of a Museum, The Haque, Netherlands
The chair ...
Category
19th Century Antique Thonet Furniture
Materials
Wood
Set of Two '2' Bentwood Slipper Chairs in Original Fabric by Thonet, USA, 1940s
By Thonet
Located in Deland, FL
Comfort. Vintage fabric. Captivating bentwood legs. These two slipper chairs are the perfect addition to any space needing a pop of color and/or a minimal footprint. The original yel...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Original Thonet Stahlrohrmobel Furniture Catalogue, 1980s
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1980s
- maker: Thonet
- reprint from 1930s
- perfect original condition
- 48 pages
jr.
Category
1980s Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Paper
Secession Plant Stand No.9537 by Otto Wagner for Thonet
By Thonet, Otto Wagner
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession plant stand no.9537 by Otto Wagner for Thonet professionally stained and repolished.
Category
1910s Slovak Vienna Secession Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Beech
Vintage 1980s Chrome Bar Stools by Anton Lorenz for Thonet
By Anton Lorenz, Thonet
Located in San Antonio, TX
Designed by Anton Lorenz for Thonet, this beautiful pair of chrome bar stools feature Chiseled in Travertine upholstery by Knoll textiles, creating a unique and timeless design. Both...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Chrome
1960s Cinema 5-Seats Bench by TON, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition with minor signs of use
- The wooden parts has been re-polished
- Height of seat 45 cm.
Category
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Wood
Art Deco Coffee Table Thonet Attribute, 1930´s, Bohemia
By Thonet
Located in Prague 8, CZ
This Art Deco coffee table was made in the former Czechoslovakia in the 1930´s. Attribute THONET. It´s veneered by the burl walnut veneer. In excellent condition-fully renovated to a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Thonet Furniture
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Windsor Chair B952F by Adolf Loos for Thonet
By Adolf Loos, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Windsor chair B952F by Adolf Loos for Thonet in very good original condition.
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Furniture
Materials
Wood, Beech
Thonet furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Thonet furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Thonet furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 723 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 1 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Thonet were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by August Thonet, Karl Fostel Sen’s Erben, and Franz Schuster. Prices for Thonet furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $145 and can go as high as $27,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,999.
Creators Similar to Thonet
Questions About Thonet Furniture
- What is Thonet furniture?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Thonet is a well known furniture company that was started by Michael Thonet in 1830 as he experimented with bentwood furniture. The brand is known for producing high-quality products with exquisite craftsmanship. Shop a collection of Thonet furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 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.