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.
Set of 6 Mid-Century Modern W199 Bent-Wood Chairs by Walter Gropius for Thonet
By Thonet, Walter Gropius
Located in Lafayette, IN
Spectacular set of 6 "W199" bentwood armchairs designed by Bauhaus co-founder Walter Gropius. Set features (2) "captains chairs" with arms and (4) of the even-more-rare arm-less chai...
Wood, Plywood
$483Sale Price / set|33% Off
Set of 2 THONET S320 Stacking Chairs designed by Ulrich Boehme & Wulf Schneider
By Ulrich Bohme, Thonet
Located in Schwerin, MV
Set of 2 Thonet S 320 Armchairs in stained reddish-brown plywood and chrome plated Steel, Germany, 1980s A striking set of four original Thonet S 320 armc...
Chrome
$966Sale Price / set|33% Off
Set of 4 THONET S320 Stacking Chairs designed by Ulrich Boehme & Wulf Schneider
By Ulrich Bohme, Thonet
Located in Schwerin, MV
Set of 4 Thonet S 320 Armchairs in stained reddish-brown plywood and chrome plated Steel, Germany, 1980s A striking set of four original Thonet S 320 armc...
Chrome
$785 / set
Two Chairs Thonet Nr.14
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state with a pleasant patina of age, perfectly cleaned and repolished with shellac.
Beech, Bentwood
Mid Century Cantilevered SS33 Armchairs by Anton Lorenz for Thonet, c1970s
By Thonet, Anton Lorenz
Located in Chino Hills, CA
For sale, we have a stunning collection of Mid-Century SS33 Cantilevered Dining Chairs, designed by the legendary Anton Lorenz for Thonet. These chairs are iconic pieces of mid-centu...
Chrome
Set of 5 Thonet #214 Vienna Bentwood Chairs
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in Bern, CH
Set of 5 Thonet #214 Vienna Bentwood Coffee House Chairs with cane work seat. 1978 production in walnut. All chairs are completely sturdy with nice patina to the bentwood frames. The...
Wood, Cane
Vintage German S33 Cantilever Leather Chairs by Mart Stam for Thonet, Set of 8
By Mart Stam, Thonet
Located in Hamburg, DE
The Thonet S33 is a classic Bauhaus tubular steel furniture from the pen of Mart Stam. A simple and timeless Bauhaus design, originally from the 20s. Due t...
Steel
$4,000 / set
Set of 8 Rare Wojciechów Thonet Chairs
By Thonet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 8 Wojciechów Thonet chairs. Original tags. Rare as a set of 8. Nice set of pre-war bentwood chairs signed Wojciechów, the first Polish bentwood furniture factory. It was foun...
Bentwood
Marcel Breuer for Thonet Pair of "Cesca" Chairs, Italy 1970s
By Thonet, Marcel Breuer
Located in Naples, IT
Set of 2 mod chairs." Cesca" designed by Marcel Breuer, black-stained walnut wood backrest, chromed steel tubular frame and Vienna straw. Mark Thonet. Marcel Breuer conceived the fi...
Metal
$2,154Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 4 Thonet dining chairs model 17
By Thonet
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Set of 4 Thonet dining chairs model 17 This exceptional set of four bentwood beech chairs, produced by the renowned manufacturer Thonet, features the iconic Model 17, more commonly ...
Bentwood, Straw, Beech
Thonet Vienna Wooden Childrens Chair, Austria, 1900s
By Thonet, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely wooden chair for children by Thonet Vienna, dated around 1900. In good, original condition with nice patina. Labelled and stamped.
Wood
Postmod 80s Flex 2000 (32 Avail) Stacking Chairs Gerd Lange Thonet Beech -8 pcs
By Thonet, Gerd Lange
Located in Basel, BS
Excellent set of 8 Flex 2000 Stacking Chairs by Gerd Lange for Thonet, with wooden oak frames and black seats. No longer produced, Rare items. FAST SHIPPING: Fast, international, in...
PVC, Ash, Beech
Bentwood chair by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood chair by Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
1930s Thonet Chair, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- partly refurbished - some signs of use - sturdy and stable - Heigh of seat 48 cm
Wood
Rare Pair of Thonet Rattan Chairs, Made in 1890, Stable and Good Condition
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in Stockholm, SE
This rare pair of Thonet rattan chairs, crafted in 1890, showcases exceptional craftsmanship and timeless design. Produced by the renowned Thonet company, these chairs feature a sturdy rattan frame with intricate woven detailing that adds both elegance and comfort. This particular model is a rare find, making it a unique addition for collectors or enthusiasts of vintage Thonet furniture...
Rattan, Bentwood
Postmodern 1980s Flex 2000 Stacking Chairs by Gerd Lange for Thonet, Beech Wood
By Gerd Lange, Thonet
Located in Basel, BS
Excellent Flex 2000 Stacking Chair by Gerd Lange for Thonet, with wooden oak frames and black seats. No longer produced, Rare items. NOTE: We have up to 32 chairs available!! Let us know if you need more-- we can arrange. This listing is for one chair, and you can purchase up to 32! Please let us know how many chairs you would like to purchase, and we can combine shipping for you. Designed by Gerd Lange in 1983, manufactured in Western-Germany. The legs are made of solid ashwood, the frame is made of ashwood bentwood and veneered beech struts. The seat and back consists of original black painted PVC material. Incredible space savers-- stackable! Dimensions 18.3ʺW × 16ʺD × 31.1ʺH International Shipping details...
PVC, Ash, Beech
Pair of Stacking Chairs by Karl Schwanzer, Thonet, Austria, 1950s
By Thonet, Karl Schwanzer
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A rare set of two Viennese stacking chairs made of brown stained wood designed by Austrian architect Prof. Karl Schwanzer and manufactured by Thonet in the 1950s. This chair was des...
Beech
Model No. 3 Desk or Writing Chair by Thonet, 1900's
By Thonet
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
A very nice desk or writing chair by Thonet. It is fabricated in the Czech Republic around 1900. This chair was originally designed at the second half of the 19th century and can be...
Wood
$1,444Sale Price|20% Off
Josef Hoffmann 'Fledermaus Bat' Chair Model No.728
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Basel, BS
Designed by the renowned Viennese architect Josef Hoffmann in 1907 for the Fledermaus Cafe in Vienna, this single "Fledermaus" Model number 728, aka "Bat" Cafe chair features black upholstery covering the seat and backrest. The chair is supported by four cylindrical legs with spherical elements, showcasing a tub back with a horseshoe form base. Crafted from bent beech wood, this rare chair was specifically created for the Cabaret Fledermaus in Vienna as one of Hoffmann's iconic designs. Representing a significant moment in design history, the chair is featured in the J. & J. Kohn catalogues as model no. 728. With its sleek bentwood frame, swooping armrests, and curved backrests, the chair exudes elegance and sophistication. The Fledermaus chairs embody Hoffmann's renowned Viennese Secessionist style, known for its simple geometric shapes and use of high-quality materials. Considered a bold departure from traditional European nightclubs, the design quickly gained popularity for its iconic and innovative aesthetic. This is an authentic Hoffmann chair manufactured by Wittman, the authorized manufacturer of the Fledermaus starting in the 1970s. This chair was sold by "Teo Jacob...
Leather, Faux Leather, Beech
Thonet Austrian Curved Wood Armrests Chair, 1920s
By Thonet
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Thonet Austrian arm chair, c. 1900/1920, In curved beech wood, the upholstery has been redone in ivory velvet and the wooden parts have been polished wi...
Velvet, Beech
Bentwood chair by Thonet no.54
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood chair by Thonet no.54. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
$405Sale Price|20% Off
Thonet Bentwood Bistro Chair, Czechoslovakia 1940s
By Thonet
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful vintage chair designed by Thonet. Bentwood details and construction makes this piece a timeless item. Plywood seat and backrest. Strong oak wood. The chair was partially re...
Oak, Bentwood, Plywood
Set of 6 Bentwood Chairs by Thonet, Austria, 1920s
By Thonet
Located in Brussels, BE
Set of 6 Bentwood Chairs by Thonet, Austria, 1920s
Cane, Wood
Pair of 1960s Mid-Century Thonet B 751 Wood Folding Chairs
By Thonet
Located in Carimate, Como
Pair of folding chairs model B751 designed at the beginning of the 20th century by Thonet, manufactured in the early 1960s at the Thonet factory in Radomsko (central Poland). Chairs ...
Wood
Pair of Vintage Thonet '209' Chairs Beech and Cane
By Thonet
Located in London, GB
Pair of classic model '209' beech bentwood arm chairs designed by Thonet. These chairs date from the latter part of the 20th century are in great condition with only minor wear and r...
Cane, Beech
Italian wood and Vienna straw Praga chairs by Josef Hoffmann for Ligna, 1970s
By Thonet, Ligna, Josef Hoffmann
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian wood and Vienna straw Praga chairs by Josef Hoffmann for Ligna, 1970s. Set of ten chairs with armrests known as the Praga or 811 model, with a wooden structure with a matt bl...
Straw, Wood
Set of six Thonet Chairs No. 14, Vienna straw seat, shellac finish
By Thonet
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Stable, beautiful, ergonomic, space-saving They have a "metal reinforcement" option that allows them to last in excellent condition. Seat height: 47 cm - Seat diameter 41 cm - Total...
Beech
Thonet Model No. 511 Bentwood Armchair, Vienna Secession, circa 1904
By Thonet, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Austin, TX
An iconic armchair of the Vienna Secession movement, the Thonet model no. 511 bent beechwood armchair, featuring stunning lines and beautiful proportions. A design tour de force, it ...
Bentwood, Cane, Beech
$1,729Sale Price|20% Off
Sculptural Chair "B 791" by Thonet, Designed by Thonet Brothers, 1915
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Thonet
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Introducing the iconic "B 791" sculptural chair, a groundbreaking design by the Thonet Brothers in 1915, produced by Thonet. This extraordinary piece stands as a pure and primordial ...
Leather, Walnut
Vintage Dining Chairs by Thonet, Beech Saddle Seat
By Thonet
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Vintage Dining Chairs by Thonet, Beech Saddle Seat Dining Chairs, Bentwood, C. 1940s, Kitchen, Mid Century Modern, MCM Measurements: 15ʺW × 18ʺD × 33.5ʺH Some minor imperfections o...
Beech
Jil Sander for Thonet S 64 P Nordic 04 in White Oak and Webbing
By Thonet
Located in Tilburg, NL
Jil Sander for Thonet S 64 P Nordic in oak and webbing. New, current production. With the JS . THONET signature collection, she has taken the most famous t...
Steel
$1,100Sale Price|50% Off
Bent Plywood Chair, Model 18 by Bruno Weir for Thonet, c. 1950
By Thonet
Located in New York City, NY
Bent Plywood Chair, Model 18, by Bruno Weir, Thonet, Austria, c. 1950 Cool, simple bent plywood chairs by Bruno Weir for Thonet.
Plywood
Sturdy Original Thonet Chairs from the 1960 in Bent Beech, Vienna Straw Seat
By Thonet
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Sturdy original Thonet chairs from the 1960s in bent beech with Vienna straw seat. Romantic and precious for your kitchen.
Beech
Pair Of Art Nouveau Thonet Chairs by Josef Hoffmann, 1st edition! - CZ ca. 1906
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Very rare pair of the first edition(!) of bentwood chairs by Thonet from the early 20th century, produced by Thonet in Bohemia. Designed around 1906 by none other than the world reno...
Leather, Bentwood
Bentwood dining chair no.228 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood dining chair no.228 by Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
$7,160Sale Price / set|20% Off
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...
Bentwood, Cowhide
$6,642 / set
Set of 4 Fledermaus Chairs Executed by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Set of 4 Fledermaus chairs executed by Thonet in 1999. Original vintage condition with signs of usage.
Fabric, Bentwood
$917 / set
Two Chairs Thonet Nr.70
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state with a pleasant patina of age, perfectly cleaned and repolished with shellac.
Beech, Bentwood
Thonet S 39 L Cognac Vegetal Leather Bar Stool Chair Mart Stam Set of 3
By Thonet, Mart Stam
Located in Munich, Bavaria
These rare Cantilever vintage Bar Stools chairs are Bauhaus classics and were designed 1926 by Mart Stam and produced by Thonet with the Model name S39 L. They were produced in the 7...
Steel, Chrome
$277Sale Price / item|50% Off
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...
Silk, Oak, Bentwood
MR10 chair by Mies van der Rohe, first edition by Thonet, in leather and chromed
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Thonet
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
"MR10" model chair by German designer Mies van der Rohe, first edition dating from the 1940s by Thonet (label present under the seat). Chromed steel tubing frame, seat and backrest i...
Steel
Arts and Craft Art Nouveau Set of 8 Bentwood Chairs Signed Thonet, 1900
By Thonet
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Set of 8 Thonet chairs, bentwood with viennese braid. all signed. As found condition. All chairs a solid and stable. 4 of the braids are perf...
Bentwood, Braid
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.
Beech, Plywood
Set of 4 Thonet bent beech chairs, Austria, early 1900s
By Thonet, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Argelato, BO
Set of 4 Thonet bent beech chairs, Austria, early 1900s It is a classic but very elegant model of chairs, made with the famous technique of bending beech using water vapor. An icon ...
Wood, Bentwood
Bentwood dining chair no.19 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood dining chair no.19 by Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
Office chairs no.6048 and no.6148 by Otto Wagner for Thonet
By Otto Wagner, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Office chairs no.6048 and no.6148 by Otto Wagner for Thonet. Two tipes of seats. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
Mid Century Modern Desk Chair by Thonet Circa American 1950’s
By Thonet
Located in Bernville, PA
Beautiful and simple Mid Century Modern desk chair manufactured by Thonet Industries. With very clean lines, this chair blends well with Mid Century modern design as well as the Stre...
Suede, Maple
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe "MR10" by Thonet Set 3 Chair
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Thonet
Located in Firenze, FI
MR10 chairs, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and produced by Thonet in Germany in the 1960s. The structure is made of chromed tubular steel, bent with exceptional technical pre...
Steel
Early Thonet S533 RF Cane Weißenhof Armchair Chair Mies van der Rohe Set of 2
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Thonet
Located in Munich, Bavaria
These Cantilever vintage armchairs are Bauhaus classics and were designed by Mies van der Rohe and knowned by the name Weißenhof Chair.This pair were produced by Thonet with the Model name S533 RF. 3 license holders are producing this chair today. As well as Knoll International MR10. Tecta B42 and this 2 Thonet S533...
Steel, Chrome
Childs Chair by David Rowland for Thonet
By David Rowland, Thonet
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Presenting a truly rare and exceptional piece of design history - the Child's Softech Chair, designed by the renowned David Rowland for Thonet...
Metal
Modernist Maple Josef Frank Fabric Eight Dining Chairs Karl Schwanzer, 1950s
By Thonet, Karl Schwanzer
Located in Vienna, AT
Modernist Mid-Century Modern vintage eight ( 8 ) dining chairs or chairs from maple wood in honey brown color tone by Karl Schwanzer for Thonet 1953 Vienna. A gorgeous set of eight (...
Fabric, Upholstery, Maple
$2,240Sale Price / set|20% Off
Super Slick Pair of Thonet Chairs
By Thonet
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Thonet tub chairs in great original condition. We believe they are upholstered in leather, however it's possible the upholstery is actually vi...
Upholstery
Midcentury Set of 5 Thonet High Back Bentwood Dining Chairs
By Thonet
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Set of 5 !!!!! Thonet high back bentwood beech chairs. Solid and stabile. Signed. Fabric can be changed easily.
Bentwood
Bauhaus chair no.811 by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bauhaus chair no.811 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet in very nice original condition with signs of use.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
$966Sale Price|33% Off
Thonet Black Swivel Austrian Art Nouveau Chair, 1890
By Thonet
Located in Roma, Lazio
Thonet swivel chair for piano from the end of the 1800s. The chair in bent wood, is all in wood polished in black shellac. The seat, round in shape, is still covered with its origin...
Wood
1980s Chair by Ton, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition. - Made in Czechoslovakia. - Wood cleaned and then treated with revitalizing oil. - Shows signs of use (scratches, scuffs, etc.). - Stable and sturdy. - Ma...
Wood, Beech, Bentwood
Jugendstil Otto Wagner Chair Beech 1902 Postal Saving Bank Vienna Thonet
By Otto Wagner, Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
Jugendstil Otto Wagner One ( 1 ) Chair Side Chair Chocolate Brown Beech Österreichische Postsparkasse 1902 for Thonet 1904/1906 Vienna. An iconic chair or side chair by the famed Aus...
Beech
$2,780 / set
Set of Chairs by Gerd Lange for Thonet
By Gerd Lange, Thonet
Located in Čelinac, BA
Set of four chairs by Gerd Lange for Thonet.
Metal
set 3 Chair Ludwig Mies van der Rohe "MR10" by Thonet
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Thonet
Located in Firenze, FI
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe "MR10" by Thonet set 3 chair. - Chromed tubular steel frame - Original rattan or cane seat - Designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and produced by Thonet...
Steel
$6,642 / set
Fledermaus Armchairs No.423 by Josef Hoffmann
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Fledermaus armchairs no.423 by Josef Hoffmann in very good original condition with signs of usage.
Fabric, Beech