The development of bentwood for use in furniture is one of history’s most significant innovations in design. A range of renowned mid-century modern designers such as Alvar Aalto, Arne Jacobsen, and Charles and Ray Eames drew heavily on this technological advancement, and the success of their enduring works owes to the efforts of pioneering German-Austrian industrialist and designer Michael Thonet — founder of Thonet and widely considered the father of bentwood furniture.
Bentwood furniture dates as far back as the Middle Ages, but it is the 19th-century cabinetmaker and master of parquetry Michael 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. He experimented with bending birch rods into rounded shapes — forming delicately seductive, curving Art Nouveau creations that were a daring departure from the heavy, hand-carved designs attributed to his contemporaries.
The Boppard-born Thonet 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. He received an invitation from Austrian Chancellor Prince Metternich to contribute Neo-Rococo interiors to the Liechtenstein City Palace in Vienna. From there, 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. 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 — or Gebrüder Thonet — with his sons in 1853.
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.
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. Composed of just six parts, the chair, with its simple, lightweight design, belies its durability. 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.)
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.
Thonet’s patented bentwood technology also yielded an improvement to rocking chairs for his company — 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. And bentwood furniture was embraced by a series of design greats — the innovation can be found in the seating that Josef Hoffman designed for Thonet, in the elegant Superleggera chair created by Gio Ponti and Alvar Aalto’s expressive Paimio armchair.
The No. 14 chair earned a gold medal at the 1867 Paris World’s Fair and reportedly sold 50 million copies prior to World War I. Today it’s a staple furnishing in countless movies, television shows, restaurants, bars and homes.
On 1stDibs, find an array of antique Michael Thonet seating, tables and more.
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"
Mohair, Beech
De Sede ‘DS-22’ Modular Sofa in Caramel Leather
By De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
De Sede, ‘DS-22’ Modular sofa, leather, Switzerland, 1980s This high quality sectional sofa designed by De Sede in the 1980s contains three corner element and two regular elements. ...
Leather
$7,300
H 32.5 in W 72 in D 78 in
Made to Order Custom Dining Banquette Bench or Sofa 2 piece in COM Any Size
By Bloom Home Inc
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Custom made to order the Bloom 2-piece Banquette can be done in any of our linens, performance fabrics, or COM. Can be made to any length, depth, and height. Leg finishes are also av...
Cotton, Foam, Wood
Thonet Bench 1865
By Thonet
Located in Čelinac, BA
Thonet Bench 1865
Bentwood
$14,000
H 32 in W 140 in D 125 in
Black Lacquered and Brass Sectional Sofa by Michael Taylor for Baker
By Baker Furniture Company, Michael Taylor
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1950’s four piece black lacquered and brass with off white fabric sectional sofa by Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture Co. Newly recovered with a soft off white chenille fabric. Th...
Brass
Chairs Thonet Nr.10, circa 1870
By Michael Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Manufactured in Austria by the Gebrüder Thonet company or at a similar company. Newly restored in the recent past. Perfectly cleaned and re-polished with french polish.
Bentwood
$396Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 30 in W 32.5 in D 25.5 in
Postmodern Sectional Sofa Bench by Steelcase
By Steelcase
Located in New York, NY
Phenomenal sectional sofa, bench, or single chair set made by Steelcase, circa 2002. The pieces have tubular chrome feet, which support a thick and heavy board, to which a thick upho...
Chrome
Fresh Pond Modular Sofa From The Collection by Michael Del Piero
Located in Wainscott, NY
8-piece. Upholstered modular sectional (additional pieces also available à la carte) Hardwood construction with intes webbing, down/feather wrap, self-welt....
Linen, Wood
$750Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 35.44 in W 18.12 in D 31.5 in
Pair of Michael Thonet Folding Deck Chairs
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
This pair is offered in as-is condition and at a significantly reduced price due to their current state. Both chairs require wood restoration, as the front section of the seat frame ...
Cane, Bentwood
$6,369 / item
H 39 in W 96 in D 33.5 in
"More Bench" Four-Seat Upholstered Sectional Wood Frame Sofa by Moroso, Diesel
By Moroso, Diesel Creative Team 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"More Bench" is a four-seat sectional sofa, designed by Diesel Creative Team and manufactured by Moroso, featuring stress-resistant polyurethane foam with differentiated densities and polyester fiber on wood frame. Feets in varnished ash with chromed glides. Front feet are conical or shaped, back feet are conical only. Available with removable covers in fabric, velvet or leather. Indoor use only. DIMENSIONS: D. 33.5", W. 96", H. 39", Seat H. 16.9" Gimme More...
Leather, Fabric, Velvet, Wood, Ash
Rare Armchair Thonet Nr. 22, circa 1887-1910
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Praha, CZ
A very rare model, produced only in limited quantities. Collector's piece. Manufactured in Austria by the Gebrüder Thonet Company. In the production program was included, circa 1873....
Beech, Bentwood
Carter Sofa Sectional (Single Seat Sofa)
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This sectional is custom made in Los Angeles. The wood frame is cut to size and joined. The upholstery is cut and sewn to shape of individual cushion. Industrial steel is cut and welded for legs OAK + DOWN / POLY BLEND STEEL DETAIL + PERFORMANCE HOME FABRIC HARDWAX OIL FINISH CUSTOMIZE THIS PIECE For all furniture, protection from heat and moisture is crucial to the longevity of the piece. To help prevent scratches, use adhesive felt pads, coasters, placemats, and avoid sliding objects across the surface of the piece when possible. Lacquer + Paint + Metal Surfaces - Dry dust with a clean microfiber or feather duster. Wipe with a slightly damp microfiber towel and mild cleaner as needed. Wipe dry promptly. We recommend that you clean with ammonia-free Windex or a mild surface cleaner. Please stay away from bleach, alcohol, or petroleum based cleaners. You may use a general purpose wood cleaner. Avoid using furniture polish as over time it can accumulate and leave a residue. Wax + Oil Finish - Dry dust with a clean microfiber or feather duster. Wipe with a slightly damp microfiber towel. Wipe dry immediately. Clean with ammonia-free Windex or a mild surface cleaner. Stay away from bleach, alcohol, or petroleum based cleaners. Our natural wax and oil finishes will dull over time. Wax or teak oil may be reapplied as needed using a soft white cloth. Raw Wood - Dry dust with a clean microfiber or feather duster. Use a damp microfiber towel or soft brush as needed. Do not use any product containing wax or oil to clean. Outdoor Furniture - Outdoor furniture may require frequent oiling. A cover is strongly recommended for all outdoor furniture. Avoid prolonged exposure to moisture and/or direct sunlight. If exposed to rain, allow cushions to air dry completely before putting them back on the frame. Leather Care - Dry dust with a clean microfiber or feather duster. Wipe with a slightly damp microfiber towel. Do not use cleaning products on the leather. The recommended leather conditioner is Skidmore’s Original Leather Cream. Marble + Stone - Dry dust with a clean microfiber or feather duster. Wipe with a slightly damp microfiber towel. Wipe dry immediately. For daily cleaning we recommend using Orange Glo and/or Method Stone Cleaner on the marble. All marble and stone surfaces are protected with a sealer. To maintain the overall appearance and protection of the marble or stone, reseal with Miracle 511 Seal & Enhance. It is important to use coasters and clean up moisture immediately on marble and stone surfaces. Additional Information: Dimensions: 144"W + 86"L + 24"H, 28"H WITH BACK PILLOWS SINGLE SEAT SOFA...
Oak
U Sofa
By John Brevard
Located in Coral Gables, FL
Redefine Modern Luxury with the U Sofa A sculptural masterpiece designed for both beauty and connection, the U SOFA’s fluid form invites effortless conversatio...
Sheepskin