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Michael Thonet Side Chairs

Austrian, German, 1796-1871

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.

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Creator: Michael Thonet
Scarce early set (6) Bentwood Bistro/Cafe' Chairs. by Michael Thonet
By Michael Thonet
Located in Buffalo, NY
Scarce early set of (6) Bentwood Bistro/Cafe' Chairs. by Michael Thonet .. I believe these to date around 1860's -70's ? Most unusual design,, Cant find this form on the internet??R...
Category

1860s Czech Vienna Secession Antique Michael Thonet Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany, Bentwood

Josef Hoffmann Fledermaus caberet Kammerer chairs by Thonet, 1987
By Michael Thonet, Marcel Kammerer
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Set of 2 Kammerer chairs by Thonet, at the beginning of the 20th century by Josef Hoffmann for his Fledermaus cabaret in Vienna. Date of release of this chairs is 1987, its a special...
Category

1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Michael Thonet Side Chairs

Materials

Textile, Bentwood

214K chair by Micheale Thonet for Thonet
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Ravenna, IT
The famous coffee chair designed by Michael Thonet in 1859 is still considered the world's most successful industrial product. It marks the beginning of the history of modern furnitu...
Category

Early 2000s German American Classical Michael Thonet Side Chairs

Materials

Reed, Hardwood

Pair of Beech Art Nouveau High Back Chairs Model 17 by Michael Thonet, 1890s
By Michael Thonet, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare pair of Art Nouveau Model 17 side chairs. Design by Michael Thonet for Gebrüder Thonet Vienna. Striking Austrian design from the 1890s. Original beech and ...
Category

1890s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Michael Thonet Side Chairs

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

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Set of 2 Bentwood Cafe Chairs Attributed to Thonet
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Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Michael Thonet Side Chairs

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Josef Hoffmann 'Fledermaus Bat' Chair Model No.728
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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...
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Pair of Thonet Bentwood Cafe Bistro Dining Chairs
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Only 2 available, price is per chair. Bentwood cafe chairs sold in a set of 2. Chairs all match, even in terms of use. They are all very tight and well-constructed, having been made...
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Josef Hoffmann "Fledermaus" Bat Seating Group, Suite, Thonet, Art Nouveau, Deco
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21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Vienna Secession Michael Thonet Side Chairs

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Pair of Thonet Cafe Daum Style Bentwood Armchairs
By Salvatore Leone, Michael Thonet
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare pair of Michael Thonet Cafe Daum style bentwood armchairs produced by Salvatore Leone. Originally designed for the Cafe Daum in Vienna. These chairs fea...
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19th Century Italian Vienna Secession Antique Michael Thonet Side Chairs

Materials

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Pair of Stacking Chairs by Karl Schwanzer, Thonet, Austria, 1950s
By Thonet, Karl Schwanzer
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
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1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Michael Thonet Side Chairs

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Beech

Pair of Early 20th Century Thonet Style Bentwood Bistro Chairs
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of Early 20th Century Thonet Style Bentwood Bistro Chairs. Light weigh and Very sturdy. Measures 16.5" in width, 18"in depth , 35" in height with a seat regular seat height of 18"
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Early 20th Century American Other Michael Thonet Side Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Pair of high back Safari Hall chairs, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Pair of rare ladder high back safari hall chairs or side chairs. These chairs have an oversized backrest, low seat, ebonized wooden frame and deer skin seat. Beautiful, sculptural ethnic chairs...
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1960s Congolese Folk Art Vintage Michael Thonet Side Chairs

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Pair of high back Safari Hall chairs, 1960s
Pair of high back Safari Hall chairs, 1960s
H 57.09 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Set of Six Labeled Thonet No. 14 Bentwood Bistro Chairs
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19th Century Polish Vienna Secession Antique Michael Thonet Side Chairs

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Thonet Bistro Cafe Dining Chair Bentwood and Cane
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Located in Chula Vista, CA
Thonet Bistro Cafe Dining Chair Bentwood and Cane 35.25 h x 16.25 x 21 d Seat 18.25 Preowned vintage chair unrestored Refer to all images.
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High Back Chair by kar
Located in Geneve, CH
High back chair by kar Dimensions: W 42 x D 47 x H 105 cm Materials: MDF Frame Kar, is the root of Sanskrit Karma, meaning karmic repetition. We seek the cause and effect in aesthet...
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2010s Chinese Modern Michael Thonet Side Chairs

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Other

High Back Chair by kar
High Back Chair by kar
H 41.34 in W 16.54 in D 18.51 in
Previously Available Items
Bentwood Dining Chair by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet, circa 1920s, Signed
By Michael Thonet, Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An amazing rare bentwood side chair by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet, circa 1920s, signed with Thonet label. This incredible authentic side chair features dark stained bentwood and burgundy seat by the famous Thonet furniture company first started by Michael Thonet and the design by Josef Hoffmann, first for Jacob and Josef Kohn in the 1910s then later produced by Thonet in the 1920s and 1930s. Thonet label reads patented on March 29th, 1910 with an address of 33 East 47th Street, New York, NY. Josef Hoffmann designed the famous Sitzmaschine chair which gained worldwide recognition. Note, we had a set of 9 chairs and sold 8 of them. The chair we have left is not the same chair as the one photographed in this listing as that set had already sold but is from the same set that was photographed so it is representative of the chair that we have for sale in this listing. If you have any questions please contact us. This Thonet bentwood bistro chair...
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1920s American Art Deco Vintage Michael Thonet Side Chairs

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Bentwood

Pair of Midcentury Thonet Bentwood Armchairs, circa 1950
By Michael Thonet
Located in San Francisco, CA
About A pair of Thonet bentwood armchairs in original pleather with brass feet. This piece has retained its original finish and has the appropriate condition for the age and use. ...
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Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Michael Thonet Side Chairs

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Pair of German Michael Thonet Tall Back Bentwood Chairs, Signed, 20th Century
By Michael Thonet
Located in Big Flats, NY
A pair of German antique chairs by Michael Thonet offer tall back bentwood frame chairs offer tall backs and upholstered seats, signed Thonet, ci...
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Early 20th Century German Michael Thonet Side Chairs

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Upholstery, Bentwood

Set of Bentwood Dining Chairs by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet, circa 1920s, Signed
By Michael Thonet, Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An amazing rare set of eight (8) bentwood dining chairs by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet, circa 1920s, each signed with Thonet labels. This incredible set of authentic side chairs feature dark stained bentwood and burgundy seats by the famous Thonet furniture company first started by Michael Thonet and the design by Josef Hoffmann, first for Jacob and Josef Kohn in the 1910s then later produced by Thonet in the 1920s and 1930s. Thonet label reads patented on March 29th, 1910 with an address of 33 East 47th Street, New York, NY. Josef Hoffmann designed the famous Sitzmaschine chair which gained worldwide recognition. Note, we have a 9th chair that is not offered in this listing but can be included in this set. These Thonet bentwood bistro chairs...
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1920s American Art Deco Vintage Michael Thonet Side Chairs

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Bentwood

Assembled Set of Seven Viennese Thonet Bentwood Chairs
By Michael Thonet
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Impressive set of seven assembled Thonet bentwood chairs made in Poland by Mundus J. and J. Kohn. Viennese style chairs including four Classic number 14 chairs. All the chairs have a...
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20th Century Polish Vienna Secession Michael Thonet Side Chairs

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Bentwood

Pair of Michael Thonet No. 18 Bentwood Viennese Cafe Chairs
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Michael Thonet
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Iconic original pair of Michael Thonet's design number 18 bentwood Viennese cafe chairs. Produced at the factory in Czechoslovakia. This chair was formed from his quintessential bent...
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20th Century Czech Vienna Secession Michael Thonet Side Chairs

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Bentwood

Pair of Vintage Bentwood Sidechairs by Michael Thonet
By Michael Thonet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of bentwood side chairs, of laminated veneer, manufactured by Thonet, having contoured backrest and seat, raised on curvilinear tapering legs. Stock ID: D9372
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1960s American Vintage Michael Thonet Side Chairs

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Plywood

Thonet Bentwood Stool
By Michael Thonet
Located in Washington, DC
Clever and attractive designed stool by Michael Thonet. Stool is in excellent condition.
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1960s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Michael Thonet Side Chairs

Materials

Bentwood, Cane

Thonet Bentwood Stool
Thonet Bentwood Stool
H 15 in W 15 in D 15 in
Pair of Josef Hoffmann Chairs by Thonet
By Josef Hoffmann, Michael Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
Pair of Josef Hoffmann stained beechwood chairs designed for cabaret "Fledermaus" in Vienna circa 1905 Each with shortened curved armrests, upholstered back and seat, turned supports united by horse-shoe stretchers...
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Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Michael Thonet Side Chairs

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Beech, Bentwood

Pair of Josef Hoffmann Chairs by Thonet
Pair of Josef Hoffmann Chairs by Thonet
H 29.53 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in

Michael Thonet side chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Michael Thonet side chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. Many of the original side chairs by Michael Thonet were created in the Art Nouveau style in europe during the 19th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider side chairs by Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Jacob and Josef Kohn, and Woka Lamps. Prices for Michael Thonet side chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,057 and can go as high as $2,057, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,057.

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