Skip to main content

Michael Thonet Stools

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.

2
to
2
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
1
Height
to
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
66
295
268
132
129
Creator: Michael Thonet
Art Deco Original Bentwood Stool , Rattan Cane Top, designed by Michael Thonet
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in Vigonza, Padua
A original art deco Bentwood Stool or Table with Rattan Cane Top designed by Michael Thonet, with 4 spherical feet. Wax polished The seat is still with its original rattan cane st...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Michael Thonet Stools

Materials

Beech

Art Deco Wood, Iron and Caning Adjustable Stool by Thonet, Austria, 1930s
By Michael Thonet
Located in New York, NY
Signed elegant and sturdy four legged adjsutable stool by Thonet. The base structure is made of wooden legs inserted into a cast iron structure. The seat itself can be adjusted for heitgh thanks to a screw mecanism. Minimum height is 58cm. In good vintage condition. This stool will ship from France and can be returned to either France or to an upstate NY...
Category

1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Michael Thonet Stools

Materials

Iron

Related Items
Set of Three Antique Bentwood Thonet Bar Stools
By Thonet
Located in London, GB
A superb set of three antique bentwood Thonet bar stools. They were made in the Thonet factory in Poland, they date from around the 1950’s. Th...
Category

1950s Polish Vintage Michael Thonet Stools

Materials

Fabric, Bentwood

Set of Three Antique Bentwood Thonet Bar Stools
Set of Three Antique Bentwood Thonet Bar Stools
H 43.31 in W 16.93 in D 20.87 in
Art Deco Pink Textile Beech Vintage Stool 1930s Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming art deco pink textile pouf / stool or tabouret, Austria, 1930s. The stool is newly covered with a high quality pink fabric and decorated with ...
Category

1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Michael Thonet Stools

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Cord

Yellow Art Deco Cherry Stool or Pouf, Austria, 1930s
Located in Vienna, AT
Yellow Art Deco Austrian stool or pouf, which was designed and manufactured 1930s. The materials from this good looking stool are spruce, cherrywood and lemon yellow textile...
Category

1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Michael Thonet Stools

Materials

Fabric, Cherry, Spruce

Art Deco Vintage Beech Pouf or Stool with Josef Frank Fabric, 1930s, Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage pouf or stool with beech wooden feet, which is reupholstered and covered with gorgeous multicolored textile fabric. The textile fabric was designed in the 1930s by J...
Category

1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Michael Thonet Stools

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Beech

Art Deco Vintage Multicolored Fabric Stool or Pouf, Austria, 1930s
Located in Vienna, AT
This amazing curved Art Deco vintage stool or pouf consists of a spruce base, beechwood feet and a renewed upholstery. The beautiful and multicolored textile fabric covering was des...
Category

1930s Art Deco Vintage Michael Thonet Stools

Materials

Upholstery, Beech, Spruce, Fabric

Pair of Thonet White and Black Bakelite Stacking Stools, 1930s
By Alvar Aalto, Thonet
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Early pair of Thonet Nesting Tables, Stacking Stools. Featuring circular White Bakelite 14D seats atop Black, ebonized, bentwood legs. Attributed to Alvar Aalto. Stackable. Perfect...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Michael Thonet Stools

Materials

Bakelite, Wood

Bentwood Billiard Stool Attributed to Thonet
By Thonet
Located in New York, NY
Hard to find form, early bentwood billiard stool attributed to Thonet. Some minor wear, normal and consistent with age. Stylish early modern design fro...
Category

20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Michael Thonet Stools

Bentwood Billiard Stool Attributed to Thonet
Bentwood Billiard Stool Attributed to Thonet
H 47.5 in W 21.25 in D 27 in L 47.5 in
Art Deco Vintage Beech Blue Fabric Pouf Stool Austria 1930s
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage blue Pouf or ottoman or stool from blue fabric and beech 1930s Austria. The stool is reupholstered and covered with a denim blue fabric and pink cords and shows its ...
Category

1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Michael Thonet Stools

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Beech

Art Deco Blue Fabric Vintage Pouf or Stool, Austria, 1930s
Located in Vienna, AT
The presented vintage pouf features beech wood feet and was recently covered with electric blue textile fabric and pink cords. The pouf was designed and ...
Category

1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Michael Thonet Stools

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Beech

Art Deco Tabouret by UP Zavody, 1930s
By Jindřich Halabala
Located in Praha, CZ
Designed by Jindrich Halabala for UP Zavody. Made in Czechoslovakia Made of wood, fabric. Very good original condition.
Category

1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Michael Thonet Stools

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Black Art Deco Round Piano Stool, Fully Restored, 1930s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Small round Art Deco piano chair. Material: Lacquered Wood and chrome plated steel Source: Czechia Period: 1930-1939.
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Michael Thonet Stools

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Black Art Deco Round Piano Stool Made by Thonet, Original Condition, 1920s
By Thonet
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Small round Art Deco piano chair. Material: Beech Maker: Thonet Source: Czechia Period: 1920-1929 Adjustable height: 45 - 70 cm (18 in - 27.5 in) ...
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Michael Thonet Stools

Materials

Beech, Lacquer

Previously Available Items
Small Salon Stool - J&J Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Michael Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
A rare small salon stool, not found in period catalogues. The only known one of this type from this well-known and prestigious company. (Normal stools are 47cm high, this one has a h...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Belle Époque Michael Thonet Stools

Materials

Textile, Bentwood

Small Salon Stool - J&J Kohn
Small Salon Stool - J&J Kohn
H 17.72 in W 1.58 in D 15.75 in
Michael Thonet Stool Side Table in Cane and Bentwood, Austria, 1960s
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in South Charleston, WV
Measures: 15.5" x 15.5" x 15.5" All original Thonet stool in all original condition and outstanding. Rattan woven cane top is all original and bl...
Category

1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Michael Thonet Stools

Materials

Cane, Rattan, Bentwood

Pair of Michael Thonet Stools Ottomans, Side Tables Cane and Bentwood Brown
By Michael Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in Miami, FL
Timeless design, bentwood and cane. Great as stools or side tables.
Category

1970s Austrian Modern Vintage Michael Thonet Stools

Materials

Cane, Bentwood

Michael Thonet Stool Ottoman Side Table
By Michael Thonet
Located in Pasadena, TX
Thonet Bentwood Cane Side Table Bench A classic Thonet piece of bentwood and cane. Great as a stool or side table. Height: 15.25" Width: 15.25...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Michael Thonet Stools

Materials

Cane

Michael Thonet Stool Ottoman Side Table
Michael Thonet Stool Ottoman Side Table
H 15.25 in W 15.25 in D 15.25 in
Michael Thonet Stool Ottoman, Side Table Cane and Bentwood Brown
By Michael Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in Miami, FL
Timeless design, bentwood and cane. Great as stool or side table.
Category

1970s Austrian Modern Vintage Michael Thonet Stools

Materials

Cane, Bentwood

Pair of Michael Thonet Stools Ottomans, Side Tables Cane and Bentwood Brown
By Michael Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in Miami, FL
Timeless design, bentwood and cane. Great as stools or side tables.
Category

1970s Austrian Modern Vintage Michael Thonet Stools

Materials

Cane, Bentwood

Michael Thonet Stool Ottoman, Side Table Cane and Bentwood Brown
By Michael Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in Miami, FL
Timeless design, bentwood and cane. Great as stool or side table.
Category

1970s Austrian Modern Vintage Michael Thonet Stools

Materials

Cane, Bentwood

Michael Thonet Stool Ottoman, Side Table Cane and Bentwood Brown
By Michael Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in Miami, FL
Timeless design, bentwood and cane. Great as stool or side table.
Category

1970s Austrian Modern Vintage Michael Thonet Stools

Materials

Cane, Bentwood

Michael Thonet Stools Produced by Thonet in Austria
By Michael Thonet
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare stools designed by Michael Thonet. Produced by Thonet in Austria.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Michael Thonet Stools

Materials

Cane, Bentwood

Michael Thonet Stool Ottoman, Side Table Cane and Bentwood Brown
By Michael Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in Miami, FL
Timeless design, bentwood and cane. Great as stool or side table.
Category

1970s Austrian Modern Vintage Michael Thonet Stools

Materials

Cane, Bentwood

1930s Original Thonet Cinema Seats with Enamel Numbers, Pair Numbered 3-4
By Michael Thonet
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1930s original Thonet cinema seats with enamel numbers – Pair numbered 3-4 1930s original Thonet cinema seats with enamel numbers – pair 3-4. Founded i...
Category

1930s Austrian Vintage Michael Thonet Stools

Materials

Bentwood

1930s Original Thonet Cinema Seats with Enamel Numbers, Pair Numbered 1-2
By Michael Thonet
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1930s original Thonet cinema seats with enamel numbers – pair numbered 1-2 1930s original Thonet cinema seats with enamel numbers – pair 1-2. Founded i...
Category

1930s Austrian Vintage Michael Thonet Stools

Materials

Bentwood

Michael Thonet stools for sale on 1stDibs.

Michael Thonet stools are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. Many of the original stools by Michael Thonet were created in the Art Deco style in europe during the 1930s. Prices for Michael Thonet stools can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,550 and can go as high as $1,550, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,550.

Recently Viewed

View All