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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
20th Century Art Nouveau Thonet Flower Tub / Plant Stand, Bentwood, AT ca 1915
By Thonet
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Beautiful, timeless bentwood plant stand or flower tub made by the famous company of Thonet Vienna. A unique shaped piece from the renowed company in Austria around 1915. Superbly de...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Thonet Furniture

Materials

Metal

Mies van der Rohe, MR10 chair, Thonet, 1970s
By Thonet, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Uppsala, SE
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's very legendary chair, model MR10 (today renamed S 533), designed in 1927, a few years before he was nominated as the director of the world famous Bauhaus s...
Category

1930s Austrian Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Steel

Bauhaus Bedside Cabinets by Thonet, Chrome-Plated Steel, Walnut Veneer, c. 1930
By J. Fenyves, Thonet
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Bauhaus bedside cabinets, model B 107, designed by J. Fenyves and manufactured by Thonet Mundus A.G. Chrome-plated tubular steel frame, walnut veneer, and glass. Austria, c. ...
Category

1930s Austrian Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Michael Thonet for Thonet Wood Vienna Straw Dining Room Chairs 1930s
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of six vintage dining chairs ‘Model No. 233’ designed by Michael Thonet for Thonet Czechoslovakia, with bentwood back frame and armrests, Vienna straw seat, some bearing the orig...
Category

1930s Czech Arts and Crafts Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Straw, Wood

Early 1900's Thonet Bent Rattan & Wicker Stool
By Thonet
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Early 1900's Thonet rattan and wicker stool, Completely original and in exceptional condition. 15-1/2" square.
Category

1920s Austrian Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Wicker, Rattan

Set of 4 Mid-Century Dining Cafe Bentwood Chairs by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century vintage thonet cafe chairs style number '18' - Set of matching 4 in original condition with patina. The wood has been oiled showing hones...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Thonet Furniture

Materials

Wood

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...
Category

1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Steel

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...
Category

1980s German Post-Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Thonet armchairs, model 209, ca 2000
By Thonet
Located in Uppsala, SE
Pair of armchairs, model 209 (also called Wiener Stuhl), made by Thonet, one of which is marked. Legendary Swiss architect Le Corbusier was fascinated with this model and used it in ...
Category

1930s Austrian Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Rattan, Bentwood

Pair of Thonet 209 P Bentwood Armchairs in Beech with Velvet Cover, Germany
By Thonet, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in München, Bavaria
A timeless classic of bentwood design: this pair of original Thonet Model 209P armchairs was crafted in solid beechwood in 1988 – based on a design dating back to the early 1900s. M...
Category

Early 20th Century German Bauhaus Thonet Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Beech

Set of 5 Thonet #214 Vienna Bentwood Chairs
By Michael Thonet, 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...
Category

1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Wood, Cane

Bentwood rocking chair by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood rocking chair by Thonet in excellent original codnition.
Category

1940s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Rattan, Beech, Bentwood

Pair of Thonet S320 by Wulf Schneider & Ulrich Böhme Chairs, 1984
By Wulf Schneider, Ulrich Bohme, Thonet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designers Ulrich Böhme and Wulf Schneider created the S320 in 1984 for iconic manufacturer Thonet. The chair has a timeless design, is stackable, very robust, and extremely comfortable thanks to the shaped, ergonomic seat shell. In original condition with some age appropriate wear. See the set of 4 Arco arm chairs...
Category

1980s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Exceptional Rocking Chair by Thonet
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This old authentic rocking chair was designed Michael Thonet and manufactured by Thonet. It was in the catalogue of 1904. It is a design classic. This dark brown rocking chair is in very good vintage condition with normal signs of age and use. The chair is stamped. Take your chance to get this Thonet collector’s item. Michael Thonet (1796-1871) was a German-Austrian cabinet maker, known for the invention of bentwood furniture, which ment the beginning of Modern Design. Le Corbusier used Thonet chairs...
Category

Early 1900s German Arts and Crafts Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

Pair of Model SS33 Chrome Bauhaus Style Arm Chairs by Anton Lorenz for Thonet
By Thonet, Anton Lorenz
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of vintage Model SS33 chrome Bauhaus style arm chairs by Anton Lorenz for Thonet, circa 1970s. The pair are in very good vintage condition and measure 23"W x 22"D x 29"H with a ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Thonet Furniture

Materials

Chrome

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 Thonet Furniture

Materials

Beech

Thonet Cane and Black Ebonized Bentwood Chair After Thonet 209
By Thonet
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
The chair after Thonet is from the years between 1950s This is Le Corbusier's favourite chair and one of the favourite designs of architects and designers. Unfortunately it has no...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Thonet Furniture

Materials

Cane, Bentwood

Pair of Pierre Paulin CM 194 Armchairs for Thonet, France, circa 1958
By Pierre Paulin, Thonet
Located in Miami, FL
Distinctive pair of mid 20th century design armchairs, model CM 194. This pair of chairs are early works designed by the visionary designer Pierre Paulin for Th...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Thonet Furniture

Materials

Steel

libreria etagere art nouveau originale thonet anni 20
By Thonet
Located in taranto, IT
splendida e rara etagere originale degli anni 20 di Thonet, realizzata in legno nella migliore tradizione della famosa casa austriaca, composta da tre mensole poste su livelli divers...
Category

1920s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Wood

Bentwood Thonet armchair, early 20th century
By Thonet
Located in Uppsala, SE
Bentwood armchair with velvet seat manufactured by Thonet in the early 20th century. Fabric on the seat is most likely original to the chair. Stamped and with original sticker by the...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Thonet Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Birch

Thonet Kleinderstander Bentwood Coat Rack Umbrella Stand
By Thonet
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Iconic bentwood beech Kleinderstander or coat rack with umbrella stand made in the Vienna Secession style by Thonet. The stand features five S shaped arms on top for coats and hats s...
Category

20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Thonet Furniture

Materials

Brass

Otto Wagner Settee Bench Bentwood, Thonet, Austria, Vienna Secession, circa 1905
By Otto Wagner, Thonet
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A Vienna Secession bentwood settee by Otto Wagner and manufactured by Thonet, Austria, circa 1900. This settee is an authentic piece which is in great original condition with nice p...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

(6) Green Velvet Knoll + Thonet Chrome Brno Cantilevered Chairs
By Knoll, Thonet
Located in Round Top, TX
Set of six, nicely upholstered, deep emerald green cantilevered, tubular chrome "Brno" chairs. This set is comprised of two, tagged Knoll production chairs and four tagged Thonet pro...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Thonet Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Thonet No 18 Cane & Bentwood Dining Chairs
By Thonet
Located in Denton, TX
Thonet No 18 Cane & Bentwood Dining Chairs- Set of 6
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Thonet Furniture

Materials

Cane, Wood

Thonet No 18 Cane & Bentwood Dining Chairs
Thonet No 18 Cane & Bentwood Dining Chairs
$1,960 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Original THONET Bentwood Stool, Mid 20th Century
By Thonet
Located in Schwerin, MV
A light-colored bentwood stool by Thonet, from the mid-20th century, in very beautiful, restored condition. The stool is made of bent beechwood and has a second bentwood ring beneath...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Thonet Furniture

Materials

Wood

1940s Thonet 1216-S17-B1 Bent Plywood Dining Chairs Set of 7
By Thonet
Located in Esperance, NY
This exceptional set of early Thonet bent plywood dining chairs dates back to the 1940s. One of the chairs retains its original Thonet tag.
Category

1940s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

1930s Vintage Thonet Cafe Chair Bentwood Stamped Austria
By Thonet
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Vintage Thonet Project Cafe Dining Chair Stamped AUSTRIA. Construction: Bentwood Plywood Dimensions: 33.5 tall x 18 w x 20.25 d Seat 17.5 Original fair vintage condition unrestored. Plywood seat replaced the original cane...
Category

1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Bentwood, Plywood

Postmod 80s Flex 2000 (32 Avail) Stacking Chairs Gerd Lange Thonet Beech -8 pcs
By Gerd Lange, Thonet
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...
Category

1980s German Post-Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

PVC, Ash, Beech

Set of Six Vienna Scessionist Bentwood Dining Chairs Made in Austria by Thonet
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional and rare set of six cafe, bistro style dining chairs, marked "Thonet Austria", design attributed to Michael Thonet, circa 1890/1920's. The set consists of four side, and...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Thonet Furniture

Materials

Cane, Beech

Pair of Thonet 1216-S17-B1 Bent Plywood Upholstered Seat Dining Chairs, 1940s
By Thonet
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of vintage Thonet 1216-S17-B1 dining or side chairs. Rendered in steam bent oak plywood, with an upholstered seat. This set of chairs is in its original distressed vintage condi...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Thonet Furniture

Materials

Metal

Original Thonet Piano Stool, Early 20th Century, Restaured
By Thonet
Located in Schwerin, MV
Restored swivel stool No. 1 from the long-established Gebrüder Thonet company in Vienna, dating from the late 19th century. The piano stool has a frame consisting of four steam-bent ...
Category

1890s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Wood, Braid

Art Deco Thonet H269 Armchair by Jindrich Halabala Bouclé Fabric
By Jindřich Halabala, Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
Beech bentwood walnut stained armchair made by Thonet in the 1930s. Excellent restored with seat springs upholstered with noblis creme boucé fabric. Another fabric and wood finish on...
Category

1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

Original Thonet Piano Stool, Early 20th Century, Restaured
By Thonet
Located in Schwerin, MV
Restored piano stool from the traditional company Gebrüder Thonet, Vienna from the end of the 19th or beginning of the 20th century. The piano stool is made of solid wood and has a f...
Category

1890s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Wood, Braid

4 Mid Century Rocking Chairs by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in New York, NY
Unusual and rare model Thonet wood, aluminum and vinyl rocking chairs, total of four available, three in green vinyl, one in turquoise vinyl uphol...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Thonet Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Midcentury Cane Thonet N. 17 high back bentwood Dining Chairs Set of 6
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Distinctive set of six no. 17 bentwood and cane 'long john' chairs designed by Michael Thonet. Originally designed in the 1860s and produced by Thonet in the 20th century by multiple...
Category

20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Thonet Furniture

Materials

Cane, Bentwood

THONET Bentwood Magazine Rack, ca.1880
By Thonet
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Bentwood magazine rack by THONET GEBRÜDER (Vienna), Austria, ca.1880. Beechwood). Height : 24"(61cm), Width : 16.5"(42cm), Depth : 22"(56cm). In stunning original condition.
Category

1880s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Beech

A vintage bentwood Thonet “sweetheart” chair, circa 1950s. Made in Romania
By Thonet
Located in Houston, TX
A vintage bentwood Thonet “sweetheart” chair, circa 1950s. Made in Romania, the classic Thonet style cafe chair has a caned seat. Refurbished and in ...
Category

1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

Thonet, a Bentwood Chaise Lounge with Wonderful Scroll Work Details & Cane Work
By Thonet
Located in London, GB
Thonet. A bentwood chaise lounge with an adjustable back with a flowing scrollwork frame with a cane work bed. Stamped to the base with serial number and ??? - Paris retailer. Dimen...
Category

Early 1900s French Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Cane, Bentwood

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...
Category

1920s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Beech

Chairs Thonet 209, Pair of Cane and Black Bentwood , 1940s or 1950s
By Thonet
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
The chair after Thonet is from the 1950s This is Le Corbusier's favourite chair and one of the favourite designs of architects and designers. Unfortunately it has no label but it i...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Thonet Furniture

Materials

Cane, Bentwood, Rattan

Set of Armchairs Designed by Thonet and Manufactured by Ligna in the 1950s
By Ligna, Thonet
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Remarkable set of armchairs, designed by Thonet and expertly manufactured by Ligna in the 1950s. Combining Thonet's visionary design aesthetic with Ligna's craftsmanship, these armch...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Rattan, Bentwood

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.
Category

1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair Vintage Thonet Kuba Cloth Armchairs
By Thonet
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of vintage Thonet armchairs featuring bent blonde wood arms and legs. These chairs are newly padded, reupholsterred and stylized in vintage African Kuba cloth.
Category

20th Century European Art Deco Thonet Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

1960s Beech Armchair by TON, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- carefully refurbished - Newly reupholstered - high of seat 48 cm
Category

1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Beech, Fabric

Set of Three Thonet 1216-S17-B1 Bent Plywood Saddle Seat Dining Chairs, 1940s
By Thonet
Located in Miami, FL
Early set of three vintage Thonet 1216-S17-B1 dining or side chairs. Rendered in steam bent oak plywood, with a beech sculpted saddle seat, and a bent front and rear arched support n...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Thonet Furniture

Materials

Metal

4 Black Bentwood & Cane Josef Hoffman Prague 811 Armchairs for Stendig by Thonet
By Stendig Co., Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Topeka, KS
Iconic vintage Bauhaus black painted bentwood & cane Josef Hoffman Prague 811 armchairs imported by Stendig for Thonet, a set of 4. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear even if it has been refinished or restored. Specifically, there have been a few small repairs in the caning of all chairs and one chair seat has been replaced completely. It has been replaced with sheet cane and not individually woven. Please see photos, zoom in for details, and see long description as they are part of the condition report. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Early to Mid-20th Century. Much like a fine wine or the Mona Lisa, some things just get better with age… That’s just a fact! Including these iconic vintage black painted bentwood & cane Josef Hoffman Prague 811 armchairs by Stendig for Thonet! Talk about the ability to withstand the hands of time!! This Josef Hoffman 811 chair was originally designed in 1925 but remains a current and fabulous design that is highly sought after today. This set of 4 is comprised of beautiful black painted bentwood frames bearing slender rounded arms, slightly flared legs, and marvelous natural cane seats AND backs!! SPECTACULAR!!! Can’t you just SEE these beauties surrounding your kitchen table, breakfast nook, game table, or simply used as extra seating in the family room? We certainly can! Just the right touch of Bauhaus magnificence to any room and they’re sure to complement your home with their classic, historical excellence, whatever your style whether its Bauhaus, Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern, or Modern!! Josef Hoffman was one of Austria's most important architects and designers and was central to the development of art and design in Vienna. He grew up with three sisters and was nicknamed Pepo. His father was the town mayor and a successful businessman. He was a founding member of the Vienna Secession, a radical anti-historicist movement, and together with Koloman Moser created the Wiener Werkstatte cooperative workshop. A highly individualistic architect and designer, Hoffmann's work combined the simplicity of craft production with a refined aesthetic ornament. Between 1901 and 1905, he designed four villas in Vienna and a sanatorium in Brussels that was called “Stoclet House”, for which he developed a “cubistic” language of form, with an emphasis on straight, unadorned lines. In 1905, he established the Kunstschau with painter Gustav Klimt and, two years later, founded the Deutscher Werkbund. Hoffmann worked well into his 80s, continuing to use the geometric motifs that influenced the art deco style of the 1920s. In 1928 his work appeared in the Art in Industry exhibition held at Macy’s in New York City, where it exerted a strong influence on American designer Donald Deskey. Hoffmann is one of the seminal figures in the modern decorative arts movement of the first half of the 20th century. Stendig was totally the brainchild and passion of Charles W. Stendig. You cannot write or talk about Stendig without explaining Charles. He was a pioneer of import goods in the mid-century. After serving in WWII as a paratrooper, he studied business with emphasis on international trade at NYU and City College of New York. Afterward first working for Raymor, another pioneering distribution company, for about two years, departing to start his own business: Stendig. He opened his first showroom in 1956 in midtown Manhattan. He is credited for sparking America’s interest in furniture from Finland, Switzerland, Italy, and Czechoslovakia. He imported from the likes of Thonet, Asko, and De Sede; and from iconic designers including Le Corbusier, Josef Hoffmann, Eero Aarnio, Tapio Wirkkala, Marcel Breuer, Jonathan De Pas, Donato D’Urbino, Paolo Lomazzi, Carlo Mollino, Carlo Scarpa, and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni to name just a few. By the late 1960’s, Stendig had showrooms in Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco with a large headquarters in NYC. They were exciting and good times but short lived. The business was a challenge and when an offer was made by Burlington Industries to purchase, Charles agreed. He stayed on till 1976 to oversee and then retired. I have searched the internet to no avail to find out if a Stendig division is still in operation. But I can only find the Stendig Calendar, the only calendar in MoMA’s collection, which was designed for Stendig by Mossimo Vignelli, still offered. But I am having a hard time deciding who is creating and offering it. I do know Burlington Industries was bankrupt by 2001, purchased in 2003, merged with Cone Mills in 2004 and subsequently into ITG or International Textile Group. But the Stendig name reins as an icon of high style mid-century offerings. Thonet was founded by Michael Thonet. Michael was born in 1796 and was apprenticed by his father to a cabinetmaker. Shortly after he married, Michael opened his one-man cabinetmaking shop creating furniture and cabinetry in the traditional manner by carving the needed parts and then joining them together. In 1830 he began experimenting with bending wood into curved shapes and thus began a successful furniture company that has remained continually in operation for nearly 200 years. Thonet’s early work was very Biedermeier in style and not made for the common man. Gradually his designs became more Art Nouveau. In 1951 his chairs for the Crystal Palace at the London World’s Fair won a prize medal and by the late 1950s he began to make his first “consumer” chair. In 1875, a year before Michael’s death, Thonet’s five factories made 620,000 chairs. Then in 1876 after his death the company became Gebruder Thonet. But all was not roses. In 1869 the Thonet patents lapsed and by 1893 there were 52 bentwood companies in Europe. However, Thonet persevered. They branched out. They merged. They added designs by Le Corbusier and Breuer and alternative materials such as tubular chrome in place of bentwood to their offerings. Business boomed and waned through the years and there was even a Thonet revival, so to speak, beginning in the 1940s on into the mid-20th century. Till today, in the 21st century, Thonet is still a furniture company to be reckoned with almost 200 years later. We are in love with this iconic set of 4 Prague 811 chairs...
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Thonet Furniture

Materials

Cane, Bentwood, Paint

Thonet S411 Tubular Steel Cantilever Armchair, Black Leather Upholstery, c. 1935
By Thonet
Located in Berlin, DE
Thonet S 411 tubular steel cantilever armchair with leather upholstery, designed by the Thonet Company c. 1935. This original tubular steel cantilever ...
Category

1930s German Streamlined Moderne Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Set of 4 1960s Mid-Century Thonet B 751 Wood Folding Chairs
By Thonet
Located in Carimate, Como
I offer a set of four 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 Po...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Thonet Furniture

Materials

Wood

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...
Category

1980s German Post-Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

PVC, Ash, Beech

Art Deco Thonet H269 Armchair by Jindrich Halabala
By Thonet, Jindřich Halabala
Located in Vienna, AT
Beech bentwood walnut stained armchair made by Thonet in the 1930s. Excellent restored with seat springs upholstered with green velvet. Another fabric and wood finish on request poss...
Category

1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

Adolf Schneck, rare A 64 F Bentwood armhair for Thonet, 1929
By Thonet, Gustav Adolf Schneck
Located in Uppsala, SE
Rare armchair by Adolf Schneck (sometimes wrongly attributed to Josef Hoffmann) designed in 1929 and made by Thonet. This model was exhibited at the Viennese Art and Industry show du...
Category

1930s Austrian Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

Marcel Kammerer Seating Set Salon Suite, Thonet, Turquoise Green Leather, 1910
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann, Marcel Kammerer
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A fantastic bentwood set seating group designed by Marcel Kammerer and manufactured by Thonet, Austria, circa 1910. The set contains of two armchairs and ...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Thonet Armchairs with Sheepskin Upholstery, a Pair
By Thonet
Located in Raleigh, NC
Experience timeless elegance with this rare high-back pair of Thonet bentwood lounge chairs, circa 1950. These stunning pieces showcase the masterful craftsmanship of bentwood const...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Thonet Furniture

Materials

Sheepskin, Birch

Early B35 Chair by Marcel Breuer for Thonet, 1930s
By Marcel Breuer, Thonet
Located in Uppsala, SE
Very early example from the 1930s of the classical B35 model designed by Marcel Breuer for Thonet in the very last years of the 1920s. The leather has great patina and is definitely ...
Category

1930s German Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Steel

Walter Gropius, Armchairs, Birch, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Gropius, Thonet
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of birch armchairs designed by Walter Gropius and produced by Thonet, Austria, c. 1950s. Seat Height: 17.5"
Category

1950s Austrian Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Birch

Art Deco Thonet H269 Armchair by Jindřich Halabala
By Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
Beech bentwood walnut stained armchair made by Thonet in the 1930s. Excellent restored with new seat springs upholstered with Lelievre wool fabric. Another fabric and wood finish o...
Category

1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

Walter Gropius Armchairs for Thonet Set of Eight 1951
By Thonet, Walter Gropius
Located in Chicago, IL
Walter Gropius Armchairs for Thonet Set of Eight 1951, Model W199 Austria 1951, Solid Oak Restored and repainted with black lacquer. dimensions: 29½ h × 23 w × 20 d in Seat Height: 17"
Category

1950s Austrian Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Oak

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...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Beech

1970 Two Seater Cinema Bench by TON, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Beech plywood - Good original condition with some signs of use - 2- seater - 4 pieces available
Category

1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture

Materials

Beech, Plywood

19TH Century Entrance Coat-Rack Hanger with Mirror by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Completely original entrance coat-rack hanger with mirror by Thonet, period 1800s. Measure cm: H 195, W 85, D 30.
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Belle Époque Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Mirror, 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.
Questions About Thonet Furniture
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024
    To identify a Thonet, first locate the maker's marking. On Thonet chairs, you'll usually find it carved into the wood frame on the underside of the seat. Markings may say “Thonet,” “Thonet Wien,” “GT,” “GBThonet” or “GBThonetWien,” depending on the age of your piece. Cross-reference the mark with information published on trusted online resources to get a rough idea of when your furniture was produced. Then, you can review Thonet catalogues available online to identify your piece's model number. Alternatively, you can enlist the help of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer to perform the identification process for you. Shop a wide range of Thonet furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Thonet 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
    Perhaps 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 ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    A bentwood chair is a chair made out of wood that has been steamed and formed into its desired shape. The iconic No. 14 chair made by Thonet is a well-know chair made in this technique. There are many bentwood chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
    A 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, 2022
    An 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    A 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 ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Yes, 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Whether 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 ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Michael 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 27, 2024
    To identify a Thonet chair, look under the seat. Most Thonet chairs will feature a maker's marking. Often, you'll find the Thonet name carved into the wooden seat frame or printed on a paper label mounted on the seat's underside. Because Thonet changed its markings over the years, you can get a rough idea of the age of your chair by comparing the ones on your piece to images on trusted online reference guides. If you need help with the identification process, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can be of assistance. Find a range of Thonet chairs on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
    To 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    To 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.

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