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.
$7,800Sale Price / set|40% Off
Pair of Streamline Lounge Chairs and Sofa by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Pair of streamline lounge chairs and streamline sofa by Thonet in sage cotton velvet and maple stained legs. Dimensions for chairs: 33 H x...
Cotton, Velvet
Set of two Stools Plywood designed by Gerd Lange for Thonet, 1970s
By Gerd Lange, Thonet
Located in Antwerp, BE
Set of 2 stools designed by Gerd Lange. Gerd Lange is one of the most influential German furniture designers of the 1970s and 1980s. He was known for his extremely down-to-earth, fun...
Metal
Rare Pair of Vienna Modernist "Café Capua" Chairs, Model No. 519 by Adolf Loos
By Thonet, Adolf Loos
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
An exceptionally rare and highly collectible pair of Austrian modernist bentwood side chairs, Model No. 519, famously known as the "Café Capua" chair. Designed in 1913 by the pioneer...
Beech, Bentwood
Very rare amrchairs A562 by Otto Prutscher for Thonet
By Otto Prutscher, Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
An exceptional and highly collectible pair of Austrian Vienna Secessionist (Jugendstil) bentwood armchairs, manufactured by the legendary firm Thonet. This iconic geometric design fe...
Beech, Bentwood
1 of 20 Postmodern Memphis Era Thonet Vienna Stackable Signed Dining Chairs, 90s
By Thonet
Located in Zagreb, HR
Exceptionally rare and collectible, postmodern Memphis design original Thonet dining chairs. Sculptural and geometrically shaped. Sold per piece. Twenty pieces available. Produced...
Metal
Rare Beautiful Thonet High Back Armchair No 6351 , Black, Cane
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Miami, FL
Original cane and black finish, stamped Thonet. Beautiful lines.
Cane, Wood
Set of 4 Dining Chairs by Oswald Haerdtl for Thonet / TON, 1950s Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Almelo, NL
Set of 4 Dining Chairs by Oswald Haerdtl for Thonet / TON, 1950s Czechoslovakia This elegant set of four dining chairs was designed by Austrian architect Oswald Haerdtl and produced...
Beech
Jil Sander for Thonet S 64 P Serious 03 in Lacquered Wood an Green Leather
By Thonet
Located in Tilburg, NL
Jil Sander for Thonet S 64 P Serious in Lacquered Wood and Leather. New, current production. With the JS . THONET signature collection, she has taken the m...
Steel
Late Victorian Hand Sculpted Walnut Commode Chamber Pot w/ Lid by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Late Victorian sculpted walnut chamber pot with original lid and enameled metal bowl by Thonet featuring an sculptural frame crafted from warm-toned wood with tapered legs. A great d...
Oak
Art Deco Six ( 6 ) Dining Chairs Beechwood Otto Prutscher for Thonet circa 1920
By Thonet, Otto Prutscher
Located in Vienna, AT
At Deco set of six ( 6 ) dining chairs made from stained beechwood in a beautiful reddish brown color designed by Otto Prutscher for Thonet circa 1920, Vienna. An amazing set of six ...
Beech
Pair of Secession Armchairs Atr. Adolf Loos Ex. by Thonet
By Adolf Loos, Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Pair of secession armchairs atr. Adolf Loos ex. by Thonet in original condition.
Bentwood
Thonet Style Adjustable Bentwood Piano Stool, Czechoslovakia, 1930s
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
An elegant adjustable bentwood piano stool from Czechoslovakia, dating to the 1930s, featuring a sculptural black-finished beech frame and original-style metal screw adjustment mecha...
Metal, Other
Catalogue Thonet 688: Stühle, Polstermöbel und Tische aus Holz und Stahl
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- original condition, see the photos - 111 pages
Paper
Gustav Siegel Attributed, Made by Thonet, a Bentwood & Cane Rocking Chair
By Thonet, Gustav Siegel
Located in London, GB
Gustav Siegel attributed, made by Thonet. A bentwood and cane rocking chair.
Cane, Bentwood
Art deco armchair no.811 "Prague chair" by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
A stunning example of timeless modernist design, this Model No. 811 armchair (famously known as the Prague Chair) is a centerpiece of 20th-century furniture history. Originally desig...
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
Rare Thonet A 403/F bentwood armchair by Josef Frank, 1930s
By Thonet, Frank Josef
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
This piece is a design classic created by Josef Frank around 1928 for the esteemed manufacturer Gebrüder Thonet. Crafted from mahogany-stained bent beech and beech plywood, it exempl...
Beech
Victorian Bent Oak Side Chair w/ Floral Seat by Thonet Hermanos, Set of 4
By Thonet
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Victorian era Thonet Hermanos side chair featuring an elegant, sculptural frame crafted from warm-toned bentwood with an Art Nouveau floral branded seat and back rest. Thonet Hermano...
Oak
$4,016Sale Price / set|20% Off
Josef Frank A 63/F Armchairs for Thonet, 1930s
By Josef Frank, Thonet
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Pair of rare modernist armchairs first showcased at the Vienna Werkbund exhibition in 1928. Crafted from solid beech (bentwood) and plywood, adorned with a brown lacquer coating, th...
Beech
1960s Antonin Suman Set of Six Beech Dining Chairs, Restored
By Thonet, Antonín Šuman
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered - Carefully refurbished - Armchairs dimensions: Height: 78 cm ,Seat height 47cm Width: 55cm ,Depth: 56cm ,Height of the armrests: 68 cm
Fabric, Wood
1990s Thonet Bentwood Lounge Chairs in Ebony Wood with Red Fabric
By Thonet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a single (listing price is for each chair, though four are available) bentwood lounge chair by Thonet. The chairs have ebonized wood frames with red fabric upholst...
Fabric, Wood
Mid Century Thonet No 10 Bentwood and Cane Rocker w/ Rose Damask Velvet Cushions
By Thonet
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid-Century Thonet No 10 Bentwood and Cane Rocker with Rose Damask Velvet Cushions. Measures 20" in width, 43" in depth and 39" in height. Seat height is 18".
Velvet, Cane, Bentwood
Bentwood Armchair by Thonet, Beech and Fabric, 1930s
By Thonet
Located in Brussels, BE
Bentwood armchair by Thonet, Beech and Fabric, 1930s Europe.
Bentwood
Late Victorian Bent Oak Wash Shaving Stand w/ Bowl by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Late Victorian Thonet bent oak wash and shaving stand with original orange bowl. The top loop functions as towel holders with a center tray for holding soap/shaving tools and a cente...
Oak
Thonet Art Nouveau Bentwood Shoe Shine or Fitting Stool, Vienna, Austria, 1900s
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
A rare Jugendstil / Art Nouveau shoe store fitter’s stool with seat, dating from around 1900–1910, once used in a traditional shoe shop of the early 20th century. Crafted from beech...
Wood, Beech, Bentwood
Vienna Secession Bent Oak & Caine Rocking Foot Stool w/ Braces by Thonet No.7001
By Thonet
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Victorian Thonet No.7001 rocking chair foot stool featuring an elegant, sculptural frame crafted from warm-toned bentwood with striking fluid curves and elegant round arched back res...
Wicker, Oak
Pierre Paulin 442 Fauteuils
By Thonet, Pierre Paulin
Located in Washington, DC
Pierre Paulin very rare pair of 442 fauteuils with two loose cushions. Beautiful and unusual flare with color scheme.
Fabric
Early Modernist Art Deco Bent Oak no. 06 Child's Bed w/ Side Rails by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Late Victorian bent no. 2715 oak child's bed with large modernist arches by Thonet. It features a sculptural frame crafted from warm-toned bentwood with striking fluid curves worked ...
Oak
Thonet: Pionier des Industriedesigns, 1830-1900
By Vitra, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- original condition, see the photos - Alexander Von Vegesack - Publisher: Vitra Design Museum, 1994
Paper
Jil Sander for Thonet S 64 P Serious 04 in Lacquered Wood an Blue Leather
By Thonet
Located in Tilburg, NL
Jil Sander for Thonet S 64 P Serious in Lacquered Wood and Leather. New, current production. With the JS . THONET signature collection, she has taken the m...
Steel
MCM Danish Bentwood Dining Chair, One Chair, 1960s (2 Available)
By Thonet, Charles Eames
Located in Basel, BS
Stunning very cool Thonet black and Walnut bentwood dining chair. Two available. These are very sturdy, iconic, comfortable dining chairs. They are also excellent options for use a...
Bentwood
Vienna Secession Bent Oak & Cane Bistro Children's Chair by Thonet No.015
By Thonet
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Victorian style child size Thonet number 15 oak side chair features an elegant, sculptural frame crafted from warm-toned bentwood with striking fluid curves and elegant round arched ...
Oak
Vienna Secession Bent Oak Wash Shaving Stand by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Late Victorian bentwood wash/shaving stand by Thonet. Crafted with the companies signature steam-bent bentwood frame, the settee features its striking, all-original embossed plywood ...
Oak
Vienna Secession Bent Oak & Cane Bar Stool w/ Backrest by Gebrüder Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Victorian style cane and bent oak bar stool features an elegant, sculptural frame crafted from warm-toned bentwood with striking fluid curves and curved back rest. The seat features ...
Cane, Oak
1970S Chairs Designed by Gerd Lange Arm Chairs for Thonet, 1970s
By Gerd Lange, Thonet
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage set of two Desk- Dining Chairs chairs designed by Gerd Lange for Thonet, 1970s. Very rare arm chairs featured in grey plywood and steel rubber armrests height 66 cm. Chairs a...
Metal
Thonet Lounge Chairs by Peter Maly, Wood & Chrome, Germany, 1980
By Peter Maly, Thonet
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
A set of two exceptional Thonet lounge chairs in excellent condition. The combination of wood, chrome, and synthetic fabric, along with the dynamic lines, gives these chairs a timele...
Chrome
Vintage Thonet Dining Chair, Oak & Plywood, Bauhaus Style
By Thonet
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful vintage dining chair produced by Thonet, retaining its original burned factory stamps and paper label on the underside. Crafted from solid oak with an original molded plywo...
Oak, Bentwood, Plywood
Jan Bocan armchair for the Czech Embassy of Sweden Stockholm 1972
By Thonet, Jan Bočan
Located in Paris, IDF
Jan Bočan ( 1937-2010) graduated from the Faculty of Architecture of the Czech Technical University in Prague in 1962. At the age of 30, he won the architectural competition for the...
Wool, Walnut
Early rare chrome Bauhaus Marcel Breuer B 35 Armchairs, Thonet - 1930s
By Marcel Breuer, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Thonet - 1930, earliest model - good condition,original screws, one missing - suitable for new upholstery
Steel, Chrome
Vienna Secession Bent Oak Pedestal Mid size Side Nesting Table by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Turn of the century Thonet mid-sized Nestng side table features an elegant, sculptural frame crafted from warm-toned bentwood with striking fluid curves and straight lines with a sol...
Oak
Unique Thonet Desk Chair, Museum Piece
By Thonet
Located in Delft, NL
Unique Thonet desk chair, Museum piece One of our unique Thonet desk chair It's from a collection of a Museum, The Haque, Netherlands The chair ...
Wood
Back of the Chairs by Martino Gamper for the Conran Shop/Thonet, 2008
By Thonet
Located in Uppsala, SE
This chair, along with two other models, was commissioned by The Conran Shop in 2008 to the designer Martino Gamper for The London Design Festival and for ...
Bentwood
Art Nouveau Bent Oak Pedestal Side Table by Thonet No. 1548
By Thonet
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Turn of the century Art Nouveau bent oak pedestal side table number 1548 by Thonet featuring a sculptural frame crafted from warm-toned bentwood with striking fluid curves and straig...
Oak
$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
Vienna Secession style Bent Oak & Cane Bistro Children's Chair by Thonet No.015
By Thonet
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Victorian style child size Thonet number 15 oak side chair features an elegant, sculptural frame crafted from warm-toned bentwood with striking fluid curves and elegant round arched ...
Rattan, Oak
Bauhaus Plant Stand by Emile Guyot for Thonet, Circa 1930s
By Thonet
Located in Gloucester, GB
Bauhaus plant stand by Emile Guyot for Thonet, Circa 1930s - Chromed tubular steel - Cantilever design - Toughened black glass shelves - Desi...
Glass
S33 Chairs by Mart Stam for Thonet, 1980s, Set of 2
By Mart Stam, Thonet
Located in Radomsko, Województwo łódzkie
Introducing the iconic S33 Chair Set by Mart Stam, proudly crafted by Thonet. This collection, produced during the 1980s in Germany, pays homage to the timeless designs of the Bauhau...
Steel, Chrome
Thonet Chrome Tubular Steel Armchairs, Leather Upholstery, Customisable, c. 1935
By Thonet
Located in Berlin, DE
Thonet S 411 tubular steel cantilever armchairs in leather upholstery, designed and manufactured by Thonet, c. 1935. This original tubular steel cantil...
Steel, Chrome
Vienna Secession Bent Oak & Cane Swivel Desk Chair No 11 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Victorian bent oak & cane number 11 oak swivel desk chair by Thonet features an elegant, sculptural frame crafted from warm-toned bentwood with striking fluid curves and elegant roun...
Iron
Late Victorian Oak and Iron Drafting/Workshop Adjustable Stool by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Late Victorian four legged adjustable oak and iron drafting/workshop adjustable stool by Thonet. The base structure is made of wooden legs inserted into a cast iron structure. The se...
Iron
Art Nouveau Bent Oak & Cane Large Doll Crib by Jacob & Josef Kohn for Thonet
By Thonet, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Late Victorian bent oak & cane large baby doll crib y Jacob & Josef Kohn for Thonet features an elegant, sculptural frame crafted from warm-toned bentwood with striking fluid curves ...
Oak
Mute servant Thonet no.101
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
A rare and elegant piece of furniture history, this antique towel rail (or valet stand) is a classic example of Michael Thonet’s world-famous bentwo...
Beech, Bentwood
Mid-Century Modern Maple Bentwood And Bouclé Benches By Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This rare pair of Mid-Century Modern benches were produced by the famous Austrian furniture company Thonet in the 1940s. Thonet which was founded in 1850 by Michael Thonet, was the f...
Bouclé, Bentwood, Maple
Black Leatherette & Steel CM127 Stool by Thonet - 1960s
By Thonet
Located in New York, NY
Iconic CM127 bar stool by Thonet. Black lacquered steel feet and black faux leather original upholstery. Second stool available. This stool will ship from France and can be returned ...
Steel
Thonet Bentwood Nesting Tables Set of Four, Beech Wood, 1900
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Rare and elegant original Thonet bentwood nesting tables dating to approximately 1900–1910. This exceptional four-piece set exemplifies the refined craftsmanship and innovative steam...
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
Francesco Zaccone for Thonet Golf Dining Chairs, Germany, 1970
By Francesco Zaccone, Thonet
Located in Almelo, NL
Francesco Zaccone for Thonet golf dining chairs, Germany, 1970 Presenting this stunning set of 12 ‘Golf’ chairs by Francesco Zaccone for Thonet. Beautifu...
Aluminum, Chrome
Very rare pre poduction verner panton f-270 loungechairs
By Verner Panton, Thonet
Located in Munich, DE
very rare pre-production lounge chairs by verner panton for thonet. in a very limited first run the chairs where produced without the metal piece attaching the backrest. but the cons...
Metal
Vienna Secession Light Stain Bent Oak Chair No. 7 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Van Nuys, CA
The Victorian Thonet number 7 side chair features an elegant, sculptural frame crafted from warm-toned bentwood with striking, fluid curves and a graceful, round arched backrest. The...
Oak
Set of 4 German Bentwood Armchairs - Thonet Model 215 Series - Beech & Velvet
By Thonet, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in München, BY
Dimensions: With armrests: approx. 54 × 57 × 84 × 46 cm (21.3 × 22.4 × 33.1 × 18.1 in) Without armrests: approx. 45 × 53 × 84 × 46 cm (17.7 × 20.9 × 33.1 × 18.1 in) Original set of ...
Velvet, Beech
$3,932 / set
Austrian chairs in wood by Thonet, 1930s
By Thonet
Located in MIlano, IT
Austrian chairs in wood by Thonet, 1930s Set of six chairs made entirely of wood. Features a contoured wooden seat, a backrest with a double horizontal crosspiece, and slightly arch...
Wood