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.
Art Nouveau Wing Chair No.6542 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Art nouveau wing chair no.6542 by Thonet in excellent condition, backhausen fabric.
Fabric, Wood
Refurbished Thonet Chairs 320 by Wulf Schneider and Ulrich Bohme, Austria 1984
By Wulf Schneider, Ulrich Bohme, Thonet
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a set of 4 Thonet Dining Chairs Model S320, designed by by Wulf Schneider and Ulrich Bohme. Chairs are stackable. ...
Steel
Art Deco Vintage Brown Beech Gebr, Thonet Valet Coat Rack 1920s Vienna
By Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage valet or coat rack by Gebrüder Thonet from beech bentwood in brown stained color, 1920s, Vienna. Wonderful and usable valet from the Viennese Art Deco period. Very...
Beech
Bentwood swivel chair no.9 by J.J.Kohn
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood swivel chair no.9 by J.J.Kohn new handmade rattan seat.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
Bentwoon plant stand attr. Otto Wagner for Thonet
By Otto Wagner, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood plant stand attributed to Otto Wagner for Thonet in original vintage condition with signs of use.
Beech, Bentwood
Secession plant stand by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession plant stand by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet professionally stained and repolished.
Bentwood
Jugendstil dining chair by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Jugendstil dining chair by Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
Rocking Chair S826 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic rocking chair by Ulrich Böhme for Thonet. Designed in 1971, model S826. Frame made of chrome-plated tubular steel. The rocking chair has been reupholstered and covered with a...
Steel
Rare Armchair A 403/F by Adolf Schneck for Thonet
By Gustav Adolf Schneck, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Rare armchair A 403/F by Adolf Schneck for Thonet professionally stained and repolished.
Bentwood
Austrian post-modern purple fabric Chairs by Marcel Kammerer for Thonet, 1990s
By Marcel Kammerer, Thonet
Located in MIlano, IT
Austrian post-modern purple fabric and black wood chairs by Marcel Kammerer for Thonet, 1990s Pair of chairs with square seat and oval backrest, padded and covered in bright purple ...
Fabric, Wood
$556Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Thonet Bentwood Armchair Lounge Chair, 1970s
By Thonet
Located in Madison, WI
1970's accent bentwood chair made by Thonet. Condition: Great vintage condition throughout. Additional information: Materials: Bentwood, Upholstery Color: Red Period: 1970s Brand: ...
Bentwood, Upholstery
Armchair attributed to Thonet, 1940s
By Thonet
Located in Andrézieux-Bouthéon, FR
Armchair attributed to Thonet, 1940s Vintage Design Armchair restored and painted in black. Armchair damaged at the level of the back. Additional information: Material: Wood Color:...
Wood
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
Illustrated Thonet Chair
By Thonet
Located in Antwerp, BE
Thonet armchair with a printed illustration. The seat and backrest are weaved in rattan. The rest of the frame is covered in a print that could have influenced by the great Fornase...
Wood
$2,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Retro Thonet Lounge Chairs
By Thonet
Located in Bronx, NY
The pair has the original vinyl, and the original finish. Sold as a pair only.Price is for the pair.
Wood, PVC
$4,600 / set
Pair Vintage Leather Lounge Chairs by Thonet
By Thonet, Pierre Paulin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful pair of chrome base leather lounge chairs by Thonet offer exquisite Mid-Century style suitable for almost any seating situation. Sturdy stretchers and vintage leather ...
Chrome
1960s Gordon Bunshaft and Davis Allen for Thonet Tuxedo Two Seat Loveseat Sofa
By Gordon Bunshaft, Davis Allen, Thonet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an armless two-seater tuxedo settee / sofa, designed by Davis Allen and Gordon Bunshaft of SOM Architects. This example appears to be a Thonet production, one of the manufact...
Steel
Austrian Chairs with Straw and Wood by Thonet, 1900s
By Thonet
Located in MIlano, IT
Austrian mid-century chairs with straw and wood, 1950s Set of 3 chairs with square seat, with rounded corners in straw. The structure is in dark wood...
Straw, Wood
Antique Original Late Victorian circa 1880 Thonet Bentwood Coat Rack Stand
By Thonet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this Antique original, circa 1880, extra large, Thonet Bentwood solid Beech wood eight prong coat stand / rack. This is in my opinion the finest hat, coat and...
Beech, Bentwood
ANTIQUE PERIOD STAMPED LATE VICTORIAN CiRCA 1880 THONET BENTWOOD COAT RACK STAND
By Thonet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this Antique original, Fully stamped to the base circa 1880, large, Thonet Bentwood solid Beech wood eight p...
Bentwood
A Rare Triangular Thonet Bentwood Card Table, Circa 1900
By Thonet
Located in London, GB
A Rare Triangular Thonet Bentwood Card Table, Circa 1900 A beautiful bentwood design featuring a triangular playing surface covered in green woollen baize. The table stands on elega...
Beech
$842Sale Price|20% Off
Nobiliary Dining Chair of Thonet from Wiener Werkstaette
By Thonet
Located in Mariano Del Friuli, GO
Rare chair of the Wiener Werkstaette considered the prototype of the successive variants on Design by the architect. Gustav Sigel. The rectangular sections and geometric motifs of th...
Bentwood
$1,202Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of 19th century Faux Bamboo Parlor Chairs by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Munich, DE
19th Century bentwood parlor chairs by Thonet. Beautiful gold patina & faded fabric. Both chairs show heavy signs of their age, flaking gold patina, washed out seat fabric & yet the ...
Fabric, Faux Bamboo
1980s Set of Four Dining Chairs by Ton, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- rare model - carefully refurbished - newly upholstered - heigh of seat 45 cm
Fabric, Wood
Original 4er Set Thonet Stuhl S32N Netz Mesh Design Freischwinger
By Thonet
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes 4er Set Freischwinger Stühle mit Netzbespannung von Thonet aus dem Jahr 2000 zum Verkauf an. Es stehen insgesamt 15 Stühle zum Verkauf an. ***Der Preis ...
Aluminum
Set of 3 Thonet Stackable Chairs – Vintage Conference or Dining Chairs, 2000s
By Thonet
Located in Hannover, DE
Set of 3 Thonet Stackable Chairs – Conference or Dining Chairs, 2000s Set of three Thonet stackable chairs, perfect for use in dining areas, of...
Metal
1970s Mobile Conference Table, Manufacturer, TON, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made from wood - Original state - Manufacturer TON - The top plate shows signs of use.
Wood
Pair of Cantilever leather Lounge Chairs Manufactured by Thonet in 1980
By Thonet
Located in Beirut, LB
Pair of night blue Bauhaus style lounge chairs on a chromed tubular steel cantilever base, manufactured by Thonet in 1980. Re-upholstered in a night blue leather for the seats and th...
Steel
$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
Bauhaus Side Table, John Hagemann, Thonet, Chrome-Plated Steel, Germany, 1930s
By Hermann John Hagemann, Thonet
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Bauhaus side table by John Hagemann and made by Thonet. Source: Germany Period: 1930-1939 Architect: John Hagemann Maker: Thonet Material: Chrome-Plated Steel, Lacquered Wood Original paint. Professionally cleaned chrome. Made by influential Austrian furniture...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
Original Magazine Rack Designed Thonet, Model No 1
By Thonet
Located in Lejre, DK
Magazine rack in beechwood. Designed by Thonet, 1900s. Made in Austria. Great original condition.
Beech
Art Deco Reclining Chair Made in 1930s Germany by Thonet, Restored Matte Finish
By Thonet
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Art Deco Reclining chair made in 1930s Germany by Thonet. Restored matte finish.
Walnut
Stackable Thonet Chrome and Beechwood Curved Diner Chairs
By Thonet
Located in Voorburg, NL
Sculptural set of six beautiful curved Thonet diner chairs. The chair is not a classic Thonet chair but a more modern version of their quality chairs. It ...
Chrome
Magazine holder no.11803 by Otto Prutscher for Thonet
By Otto Prutscher, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Magazine holder no.11803 by Otto Prutscher for Thonet in original vintage condition with signs of use.
Beech, Bentwood
Bentwood Bench by Thonet, Austria, 1900s
By Thonet
Located in Brussels, BE
Bentwood bench by Thonet, Austria, 1900s.
Fabric, Wood
1990 Set of Three Mart Stam for Thonet Bauhaus Dining Chairs in Oak
By Thonet, Mart Stam
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a set of three cantilever dining chairs with arms, produced by Thonet and presumed to be designed by Mart Stam. Thonet is a historically important furniture compan...
Chrome, Steel
1931, Mart Stam for Thonet, Black Wooden S43F
By Thonet, Mart Stam
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach...
Metal, Chrome
1931, Mart Stam for Thonet, Set of Light Yellow Wooden S43
By Mart Stam, Thonet
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach, check last pictures on this listing and/or find more details on his family name plus eu, is for sale soon too. :-) Set of two tubular chairs with light yellow wooden...
Metal, Chrome
Austrian modern white wooden pedestal with two tops by Thonet, 1990s
By Thonet
Located in MIlano, IT
Austrian modern white wooden pedestal with two tops by Thonet, 1990s Pedestal or display stand with round base. The structure is entirely made of white lacquered wood with a matt fin...
Metal
Thonet Bent Beech Rattan Chairs in Pair, ca. 1910 '2 Pieces'
By Thonet
Located in Budapest, Budapest
Bent and steamed beechwood chairs with rattan seat. Manufactured by Thonet around 1910 in Vienna, Austria.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
Original, Early Vintage Tubular Easy Chair with Original Fabric, circa 1930
By Thonet, Paul Schuitema
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach...
Metal
Thonet Model 207 Bentwood & Cane Bench, 1980s
By Thonet
Located in BERKEL EN RODENRIJS, NL
Beautiful original Thonet Model 207 bench from the 1980s, complete with its authentic Thonet sticker. This iconic design showcases the brand’s mastery of bentwood craftsmanship, feat...
Cane, Bentwood
R.C. Coquery French Art Deco Tubular Chrome Arm Chair
By Thonet, R. C. Coquery
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Deco tubular chrome arm chair with black leather upholstered seat and back cushion (designed by R.C. COQUERY for THONET, Model #B 256 lounge chair, 1929).
Chrome