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.
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
Pair Of Art Nouveau Thonet Chairs by Josef Hoffmann, 1st edition! - CZ ca. 1906
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Very rare pair of the first edition(!) of bentwood chairs by Thonet from the early 20th century, produced by Thonet in Bohemia. Designed around 1906 by none other than the world reno...
Leather, Bentwood
Set of 4 Thonet bent beech chairs, Austria, early 1900s
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Thonet
Located in Argelato, BO
Set of 4 Thonet bent beech chairs, Austria, early 1900s It is a classic but very elegant model of chairs, made with the famous technique of bending beech using water vapor. An icon ...
Wood, Bentwood
$1,408 / set
Set of 2 Thonet Bentwood Armchairs No. 17
By Thonet
Located in BERKEL EN RODENRIJS, NL
Beautiful set of two original Thonet Bentwood Armchairs, Model No. 17, a historic design first introduced in the early 20th century and later reissued by Thonet during the 1970s–1980...
Cane, Bentwood
$366Sale Price / item|50% Off
Ton Bentwood Armchair With Gold Velvet, Czechoslovakia 1930s, 40 Available
By TON a.s., Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Zohor, SK
Iconic and elegant armchair produced by TON in Czech republic in 1930s. This particular chair is a variation on the classic model '811' Thonet Hoffman chair...
Velvet, Bentwood
Mid-Century Modern Upholstered Scoop Bentwood Armchair By Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare, mid-century modern, walnut bentwood armchair by Thonet features a curvaceous profile with the back and seat made from a single piece of bent walnut. The segmented yellow tweed ...
Upholstery, Walnut
$1,893 / set
Set of 3 Thonet Style Bar Stools, Italy 60s
By Thonet
Located in Lucija, SI
Set of three mid century bar stools in Thonet style. Handmade seats Made in Italy in the 60s
Cane, Bentwood
Mid Century "B27" Round Dining Table by Marcel Breuer Produced by Thonet, 1930s
By Thonet, Marcel Breuer
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare and early "B27" mid century round dining table in black stained wood with chromed tubular steel base by Marcel Breuer produced by Thonet, 1930s. In good original condition....
Steel
Mid Century Modern Sculptural Bent Arm Lounge Chairs in Birch by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of Mid Century Modern Sculptural Lounge Chairs by Thonet in Bent arm Birch with the original Naughahyde upholstery. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. So...
Naugahyde, Birch
An Early MODERN NEO-CLASSICAL FREE-FORM ROCKING-CHAIR by THONET, France 1900
By Thonet
Located in PARIS, FR
An important, very spectacular and charming free-form rocking-chair, Art-Nouveau, Art-Deco, Neo-Classical, Shabby-Chic, Free-Form, bamboo structures and cane seat, by Thonet, France ...
Bamboo, Cane
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.
Wicker, Rattan
Pair of Vanilla Creme Sheepskin Lounge Chairs with Bentwood Arms by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Get cozy in this luxurious pair of Mid-Century Modern bentwood lounge chairs by Thonet circa 1950 freshly reupholstered in vanilla creme sheepskins. Lounge on clouds of soft vanilla creme sheepskins that beckon you to stay awhile...
Sheepskin, Upholstery, Bentwood
20th Century Art Nouveau Dining/ Salon Suite with Round Table by Thonet, AT 1910
By Otto Wagner, Thonet
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Absolute exceptional, early 20th century dining suite/ salon suite by Thonet from the Art Nouveau period in Austria around 1910. Attributed to the famous Austrian architect and desig...
Leather, Beech
Bauhaus Tubular Steel End Table With Drawer, Chromed Metal, Veneered Wood, 1930
By Thonet
Located in Berlin, DE
Bauhaus chrome plated tubular steel end table with one drawer. This table model T9 was designed and manufactured by Thonet, circa 1930 This item is restored on request and available...
Metal, Chrome
MR10 chair by Mies van der Rohe, first edition by Thonet, in leather and chromed
By Thonet, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
"MR10" model chair by German designer Mies van der Rohe, first edition dating from the 1940s by Thonet (label present under the seat). Chromed steel tubing frame, seat and backrest i...
Steel
Sleek Bauhaus "B10" Table Set by Marcel Breuer
By Chromcraft, Thonet, Marcel Breuer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bring a rare fusion of historic design and modernist elegance into your space with this stunning vintage set. At its heart is the iconic "B10" Table, designed by Marcel Breuer—a pion...
Metal
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...
PVC, Ash, Beech
$4,500
Thonet Coatrack
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Chicago, IL
Thonet Coatrack, stained oakwood bentwood furniture design with lacquer finish.
Oak
$7,160Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 6, Mid Century Cow Hide Upholstered Bentwood Chairs by Thonet, 1950s
By Thonet
Located in Basel, BS
These make an incredible opportunity for a complete rare hard to find set of beautiful early American Made, Mid Century Thonet chairs after Eames. Stunning, very cool authentic Bruno Weil...
Bentwood, Cowhide
1980s Rare Dining/Side Chair by TON in Grey Bouclé Fabric
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Newly upholstered - Wooden parts with minor signs of use - Height of seat 42 cm.
Bouclé, Wood
1960s MCM Curved Back Green Thonet Bentwood Dining Chairs, Set of 6
By Thonet
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mid century bentwood dining chairs by Thonet, the renowned maker of bent beechwood furniture. Featuring Thonet's signature curved frames handcrafte...
Upholstery, Wood
$1,100Sale Price|50% Off
Bent Plywood Chair, Model 18 by Bruno Weir for Thonet, c. 1950
By Thonet
Located in New York City, NY
Bent Plywood Chair, Model 18, by Bruno Weir, Thonet, Austria, c. 1950 Cool, simple bent plywood chairs by Bruno Weir for Thonet.
Plywood
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
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 ...
Steel
$2,248 / set
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 ...
Rattan, Bentwood
G80 Deck Chair - Thonet, 1930s by Hans Luckhardt
By Hans & Wassili Luckhardt, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good condition. - wooden parts refreshed - new textile - marked by manufacturer
Wood, Textile
Bauhaus chair no.811 by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bauhaus chair no.811 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet in very nice original condition with signs of use.
Rattan, 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
Thonet Model No. 511 Bentwood Armchair, Vienna Secession, circa 1904
By Thonet, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Austin, TX
An iconic armchair of the Vienna Secession movement, the Thonet model no. 511 bent beechwood armchair, featuring stunning lines and beautiful proportions. A design tour de force, it ...
Bentwood, Cane, Beech
1990s Marcel Breuer for Thonet Laccio Tall Side / End Table in Black Laminate
By Marcel Breuer, Thonet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Laccio Tall Side Table, originally designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925. These particular examples were produced by Thonet in the United States and date to the 1990s. The tabl...
Steel
$1,893 / item
Vienna secession causeuse no.6611 by Otto Wagner
By Thonet, Otto Wagner
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Vienna secession causeuse no.6611 by Otto Wagner for Thonet in original vintage condition with signs of use.
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
Austrian antique wooden Thonet armchair with Vienna straw, early 1900s
By Thonet
Located in MIlano, IT
Austrian antique wooden Thonet armchair with Vienna straw, early 1900s Chair with rounded seat in Vienna straw. The structure is entirely made of wood with a round section. The backr...
Straw, Wood
Vienna Secessionist Bentwood Arm Chair by Thonet att. to Josef Hoffman c. 1920's
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in New York, NY
Early Vienna Secessionist Movement bentwood arm chair, marked Thonet, design attributed to Jose Hofmann, circa 1920's. Exceptional period piece in very good, ready to use condition, ...
Beech
Very rare walnut art deco bar cabinet by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Very rare walnut art deco bar cabinet by Thonet. Signed Thonet Fabrique en Tchecoslovaque. Professionally stained and repolished with fench polish.
Walnut
Bentwood dining room chair no.14 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood dining room chair no.14 by Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
HUGE CIRCA 1900's THONET REVOLVING BENTWOOD HAT COAT & SCARF FLOOR STANDING RACK
By Thonet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely antique circa 1880-1900 Austrian Thonet bentwood extra large coat rack Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote, please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price. A very good looking well made and collectable Thonet bentwood coat stand...
Bentwood
Rare Pair Plywood Arm Chairs by Joe Atkinson for Thonet NY / Modernist
By Joe Atkinson, Thonet
Located in Buffalo, NY
This pair of vintage mid century modern bent plywood (Lounge) armchairs were designed by Joe Atkinson and manufactured by Thonet Industries in the United States circa 1950. This uniq...
Beech, Bentwood, Plywood
Pair of Armchairs No. 752 by Josef Frank for Thonet, 1930s
By Josef Frank, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
A pair of legendary bentwood armchairs Model No. 752, designed by Josef Frank in 1933 for Thonet, Very good condition relative to age. Carefully cleaned and gently restored while pre...
Bentwood
Windsor Chair B952F by Adolf Loos for Thonet
By Thonet, Adolf Loos
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Windsor chair B952F by Adolf Loos for Thonet in very good original condition.
Wood, Beech
Thonet rocking chair model no. 4, 1920'S
By Thonet
Located in LYON, FR
Thonet rocking chair model no. 4. Circa 1920. Curved beech wood rocking chair from the 1920s by Thonet. Model number 4. Beautiful Art Nouveau lines. Recent cane work, well stretche...
Wood
Set of Six Dining Chairs by Jozef Gorcia & Andreas Krob for Thonet Model S78
By Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
Set of six very comfortable armchairs. Made in the 1990s by Thonet in Germany. Classic model, straw back, the backs are slightly damaged on some chairs, see pictures. Designed in t...
Steel
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
$1,136 / set
Bentwood dining chairs by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood dining chairs by Thonet in very nice original condition with signs of use.
Beech, Bentwood
$651Sale Price|44% Off
Vintage Mid Century Thonet Bentwood Armchairs - a Pair
By Thonet
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Rare vintage set of mid century Thonet bentwood armchairs. Bright, striking orange. Can't find these chairs anywhere. The seat back actually reclines a little. The tag says blended c...
Upholstery, Wood
Art deco desk chair A64F by Adolf Gustav Schneck for Thonet Mundus
By Thonet, Gustav Adolf Schneck
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Art deco desk chair A64F by Adolf Gustav Schneck for Thonet Mundus. Professionally stained and repolished with french polish and new leather seat.
Leather, Beech, Bentwood
Tubular Steel S 828 Chaise Longue Rocking Chair by Torben Skov for Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hamburg, DE
Chaise longue or rocking lounger from the renowned tubular steel furniture manufacturer Thonet based on a design by the Danish designer Torben Skov from the 80s. The special feature...
Metal
Austrian antique wooden coat hanger for Thonet, 1800s
By Thonet
Located in MIlano, IT
Austrian antique wooden coat hanger for Thonet, 1800s Wall-mounted coat rack with a wooden frame. It features four curved hooks. Produced by Thonet in the late 1800s. Good condition....
Wood
Art Deco Original Bentwood Stool , Rattan Cane Top, designed by Michael Thonet
By Michael Thonet, 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...
Beech
Art Nouveau Thonet Armchairs by Josef Hoffmann, White Lacquered, AT ca. 1905
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Fantastic pair of white Art Nouveau Thonet armchairs from the period around 1905 in Austria. The timeless design of this iconic Art Nouveau armchairs comes from the pen of no other t...
Fabric, Bentwood
Jil Sander for Thonet S 64 P Nordic 04 in White Oak and Webbing
By Thonet
Located in Tilburg, NL
Jil Sander for Thonet S 64 P Nordic in oak and webbing. New, current production. With the JS . THONET signature collection, she has taken the most famous t...
Steel
Adolf Schneck, rare A 64 F Bentwood armhair for Thonet, 1929
By Gustav Adolf Schneck, Thonet
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...
Beech, Bentwood
$2,240Sale Price / set|20% Off
Super Slick Pair of Thonet Chairs
By Thonet
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Thonet tub chairs in great original condition. We believe they are upholstered in leather, however it's possible the upholstery is actually vi...
Upholstery
Set of six Thonet Chairs No. 14, Vienna straw seat, shellac finish
By Thonet
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Stable, beautiful, ergonomic, space-saving They have a "metal reinforcement" option that allows them to last in excellent condition. Seat height: 47 cm - Seat diameter 41 cm - Total...
Beech
$1,372 / set
Nesting tables Thonet, 1910ca - Josef Hoffmann
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Praha, CZ
Vienna Secession, Restored. Minor repairs made, shellac polish renewed. Marked with Thonet company sticker on the bottom. Plan of the larger table: 43x33cm, height: 67cm, plan of th...
Beech, Bentwood
Gerd Lange Iconic 'Flex 2000' Table for Thonet 1973
By Thonet, Gerd Lange
Located in Tilburg, NL
Gerd Lange 'Flex 2000' Table for Thonet, 1973. This is a truly wonderful and very timeless designed table by Gerd Lange for high-end manufacturer Thonet. Avant garde and very modern...
Plastic, Beech
Austrian Bentwood Child Desk
By Thonet
Located in Queens, NY
Austrian Bentwood small child's desk with attached chair with double hoop back design. (THONET label and brand)
Bentwood
Thonet, rare pair of chairs, early 1900s
By Thonet
Located in Uppsala, SE
Rare pair of bentwood chairs manufactured by Thonet in the early 20th century. Both chairs have a nice faux painted wood finish that is early but most likely not original to the chai...
Bentwood
1970's Vintage Retro 6 Gert de Lange for Thornet ''The Flex'' Chairs
By Gerd Lange, Thonet
Located in amstelveen, NL
Set of 8 chairs designed by Gert De Lange and made by Thornet, the chair was call ''The Flex'' chair and was awarded the 'Gute Form' price in 1969, black...
Plastic
Thonet Settee designed by Otto Prutscher for Cafe Heinrichshof, Austria 1880s
By Thonet
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a very rare antique settee designed by Otto Prutscher for Cafe Heinrichshof, and manufactured by Thonet Brothers in 1908. It is done in beech bentwood, ...
Fabric, Bentwood
Office chairs no.6048 and no.6148 by Otto Wagner for Thonet
By Otto Wagner, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Office chairs no.6048 and no.6148 by Otto Wagner for Thonet. Two tipes of seats. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood