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.
Bauhaus Style S3002 Club Tub Armchairs by Christoph Zschoke for Thonet, 2000s
By Thonet
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Bauhaus style S3001 club tub armchairs Design by Christoph Zschoke for Thonet. Striking German design from the 2000s. Original plywood and tubular steel frame, r...
Chrome
$32,250 / set
Set of Ten Dining Chairs by Anton Lorenz for Thonet
By Thonet, Anton Lorenz
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of ten armchairs designed by Anton Lorenz for Thonet. Each chair has tan upholstered backrest and seat with polished chrome tubular frames. Mid-Century Modern S-37 chairs were originally designed by Anton Lorenz in 1929 and later manufactured by Gebruder Thonet in the 1970s. In 1929 Anton Lorenz founded the firm Desta (Deutsche Stahlmobel) in Berlin making Anton Lorenz the first to manufacture tubular-steel furniture on a commercial scale.
Chrome
$4,803 / set
Secession armchairs no.6513 by Otto Wagner
By Otto Wagner, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession armchairs no.6513 by Otto Wagner for Thonet in original vintage condition.
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
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
$1,239Sale Price|20% Off
Thonet - by Michael Thonet - Side table - Beech
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Budapest, HU
Thonet - Michael Thonet - Side Table - Beech Austria, Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) - Circa 1900-1910 This beautiful side table, designed by the renowned Michael Thonet, exemplifies the ...
Beech
Mid Century "B27" Round Dining Table by Marcel Breuer Produced by Thonet, 1930s
By Marcel Breuer, Thonet
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
Classic Modernist Sculpted Settee Sofa by Russel Wright for Thonet
By Russel Wright, Thonet
Located in Buffalo, NY
A Sculpted Green Naugahyde Settee Sofa Designed by Russel Wright for Thonet, Untied States, c.1950. This Settee would look exceptional while displayed in a Mid-Century inspired inter...
Naugahyde, Beech
Set of Iconic Gerd Lange 'Flex 2000' Chairs and Table for Thonet 1973
By Thonet, Gerd Lange
Located in Tilburg, NL
Set Iconic Gerd Lange 'Flex 2000' Chairs and table in Beech and Plastic for Thonet 1973. This is a set of highly sculptural and avant garde quality by designer Gerd Lange for Thonet...
Plastic, Beech
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
Thonet Postmodern Dining Table by Marius van den Wildenberg for Thonet. 1980's
By Thonet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Postmodern dining table designed by Marius van den Wildenberg for Thonet in the 1980s. This striking piece features a distinctive mix of materials, including tapered chrome legs, a w...
Metal, Chrome
Jugendstil swivel desk chair by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Jugendstil swivel desk chair by Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
Twelve Sleek Chrome Dining Chairs by Anton Lorenz for Thonet
By Thonet, Anton Lorenz
Located in Dallas, TX
This attractive set of twelve, designed by the legendary Anton Lorenz. The man who brought tubular steel furniture to the masses. The classic bauhaus design features a sleek, sculptu...
Chrome
19th century bentwood Thonet table
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
19th century bentwood Thonet table professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, 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
$1,500 / set
Pair of Michael Thonet Folding Deck Chairs
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Model: Fireside chair model 1 (Kaminsessel) designed in 1866 The chairs need restoration, only the wood, the wicker cane webbing is in good condition on both pieces. MOMA New York ha...
Cane, Bentwood
$1,921 / item
Vienna secession causeuse no.6611 by Otto Wagner
By Otto Wagner, Thonet
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
Sleek Bauhaus "B10" Table Set by Marcel Breuer
By Thonet, Marcel Breuer, Chromcraft
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
Francesco Zaccone for Thonet Golf Chairs in New Bouclé Upholstery, Germany 1970
By Thonet, Francesco Zaccone
Located in Almelo, NL
Presenting this stunning set of ‘Golf’ chairs by Francesco Zaccone for Thonet. Beautifully shaped chrome bases creating an incredibly sturdy and stately pre...
Aluminum, Chrome
1900s Marcel Kammerer Chair No.6517 for Thonet, Austria
By Thonet, Marcel Kammerer
Located in Praha, CZ
- newly upholstered in Backhausen fabric - carefully refurbished and finished with ebony shellac - Height of seat 47 cm.
Fabric, Wood
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
Gerd Lange Iconic 'Flex 2000' Table for Thonet 1973
By Gerd Lange, Thonet
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
Thonet Model 81 Three-Legged Armchair
By Thonet
Located in Highland, IN
This elegant three-legged chair by Thonet is made of stained beech with a seat upholstered in suede leather. 31.5"h X 25"w X 23"d
Beech
Thonet chairs no.567 by Otto Prutscher for Café Heinrichshof
By Thonet, Otto Prutscher
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Thonet chairs no.567 by Otto Prutscher for Café Heinrichshof in very nice original condition with signs of use.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
Set of Six Dining Chairs by Walter Gropius and Ben Thompson for Thonet
By Walter Gropius, Thonet, Ben Thompson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of six W199 dining armchairs by Walter Gropius and Ben Thompson for Thonet, c.1950's, Austria. The chairs showcase a bent birch wood frame and legs. The seats have been newly uph...
Upholstery, Birch
Round side table by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Round side table by Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Brass
Bentwood Childs Chair by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Fun bentwood child’s chair by Thonet. This piece has a great patina from many years of use. Photographed with Bertoia side chair by Knoll for scale.
Bentwood
Thonet Bentwood and Rattan Rocking Chaise Model 7500
By Thonet
Located in Madrid, ES
Rare Thonet bentwood rocking chaise lounge chair with cane seat. The design of the rocking chaise model no. 7500 is attributed to August Thonet. Initially it was made without armrest...
Rattan, Bentwood, Cane
Bauhaus chair no.811 by Josef Hoffmann
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
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
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
Bauhaus Tubular Steel Desk by Thonet, Chrome Plated Metal, Lacquered Wood, 1930
By Thonet, R. C. Coquery
Located in Berlin, DE
Bauhaus tubular steel desk B 282 designed by R. C. Coquery and manufactured by Thonet, c. 1930 Delivery time c. 8 weeks
Steel, Chrome
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
$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
Beautiful Set of 3 Thonet Wood Garden Chair 'Gartensessel No. 4', circa 1900
By Thonet
Located in Steinheim am Albuch, BW
Timeless and rare set of three solid wooden Thonet garden chairs made in Austria. The garden chair no. 4 has a knotted structure which was first designed by Gebrüder Thonet in the l...
Wood
Thonet S 411 Tubular Steel Cantilever Armchair, Germany, circa 1935
By Thonet
Located in Berlin, DE
Thonet S 411 tubular steel cantilever armchair with fabric upholstery, designed by the Thonet Company in 1932. This original tubular steel cantilever armch...
Steel, Chrome
$1,921 / 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
Rare Pair Plywood Arm Chairs by Joe Atkinson for Thonet NY / Modernist
By Thonet, Joe Atkinson
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
Art deco armchair no.811 "Prague chair" by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
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
Italian mid-century big beech wood and Vienna straw Thonet chairs, 1950s
By Thonet
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century big beech wood and Vienna straw Thonet chairs, 1950s. Large chairs or armchairs with armrests in Thonet style, with Vienna straw seat and curved armrests and with...
Straw, Beech
Bentwood dining chair no.19 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood dining chair no.19 by Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
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
$672Sale Price / item|20% Off
Thonet armchair model EMT 0030 designed by Rudolf Glatzel 1961
By Thonet
Located in Debrecen, HU
Rudolf B. Glatzel for Thonet, lounge chair, model 'EMT0030' designed in 1961, Germany. The chair features a beech frame, upholstered seat, and backrest, covered in swiss fabric. t...
Fabric, Beech
1930s Pair of Restored Thonet Armchairs, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Carefully refurbished and finished in shellac - Newly upholstered - Labeled - Beech wood
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Bauhaus Tubular Steel Wood Console Table, Model B12 by Marcel Breuer for Thonet
By Thonet, Marcel Breuer
Located in Almelo, NL
Bauhaus Tubular Steel and Wood Console Table, Model B12 by Marcel Breuer for Thonet, Prague, 1930s 2 available – priced per table Dimensions: H 70 cm x W 70 cm x D 45 cm A timeless...
Steel
Antique Bentwood Leather Chaise Longue by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in London, GB
An outstanding antique bentwood leather chaise longue by Thonet, made in Austria and dating from around the 1880-1900 period. It is a most impressive piece, the quality is outstandi...
Leather, Bentwood
Thonet Sider Chairs Attributed to Marcel Kammerer
By Marcel Kammerer, Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
Katalog No, A 335 beech bentwood with plywood seat and backrest attributed to Marcel Kammerer. Professionaly restored. Signed Thonet on the frame.
Beech, Bentwood, Plywood
Charles W. Stendig Bentwood Rocking Chair
By Thonet, Charles Stendig
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Classic rocking chair by Thonet for Stending Co. Beautiful bentwood lines throughout this rocking chair, completed with caning seat and back. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Cane, Bentwood
1950s Le Corbusier Jeanneret Perriand LC1 Basculant Lounge Chair Stendig Label
By Thonet, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an original 1950s LC1 Basculant Sling Lounge Chair, initially designed by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand in 1929. This example is marked with a Stendig...
Steel
Round Coffee Table by Thonet
By August Thonet, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Round coffee table by Thonet professionally stained and repolished.
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
Set of Two '2' Bentwood Slipper Chairs in Original Fabric by Thonet, USA, 1940s
By Thonet
Located in Deland, FL
Comfort. Vintage fabric. Captivating bentwood legs. These two slipper chairs are the perfect addition to any space needing a pop of color and/or a minimal footprint. The original yel...
Fabric
Secession dining chairs no.413 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession dining chairs no.413 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet Debrecen in very nice original condition.
Beech, Bentwood
20th Century Art Nouveau Dining/ Salon Suite with Round Table by Thonet, AT 1910
By Thonet, Otto Wagner
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
1930s Josef Frank Restored Beech Armcahir by Thonet Model A403/F, Czechoslovakia
By Frank Josef, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- brushed and oiled surface - Sturdy and stable - Stamped by Thonet - heigh of seat 33 cm
Beech
$1,849Sale Price / set|30% Off
Couple of Beds Thonet Nr.2, from 1879
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Manufactured in Austria by the Gebrüder Thonet company. Restored in the past, perfectly cleaned and re-polished with shellac polish.
Beech, Bentwood
Childs Chair by David Rowland for Thonet
By David Rowland, Thonet
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Presenting a truly rare and exceptional piece of design history - the Child's Softech Chair, designed by the renowned David Rowland for Thonet...
Metal
Art Nouveau Seating Set by Otto Wagner for Thonet, 1910s
By Otto Wagner, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Set of Thonet sofa type 6285 and two armchairs Thonet 6585. Rare type designed by Otto Wagner. Recently reupholstered. Shellac finish. Dimensions of a...
Upholstery, Beech
Thonet Art Nouveau Bentwood Shoe Shine or Fitting Stool, Vienna, Austria, 1900s
By Thonet, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
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
Bauhaus Tubular Steel Desk by Bruno Weil for Thonet, Stained Wood, Germany, 1930
By Bruno Weil, Thonet
Located in Berlin, DE
Bauhaus tubular steel desk designed by Bruno Weil (Bèwè) and manufactured by Thonet, Germany, c. 1930
Metal, Chrome
Thonet 209 Japan Red Le Corbusier Dining Chair - 2 of 2
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Thonet
Located in Saint Paul, MN
The iconic Thonet 209 chairs by Gebrüder Thonet, consists of only six parts and was a favorite of the Swiss architect Le Corbusier.
Beech, Birch
Gerd Lange Thonet Molded Plastic and Birch Wood Mid Century Modern Arm Chair
By Thonet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Gerd Lange for Thonet Molded Plastic and Birch Wood Mid Century Modern Arm Ch...
Plastic, Birch