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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Period: Early 20th Century
Creator: Thonet
Arts and Craft Art Nouveau Set of 8 Bentwood Chairs Signed Thonet, 1900
By Thonet
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Set of 8 Thonet chairs, bentwood with viennese braid. all signed.
As found condition.
All chairs a solid and stable.
4 of the braids are perf...
Category
Early 1900s Spanish Art Nouveau Antique Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood, Braid
Secession Plant Table No.35 by Marcel Kammerer
By Thonet, Marcel Kammerer
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession plant table no.35 by Marcel Kammerer in very good original condition with signs of usage.
Category
1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Pair of Secession Armchairs No.17 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Pair of secession armchairs no.17 by Thonet in very good condition.
Category
1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Rattan, Bentwood
Five Original circa 1920 Dinette Josef Hoffmann Thonet 811 Bergere Dining Chairs
By Thonet
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning suite of five original circa 1920’s, hand made in Poland, Dinette chairs, designed by Josef Frank and J...
Category
1920s Polish Art Deco Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Two Office Chairs Thonet Nr.28
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state with a pleasant patine of age, perfectly cleaned and re-polished with shelack finish.
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Belle Époque Thonet Furniture
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
Revolving Bookcase by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Revolving bookcase by Thonet professionally stained and repolished.
Category
1910s Slovak Vienna Secession Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Beech
Thonet bed no.5 for a child
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Thonet bed no.5 for a child. Wear consistent with age and use.
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Secession Nesting Tables by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession nesting tables by Thonet professionally stained and repolished.
Measures: 1. table 31 x 45 x 69cm 2. table 34,5 x 53 x 70cm 3. table 39 x 60,5 x 72cm.
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Furniture
Materials
Wood
Office Swivel Chair, Thonet Nr.633
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Perfectly restored in the recent past, new shellac polish - high gloss. Beautiful and original surface treatment - "imitation oak wood", where imitation oak wood pores were carved in...
Category
Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Thonet Furniture
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
Bentwood Music Stand No.1 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood music stand no.1 by Thonet professionally stained and repolished.
Category
1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
1904 Rare Thonet Coat Rack no.21, Austria
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- carefully refurbished and finished by shellac
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Antique Thonet Furniture
Materials
Wood
Bentwood Plant Stand by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood plant stand by Thonet professionally stained and repolished.
Category
1920s Czech Art Deco Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Folding Chair, Thonet, 1920's
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- made in Czechoslovakia
- made of wood
- good, original condition.
Category
1920s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 20th C Thonet Quartetto Nesting Tables
By Thonet
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1900 set of four Thonet nesting tables with original label. Bent wood beech frames with original dark finish. Very good overall antique condition with some scattered surface we...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Thonet Furniture
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
Four Armhairs Thonet, circa 1920
By Thonet, D. G. Fischell
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state with a pleasant patina of age, perfectly cleaned and repolished with french polish.
Category
Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Thonet Furniture
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
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.
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Thonet Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Unique Armchair Thonet B 1045, since 1938
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
It is unique, the only known piece, made to order for a special customer. This unique armchair has never been shown in a regular sales catalog. Documents about the armchair were kept only in the in-house archive of the Thonet company.
Thonet B...
Category
Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Thonet Furniture
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
Thonet H 6760 Prayer Kneeling Chair
By Thonet
Located in Budapest, HU
Prayer Kneeling by Thonet.
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Thonet Furniture
Materials
Wood
August Thonet Chairs, Set of 6, Czech Republic, 50s Signed Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
this description has been automatically translated and may not be completely accurate.
H77 x W37 x D44
They are in very good condition, very solid.
Category
Early 20th Century Czech Other Thonet Furniture
Materials
Cane, Bentwood
Thonet Rocking Chair No.7014
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Thonet rocking chair no.7014 in very good original condition. Original rattan seat.
Category
1920s Czech Vienna Secession Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Set of 8 Thonet Armchairs Model Nr. 15, Black Wood and Cane, 1900s
By Thonet
Located in Brussels, BE
Set of 8 Thonet armchairs Model Nr. 15, Black Wood and Cane, 1900s.
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Thonet Furniture
Materials
Cane, Wood
Secession Dining Chairs by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession bentwood Thonet dining chairs. Professionally stained and repolished with new handmade rattan seats.
Category
1910s Slovak Vienna Secession Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Rattan, Bentwood
Secession Marble Coffee Table by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Office chair no.811 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet.
Category
1910s Hungarian Vienna Secession Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Marble
Round Coffee Table by Thonet
By Thonet, August Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Round coffee table by Thonet professionally stained and repolished.
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Thonet Nesting Tables
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Nesting tables by Thonet Debrecsen Hungary in original condition.
Category
1920s Czech Art Deco Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
4 Thonet Chairs, Model Prague No. 811, First Half of the 20th Century
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Herentals, BE
The chairs were designed by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet around 1920 and executed by FMG - Fabryka Mebli Gietych - in Poland in the first half of the 20th century. They have been reupho...
Category
Early 20th Century Polish Art Deco Thonet Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Bentwood
Secession Plant Table No.38 Otto Wagner for Thonet
By Otto Wagner, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession plant table no.38 Otto Wagner for Thonet professionally stained and repolished.
Category
Early 1900s Czech Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Pair of Secession Armchairs Atr. Adolf Loos Ex. by Thonet
By Adolf Loos, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Pair of secession armchairs atr. Adolf Loos ex. by Thonet in original condition.
Category
1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Fully Restored Thonet Writing Desk, 1910´S, Austria
By Thonet
Located in Prague 8, CZ
This is a nowadays quite rare desk from the workshop of the Thonet company, produced around 1910. The table is made of bent beech wood, the table top is made of beech wood as well. B...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Thonet Furniture
Materials
Brass
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.
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Furniture
Materials
Wood, Beech
Early Thonet B 9 Nesting Tables by Marcel Breuer
By Thonet, Marcel Breuer
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Early set of nesting tables, model B9 - 9C. Chrome-plated tubular steel and lacquered wood. Manufactured probably by Gebrüder Thonet AG, Frankenberg, These pieces, while originally d...
Category
1920s Austrian Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Austrian Wiener Werkstätte Bookcase/ Shelf /Bakers Rack/ Display Stand
By Thonet
Located in New York City, NY
A three shelf Jugendstil bookcase / etagere / bakers rack, two tone in stained and polished beechwood with decorative openwork side panels extendin...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Thonet Furniture
Materials
Beech
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
Swivel Office Chair Thonet Nr.352, since 1904
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Manufactured in Austria by the Gebrüder Thonet company. Newly restored, new shellack polish, minor repairs.
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Belle Époque Thonet Furniture
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
Original Thonet Brass-Footed Bistro Table
By Thonet
Located in Port Chester, NY
A Thonet bistro table from France. This rectangular base is bentwood with terrific brass accents-base feet and center rail. The top, recently added...
Category
Early 20th Century French Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Thonet Stools No.144
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Thonet stools no.144 professionally stained and repolished.
Category
1910s Czech Vienna Secession Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Rattan, Bentwood
Bentwood Plant Stands by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood plant stands by Thonet professionally stained and repolished.
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Art Nouveau Bentwood Flower Tub / Plant Stand by Thonet, Austria, circa 1915
By Thonet
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Beautiful bentwood plant stand or flower tub made by the company of Thonet Vienna. A unique shaped piece from the well known company in Austria from around ...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Thonet Furniture
Materials
Metal
Rocking Chair for Children No.2
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Rocking chair for children no.2 in original condition.
Category
1910s Slovak Vienna Secession Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Thonet Flower Stand No.31
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Thonet flower stand no.31 in very good original condition with signs of usage.
Category
1910s Slovak Vienna Secession Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Wood
Secession Plant Stand No.9537 by Otto Wagner for Thonet
By Thonet, Otto Wagner
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession plant stand no.9537 by Otto Wagner for Thonet professionally stained and repolished.
Category
1910s Slovak Vienna Secession Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Beech
Josef Frank Thonet Art Deco Four Windsor Armchairs Beech Brown circ 1925 Austria
By Josef Frank, Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage four ( 4 ) dining chairs or armchairs from brown stained beech design attributed to Josef Frank executed by the company Thonet circa 1925 Austria.
Each chair is labeled with company´s label underneath the seat.
These four ( 4 ) dining chairs or armchairs show beautiful turned details at the armrests and at the connections to the seat.
The surface is carefully cleaned and shellac polished by hand, so the amazing warmth and depth from beechwood is visible.
Very good condition
approx. measures:
Width 57 cm
Depth 53.5 cm
Height 99 cm
Seat height 45 cm
The style and the creation of Windsor dining chairs was been used by Josef Frank.
He preferred to use this type of armchair in his interiors, the reason is the cosiness and comfort these Windsor chairs have been featured.
Josef Frank loved to connect all style directions of the world in his interiors.
Josef Frank ( 1885 - 1967 ) a popular designer and architect, who created with Oskar Strnad an own concept for interiors and architecture:
Wiener Schule der Architektur.
1925 Josef Frank founded with his companion Oskar Wlach the very popular interior company Haus & Garten in Vienna in the 1st district, for which he created many wonderful furnitures and interiors and demonstrated a forward looking live style with his lush textile designs and his functional and well looking furniture designs.
Josef Frank is very popular till now due his creations for fairytale textile fabrics and his furniture designs, which he also created after 1933 in Sweden.
Since 1938 Josef Frank stayed in Stockholm with his wife and designed fabrics for Svenskt Tenn, among others.
1941 Josef Frank emigrated to New York, where he lived and worked till 1947.
Josef Frank ´s...
Category
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Beech
Swivel Office Chair Thonet
By Thonet, D. G. Fischell
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state. Solid, can normally be used.
Category
Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Thonet Furniture
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
Thonet Dining Table
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Thonet dining table.
Category
1910s Slovak Vienna Secession Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Black Art Deco Round Piano Stool Made by Thonet, Original Condition, 1920s
By Thonet
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Small round Art Deco piano chair.
Material: Beech
Maker: Thonet
Source: Czechia
Period: 1920-1929
Adjustable height: 45 - 70 cm (18 in - 27.5 in)
...
Category
Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Thonet Furniture
Materials
Beech, Lacquer
Art Nouveau Wing Chair Thonet Nr.6541, since 1904
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
A rare Wing chair was manufactured in Austria by the Gebrüder Thonet company. Completely newly restored. All using the original technology of the time. Wood polished using shellac po...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Belle Époque Thonet Furniture
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
Thonet Bentwood Side Table, Design by Josef Hoffmann, Austria ca. 1906
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Remarkable round Art Nouveau coffee table "Fledermaus" designed by the famous Austrian architect and founder of the "Wiener Werkstaette" Josef Hoffma...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Thonet Furniture
Materials
Beech
Thonet Bentwood Pedestal/ Plant Stand, Austria circa 1905
By Thonet
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Unusual bentwood pedestal or plant stand made by the famous company of Thonet in Vienna around 1906. This artfully designed early 20th century pedestal provides two round levels connected by delicate beechwood columns. The upper compartment is additionally highlighted by two bentwood rings on the outside confers this unique pedestal a very own style. A beautiful mahogany trimmed finishing and an exceptional shape gives this Art Nouveau plant stand...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Thonet Side Table
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Thonet side table professionally stained and repolished.
Category
1920s Slovak Art Deco Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Bentwood Thonet Cradle No.1
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
This French bentwood cradle made by Thonet circa late 1900s. The cradle is in very good working order.
Category
Early 1900s Czech Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Original Thonet Magazine Rack Stand Beechwood Model No 1, 1900s
By Thonet
Located in Wien, AT
The magazine rack model 11801 is the highlight of all magazine racks made by Thonet.
Manufactured around 1900, it has been very carefully partially restored to preserve it‘s
origin...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Thonet Furniture
Materials
Beech
Big Old Thonet Furniture Poster, 1920s
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1926
- Original poster
- Beautiful decoration
- for the conditions see the photos
jr.
Category
1920s Art Deco Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Glass, Paper
Thonet Rocking Footrest
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Thonet rocking footrest in very good original condition with signs of usage.
Category
1920s Czech Art Deco Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Rattan, Bentwood
Large Secession Armchair by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Large secession armchair by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet professionally stained and repolished. Marked on the bottom.
Category
1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
'1' Thonet Anton Lorenz Cantilevered Chrome Armchair
By Anton Lorenz, Thonet
Located in Pasadena, TX
(1 ) Thonet Lorenz arm chair
The Lorenz arm chair was designed by Anton Lorenz in 1929 and manufactured by Thonet.
In 1929 Anton Lorenz founded the firm Desta (Deutsche Stahlmöbel) in Berlin making Anton Lorenz the first to manufacture tubular-steel furniture on a commercial scale...
Category
1920s European Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Chrome
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...
Category
1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Beech
Flower Stand No.9581 by Otto Wagner
By Otto Wagner, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Flower stand no.9581 by Otto Wagner professionally stained and repolished.
Category
1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Wood
Secession Coffee Table No.412 by Otto Wagner for Thonet
By Otto Wagner, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession site table no.412 by Otto Wagner for Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Category
1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Thonet Furniture
Materials
Wood
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.
Creators Similar to Thonet
Questions About Thonet Furniture
- What is Thonet furniture?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Thonet 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.
- What is a Thonet chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024A 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 ExpertMarch 3, 2023Perhaps 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 ExpertApril 5, 2022An 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.
- What is a Thonet-style chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023A 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 ExpertApril 5, 2022Michael 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.
- Are Thonet chairs marked?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Yes, 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.
- Are Thonet chairs stackable?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Whether 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, 2022To 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024To 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.