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.
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
$2,253 / 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
20th Century Art Nouveau Bentwood Nesting Tables by Thonet, Austria circa 1905
By Thonet
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Stunning set of four early Art Nouveau beechwood nesting tables from the period around 1905, made by the world famous manufacturer of bentwood furniture - Thonet Vienna. This beautif...
Beech, Bentwood
Adolf Schneck, rare A 64 F Bentwood armhair for Thonet, 1929
By Thonet, Gustav Adolf Schneck
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
1984 Thonet S320 Armchairs by Schneider & Böhme, Gray Upholstery, Pair
By Wulf Schneider, Thonet, Ulrich Bohme
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wulf Schneider and Ulrich Böhme designed the S320 for Thonet in 1984, creating a chair that balances form with function through its distinctive cantilever construction. The tubular s...
Chrome
19th Century Stroller for twins, Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- antique pram for two children - for twins - late 19th century - probably made by Thonet - original very good condition - unrestored - cleaned - metal c...
Wood, Bentwood
$1,556Sale Price / set|20% Off
Josef Hoffmann Armchair – Model No. A 811/F for Thonet
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Budapest, HU
Josef Hoffmann Armchair – Model No. A 811/F for Thonet (1900s) This exquisite armchair, Model No. A 811/F, designed by the renowned architect and designer Josef Hoffmann for Thonet ...
Reed, 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 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
Art Deco Thonet H269 Armchair by Jindřich Halabala
By Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
Beech bentwood walnut stained armchair made by Thonet in the 1930s. Excellent restored with new seat springs upholstered with Lelievre wool fabric. Another fabric and wood finish o...
Beech, Bentwood
$1,186
Thonet Hall Coat Stand
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Large Thonet hall coat stand with umbrella holder. Very good original condition.
Bentwood
$1,826Sale 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
Thonet MCM bent plywood leather chair , circa 1960
By Thonet
Located in Miami, FL
Thonet bent plywood mod 1294 leather chair circa 1960
Leather, Plywood
Mid-Century Modern Set of 4 Thonet Bent Chairs made by ZPM Radomsko
By Thonet, ZPM Radomsko
Located in Prato, IT
This no.18 chair was designed by Gebrüder Thonet around 1875 and was one of the most popular chairs of Thonet. This set of 4 chairs was manufactured by ZPM Radomsko in the 1960s. The...
Rattan, Oak
$380Sale Price|33% Off
Bauhaus Thonet Folding Chair, B 751
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1930s, Czechoslovakia - Original (well-) preserved - Marked by maker - Straight and simple design - Publicated in books and catalogues.
Beech, Bentwood
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
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Original Thonet 209 Dining Chair
By Thonet
Located in Medina, OH
The Thonet chair does need reupholstery work and refinishing work but has good bones to be a great addition to a dining room or use as a side chair. Please message us if you'd like ...
Fabric, Wood
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
Round side table by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Round side table by Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Brass
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Thonet bentwood birch arm chairs
By Thonet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Thonet bentwood birch arm chairs. Has original worn Light green textured cloth upholstery. Worn vintage condition very structural - Need reupholstering or ...
Upholstery, Birch, Bentwood
Michael Thonet Bentwood Bistro Table with carved Art Nouveau Woman Face (top)
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Buffalo, NY
Thonet - Michael Thonet - Side Table - Beech Austria, Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) - Circa 1900-1910 CLASSIC DESIGN ! This beautiful side /bistro table, attributed to renowned Michael T...
Beech
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
$825Sale Price / set|44% Off
Pair of Michael Thonet Folding Deck Chairs
By Michael Thonet, 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
Pair of Thonet Bentwood and Bakelite Stacking Stools, Mid Century Modern
By Alvar Aalto, Thonet
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Thonet Bentwood and Bakelite Stacking Stools. The white bakelite tops are 14" in diameter. Ready for a new home.
Bakelite, Bentwood
Gerd Lange Set of Two Stools designed for Thonet, 1970s
By Thonet, Gerd Lange
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rare set of two stools designed by GERD LANGE for Thonet. also available set of four chairs.
Wood
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
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
Vienna Secessionist Bentwood Arm Chair by Thonet att. to Josef Hoffman c. 1920's
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
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
Jil Sander for Thonet S 64 P Nordic 03 in White Oak and White Alabaster Leather
By Thonet
Located in Tilburg, NL
Jil Sander for Thonet S 64 P Nordic in oak and Leather. New, current production. With the JS . THONET signature collection, she has taken the most famous t...
Steel
Jil Sander for Thonet S 64 P Nordic 01 in White Oak and Caramel 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
A vintage bentwood Thonet “sweetheart” chair, circa 1950s. Made in Romania
By Thonet
Located in Houston, TX
A vintage bentwood Thonet “sweetheart” chair, circa 1950s. Made in Romania, the classic Thonet style cafe chair has a caned seat. Refurbished and in ...
Bentwood
1950s Le Corbusier Jeanneret Perriand LC1 Basculant Lounge Chair Stendig Label
By Charlotte Perriand, Pierre Jeanneret, Thonet, 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
Vintage Massive Coffee Table, Thonet, 1940's
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- made in Czechoslovakia - made of massive wood - good, original conditon.
Wood
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
Classic Modernist Sculpted Settee Sofa by Russel Wright for Thonet
By Thonet, Russel Wright
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
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
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
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
Francesco Zaccone for Thonet Golf Chairs in New Bouclé Upholstery, Germany 1970
By Francesco Zaccone, Thonet
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
Set of 4 Thonet Chairs designed by Jacob & Josef Kohn, Model No. 380, 1930s
By Thonet
Located in Wrocław, Poland
Exceptional original set of four chairs, model no. 380, originally designed by Jacob & Josef Kohn in 1906. The presented set was produced in Vienna after 1922, following the acqu...
Bentwood
Thonet Model 411 Cantilever Armchair and Ottoman, Bauhaus Design
By Thonet
Located in München, Bavaria
Dimensions: Armchair: approx. 60 × 85 × 82 × 44 cm (23.6" × 33.5" × 32.3" × 17.3") Width × Depth × Height × Seat Height Ottoman: approx. 60 × 45 × 40 cm (23.6" × 17.7" × 15.7") Width...
Steel, Chrome
Pair of Contemporary S 35 Lounge Chairs by Marcel Breuer for Thonet
By Marcel Breuer, Thonet
Located in Norwalk, CT
This pair of iconic S 35 lounge chairs features heavy-duty black leather seats slung over tubular polished chrome frames, with black stained beechwood armres...
Chrome
1930s Pair of Restored Thonet Armchairs, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Carefully refurbished and finished in shellac - Newly upholstered - Labeled by Thonet
Fabric, Wood
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...
Beech
Thonet Beechwood Standing Coat Rack, Art Nouveau Style, Romania, 1968
By Thonet
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice standing coat rack and umbrella stand .Solid Beechwood . Steam bended . Very good condition, comes in four parts, easy to send . Please...
Beech
1970's Vintage Retro 6 Gert de Lange for Thornet ''The Flex'' Chairs
By Thonet, Gerd Lange
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
Black Art Nouveau Display Cabinet by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet, AT ca. 1905
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Another rarity in our highly demanded Art Nouveau furniture collection: an absolute fantastic, unusual black display cabinet from the early perio...
Brass
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
$1,897 / item
Vienna secession causeuse no.6611 by Otto Wagner
By Otto Wagner, Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Vienna secession causeuse no.6611 by Otto Wagner for Thonet in original vintage condition with signs of use.
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
Pair Thonet Side Chairs Scalloped and Ribbed Open Back and Bronze Nail Heads
By Thonet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stunning pair of Thonet Chairs. A departure from the traditional bentwood framework, this frame features a bentwood leg, however the draw is an open scallop back with ribbed Chann...
Wrought Iron
Emile Guillot Tubular Steel Modernist Armchair Made by Thonet
By Emile Guillot, Thonet
Located in London, GB
Emile Guillot tubular steel modernist armchair made by Thonet. The shaped headrest, arms and shaped seat are ebonized Beech wood.
Steel
Set of 2 Thonet Armchairs, Model B246, 1930s, Restored & Reupholstered
By Josef Frank, Thonet
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This set of 2 armchairs was produced by Thonet (original paper labels are still under the seats as you may see in the attached picture) and most probably designed by Josef Frank. Thi...
Linen, Bentwood
$4,500
Thonet Coatrack
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Chicago, IL
Thonet Coatrack, stained oakwood bentwood furniture design with lacquer finish.
Oak
$3,083
Thonet Chair No.1
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Thonet dining chair no.1 in very good original condition.
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
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
Restored Art Deco Chair, by Thonet, Beech, Revived Polish, Czech, 1920s
By Thonet
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant Art Deco chair comes from Czechoslovakia from the first half of the 20th century. It is made of solid beech wood and is marked Thonet. The chair has undergone careful r...
Beech, Wood, Lacquer
$1,700 / item
ST 664 Shell Chairs, Designed by Eddie Harlis
By Thonet, Eddie Harlis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The ST 664 chair designed by Eddie Harlis in 1954. Thonet manufactured the chairs in Germany. These chairs are no longer produced. The chair has a yellow stained finish and are made ...
Steel, Chrome
Sleek Bauhaus "B10" Table Set by Marcel Breuer
By Marcel Breuer, Chromcraft, Thonet
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
Thonet dining table for 4 people with glass top
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Thonet dining table for 4 people with glass top in very nice original condition.
Rattan, Glass, Beech, Bentwood