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.
Pair of Thonet Art Nouveau Bentwood Chairs, Czechoslovakia, 1920s
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Exceptional pair of Art Nouveau chairs by Thonet, produced in Czechoslovakia in the 1920s. Executed in solid beech wood and molded beech plywood, showcasing classic bentwood construc...
Wood, Beech, Plywood
Model No. 3 Desk or Writing Chair by Thonet, 1900's
By Thonet
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
A very nice desk or writing chair by Thonet. It is fabricated in the Czech Republic around 1900. This chair was originally designed at the second half of the 19th century and can be...
Wood
Vintage Beech Bentwood Stool by Thonet Industries with Label
By Thonet
Located in San Diego, CA
A vintage beech bentwood stool by Thonet Industries with original label, circa 1940s. The stool is in good vaintage condition showing appropriate wear and patina. It measures 14.5"D ...
Bentwood, Beech
Émile Guillot - Thonet - Model B257 chrome bauhaus chair
By Emile Guillot, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1930s - marked by manufacturer - chrome in very good condition with patina - original screws - rare and early piece, collectible - original black colour - small hole on the seat jr
Steel, Chrome
Restored Bauhaus Armchair, by M. Breuer for Thonet, Chrome, Czech, 1920s
By Thonet, Marcel Breuer
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Model B35 This armchair represents the absolute pinnacle of global avant-garde design and stands as an icon of the Bauhaus style from the 1930s. This revolutionary 1928 design was c...
Steel, Chrome
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
Bentwood dining chair no.20 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Bentwood dining chair no.20 by Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
Set of Antique Viennese Secession Thonet Bentwood Dining Chairs
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Elevate your dining space with this beautiful set of authentic Viennese Secession dining chairs manufactured by Thonet Austria. Dating back to the 1900-1910 period, these chairs perf...
Beech, Bentwood
$7,247 / item
French Bentwood Cradle by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Rare and exceptionnal French Bentwood cradle from the Thonet manufacture made in 1900s. Gentle rocking action which can be blocked by a round handle at...
Bentwood
Rare Thonet display case, Dressoir Thonet n ° 20793 Model from catalog 1904.
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Michael Thonet (attribué à ) Deux lits jumeaux en bois courbé ,Sécession Vienoise, circa 1900 jolis décors en bois gaufré top qualité le prix est pour les deux peuvent etre séparés
Beech
$750Sale Price / set|50% Off
Pair of Michael Thonet Folding Deck Chairs
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
This pair is offered in as-is condition and at a significantly reduced price due to their current state. Both chairs require wood restoration, as the front section of the seat frame ...
Cane, Bentwood
Early Bauhaus "B21" Side Table Desk by Marcel Breuer Produced by Thonet, 1930s
By Thonet, Marcel Breuer
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare and early Bauhaus "B21" desk / side table in black stained wood with chromed tubular steel base by Marcel Breuer produced by Thonet in Germany, 1930s. In good original cond...
Steel
Great Set of 14 Armchairs by Thonet, Austria Josef Hoffmann Design
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Rome, IT
Set of 14 armchairs by Thonet, Austria The chairs were a part of a set made on order for a Villa in Götzens, Tirol, Austria Designer: Josef Hoffmann Materials : Steamed bent beechwo...
Beech, Ebony
$3,109Sale Price / set|30% Off
set 3 Chair Ludwig Mies van der Rohe "MR10" by Thonet
By Thonet, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Firenze, FI
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe "MR10" by Thonet set 3 chair. - Chromed tubular steel frame - Original rattan or cane seat - Designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and produced by Thonet...
Steel
A Pair of Vienna Secession Oval Two-tier Side Tables by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Vienna Secession oval two-tier side tables from the "Fledermaus" series designed by Josef Hoffmann (1870-1956). Featuring the original Thonet label. Stained beechwood. Vien...
Beech
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
$654Sale 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 by Thonet
Fabric, Wood
Vintage Thonet Stool – White Lacquered Wood & Brown Leather – 1990s–2000s
By Thonet
Located in Hannover, DE
Vintage Thonet Stool – White Lacquered Wood with Brown Leather Seat – 1990s–2000s A stylish and well-crafted stool by Thonet, likely produced between the 1990s and early 2000s. The ...
Beech
Josef Maria Olbrich, set of 4 armchairs for Thonet, Austria, 1910
By Joseph Maria Olbrich, Thonet
Located in Argelato, BO
Josef Maria Olbrich, set of 4 armchairs for Thonet, Austria, 1910 Rare and extraordinary set of 4 bent beech chairs by the architect and designer Olbrich for Thonet from an important office in Trieste...
Bentwood
Modernist Maple Josef Frank Fabric Eight Dining Chairs Karl Schwanzer, 1950s
By Karl Schwanzer, Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
Modernist Mid-Century Modern vintage eight ( 8 ) dining chairs or chairs from maple wood in honey brown color tone by Karl Schwanzer for Thonet 1953 Vienna. A gorgeous set of eight (...
Fabric, Upholstery, Maple
1930s Josef Frank Restored Beech Armcahir by Thonet Model A403/F, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet, Frank Josef
Located in Praha, CZ
- brushed and oiled surface - Sturdy and stable - Stamped by Thonet - heigh of seat 33 cm
Beech
Vintage Massive Coffee Table, Thonet, 1940's
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- made in Czechoslovakia - made of massive wood - good, original conditon.
Wood
Bauhaus chair no.811 by Josef Hoffmann
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Bauhaus chair no.811 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet in very nice original condition with signs of use.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
Set of four dining chairs produced by Thonet in Czechoslovakia during the 1940s.
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Set of four dining chairs produced by Thonet in Czechoslovakia during the 1940s. These chairs are crafted from solid beech wood and feature elegant curved backrests with refined prop...
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Six Original Stamped Thonet Swivel Bergere Armchairs Model 5501 for Zpm Radomsko
By ZPM Radomsko, Thonet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this super rare suite of six original, antique, fully stamped Thonet Model 5501 swivel bergère chairs made for ZPM Radomsko circa 1900 These are as menti...
Bentwood
Revolving Bookcase by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Revolving bookcase by Thonet professionally stained and repolished.
Beech
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
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
$2,976Sale Price|35% Off
Bentwood Cane Salonfauteuil Easy Chair Thonet No. 1, circa 1890
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Thonet
Located in Lucenec, SK
Very rare antique Thonet easy chair no 1 produced by Gebruder Thonet from the late 19th century in a very good condition with new cane on seat, cane ...
Cane, Bentwood
Thonet S 33 Vintage Black Saddle Leather Chair Mart Stam Cantilever, Set of 4
By Mart Stam, Thonet
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Thonet Mart Stam S33 chair in made by Thonet. The Classic Bauhaus chair. Frame chrome-plated tubular steel, saddle leather black Beautiful Vintage Condit...
Steel, Chrome
$1,355 / 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
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
19TH Century Entrance Coat-Rack Hanger with Mirror by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Completely original entrance coat-rack hanger with mirror by Thonet, period 1800s. Measure cm: H 195, W 85, D 30.
Mirror, Beech
$3,039 / set
Set of Five Chairs by Thonet, Vienna
By Thonet
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This set of five Thonet chairs. The chairs was made by Thonet in 1984 of dark lacquered wood and grey seat and back with silver upholstery nails. A new cover is necessary, otherwise ...
Wood, Leather
Austrian postmodern white wood tub chairs by Joseph Hoffmann for Thonet, 1990s
By Thonet
Located in MIlano, IT
Austrian postmodern white wood tub chairs by Joseph Hoffmann for Thonet, 1990s Set of four tub chairs. The structure is in white painted wood, has a rhomboid decoration on the sides ...
Fabric, Wood
Thonet S 33 Vintage Cognac Vegetal Leather Chair Mart Stam Cantilever 1 of 2
By Mart Stam, Thonet
Located in Munich, Bavaria
These Cantilever vintage chairs are Bauhaus classics and were designed 1926 by Mart Stam and produced by Thonet with the Model name S33. It is a thick saddle vegetal tanned leather t...
Steel, Chrome
American Mid Century Modern Iron & Naugahyde Rare Stool by Thonet 1950's
By Thonet, Paul McCobb
Located in San Diego, CA
1950's Very rare solid iron base with X connector ocaccional stool bt Thonet circa 1960's in beige naugahyde all original in a chocolate enameled finish.retains label
Iron
Vintage Thonet No 17 Armchair 1970s
By Thonet
Located in Čelinac, BA
Thonet No 17 Armchair 1970s
Bentwood
Pair of August Thonet Bentwood Chairs by Thonet Bros
By Thonet, August Thonet
Located in Madrid, ES
Bentwood chairs with new silk-blend seat upholstery. Chairs designed by August Thonet, the son of original bentwood furniture designer Michael Thonet. August took over his father's b...
Silk, Bentwood
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
Pierre Paulin pair of CM236 armchairs chrome satin wool velvet 1960
By Pierre Paulin, Thonet
Located in Paris, IDF
This beautiful pair of CM236 armchairs was designed in the 1960s by Pierre Paulin and produced by Thonet. The model fully embodies the formal research conducted by the French designe...
Chrome
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century Thonet Danish Bentwood Armchairs - a Pair
By Thonet
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Came out of a government building in Oklahoma City. Still labeled. A fabulous pair of Mid Century/ Danish Modern Chairs by Thonet Industries. They are super heavy and solid chairs-...
Naugahyde, Wood
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
$4,091Sale Price / set|30% Off
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe "MR10" by Thonet Set 3 Chair
By Thonet, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Firenze, FI
MR10 chairs, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and produced by Thonet in Germany in the 1960s. The structure is made of chromed tubular steel, bent with exceptional technical pre...
Steel
A Rare Thonet Bentwood Oak Shaving Stand / Vanity with Mirror, 19th C.
By Thonet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This beautiful and sculptural piece features an oval swivel mirror flanked by two scrolling supports joining in a single support, above three oval storage compartments with swivel tr...
Oak
1930s Thonet Chair, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- partly refurbished - some signs of use - sturdy and stable - Heigh of seat 48 cm
Wood
Thonet 209 Japan Red Le Corbusier Dining Chair - 2 of 2
By Thonet, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
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
1970s Set of Four Beech Dining Chairs by TON, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- newly reupholstered - wooden parts has been repolished - sturdy and stable
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Beech
Midcentury Thonet Bent Plywood Armchairs by Joe Atkinson, Set of 5
By Thonet, Joe Atkinson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Set of five bent plywood armchair dining chairs Designed by Joe Atkinson for the Thonet furniture company. Each chair features a bent wood construction wi...
Bentwood
Very rare walnut art deco bar cabinet by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Very rare walnut art deco bar cabinet by Thonet. Signed Thonet Fabrique en Tchecoslovaque. Professionally stained and repolished with fench polish.
Walnut
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
Thonet Bentwood Armchair in the style of Alvar Aalto
By Thonet
Located in Chicago, IL
1940's Thonet bentwood lounge chair. The chair features bentwood arms and legs that have been lacquered in black (the arms and legs are in original condition with some imperfections ...
Upholstery, Wood
Jugendstil Thonet Brown Beech Shoe Stool by Josef Hoffmann attr. c 1907, Vienna
By Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
Jugendstil Thonet brown beech shoe stool was designed circa 1907 and executed by Gebr. Thonet Vienna attributed to Josef Hoffmann. A gorgeous Jugendstil sho...
Beech
$354Sale Price|40% Off
Thonet Vienna Wooden Childrens Chair, Austria, 1900s
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely wooden chair for children by Thonet Vienna, dated around 1900. In good, original condition with nice patina. Labelled and stamped.
Wood
$5,886
Art Nouveau Thonet Chair
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Art nouveau Thonet chair.
Beech, Bentwood
Austrian Bentwood Child's Desk by Thonet, 19th Century Design
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
Eberhard Krauss, Rare Armchair Model A 821 F for Thonet, 1930
By Thonet
Located in Uppsala, SE
Rare armchair / lounge chair designed by Eberhard Krauss for Thonet in 1930 for the exhibition "Thonet Werkbund" in Vienna. This model is sometimes also wrongly attributed to Adolf S...
Rattan, Birch
$579Sale Price / item|20% Off
Ton Bentwood Armchair With Gold Velvet, Czechoslovakia 1930s, 40 Available
By Thonet, TON a.s., Josef Hoffmann
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
Bentwood Thonet Cradle No.1
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
This French bentwood cradle made by Thonet circa late 1900s. The cradle is in very good working order.
Bentwood