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
Jil Sander for Thonet S 64 P Serious 05 in Lacquered Wood an Webbing
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
Set of Four Bauhaus Armchair, by Bauhaus, Thonet, Leather, Austria, 1920s
By Thonet, Bauhaus
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
According to the original process, our professional refurbishing team in Czechia has restored and reupholstered the item. The chrome parts have been cleaned and professionally rest...
Steel, Chrome
MCM Danish Bentwood Dining Chair, One Chair, 1960s (2 Available)
By Thonet, Charles Eames
Located in Basel, BS
Stunning very cool Thonet black and Walnut bentwood dining chair. Two available. These are very sturdy, iconic, comfortable dining chairs. They are also excellent options for use a...
Bentwood
$2,544 / item
Slatted Arm Chair Art Nouveau designed by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rare set of two slatted art nouveau arm chairs in used original condition. Designed by Thonet Austria.
Bentwood
Set of Four B 952/F Armchairs by Adolf Loos for Thonet
By Adolf Loos, Thonet
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Designed in 1903 by the pioneering Austrian architect and designer Adolf Loos, the B 952 F armchair represents a rare convergence of utilitarian form and refined craftsmanship. Execu...
Beech
Jil Sander for Thonet S 64 P Serious 03 in Lacquered Wood an Green 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
$2,831 / set
Four Thonet bent beech and perforated wood
By Thonet
Located in Milano, IT
Four bent beech and perforated wood chairs with cane seats. Thonet manufacture, Austria, circa 1920s.
Bentwood
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
Restored Black ArtDeco Beech Armchair, Thonet Company, Austria, 1920s
By Thonet
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored ArtDeco Beech Armchair made by influential Austrian furniture manufacturer Thonet. Maker: Thonet Source: Austria Period: 1920-1929 Material: Beech This item features cl...
Wood, Beech, Lacquer
Secession Office Chair no.6528 by Marcel Kammerer for Thonet
By Marcel Kammerer, Thonet
Located in Toronto, CA
This bentwood armchair was crafted by Marcel Kammerer (1878 – 1959), a Viennese architect and designer who immigrated to Canada after World War II. The stained beech is mahogany-colo...
Wood, Fabric, Beech
$843Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Thonet Wood Chair, German Design, 36\" Diameter, Circa 1920
By Thonet
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
After Thonet chair, manufactured by unknown manufactured, circa 1920. In good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preservi...
Wood
S43 Dining Chairs by Mart Stam for Thonet (set of 6)
By Mart Stam, Thonet
Located in Saint Paul, MN
Neo-vintage S43 dining chairs by Mart Stam for Thonet. Stamped and dated 1990s.
Metal
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
1950's Pair of Upholstered Side Chairs, Oswald Haerdtl Model 515
By Thonet
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1950’s pair of upholstered side chairs – Oswald Haerdtl Model 515 1950’s pair of upholstered side chairs – Oswald Haerdtl Model 515. T...
Upholstery
Pair of Red Bauhaus Armchairs Made in 30s Germany, Designed by Anton Lorenz
By Anton Lorenz, Thonet
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Pair of red Bauhaus armchairs made out of high quality leather and Chrome plated steel. Made in´30s Germany by Thonet and Designed by Anton Lorenz. Full...
Steel, Chrome
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
4 Thonet Chairs, Model Prague No. 811, First Half of the 20th Century
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
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...
Fabric, Bentwood
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
Bauhaus Tubular Steel Desk by Bruno Weil for Thonet, Stained Wood, Germany, 1930
By Thonet, Bruno Weil
Located in Berlin, DE
Bauhaus tubular steel desk designed by Bruno Weil (Bèwè) and manufactured by Thonet, Germany, c. 1930
Metal, Chrome
Secession plant stand no.9532 by arch. Marcel Kammerer for Thonet
By Marcel Kammerer, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession plant stand no.9532 by arch. Marcel Kammerer for Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
1990s Thonet Bentwood Lounge Chairs in Ebony Wood with Red Fabric
By Thonet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a single (listing price is for each chair, though four are available) bentwood lounge chair by Thonet. The chairs have ebonized wood frames with red fabric upholst...
Fabric, Wood
Cafe Capua Chair no.519 by Adolf Loos for Thonet
By Thonet, Adolf Loos
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Iconic Design: The No. 519 Café Capua Chair Experience a piece of architectural history with the No. 519 Café Capua chair. Designed in 1913 by the pioneering modernist architect Adol...
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
$4,745 / item
Targa Petit Light blue velvet Armchair
By Thonet
Located in Milan, IT
Targa Petit blue velvet armchair designed by GamFratesi offers a compact yet elegant seating option inspired by the iconic Targa Lounge. Its refined proportions and the distinctive V...
Wood
Rare Thonet A 403/F bentwood armchair by Josef Frank, 1930s
By Thonet, Frank Josef
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
This piece is a design classic created by Josef Frank around 1928 for the esteemed manufacturer Gebrüder Thonet. Crafted from mahogany-stained bent beech and beech plywood, it exempl...
Beech
$3,067 / set
Set of 4 dining room chairs by Thonet Mundus
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Set of 4 dining room chairs by Thonet Mundus. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
Thonet, Dining Room Chairs, Wood, Fabric, Austria, 1900s
By Thonet
Located in High Point, NC
A set of four wood and white fabric dining room chairs produced by Thonet, Vienna, Austria, c. 1900s. Mild to moderate staining on fabric throughout set. Wood frames show signs of n...
Fabric, Wood
$920
Swivel bar stool
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Swivel bar stool with leather seat. Professionally stained and repolished.
Leather, Beech, Bentwood
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
$852Sale Price|20% Off
Art Nouveau Thonet Cradle, Bentwood, circa 1900
By Thonet
Located in Budapest, Budapest
Beautiful Thonet cradle from the 1900s. The cradle is damaged at the bottom; the lower wooden part is broken (visible in the photo) and has been subseq...
Bentwood
$1,297
Thonet chair
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Professionally stained and repolished Thonet chair with new handmade rattan seat.
Fabric, Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
Cocktail Chair, Thonet, Vienna, 1950s
By Thonet
Located in Wolfurt, AT
The relatively small cocktail chair covered with a firm vinyl cover, the seams of which are stabilised by a piping strip. The backrest is not only decorated with upholstery nails in the lower arch, but also reinforced. The chairs stand sturdily on light beechwood legs. Original condition. Please note that upholstered chairs from the 1950s like to have a lower seat height of 41 to...
Faux Leather, Wood
Austrian modern white wooden pedestal with two tops by Thonet, 1990s
By Thonet
Located in MIlano, IT
Austrian modern white wooden pedestal with two tops by Thonet, 1990s Pedestal or display stand with round base. The structure is entirely made of white lacquered wood with a matt fin...
Metal
Vintage Thonet Ebonized Black Rattan Bergere Rocking Chair Lovely Small Armchair
By Thonet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely small vintage Thonet Rocking armchair with ebonised black frame and rattan seat Originally designed in the 1800s with elaborate curv...
Rattan
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
Bentwood mute servant by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood mute servant by Thonet in original vintage condition with signs of use.
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.
Fabric, Wood
Jil Sander for Thonet S 64 P Nordic 02 in White Oak and Burnt Walnut 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 Serious 04 in Lacquered Wood an Blue 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
$1,887Sale Price / set|20% Off
Thonet 79 model 207R "Long John" Dining Chairs, 1979
By Thonet
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Design model bentwood 207R "LONG JOHN" Dining Chair set of 5 by Thonet. Marked Thonet 79. Made in 1979. Bend beech wood with flower fabric. Chairs come with original limited ...
Fabric, Beech
12 Dining Chairs, Manufactured for export in Argentina, with original labels
By Thonet
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
12 Chairs Made for Argentina by Thonet. It is verified on the label that it has the word Manufacturing in Spanish (Fabricacion Checo-Eslovaca) / Thonet Delivered restored at the cust...
Wood
Unique Thonet Desk Chair, Museum Piece
By Thonet
Located in Delft, NL
One of our unique Thonet desk chair, Museum piece It's from a collection of a Museum, The Haque, Netherlands The chair is adjustable from 85 cm t...
Wood
1960s Desk or Side Bentwood Chair by Ton, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Carefully refurbished - Newly upholstered - beech wood - armrests Dimension: 44 cm
Wood, Beech, Bentwood
Vintage German Armchair from Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hamburg, DE
Big Thonet steel pipe armrest chair with a special cover in the herringbone pattern.Elegant chair or armchair. The continuous … Read more Big Thonet steel pipe armrest chair with a s...
Metal
Michael Thonet Solid Beechwood and Cane no. 210 Armchair
By Thonet, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Chair nr 210 designed by Gebrüder Thonet in 1900, (as well as nr 209) of renown designer Le Corbusier. This chair is made in Czechoslovakia (pre WW2 factory of Thonet). New cane c...
Wicker, Cane, Bentwood
Thonet Chair HO. 41, 1905s
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in Čelinac, BA
Thonet chair HO 41, restored in good condition. Designed by Michael Thonet.
Plywood
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
Pierre Paulin pair of CM236 armchairs chrome satin wool velvet 1960
By Thonet, Pierre Paulin
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
Mid-Century Modern Birch Bentwood Side Or Coffee Table By Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Mid-Century Modern side or coffee table by Thonet was manufactured by the Austrian bentwood furniture company during the 1950s. It features a 1.25" thick ebonized maple top with...
Birch, Bentwood, Maple
Mart Stam for Thonet Lounge Chair in Weathered Solid Iroko and Stainless Steel
By Thonet, Mart Stam
Located in Tilburg, NL
Mart Stam Lounge Chair for Thonet in Weathered Solid Iroko and Stainless Steel, Germany, early 21st century. Beautiful and rare lounge version of the S40 chair by Mart Stam, which i...
Stainless Steel
Chair of the Rings by Martino Gamper for the Conran Shop/Thonet, 2008
By Thonet
Located in Uppsala, SE
This chair, along with two other models, was commissioned by The Conran Shop in 2008 to the designer Martino Gamper for The London Design Festival and for ...
Bentwood
Walter Gropius, Armchairs, Oak, Velvet, USA, 1970s
By Walter Gropius, Thonet
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of oak and purple velvet armchairs designed by Walter Gropius in 1951, produced by Thonet, Statesville, North Carolina, USA, c. 1970s. Seats reupholstered in brand new velvet...
Velvet, Oak
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
Set of Four Mid Century Dining Chairs by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in New York, NY
Chic set of four dining chairs, made in the USA, circa 1950's , manufactured by Thonet. The chairs are constructed of bent plywood, vinyl and aluminum, they are currently in a lat...
Upholstery, Wood
A Rare Triangular Thonet Bentwood Card Table, Circa 1900
By Thonet
Located in London, GB
A Rare Triangular Thonet Bentwood Card Table, Circa 1900 A beautiful bentwood design featuring a triangular playing surface covered in green woollen baize. The table stands on elega...
Beech
1950s Pair of Caned Prague Dining Chairs, Model 811, by Josef Frank for Thonet
By Thonet, Josef Frank
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Pair of Caned 811 Dining Chairs, initially designed by Josef Frank for Michael Thonet in 1920. This pair of chairs dates to the 1950s. The chairs have a pressed Vienna Brai...
Bentwood, Cane, Braid
1900s Original Side Table Bella Epoque by Fischel & Söhne Thonet style Vienna
By Thonet
Located in Vigonza, Padua
A little hard to find jewel of Belle Époque period by Fischel & Söhne Measures cm: H 70 x W 58 x D 37. Belle Epoque refined side table by Fischel & Söhne, bearing the incised maker...
Beech
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Weißenhof Mr 10 / Mr 533 Chairs Manufactured by Thonet
By Thonet, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of original Weißenhof MR 10 / MR 533 tubular steel chairs, designed in 1927 by Mies van der Rohe and manufactured by Thonet in the 1930s. Chrome-plated tubular steel and black...
Steel
Gerd Lange Set of Two Stools designed for Thonet, 1970s
By Gerd Lange, Thonet
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rare set of two stools designed by GERD LANGE for Thonet. also available set of four chairs.
Wood