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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: 19th Century
Creator: Thonet
Set of Six Labeled Thonet No. 14 Bentwood Bistro Chairs
By Thonet
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Iconic set of six matching 19th century early Thonet No. 14 konsumstuhl bistro or coffee shop chairs crafted from bentwood. Known as the "chair of chairs" with over 50 million produc...
Category

19th Century Polish Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

SUPER RARE ORIGINAL ANTiQUE VICTORIAN CIRCA 1880 THONET BENTWOOD COAT RACK STAND
By Thonet
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super rare, antique original, circa 1880, extra large, Thonet Bentwood solid Beech wood eight prong coa...
Category

1880s European Victorian Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

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...
Category

19th Century German Mid-Century Modern Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Wood, Bentwood

Bentwood Chair with arms Model No 14 Art Nouveau Chair Thonet Austria 1890
By Thonet
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Wonderful bentwood chair, produced by Thonet, this design originally dates from 1859. Made from bent solid and laminated Beech construction with moulded plywood seat. This chair date...
Category

1890s Austrian Aesthetic Movement Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

Wall Hanger Thonet Nr.1, since 1880
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state with a pleasant patine of age, perfectly cleaned and re-polished with shelack finish.
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Belle Époque Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

Thonet walking stick chair, Vienna. Ca. 1880
By Thonet
Located in Oostende, BE
Victorian bentwood folding walking stick stool by the Austrian makers Thonet. With its swans neck handle and circular caned seat, this elegant example of t...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Victorian Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Rattan, Bentwood

No 12 Thonet Caned Bistro Armchair, 1881-1919
By Thonet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare and antique Thonet armchair with cane seating and bentwood armrests. This chair is at least 104 years old and was made between 1891 and 1919. It is in original condition with so...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Belle Époque Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Cane, Bentwood

Very rare folding easy chair no.1 by Thonet
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Very rare folding easy chair no.1 by Thonet professionally stained and repolished with new handmade rattan seat.
Category

1890s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Rattan, Beech, Bentwood

Bentwood bed no.5 for children circa 1890
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood bed no.5 for children circa 1890 in very good original condition.
Category

19th Century Austrian Jugendstil Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

Limited edition Rocking Chair Thonet Nr.1, 1993
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
This is the rocker number 1, which was first introduced in 1860. In 1993 for the 175th company Thonet anniversary there was a new limited edition of 175 pieces for 4400,- Deutsche Ma...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Belle Époque Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

Bentwood swivel chair no.9 by J.J.Kohn
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood swivel chair no.9 by J.J.Kohn new handmade rattan seat.
Category

1880s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Rattan, Beech, Bentwood

19th century bentwood Thonet table
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
19th century bentwood Thonet table professionally stained and repolished.
Category

19th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

Easy armchair no.1 with rattan seat by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Rare easy armchair no.1 with rattan seat by Thonet in very nice original condition with signs of use.
Category

1880s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Rattan, Beech, Bentwood

Bentwood daybed no.2 by Thonet
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood daybed no.2 by Thonet in original vintage condition with signs of use.
Category

1880s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Rattan, Bentwood

Wall Hanger Thonet Nr.199
By Thonet, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state with a pleasant patine of age, perfectly cleaned and re-polished with shelack finish.
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Belle Époque Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

Austrian wooden foldable Thonet armchair with Vienna straw, late 1800s
By Thonet
Located in MIlano, IT
Austrian wooden Thonet armchair with Vienna straw, late 1800s Armchair in wood and Vienna straw. The wooden structure has a round section and has rounded lines that form the elements...
Category

1890s Austrian Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Straw, Wood

Chair Thonet Nr.32, since 1883
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Firm and compact, perfectly cleaned and polished with shellac. The seat, originally woven with pedig, was replaced by a more durable plywood with art nouveau decor. This chair appear...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Renaissance Revival Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

Thonet Wood Stool
By Thonet
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Thonet stool, manufactured by Thonet, circa 1920. It preserves the original label to the underside. In good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, pre...
Category

1890s German Other Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Original Late Victorian circa 1880 Thonet Bentwood Coat Rack Stand
By Thonet
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Antique original, circa 1880, extra large, Thonet Bentwood solid Beech wood eight prong coat stand / rack. This is in my opinion the finest hat, coat and...
Category

1880s European Late Victorian Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

Antique Bentwood Sofa Thonet No. 1, Austria circa 1860
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Zagreb, HR
Very rare bentwood sofa Thonet No 1, manufactured in the 1960s by Thonet. Professionally restored, retaining beautiful old patina and some normal traces...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Belle Époque Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

Josef Hoffmann Set of Four Bentwood Rosewood Stacking Tables
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Water Mill, NY
Set of four bentwood stacking tables by Josef Hoffmann/Thonet with great original patina 28" largest table.
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Michael Thonet Sofa Bench NR22
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Chicago, IL
Michael Thonet sofa bench Kanapee Sittee NR22 First original form, produced 1889-1890 Cane replaced with mohair Seat Height: 20.5".
Category

1880s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Mohair, Beech

Thonet Newspaper Stand, Bent and Stained Beechwood, Austria, circa 1900
By Thonet
Located in Regensburg, DE
Rare Beautiful Jugendstil ( Art Nouveau) / late Gründerzeit newspaper stand with four compartments by Thonet (vignette underneath) from Vienna around 1900. Bentwood in beech, staine...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Jugendstil Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Beech

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...
Category

19th Century Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Wood

After Thonet Wood Chair
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...
Category

1890s German Other Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Wood

Set of 4 no.25 dining chairs by Gebrüder Thonet, c. 1870
By Thonet, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in London, GB
Gebrüder Thonet (Manufacturer), Austria Thonet no. 25 dining chair, set of 4, produced from c. 1875 to 1911. Bentwood frames with original dark finish, period upholstered seats Th...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Plywood, Bentwood

Thonet Side Chair
By Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
Beech bentwood frame with upholsterd seat. Manufactured by Thonet in Austria about 1880.
Category

1880s Austrian Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

Unique Thonet Desk Chair, Museum Piece
By Thonet
Located in Delft, NL
Unique Thonet desk chair, Museum piece One of our unique Thonet desk chair It's from a collection of a Museum, The Haque, Netherlands The chair ...
Category

19th Century Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century, Thonet Original Theatre Seats, '1717.2'
By Thonet
Located in Hook, Hampshire
19th Century Thonet original theatre seats (1717.2) 19th Century Thonet original theatre seats. Founded in the early 19th Century by Michael Thonet, Thon...
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

Rare and Original Antique Bentwood Thonet Child's Chair 19th Century Furniture
By Thonet
Located in Lisse, NL
Marked and original children's chair, the 'Kindersessel nr 1.' This 19th century Thonet chair for a child dates from circa 1860-1880 and the name Thonet needs no further introduction. This rare piece is in excellent and original condition. It is as stable as the day it was hand-crafted and the undamaged upholstery is almost certainly original too. The stunning seat with its beautiful pattern and colors is either filled with straw or with horse's hair. This small and rare Thonet chair...
Category

19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Bentwood

Rare Chair Thonet Nr.21
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Museum piece. A very rare model that has been in production only for a few years and only very small quantities were produced. The surface treatment is also in the best possible vari...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Belle Époque Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

Early Nr 5 Chair Thonet Made for First International Exposition in London in 185
By Thonet
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Early model of chair created by thonet in 1851 for first international exposition of London. This example shows some differences with the 2 chairs on catalogue and is a mixed betwee...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Nutwood, Plywood

Bentwood and Cane Thonet "Caminsessel" / Fire Place Chair No. 1, c. 1860
By Thonet
Located in Surbiton, GB
Rare folding cane chair from the aesthetic movement, produced by Thonet, c.1860. In fair condition, with minor scuffs to the frame and a small ar...
Category

1860s Swiss Aesthetic Movement Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Cane, Bentwood

Art Nouveau Bentwood Salonfauteuil Easy Chair / Armchair 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. New upholstery. Last picture is from Gebruder Thonet catalogue...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Bentwood, Upholstery

Thonet Black Swivel Austrian Art Nouveau Chair, 1890
By Thonet
Located in Rome, IT
Thonet swivel chair for piano from the end of the 1800s. The chair in bent wood, is all in wood polished in black shellac. The seat, round in shape, is still covered with its origin...
Category

1890s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of 19th century Faux Bamboo Parlor Chairs by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Munich, DE
19th Century bentwood parlor chairs by Thonet. Beautiful gold patina & faded fabric. Both chairs show heavy signs of their age, flaking gold patina, washed out seat fabric & yet the ...
Category

19th Century French French Provincial Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Faux Bamboo

Thonet Bentwood Cafe Table, circa 1900
By Thonet
Located in Sharon, CT
An Austrian bentwood table designed and manufactured by Thonet, circa 1900. Black legs with a natural surface to the tabletop. Measures: Height...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

Armchair N ° 7601B, Edition Thonet circa 1880
By Thonet
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Armchair n ° 7601B, Edition Thonet circa 1880 Patina and fabric to redo.  
Category

1880s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

Dagoberts Armchair by Thonet, since 1888
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
New leather upholstery, wooden structure in very good original condition.
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Belle Époque Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

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.
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Belle Époque Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

Beautiful Thonet High Back Armchair No 6351 Black, Cane
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Miami, FL
Original cane and black finish, stamped Thonet. Beautiful lines.
Category

1890s Austrian Late Victorian Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Cane, Wood

Austrian Bentwood Child Desk
By Thonet
Located in New York, NY
Austrian Bentwood small child's desk with attached chair with double hoop back design. (THONET label and brand)
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

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.
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Belle Époque Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Beech

Bentwood Scroll Arm Chair
By Thonet
Located in New York, NY
19th Century Bentwood arm chair with scroll design and black upholstered seat & back. (signed with THONET label)
Category

19th Century Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Bentwood

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 ...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Cane, Bentwood

Large Clothes Stand Thonet Nr.4, since 1899
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Manufactured in Austria by the Gebrüder Thonet company. In the production program was included around the year 1899. Newly restored. New mirror with a facet.
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Belle Époque Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

Dining Chair/Thonet, 1880s
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Wien - Made of bentwood, beechwood - Restored - Labeled - Good condition.
Category

1880s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Bentwood, Beech

Michael Thonet Suite of a Bench and Two Side Chairs
By Thonet
Located in London, GB
A vintage suite consisting of a bench and two side chairs in black lacquered solid bentwood by Thonet, Austria, first half of the 20th century. The de...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Modern Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Beech, Cane

Thonet Armchair
By Thonet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Thonet Armchair
Category

19th Century French Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Viennese Secession Bentwood Settee with Cane Seat by Thonet, Austria 1890s
By Thonet
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a very rare antique settee designed and manufactured by Thonet Brothers in the last decade of 19th century. It is done in beech blackwood, with cane sea...
Category

1890s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Cane, Bentwood

Michael Thonet Austrian Bentwood Marble Dining Table
By Thonet
Located in New York, NY
Austrian Bentwood (Late 19th Century) occasional /dining table with ebonized pedestal base and legs supporting a gray shaped rectangular marble top (MICHAEL THONET)
Category

Late 19th Century Modern Antique Thonet Furniture

Materials

Marble

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.
Questions About Thonet Furniture
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Thonet 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
    A 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, 2023
    Perhaps 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, 2022
    An 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    A 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, 2022
    Michael 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Yes, 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Whether 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, 2022
    To 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, 2024
    To 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.

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