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.
Classic Bentwood Armchair with Original Plaid Oil Cloth by Thonet Brothers 1940
By Thonet
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic bentwood armchair with original plaid oil cloth by Thonet brothers 1940s, extremely comfortable, chair in remarkable original condition, minor d...
Fabric, Plywood
Pair of Thonet Bar Stools with Red Wooden Base and Black Seats, circa 1930s
By Thonet, Thonet
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
An authentic pair of Thonet stools from the 1930s, marked on the underside with Thonet Logo and certificate. Red painted wooden base with chrome foot support and black faux leather ...
Chrome
$1,295Sale Price|60% Off
Thonet S 60 Cantilever Black Leather Armchair by Glen Oliver Löw in STOCK
By Thonet
Located in New York, NY
The S 60 cantilevered seating range: The contemporary interpretation of a familiar typology – suitable for every need incontract and at home Reserved elegance combined with high seat...
Chrome
$1,283 / item
Art deco Thonet armchairs no.428
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Art deco Thonet armchairs no.428 executed by Thonet Debrecen. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
Art nouveau desk chair by Gustav Siegel for Thonet
By Thonet, Gustav Siegel
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Art nouveau desk chair by Gustav Siegel for Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished with new fabric.
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
Art Deco Thonet Chair in Style of Josef Frank
By Thonet, Frank Josef
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Art Deco Thonet chair in style of Josef Frank in very good original condition.
Rattan, Beech
Very rare jugendstil dining chair no.522 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Very rare jugendstil dining chair no.522 by Thonet in very nice original condition.
Beech, 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...
Straw, Wood
Set of Four '4' Slipper Chairs in Original Yellow Plaid Wool Fabric by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Deland, FL
Comfort. Vintage fabric. Captivating bentwood legs. These four slipper chairs are the perfect addition to any space needing a pop of color or a min...
Fabric
Jugendstil dining chair by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Jugendstil dining chair by Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
Art Deco Reclining Chair Made in 1930s Germany by Thonet, Restored Matte Finish
By Thonet
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Art Deco Reclining chair made in 1930s Germany by Thonet. Restored matte finish.
Walnut
Thonet Chair in Birch and Plastic by Gerd Lange, West-Germany, 1973
By Gerd Lange, Thonet
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Designer: Gerd Lange Manufacturer: THONET Model: Flex chair Material: Birch / Plastic Design period: 1973 Size in cm: 49 x 49 x 79 seat height 46cm. Condition: Good...
Plastic, Birch
Art Nouveau Wing Chair No.6542 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Art nouveau wing chair no.6542 by Thonet in excellent condition, backhausen fabric.
Fabric, Wood
Secession dining room chair atr. Otto Prutscher for Thonet
By Thonet, Otto Prutscher
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Secession dining room chair atr. Otto Prutscher for Thonet professionally stained and repolished.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
Austrian post modern black chaise longue S 828 by Torben Skov for Thonet, 1980s
By Thonet
Located in MIlano, IT
Austrian post modern black chaise longue S 828 by Torben Skov for Thonet, 1980s Chaise longue mod. S 828 convertible into a rocking armchair. The body is made of black plastic with a...
Metal
Original Bauhaus Armchair, by Thonet, Beech, Chrome, Germany, 1930s
By Thonet
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant Bauhaus armchair comes from Germany from the first half of the 20th century. It is manufactured by Thonet and impresses with its combination of tubular chromed steel and...
Steel, Chrome
Bentwood Bench by Thonet, Austria, 1900s
By Thonet
Located in Brussels, BE
Bentwood bench by Thonet, Austria, 1900s.
Fabric, Wood
$3,930Sale Price / set|20% Off
2x Armchairs Thonet Nr.562 by Gustav Siegel, table Thonet Nr.178
By Gustav Siegel, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Wery good original condition with a pleasant patine of age. Museum-quality condition! Solid, can be used normally. The seating was designed by Arch. Gustav Siegel between 1926 and 19...
Bentwood
$1,200 / set
1980s Pair of Thonet Leather Side Chairs in Grey
By Thonet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Thonet Side Chairs, featuring grey Naugahyde upholstery and black enameled steel frames. They are lightweight enough to easily move around as occasional chairs, yet...
Steel, Enamel
Pair of Cantilever leather Lounge Chairs Manufactured by Thonet in 1980
By Thonet
Located in Beirut, LB
Pair of night blue Bauhaus style lounge chairs on a chromed tubular steel cantilever base, manufactured by Thonet in 1980. Re-upholstered in a night blue leather for the seats and th...
Steel
1960s Gordon Bunshaft and Davis Allen for Thonet Tuxedo Two Seat Loveseat Sofa
By Thonet, Davis Allen, Gordon Bunshaft
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an armless two-seater tuxedo settee / sofa, designed by Davis Allen and Gordon Bunshaft of SOM Architects. This example appears to be a Thonet production, one of the manufact...
Steel
$1,166Sale Price / set|20% Off
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 ...
Fabric, Faux Bamboo
$821Sale Price|20% Off
Nobiliary Dining Chair of Thonet from Wiener Werkstaette
By Thonet
Located in Mariano Del Friuli, GO
Rare chair of the Wiener Werkstaette considered the prototype of the successive variants on Design by the architect. Gustav Sigel. The rectangular sections and geometric motifs of th...
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...
Nutwood, Plywood
Modern Viennese Set Thonet B 246 Chairs & T 142 Table by Josef Frank, 1930s
By Frank Josef, Thonet
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
This rare Thonet ensemble — comprising two B 246 armchairs and a T 142 coffee table — offers a vivid glimpse into the expressive edge of early modernist furniture design. Attributed ...
Cane, Beech
$1,792Sale Price|20% Off
1970s Modular Three Seater Sofa by TON, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly reupholstered - The beech wooden frames has been refurbished - Hight of seat 36cm.
Fabric, Beech
Midcentury Footstool / Thonet, 1970s
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of wood, fabric - Original upholstery - Good, original condition.
Fabric, Wood
6er Set Thonet S 61V Stuhl S60 Konferenzstuhl Freischwinger
By Thonet
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes 6er Set Freischwinger/ Konferenzstühle der Serie S60 vom deutschen Traditionshersteller Thonet zum Verkauf an. Bei den Stühlen handelt es sich um das Mod...
Steel, Chrome
Original 4er Set Thonet Stuhl S32N Netz Mesh Design Freischwinger
By Thonet
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes 4er Set Freischwinger Stühle mit Netzbespannung von Thonet aus dem Jahr 2000 zum Verkauf an. Es stehen insgesamt 15 Stühle zum Verkauf an. ***Der Preis ...
Aluminum
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
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
Illustrated Thonet Chair
By Thonet
Located in Antwerp, BE
Thonet armchair with a printed illustration. The seat and backrest are weaved in rattan. The rest of the frame is covered in a print that could have influenced by the great Fornase...
Wood
1990 Set of Three Mart Stam for Thonet Bauhaus Dining Chairs in Oak
By Thonet, Mart Stam
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a set of three cantilever dining chairs with arms, produced by Thonet and presumed to be designed by Mart Stam. Thonet is a historically important furniture compan...
Chrome, Steel
1931, Mart Stam for Thonet, Black Wooden S43F
By Thonet, Mart Stam
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach...
Metal, Chrome
Original, Early Vintage Tubular Easy Chair with Original Fabric, circa 1930
By Thonet, Paul Schuitema
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach...
Metal
1931, Mart Stam for Thonet, Set of Light Yellow Wooden S43
By Mart Stam, Thonet
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach, check last pictures on this listing and/or find more details on his family name plus eu, is for sale soon too. :-) Set of two tubular chairs with light yellow wooden...
Metal, Chrome