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Thonet Seating

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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Creator: Thonet
Set of 8 Mid-Century Modern W199 Bent-Wood Chairs by Walter Gropius for Thonet
By Walter Gropius, Thonet
Located in Lafayette, IN
Spectacular set of 8 "W199" bentwood armchairs designed by Bauhaus co-founder Walter Gropius. Set features (2) "captains chairs" with arms and (6) of the even-more-rare arm-less chai...
Category

1940s American Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Wood, Plywood

Set of 8 Cesca B64 Cane Armchairs by Marcel Breuer for Thonet, Black 1970s
By Thonet, Marcel Breuer
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 8 Cesca B64 Cane Armchairs by Marcel Breuer for Thonet, black wood frames with cane, chromed steel. Ready for a new home.
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Set of 4 THONET S320 Stacking Chairs designed by Ulrich Boehme & Wulf Schneider
By Ulrich Bohme, Thonet
Located in Schwerin, MV
Set of 4 Thonet S 320 Armchairs in stained reddish-brown plywood and chrome plated Steel, Germany, 1980s A striking set of four original Thonet S 320 armc...
Category

1980s German Post-Modern Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Chrome

Set of 5 Thonet #214 Vienna Bentwood Chairs
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Bern, CH
Set of 5 Thonet #214 Vienna Bentwood Coffee House Chairs with cane work seat. 1978 production in walnut. All chairs are completely sturdy with nice patina to the bentwood frames. The...
Category

1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Wood, Cane

Mies van der Rohe, MR10 chair, Thonet, 1970s
By Thonet, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Uppsala, SE
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's very legendary chair, model MR10 (today renamed S 533), designed in 1927, a few years before he was nominated as the director of the world famous Bauhaus s...
Category

1930s Austrian Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Steel

Curvaceous Bentwood Dining Chairs by Thonet Set of Six Armchairs
By Thonet
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of Six Curvaceous Bentwood Dining Chairs, designed for Thonet, probably manufactured in Austria and retailed from their NYC store, circa 1950s. They are currently being reupholst...
Category

1950s American Art Deco Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Metal

Michael Thonet for Thonet Wood Vienna Straw Dining Room Chairs 1930s
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of six vintage dining chairs ‘Model No. 233’ designed by Michael Thonet for Thonet Czechoslovakia, with bentwood back frame and armrests, Vienna straw seat, some bearing the orig...
Category

1930s Czech Arts and Crafts Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Straw, Wood

Vintage German S33 Cantilever Leather Chairs by Mart Stam for Thonet, Set of 8
By Mart Stam, Thonet
Located in Hamburg, DE
The Thonet S33 is a classic Bauhaus tubular steel furniture from the pen of Mart Stam. A simple and timeless Bauhaus design, originally from the 20s. Due t...
Category

1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Steel

Set of Six Vienna Scessionist Bentwood Dining Chairs Made in Austria by Thonet
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional and rare set of six cafe, bistro style dining chairs, marked "Thonet Austria", design attributed to Michael Thonet, circa 1890/1920's. The set consists of four side, and...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Thonet Seating

Materials

Cane, Beech

MR10 chair by Mies van der Rohe, first edition by Thonet, in leather and chromed
By Thonet, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
"MR10" model chair by German designer Mies van der Rohe, first edition dating from the 1940s by Thonet (label present under the seat). Chromed steel tubing frame, seat and backrest i...
Category

1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Steel

Set of 4 Mid-Century Dining Cafe Bentwood Chairs by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century vintage thonet cafe chairs style number '18' - Set of matching 4 in original condition with patina. The wood has been oiled showing hones...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Thonet Seating

Materials

Wood

Original THONET Bentwood Stool, Mid 20th Century
By Thonet
Located in Schwerin, MV
A large bentwood stool by Thonet, probably from the first half of the 20th century, in beautiful, restored condition. The stool is made of bent beechwood and has a second bentwood ri...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Thonet Seating

Materials

Wood

(6) Green Velvet Knoll + Thonet Chrome Brno Cantilevered Chairs
By Knoll, Thonet
Located in Round Top, TX
Set of six, nicely upholstered, deep emerald green cantilevered, tubular chrome "Brno" chairs. This set is comprised of two, tagged Knoll production chairs and four tagged Thonet pro...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Thonet Seating

Materials

Chrome

Chairs Thonet 209, Pair of Cane and Black Bentwood , 1940s or 1950s
By Thonet
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
The chair after Thonet is from the 1950s This is Le Corbusier's favourite chair and one of the favourite designs of architects and designers. Unfortunately it has no label but it i...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Thonet Seating

Materials

Cane, Bentwood, Rattan

Otto Wagner Settee Bench Bentwood, Thonet, Austria, Vienna Secession, circa 1905
By Thonet, Otto Wagner
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A Vienna Secession bentwood settee by Otto Wagner and manufactured by Thonet, Austria, circa 1900. This settee is an authentic piece which is in great original condition with nice p...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Seating

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

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 ...
Category

1930s Austrian Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Rattan, Bentwood

Set of Three Thonet 1216-S17-B1 Bent Plywood Saddle Seat Dining Chairs, 1940s
By Thonet
Located in Miami, FL
Early set of three vintage Thonet 1216-S17-B1 dining or side chairs. Rendered in steam bent oak plywood, with a beech sculpted saddle seat, and a bent front and rear arched support n...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Thonet Seating

Materials

Metal

Thonet Cane and Black Ebonized Bentwood Chair After Thonet 209
By Thonet
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
The chair after Thonet is from the years between 1950s This is Le Corbusier's favourite chair and one of the favourite designs of architects and designers. Unfortunately it has no...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Thonet Seating

Materials

Cane, Bentwood

Pair of Thonet S320 by Wulf Schneider & Ulrich Böhme Chairs, 1984
By Wulf Schneider, Thonet, Ulrich Bohme
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designers Ulrich Böhme and Wulf Schneider created the S320 in 1984 for iconic manufacturer Thonet. The chair has a timeless design, is stackable, very robust, and extremely comfortable thanks to the shaped, ergonomic seat shell. In original condition with some age appropriate wear. See the set of 4 Arco arm chairs...
Category

1980s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Chrome

Exceptional Rocking Chair by Thonet
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This old authentic rocking chair was designed Michael Thonet and manufactured by Thonet. It was in the catalogue of 1904. It is a design classic. This dark brown rocking chair is in very good vintage condition with normal signs of age and use. The chair is stamped. Take your chance to get this Thonet collector’s item. Michael Thonet (1796-1871) was a German-Austrian cabinet maker, known for the invention of bentwood furniture, which ment the beginning of Modern Design. Le Corbusier used Thonet chairs...
Category

Early 1900s German Arts and Crafts Antique Thonet Seating

Materials

Bentwood

Pair of Blonde Birch woven Cane seat Bar Height Stools by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Blonde Birch woven Cane seat Bar Height Stools by Thonet. Made Circa 1950 in Europe. Good Vintage condition - Cane is tight ready for use. Local Pick up is Available is Bro...
Category

1950s Polish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Cane, Birch

Set of 4 Thonet dining chairs model 17
By Thonet
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Set of 4 Thonet dining chairs model 17 This exceptional set of four bentwood beech chairs, produced by the renowned manufacturer Thonet, features the iconic Model 17, more commonly ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Thonet Seating

Materials

Bentwood, Straw, Beech

Set of 4 Thonet dining chairs model 17
Set of 4 Thonet dining chairs model 17
$2,026 Sale Price / set
23% Off
Pair of Model SS33 Chrome Bauhaus Style Arm Chairs by Anton Lorenz for Thonet
By Thonet, Anton Lorenz
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of vintage Model SS33 chrome Bauhaus style arm chairs by Anton Lorenz for Thonet, circa 1970s. The pair are in very good vintage condition and measure 23"W x 22"D x 29"H with a ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Thonet Seating

Materials

Chrome

Art Deco Reclining Bentwood Armchair by Thonet, Circa 1920s
By Thonet
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 20th Century Art Deco lounge chair by Thonet, Vienna, Circa 1920s. The distinctive iconic frame is formed of beechwood and walnut formed into a sculptural bentwood design. The ...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Thonet Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Beech, Walnut

Original Thonet Piano Stool, Early 20th Century, Restaured
By Thonet
Located in Schwerin, MV
Restored swivel stool No. 1 from the long-established Gebrüder Thonet company in Vienna, dating from the late 19th century. The piano stool has a frame consisting of four steam-bent ...
Category

1890s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Thonet Seating

Materials

Wood, Braid

4 Mid Century Rocking Chairs by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in New York, NY
Unusual and rare model Thonet wood, aluminum and vinyl rocking chairs, total of four available, three in green vinyl, one in turquoise vinyl uphol...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Thonet Seating

Materials

Aluminum

1960s Thonet A16 Sweetheart Chair Bentwood Cane
By Thonet
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Michael Thonet A16 Sweetheart Chair Bentwood hand caned. Circa the 1960s Dimensions: 35.13 h x 20.25 d x 16.25 w Seat 18.25 h Partial label Cafe chair bentwood cane seat...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Cane, Bentwood

Thonet No 18 Cane & Bentwood Dining Chairs
By Thonet
Located in Denton, TX
Thonet No 18 Cane & Bentwood Dining Chairs- Set of 6
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Thonet Seating

Materials

Cane, Wood

1930s Vintage Thonet Cafe Chair Bentwood Stamped Austria
By Thonet
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Vintage Thonet Project Cafe Dining Chair Stamped AUSTRIA. Construction: Bentwood Plywood Dimensions: 33.5 tall x 18 w x 20.25 d Seat 17.5 Original fair vintage condition unrestored. Plywood seat replaced the original cane...
Category

1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Bentwood, Plywood

Mid Century Modern Walnut & Black Vinyl Executive Swivel Desk Chairs by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Lafayette, IN
As seen on the Apple TV limited series "Lessons in Chemistry" These actual chairs were featured in several pivotal scenes in the conference room at Hastings L...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Thonet Seating

Materials

Aluminum

Bentwood rocking chair by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood rocking chair by Thonet in excellent original codnition.
Category

1940s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Rattan, Beech, Bentwood

Postmod 80s Flex 2000 (32 Avail) Stacking Chairs Gerd Lange Thonet Beech -8 pcs
By Thonet, Gerd Lange
Located in Basel, BS
Excellent set of 8 Flex 2000 Stacking Chairs by Gerd Lange for Thonet, with wooden oak frames and black seats. No longer produced, Rare items. FAST SHIPPING: Fast, international, in...
Category

1980s German Post-Modern Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

PVC, Ash, Beech

Original THONET Bentwood Stool, Mid 20th Century
By Thonet
Located in Schwerin, MV
A light-colored bentwood stool by Thonet, from the mid-20th century, in very beautiful, restored condition. The stool is made of bent beechwood and has a second bentwood ring beneath...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Thonet Seating

Materials

Wood

Josef Hoffmann 'Fledermaus Bat' Chair Model No.728
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Basel, BS
Designed by the renowned Viennese architect Josef Hoffmann in 1907 for the Fledermaus Cafe in Vienna, this single "Fledermaus" Model number 728, aka "Bat" Cafe chair features black upholstery covering the seat and backrest. The chair is supported by four cylindrical legs with spherical elements, showcasing a tub back with a horseshoe form base. Crafted from bent beech wood, this rare chair was specifically created for the Cabaret Fledermaus in Vienna as one of Hoffmann's iconic designs. Representing a significant moment in design history, the chair is featured in the J. & J. Kohn catalogues as model no. 728. With its sleek bentwood frame, swooping armrests, and curved backrests, the chair exudes elegance and sophistication. The Fledermaus chairs embody Hoffmann's renowned Viennese Secessionist style, known for its simple geometric shapes and use of high-quality materials. Considered a bold departure from traditional European nightclubs, the design quickly gained popularity for its iconic and innovative aesthetic. This is an authentic Hoffmann chair manufactured by Wittman, the authorized manufacturer of the Fledermaus starting in the 1970s. This chair was sold by "Teo Jacob...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Thonet Seating

Materials

Leather, Faux Leather, Beech

Pair of Pierre Paulin CM 194 Armchairs for Thonet, France, circa 1958
By Thonet, Pierre Paulin
Located in Miami, FL
Distinctive pair of mid 20th century design armchairs, model CM 194. This pair of chairs are early works designed by the visionary designer Pierre Paulin for Th...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Thonet Seating

Materials

Steel

Set of Chairs by Gerd Lange for Thonet
By Gerd Lange, Thonet
Located in Čelinac, BA
Set of four chairs by Gerd Lange for Thonet.
Category

1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Metal

Postmodern 1980s Flex 2000 Stacking Chairs by Gerd Lange for Thonet, Beech Wood
By Gerd Lange, Thonet
Located in Basel, BS
Excellent Flex 2000 Stacking Chair by Gerd Lange for Thonet, with wooden oak frames and black seats. No longer produced, Rare items. NOTE: We have up to 32 chairs available!! Let us know if you need more-- we can arrange. This listing is for one chair, and you can purchase up to 32! Please let us know how many chairs you would like to purchase, and we can combine shipping for you. Designed by Gerd Lange in 1983, manufactured in Western-Germany. The legs are made of solid ashwood, the frame is made of ashwood bentwood and veneered beech struts. The seat and back consists of original black painted PVC material. Incredible space savers-- stackable! Dimensions 18.3ʺW × 16ʺD × 31.1ʺH International Shipping details...
Category

1980s German Post-Modern Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

PVC, Ash, Beech

Art Deco Thonet H269 Armchair by Jindrich Halabala Bouclé Fabric
By Thonet, Jindřich Halabala
Located in Vienna, AT
Beech bentwood walnut stained armchair made by Thonet in the 1930s. Excellent restored with seat springs upholstered with noblis creme boucé fabric. Another fabric and wood finish on...
Category

1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

Art Deco Thonet H269 Armchair by Jindrich Halabala
By Jindřich Halabala, Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
Beech bentwood walnut stained armchair made by Thonet in the 1930s. Excellent restored with seat springs upholstered with green velvet. Another fabric and wood finish on request poss...
Category

1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

Norman Foster - Leather Lounge Chairs by Thonet, A 903PF, 1999
By Sir Norman Foster, Thonet
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Norman Foster Lounge Chairs, Model A 903PF for Thonet Stunning A 903PF lounge chairs, designed by celebrated architect Norman Foster for Thonet. These chairs showcase Foster’s hallm...
Category

1990s German Modern Thonet Seating

Materials

Leather

Thonet Model 81 Three-Legged Armchair
By Thonet
Located in Highland, IN
This elegant chair three-legged chair by Thonet made of stained beech with a seat upholstered in suede leather. 31.5"h X 25"w X 23"d
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Seating

Materials

Beech

Josef Frank Armchair, Model No. 403/F, 1928
By Thonet, Josef Frank
Located in Chicago, IL
Josef Frank Armchair, Model No. 403/F, 1928 This Armchair, designed by Josef Frank in 1928, features a stained bent beech frame and stained beech plywood. It was manufactured by Gebr...
Category

1930s Austrian Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Bouclé, Beech

An Early MODERN NEO-CLASSICAL FREE-FORM ROCKING-CHAIR by THONET, France 1900
By Thonet
Located in PARIS, FR
An important, very spectacular and charming free-form rocking-chair, Art-Nouveau, Art-Deco, Neo-Classical, Shabby-Chic, Free-Form, bamboo structures and cane seat, by Thonet, France ...
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Thonet Seating

Materials

Bamboo, Cane

Pair Vintage Thonet Kuba Cloth Armchairs
By Thonet
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of vintage Thonet armchairs featuring bent blonde wood arms and legs. These chairs are newly padded, reupholsterred and stylized in vintage African Kuba cloth.
Category

20th Century European Art Deco Thonet Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

1970 Two Seater Cinema Bench by TON, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Beech plywood - Good original condition with some signs of use - 2- seater - 4 pieces available
Category

1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Beech, Plywood

Mid Century Thonet Armchairs with Sheepskin Upholstery, a Pair
By Thonet
Located in Raleigh, NC
Experience timeless elegance with this rare high-back pair of Thonet bentwood lounge chairs, circa 1950. These stunning pieces showcase the masterful craftsmanship of bentwood const...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Thonet Seating

Materials

Sheepskin, Birch

6 August Thonet Chairs, Czech Republic, 50s Signed Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
6 authentic Thonet chairs with seal. They are in very good condition. These natural wood colored chairs are perfect as chairs for kitchen or living room tables Bistro chairs were ver...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Other Thonet Seating

Materials

Bentwood, Beech

Early 1900's Thonet Bent Rattan & Wicker Stool
By Thonet
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Early 1900's Thonet rattan and wicker stool, Completely original and in exceptional condition. 15-1/2" square.
Category

1920s Austrian Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Wicker, Rattan

Set of 6 Vienna Chairs in Beech & Cane, Thonet, ZPM Radomsko, Mid-Century, 1960s
By Thonet, ZPM Radomsko
Located in Odense, DK
Set of 6 armchairs / dining room chairs designed by Thonet. These chairs were produced at ZPM Radomsko in the 1960s and has an attribution mark such as a manufacturer’s label. The de...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Thonet Seating

Materials

Bentwood, Cane

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...
Category

1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

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...
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Victorian Thonet Seating

Materials

Wood

Set of two Art Deco Armchairs by J. Halabala, Model H269, 1930s
By Thonet, Jindřich Halabala
Located in Wrocław, Poland
Set of two Art Deco armchairs designed by famous Jindrich Halabala in 1930s in Czechoslovakia. One of his iconic models, H269. The armchairs have been preserved in near-collector’s...
Category

1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

Set of 6 dining room chairs no.18 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Set of 6 dining room chairs no.18 by Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished. These 100+ year old chairs show that they were made by hand. Each one is unique in its shape and c...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Seating

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

Pair of Stacking Chairs by Karl Schwanzer, Thonet, Austria, 1950s
By Karl Schwanzer, Thonet
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A rare set of two Viennese stacking chairs made of brown stained wood designed by Austrian architect Prof. Karl Schwanzer and manufactured by Thonet in the 1950s. This chair was des...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Beech

Thonet S411 Tubular Steel Cantilever Armchair, Black Leather Upholstery, c. 1935
By Thonet
Located in Berlin, DE
Thonet S 411 tubular steel cantilever armchair with leather upholstery, designed by the Thonet Company c. 1935. This original tubular steel cantilever ...
Category

1930s German Streamlined Moderne Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Bentwood dining room chair no.14 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood dining room chair no.14 by Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Category

Early 1900s Slovak Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Seating

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

Walter Gropius Armchairs for Thonet Set of Eight in Black 1951
By Walter Gropius, Thonet
Located in Chicago, IL
Walter Gropius Armchairs for Thonet Set of Eight, Model W199 Austria 1951, Solid Oak Restored and repainted with black lacquer. Seat Height: 17"
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Seating

Materials

Oak

Thonet Bauhaus White Vinyl & Chrome Model SS33 Cantilever Barstool Anton Lorenz
By Anton Lorenz, Thonet
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous vintage white vinyl & chrome tube barstool by Thonet Model SS33 Bauhaus cantilever chair by Anton Lorenz. This piece is tagged Thonet but has been attributed to Anton Lorenz based upon archived research including online sources, vintage documentation and catalogs, designer literature, and other materials. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear even if it has been refinished or restored. Specifically, there is a stain on the seat vinyl that we have tried many things to remove to no avail. Please see photos, zoom in for details, and see long description as they are part of the condition report. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1980’s but designed circa 1930’s. Did someone say Thonet?? Yes, we sure did!! This is a fabulous labeled Thonet cantilever barstool circa 1980’s. It is in the style of the model SS33 Bauhaus cantilever chair designed in the 1930’s for Thonet by famed designer Anton Lorenz. The chair design was later adapted to create this wonderful barstool! It is comprised of a chrome tube cantilever frame, black block stabilizers on the base, and white vinyl seats and back rests. A simple, stunning, and oh-so-comfortable design! It is the perfect stool for your kitchen, bar, or rec room whether you live in a Bauhaus or mid-century modern home, an industrial loft, or Art Deco style home. It’s a classic, sleek style that has stood the test of time!! If you’ve been searching for a barstool or just the right extra seating, this stool is exactly what you’ve been looking for! Thonet was founded by Michael Thonet. Michael was born in 1796 and was apprenticed by his father to a cabinetmaker. Shortly after he married, Michael opened his one-man cabinetmaking shop creating furniture and cabinetry in the traditional manner by carving the needed parts and then joining them together. In 1830 he began experimenting with bending wood into curved shapes and thus began a successful furniture company that has remained continually in operation for nearly 200 years. Thonet’s early work was very Biedermeier in style and not made for the common man. Gradually his designs became more Art Nouveau. In 1951 his chairs for the Crystal Palace at the London World’s Fair won a prize medal and by the late 1950s he began to make his first “consumer” chair. In 1875, a year before Michael’s death, Thonet’s five factories made 620,000 chairs. Then in 1876 after his death the company became Gebruder Thonet. But all was not roses. In 1869 the Thonet patents lapsed and by 1893 there were 52 bentwood companies in Europe. However, Thonet persevered. They branched out. They merged. They added designs by Le Corbusier and Breuer and alternative materials such as tubular chrome in place of bentwood to their offerings. Business boomed and waned through the years and there was even a Thonet revival, so to speak, beginning in the 1940s on into the mid-20th century. Till today, in the 21st century, Thonet is still a furniture company to be reckoned with almost 200 years later. Anton Lorenz was known as the man behind the Bauhaus’ “machined aesthetic.” He was born in Budapest in 1891, became a teacher, and later married an opera singer, and entered a lock manufacturing business. They relocated to Berlin in the early 1920’s. in Berlin he met architects Marcel Breuer and Kalman Lengyel who were both associated with Bauhaus in Dessau. Breuer became the first designer to construct furniture out of tubular steel, joined forces with Lengyel and found a manufacturing company and Anton Lorenz became manager. He was business savvy and obtained patents to establish a network of rights for new tubular steel furniture and would go on to do the same for Desta and Thonet who dominated the industry. In 1939 Lorenz emigrated to the United States where he established the design technology for the well-known recliner. He developed his own design in 1940 called the BarcaLounger and later partnered with Morris Futorian...
Category

20th Century American Bauhaus Thonet Seating

Materials

Chrome

Pair Of Art Nouveau Thonet Chairs by Josef Hoffmann, 1st edition! - CZ ca. 1906
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Very rare pair of the first edition(!) of bentwood chairs by Thonet from the early 20th century, produced by Thonet in Bohemia. Designed around 1906 by none other than the world reno...
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Art Nouveau Thonet Seating

Materials

Leather, Bentwood

Pair of 1960s Mid-Century Thonet B 751 Wood Folding Chairs
By Thonet
Located in Carimate, Como
Pair of folding chairs model B751 designed at the beginning of the 20th century by Thonet, manufactured in the early 1960s at the Thonet factory in Radomsko (central Poland). Chairs ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Thonet Seating

Materials

Wood

Thonet seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Thonet seating 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 seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original seating 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 seating by Karl Fostel Sen’s Erben, Wiesner-Hager, and Anna-Lülja Praun. Prices for Thonet seating 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 $2,015.
Questions About Thonet Seating
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024
    To identify a Thonet, first locate the maker's marking. On Thonet chairs, you'll usually find it carved into the wood frame on the underside of the seat. Markings may say “Thonet,” “Thonet Wien,” “GT,” “GBThonet” or “GBThonetWien,” depending on the age of your piece. Cross-reference the mark with information published on trusted online resources to get a rough idea of when your furniture was produced. Then, you can review Thonet catalogues available online to identify your piece's model number. Alternatively, you can enlist the help of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer to perform the identification process for you. Shop a wide range of Thonet furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 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 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
    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 ExpertSeptember 27, 2024
    To identify a Thonet chair, look under the seat. Most Thonet chairs will feature a maker's marking. Often, you'll find the Thonet name carved into the wooden seat frame or printed on a paper label mounted on the seat's underside. Because Thonet changed its markings over the years, you can get a rough idea of the age of your chair by comparing the ones on your piece to images on trusted online reference guides. If you need help with the identification process, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can be of assistance. Find a range of Thonet 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.
  • 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.

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