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.
$1,854Sale Price|20% Off
Thonet armchair with original period leather, label.
By Thonet
Located in Milano, IT
Bentwood, molded plywood and original period leather – labeled Rare and refined armchair produced by Thonet between the 1920s and 1930s, a period marking the full maturity of the Au...
Metal
Thonet Settee designed by Otto Prutscher for Cafe Heinrichshof, Austria 1880s
By Thonet
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a very rare antique settee designed by Otto Prutscher for Cafe Heinrichshof, and manufactured by Thonet Brothers in 1908. It is done in beech bentwood, ...
Fabric, Bentwood
Pair of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Flat Bar Brno Chairs For Thonet in Leather
By Thonet, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in San Diego, CA
These vintage modern Brno flat bar chairs are sleek and timeless. Chairs feature cantilevered, heavy stainless steel flat-bar frames. The seat, backrest and the arched armrest . in c...
Steel
Bentwood dining chair no.19 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Bentwood dining chair no.19 by Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
$1,277
Thonet Sofa No.56
By August Thonet, Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Thonet sofa no.56 professionally stained and repolished.
Fabric, Bentwood
Rare Pair of Thonet Rattan Chairs, Made in 1890, Stable and Good Condition
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Stockholm, SE
This rare pair of Thonet rattan chairs, crafted in 1890, showcases exceptional craftsmanship and timeless design. Produced by the renowned Thonet company, these chairs feature a sturdy rattan frame with intricate woven detailing that adds both elegance and comfort. This particular model is a rare find, making it a unique addition for collectors or enthusiasts of vintage Thonet furniture...
Rattan, Bentwood
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
20th Century Art Nouveau Dining/ Salon Suite with Round Table by Thonet, AT 1910
By Otto Wagner, Thonet
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Absolute exceptional, early 20th century dining suite/ salon suite by Thonet from the Art Nouveau period in Austria around 1910. Attributed to the famous Austrian architect and desig...
Leather, Beech
$3,082Sale Price / set|30% Off
set 3 Chair Ludwig Mies van der Rohe "MR10" by Thonet
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Thonet
Located in Firenze, FI
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe "MR10" by Thonet set 3 chair. - Chromed tubular steel frame - Original rattan or cane seat - Designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and produced by Thonet...
Steel
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Weißenhof Mr 10 / Mr 533 Chairs Manufactured by Thonet
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Thonet
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
Anton Lorenz for Thonet Mid Century Chrome Tub Chairs - Pair
By Anton Lorenz, Thonet
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Anton Lorenz for Thonet Mid Century Chrome Tub Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 28.5 wide x 27 deep x 29.25 inches high, with a seat height of 17 ...
Chrome
Pair of Vanilla Creme Sheepskin Lounge Chairs with Bentwood Arms by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Get cozy in this luxurious pair of Mid-Century Modern bentwood lounge chairs by Thonet circa 1950 freshly reupholstered in vanilla creme sheepskins. Lounge on clouds of soft vanilla creme sheepskins that beckon you to stay awhile...
Sheepskin, Upholstery, Bentwood
$630Sale Price|30% Off
Vienna Secession Light Stain Bent Oak Chair No. 7 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Van Nuys, CA
The Victorian Thonet number 7 side chair features an elegant, sculptural frame crafted from warm-toned bentwood with striking, fluid curves and a graceful, round arched backrest. The...
Oak
Eight Josef Hoffmann "Fledermaus" Dining Chairs for Thonet. Original, 1930s.
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Kansas City, MO
The Iconic Fledermaus (German for "bat") chairs designed by the visionary Austrian architect and designer Josef Hoffmann in 1907 for the Cabaret Fledermaus in Vienna. It is a hallmar...
Upholstery, Beech
Secession Desk Chair No. 25 by Thonet
By August Thonet, Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Secession desk chair no. 25 by Thonet with new handmade rattan seat professionally stained and repolished.
Rattan, Bentwood
Set of Antique Viennese Secession Thonet Bentwood Dining Chairs
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Elevate your dining space with this beautiful set of authentic Viennese Secession dining chairs manufactured by Thonet Austria. Dating back to the 1900-1910 period, these chairs perf...
Beech, Bentwood
$511Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Two Bentwood Chairs, Ton 1989
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- made in Czechoslovakia - made of wood, fabric - the fabric has some signs of use - good, original condition. - seat height 47 cm.
Fabric, Wood
Thonet S 33 Vintage Cognac Vegetal Leather Chair Mart Stam Cantilever 1 of 2
By Mart Stam, Thonet
Located in Munich, Bavaria
These Cantilever vintage chairs are Bauhaus classics and were designed 1926 by Mart Stam and produced by Thonet with the Model name S33. It is a thick saddle vegetal tanned leather t...
Steel, Chrome
Austrian burgundy leather and wood tub armchairs by Thonet, early 1900s
By Thonet
Located in MIlano, IT
Austrian burgundy leather and wood tub armchairs by Thonet, early 1900s Pair of tub armchairs upholstered and covered in burgundy leather, featuring decorative round stud detailing. ...
Leather, Wood
$2,240Sale Price / set|20% Off
Super Slick Pair of Thonet Chairs
By Thonet
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Thonet tub chairs in great original condition. We believe they are upholstered in leather, however it's possible the upholstery is actually vi...
Upholstery
Eberhard Krauss, Rare Armchair Model A 821 F for Thonet, 1930
By Thonet
Located in Uppsala, Uppsala
Rare armchair / lounge chair designed by Eberhard Krauss for Thonet in 1930 for the exhibition "Thonet Werkbund" in Vienna. This model is sometimes also wrongly attributed to Adolf S...
Rattan, Birch
$6,266Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Germany Icon Bauhaus B35 Black Leather Chair by Marcel Breuer for Thonet
By Marcel Breuer, Thonet
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This design icon from 1928, the B35 armchair, was designed by Marcel Breuer in the late 1920s and made by the German Thonet factory in the early 1930s. This piece is made of tubular steel and black leather with natural patina. The materials used and the traces of wear show that this is an early production of this timeless modell. The armrests are finished with solid wood. Following the success of his Wassily chair, Breuer continued to experiment with tubular steel furniture. Like the Wassily chair, the B35 was not a direct representative of the Bauhaus school, but is clearly in line with the Bauhaus design and construction principles, with a modern, stripped-down form made of industrial materials not used today in furniture production. Marcel Breuer was born in 1902 in Hungary. He was an architect and designer. He received a scholarship to study painting and sculpture at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts in 1920, but quickly quit and applied to the Bauhaus school in Weimar, Germany. After completing the preliminary courses there, he studied at the Bauhaus furniture...
Chrome
Vintage Czech Art Deco Lounge Chairs by Thonet, Circa 1930-1940
By Thonet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sculptural, vintage pair of Czech Art Deco lounge chairs made of hand crafted polished bent Beechwood and Walnut, produced by Thonet in good condition. The detailed low club chairs...
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Beech, Walnut, Bentwood
Art Nouveau Side Chair Designed by Thonet, Austria, 1910
By Thonet
Located in Antwerp, BE
Classic collectible chair by famous German-Austrian cabinetmaker Michael Thonet. Bentwood frame with hooped legs. The seat is embossed with a decorative floral motif.
Bentwood
Bentwood dining room chair no.14 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Bentwood dining room chair no.14 by Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
Thonet Bentwood and Rattan Rocking Chaise Model 7500
By Thonet
Located in Madrid, ES
Rare Thonet bentwood rocking chaise lounge chair with cane seat. The design of the rocking chaise model no. 7500 is attributed to August Thonet. Initially it was made without armrest...
Rattan, Bentwood, Cane
Two Restored Bauhaus Armchairs, by M. Breuer for Thonet, Chrome, Czech, 1920s
By Thonet, Marcel Breuer
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Model B35 This pair of armchairs represents the absolute pinnacle of global avant-garde design and stands as an icon of the Bauhaus style from the 1930s. This revolutionary 1928 des...
Steel, Chrome
$750Sale Price / set|50% Off
Pair of Michael Thonet Folding Deck Chairs
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
This pair is offered in as-is condition and at a significantly reduced price due to their current state. Both chairs require wood restoration, as the front section of the seat frame ...
Cane, Bentwood
'B 263' Cantilever Chairs by Mart Stam for Thonet, Germany, 1932
By Thonet, Mart Stam
Located in Antwerp, BE
Pair of Model B 263 cantilever chairs by Mart Stam for Thonet, dating to 1932. The design is defined by a continuous tubular steel frame that eliminates the conventional rear legs, a...
Chrome
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
Thonet Model K411 cantilever armchair first series Bauhaus tubular steel, 1930
By Thonet
Located in Berlin, DE
This rare Thonet Model K411 cantilever armchair, produced around 1930, is an important example of early Bauhaus Modernism and one of the first tubular steel armchairs manufactured in...
Chrome
$1,186Sale Price|20% Off
1930s Josef Frank Restored Beech Armcahir by Thonet Model A403/F, Czechoslovakia
By Frank Josef, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- brushed and oiled surface - Sturdy and stable - Stamped by Thonet - heigh of seat 33 cm
Beech
$1,474Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of Armchairs No. 752 by Josef Frank for Thonet, 1930s
By Josef Frank, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
A pair of legendary bentwood armchairs Model No. 752, designed by Josef Frank in 1933 for Thonet, Very good condition relative to age. Carefully cleaned and gently restored while pre...
Bentwood
$1,523Sale Price / set|20% Off
Josef Hoffmann Armchair – Model No. A 811/F for Thonet
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Budapest, HU
Josef Hoffmann Armchair – Model No. A 811/F for Thonet (1900s) This exquisite armchair, Model No. A 811/F, designed by the renowned architect and designer Josef Hoffmann for Thonet ...
Reed, Beech
$1,112Sale Price / set|20% Off
1960s Oswald Haerdtl, Set of 4 Dining Chairs by TON, Czechoslovakia
By Oswald Haerdtl, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition with minor signs of use - original upholstery with minor sings of use
Fabric, Wood
$1,575Sale Price|20% Off
Otto Wagner For Thonet Bentwood Armchair No. 6048, Austria, C. 1900
By Thonet, Otto Wagner
Located in Zohor, SK
Fully restored bentwood armchair produced by Thonet and designed by Otto Wagner circa 1900, catalogued as model No. 6048. A refined example of early modern Viennese design, combining...
Bentwood, Plywood
Bauhaus chair no.811 by Josef Hoffmann
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Bauhaus chair no.811 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet in very nice original condition with signs of use.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
$760Sale Price / set|20% Off
1960s Pair of Beech Armchairs by Ton, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered. - Wooden parts have been refurbished. - Height of seat 45 cm.
Fabric, Beech
1960s MCM Curved Back Green Thonet Bentwood Dining Chairs, Set of 6
By Thonet
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mid century bentwood dining chairs by Thonet, the renowned maker of bent beechwood furniture. Featuring Thonet's signature curved frames handcrafte...
Upholstery, Wood
Original Thonet Piano Stool No. 1, Late 19th Century
By Thonet
Located in Schwerin, MV
Collector's item: Original Thonet piano stool No. 1 with beautiful patina and hand-woven Viennese cane from the late 19th century. A swivel stool from the traditional company Gebrüde...
Wood, Braid
$1,299Sale Price|20% Off
G80 Deck Chair - Thonet, 1930s by Hans Luckhardt
By Hans & Wassili Luckhardt, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good condition. - wooden parts refreshed - new textile - marked by manufacturer
Wood, Textile
Pair of Iconical Art Nouveau Bentwood No. 14 Chairs by Gebrüder Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
An exceptional and highly collectible pair of antique Model No. 14 bistro chairs, manufactured by the legendary Gebrüder Thonet Gebrüder Thonet company during the late 19th or early ...
Beech, Bentwood
C. 1977 Italian Cantilever Side Chair in Chromed Steel with Caned Seat and Back
By Thonet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Tubular Chromed-Steel Cantilever Z Chair, designed in the 1970s. This chair dates to ca. 1977 and was produced by Thonet. It has a Vienna Braid caned seat and back, and it ...
Chrome, Steel
$2,929Sale Price|35% Off
Bentwood Cane Salonfauteuil Easy Chair Thonet No. 1, circa 1890
By Thonet, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Lucenec, SK
Very rare antique Thonet easy chair no 1 produced by Gebruder Thonet from the late 19th century in a very good condition with new cane on seat, cane ...
Cane, Bentwood
Thonet S320 green Chair Ulrich Boehme & Wulf Schneider
By Thonet, Wulf Schneider, Ulrich Bohme
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This Thonet Chair Model S320 in green version. Rare Colour. Designed by Ulrich Boehme & Wulf Schneider.
Beech, Bentwood, Plywood
Thonet Rocking Chair No. 4, Beech Wood, Art Nouveau, Austria, 1920
By Thonet
Located in LYON, FR
Thonet rocking chair model no. 4. Circa 1920. Curved beech wood rocking chair from the 1920s by Thonet. Model number 4. Beautiful Art Nouveau lines. Recent cane work, well stretche...
Wood
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
$354Sale Price|40% Off
Thonet Vienna Wooden Childrens Chair, Austria, 1900s
By Thonet, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely wooden chair for children by Thonet Vienna, dated around 1900. In good, original condition with nice patina. Labelled and stamped.
Wood
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
Thonet S 411 Tubular Steel Cantilever Armchair, Germany, circa 1935
By Thonet
Located in Berlin, DE
Thonet S 411 tubular steel cantilever armchair with fabric upholstery, designed by the Thonet Company in 1932. This original tubular steel cantilever armch...
Steel, Chrome
Pair of August Thonet Bentwood Chairs by Thonet Bros
By Thonet, August Thonet
Located in Madrid, ES
Bentwood chairs with new silk-blend seat upholstery. Chairs designed by August Thonet, the son of original bentwood furniture designer Michael Thonet. August took over his father's b...
Silk, Bentwood
Cafe Capua Chair no.519 by Adolf Loos for Thonet
By Adolf Loos, Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
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
Large Thonet rocking chair no.7021B
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Large Thonet rocking chair no.7021B in excellent structural condition. The rattan cane is mostly tight and intact, with only a minor, non-critical defect on the backrest that does no...
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
Extremely rare armchairs no.6521 by Otto Wagner for Thonet
By Thonet, Otto Wagner
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Extremely rare armchairs no.6521 Thonet Otto Wagner in very good original contidion with signs of use.
Beech
Art Nouveau Style Sofa By Thonet, 20th Century
By Thonet
Located in PARIS, FR
Art Nouveau Style Sofa By Thonet, 20th Century Art Nouveau Style Sofa by Thonet Magnificent Art Nouveau period sofa, designed by the famous house of Thonet. This unique piece is dis...
Textile, Wood
Pair of 1930's Thonet Bentwood Armchairs in the style of Alvar Aalto
By Thonet
Located in Chicago, IL
This lovely pair of 1930's Thonet bentwood lounge chairs was recently reupholstered in an amazing performance fabric from HBF textiles (Merci Boucle in their Du Jour colorway). The ...
Upholstery, 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
$3,012 / set
Set of Five Chairs by Thonet, Vienna
By Thonet
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This set of five Thonet chairs. The chairs was made by Thonet in 1984 of dark lacquered wood and grey seat and back with silver upholstery nails. A new cover is necessary, otherwise ...
Wood, Leather
Dining Room Chairs by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet, Austria 1930s
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Wien, AT
This refined chair, part of a rare set of six attributed to Josef Hoffmann and dating to circa 1935, stands as a compelling expression of the architect’s mature design language, in w...
Wicker, Beech
Restored Bauhaus Armchair, by M. Breuer for Thonet, Chrome, Czech, 1920s
By Thonet, Marcel Breuer
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Model B35 This armchair represents the absolute pinnacle of global avant-garde design and stands as an icon of the Bauhaus style from the 1930s. This revolutionary 1928 design was c...
Steel, Chrome