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.
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Weißenhof Mr 10 / Mr 533 Chairs Manufactured by Thonet
By Thonet, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of original Weißenhof MR 10 / MR 533 tubular steel chairs, designed in 1927 by Mies van der Rohe and manufactured by Thonet in the 1930s. Chrome-plated tubular steel and black...
Steel
1980s Chair by Ton, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition. - Made in Czechoslovakia. - Wood cleaned and then treated with revitalizing oil. - Shows signs of use (scratches, scuffs, etc.). - Stable and sturdy. - Ma...
Wood, Beech, Bentwood
1970s Antonin Suman Set of Four Dining Chair by TON
By Thonet, Antonín Šuman
Located in Praha, CZ
- Carefully refurbished - Newly upholstered grey boucle fabric - high of seat 46 cm
Wood, Bouclé
$1,700 / item
ST 664 Shell Chairs, Designed by Eddie Harlis
By Eddie Harlis, Thonet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The ST 664 chair designed by Eddie Harlis in 1954. Thonet manufactured the chairs in Germany. These chairs are no longer produced. The chair has a yellow stained finish and are made ...
Steel, Chrome
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
Set of 2 Thonet Armchairs, Model B246, 1930s, Restored & Reupholstered
By Thonet, Josef Frank
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This set of 2 armchairs was produced by Thonet (original paper labels are still under the seats as you may see in the attached picture) and most probably designed by Josef Frank. Thi...
Linen, Bentwood
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...
Sheepskin, Birch
SUiTE OF FOUR THONET CIRCA 1930'S AUSTRIAN BISTRO DINING BAR BENTWOOD CHAIRS
By Thonet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of four original Austrian Thonet Bentwood cafe bistro dining chairs Circa 1930's Please n...
Bentwood
Jugendstil Otto Wagner Chair Beech 1902 Postal Saving Bank Vienna Thonet
By Otto Wagner, Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
Jugendstil Otto Wagner One ( 1 ) Chair Side Chair Chocolate Brown Beech Österreichische Postsparkasse 1902 for Thonet 1904/1906 Vienna. An iconic chair or side chair by the famed Aus...
Beech
$3,127 / 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
Thonet S 33 Vintage Black Saddle Leather Chair Mart Stam Cantilever, Set of 4
By Mart Stam, Thonet
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Thonet Mart Stam S33 chair in made by Thonet. The Classic Bauhaus chair. Frame chrome-plated tubular steel, saddle leather black Beautiful Vintage Condit...
Steel, Chrome
Secession dining chairs no.413 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession dining chairs no.413 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet Debrecen in very nice original condition.
Beech, Bentwood
Thonet S 39 L Cognac Vegetal Leather Bar Stool Chair Mart Stam Set of 3
By Thonet, Mart Stam
Located in Munich, Bavaria
These rare Cantilever vintage Bar Stools chairs are Bauhaus classics and were designed 1926 by Mart Stam and produced by Thonet with the Model name S39 L. They were produced in the 7...
Steel, Chrome
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...
Beech, Cane
Late 19th Century Thonet #21 Bentwood and Cane Seat Arm Rocking Chair
By Thonet
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 19th Century Thonet #21 Bentwood and Cane Seat and back Arm Rocking Chair with blue cushion seat. Measures 18" in width, 28" in depth and 28" in height. Seat height is 18" and s...
Cane, Bentwood
Pair of Czech Bauhaus Armchairs, Marcel Breuer and Thonet, Chrome, Fabric, 1930s
By Marcel Breuer, Thonet
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
License Thonet according to the design of Marcel Breuer Fully restored. Armchairs, 2 pcs Style: Bauhaus. Period: 1930-1939. Material: Fabric and chrome-plated steel Source: C...
Chrome
Émile Guillot - Thonet - Model B257 chrome bauhaus chair
By Emile Guillot, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1930s - marked by manufacturer - chrome in very good condition with patina - original screws - rare and early piece, collectible - original black colour - small hole on the seat jr
Steel, Chrome
$962Sale Price|33% Off
Thonet Black Swivel Austrian Art Nouveau Chair, 1890
By Thonet
Located in Roma, Lazio
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...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Set of 4 Thonet Bent Chairs made by ZPM Radomsko
By ZPM Radomsko, Thonet
Located in Prato, IT
This no.18 chair was designed by Gebrüder Thonet around 1875 and was one of the most popular chairs of Thonet. This set of 4 chairs was manufactured by ZPM Radomsko in the 1960s. The...
Rattan, Oak
Josef Maria Olbrich, Pair of armchairs for Thonet, Austria, 1910
By Thonet, Joseph Maria Olbrich
Located in Argelato, BO
Josef Maria Olbrich, Pair of armchairs for Thonet, Austria, 1910 Rare and extraordinary set of 2 bent beech chairs by the architect and designer Olbrich for Thonet from an important office in Trieste...
Bentwood
1960s Cinema 5-Seats Bench by TON, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition with minor signs of use - The wooden parts has been re-polished - Height of seat 45 cm.
Wood
Set of 6 Mies van der Rohe MR10 white cantilever dining chairs for Thonet, 1980s
By Thonet, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in amstelveen, NL
An iconic set of 6 MR10 (256CS/MR533) cantilever dining chairs designed by Mies van der Rohe and manufactured by Thonet. Chrome-plated tubular steel frames with white saddle leather ...
Chrome
Early Thonet S533 RF Cane Weißenhof Armchair Chair Mies van der Rohe Set of 2
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Thonet
Located in Munich, Bavaria
These Cantilever vintage armchairs are Bauhaus classics and were designed by Mies van der Rohe and knowned by the name Weißenhof Chair.This pair were produced by Thonet with the Model name S533 RF. 3 license holders are producing this chair today. As well as Knoll International MR10. Tecta B42 and this 2 Thonet S533...
Steel, Chrome
$1,443 / set
Two Chairs Thonet 811, Josef Hoffmann
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state with a pleasant patine of age, perfectly cleaned and re-polished.
Bentwood
Pair of Stendig Prague Armchairs by Josef Hoffman
By Josef Hoffmann, Stendig Co., Thonet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Classic and iconic Prague armchairs designed by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet. Imported from Czechoslovakia by Stendig in the 1960s. Wood in good shape. Original cane needs to be redone ...
Cane, Bentwood
$2,273 / set
1980s Set of 6 Rare Dining/Side Chairs by TON
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- made in Czechoslovakia - newly upholstered - wooden parts has been refurbished - height of seat 42 cm.
Wood, Fabric
Set of Six Dining Chairs by Jozef Gorcia & Andreas Krob for Thonet Model S78
By Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
Set of six very comfortable armchairs. Made in the 1990s by Thonet in Germany. Classic model, straw back, the backs are slightly damaged on some chairs, see pictures. Designed in t...
Steel
$2,405 / set
Bentwood dining room chairs by Thonet Austria
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood dining room chairs by Thonet Austria in very nice original condition with signs of use.
Beech, Bentwood
$1,984 / set
Set of Four Dining Chairs or Thonet, 1960s
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of beechwood - Presented on the exhibition Expo 58 in Brussel - Good, original condition.
Beech
$1,142 / set
Mid-Century Design Black Armchairs
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Black mid-century design armchairs by TON Bystrice pod Hostýnem 1950s. Professionally stained and repolished.
Bentwood
Grey Bauhaus Sofa Made in 1930s Czechia by Robert Slezak, Designed by Thonet
By Robert Slezák, Thonet
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Bauhaus style sofa with chrome tubular steel frame. Manufactured by Robert Slezák in the 1930s. Chrome tubular steel is in perfect original condition. Upholstered with high qualit...
Chrome
Austrian post-modern red leather and black wood chair by Thonet, 1990s
By Thonet
Located in MIlano, IT
Austrian post-modern red leather and black wood chair by Thonet, 1990s Chair with square seat covered in bright red leather with black lacquered wooden structure, with matt finish. T...
Leather, Wood
Set of 4 Original Thonet Dining Chairs in Green Velvet, 1950s
By Thonet
Located in Almelo, NL
Set of 4 Original Thonet Dining Chairs in Green Velvet, 1950s This exquisite set of 4 original Thonet dining chairs from the 1950s embodies the timeless elegance of mid-century mod...
Upholstery, Beech
1960s Antonin Suman Set of Six Beech Dining Chairs, Restored
By Thonet, Antonín Šuman
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered - Carefully refurbished - Armchairs dimensions: Height: 78 cm ,Seat height 47cm Width: 55cm ,Depth: 56cm ,Height of the armrests: 68 cm
Fabric, Wood
1970s Antonin Suman Chair by TON in Zinc Fabric
By Thonet, Antonín Šuman
Located in Praha, CZ
- Carefully refurbished - Newly upholstered in Zinc luxury fabric :SOL silver grey
Fabric, Wood
$640Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Thonet Bentwood Wall Hall Tree
By Thonet
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is an antique hanging wall hall tree by Thonet. It's made of beechwood and has 3 bentwood hangers for hats and coats.
Ultrasuede, Bentwood
$500Sale Price / item|20% Off
S 32 Cantilever Thonet Side Chair
By Mart Stam, Thonet
Located in Pasadena, TX
S 32 Cantilever Thonet side chair S 32 Cantilever chair combines the tubular steel frame with leather upholstered seat and backrest for comfort. Price for 1 6 available.
Chrome
$3,368 / set
4x Chairs Thonet Nr.717, Gustav Siegel
By Thonet, Gustav Siegel
Located in Praha, CZ
Perfect original condition, really exceptionally well preserved. Only the upholstery is new, with woven decor inspired by Gustav Klimt paintings. The wooden bases were perfectly clea...
Textile, Bentwood
1960s Set of 4 Oswald Haerdtl Dining Chairs for Ton/Thonet, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia in the 1960s - Made of wood, fabric. - Good, original condition. - Seat height 47 cm - The wood shows signs of use - Fabric suitable for exchange.
Fabric, Wood
1960s Oswald Haerdtl, Set of 4 Dining Chairs by TON, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet, Oswald Haerdtl
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition with minor signs of use - original upholstery with minor sings of use
Fabric, Wood
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Original "Thonet" Office Chair
By Thonet
Located in Medina, OH
"Thonet" office arm chair in its original fabric. "Thonet" stamped under chair. It is in great condition and perfect to be added to an office!
Upholstery, Oak, Bentwood
Vintage Modern Oak Bentwood & Chrome Two-Seat Settee or Bench Attr to Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome vintage modern two-seat settee or bench of oak bentwood, chrome, and upholstery attributed to Thonet. It is in wonderful vintage condition. The wood, chrome, and fabric are ...
Fabric, Oak, 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
Curved Wooden Bench No. 5 Signed De Thonet 19th Century
By Thonet
Located in Charmes, FR
curved wooden and cane bench no. 5, signed thonet, appears in the 1904 catalog in very good condition
Wood
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Leather Bentwood Swivel Armchairs by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Mid-Century Modern, bent maple, swivel armchairs by Thonet with newly upholstered seats, backs and armrests in cream leather. Measure: The arm height is 26 inches.
Leather, Maple
1960s Pair of Ton Armchairs by Jaroslav Smidek, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet, Jaroslav Smidek
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made of beech wood - Newly upholstered - Carefully refurbished - The seat height is 39 cm.
Fabric, Beech
$6,014
Art Nouveau Thonet Chair
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Art nouveau Thonet chair.
Beech, Bentwood
Pair of Secession Armchairs Atr. Adolf Loos Ex. by Thonet
By Thonet, Adolf Loos
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Pair of secession armchairs atr. Adolf Loos ex. by Thonet in original condition.
Bentwood
4er Set Mid Century Stühle Thonet Modell 811 Josef Hoffmann
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes 4er Set Bugholzstühle (Modell: 811) von Thonet zum Verkauf an. Das seltene Modell wurde von Josef Hoffmann entworfen und besticht durch seine funktionale...
Wicker, Beech
Red High-Quality Leather Bauhaus Sofa by Thonet, Chrome, Fully Restored, 1930s
By Thonet
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Red high-quality leather Bauhaus sofa with chrome tubular steel frame. Period : 1930-1939. Source : Czechia (Czechoslovakia). Maker : Thonet Material : Beech, high-quality leat...
Chrome
$269Sale Price / item|20% Off
Vintage HajduThonet barstools 1970s Hungary
By Thonet
Located in Debrecen, HU
Discover this elegant and sturdy bar stool from the early 1970s, crafted by Hajdúthonet in Debrecen, Hungary, specifically for the American market. This unique piece is made of bent ...
Wood
1970s Beech Coffee Table by TON, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition with minor signs of use
Wood
Large Secession Armchair no.6549 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Large secession armchair no.6549 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet professionally stained and repolished. Marked on the bottom.
Bentwood
$636Sale Price|20% Off
ZPM Radomsko for Thonet Bentwood Cafe Armchair
By ZPM Radomsko, Thonet
Located in Fort Collins, CO
Bentwood furniture came to prominence in the early 1900s, and was a staple in cafes and restaurants in Europe. This is a bentwood armchair, designed by ZPM Radomsko in Poland and pro...
Wood
1970s Set of Two Rare Armchairs by Ton, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered - Wooden parts have been repolished - Measures: height of seat 46 cm.
Fabric, Wood
1930s Adolf Loos Office Chair Model 669 for Cafe Capua by Thonet
By Adolf Loos, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Carefully refurbished and finish by shellac. - Measures: height of the armrests are 71cm. - height of seat 44 cm.
Wood
$721Sale Price|51% Off
Thonet Office Armchair in Oak, Czechoslovakia, circa 1930s
By Thonet
Located in Zohor, SK
This beautiful office chair was produced by Thonet company. Original burnt in label still slightly visible in the bottom of the chair (see pictures). Made of strong oak wood and plyw...
Oak, Plywood
Unique Armchair Thonet B 1045, since 1938
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
It is unique, the only known piece, made to order for a special customer. This unique armchair has never been shown in a regular sales catalog. Documents about the armchair were kept only in the in-house archive of the Thonet company. Thonet B...
Beech, Bentwood
Modernist Thonet A 745/F Armchair manufactured by Tatra
By Thonet, Tatra Pravenec
Located in Praha, CZ
Solid and compact. Minor repairs made. Perfectly cleaned and polished with shellac. This chair was designed in a functionalist style for the world-famous shoe company Baťa.
Bentwood
$1,431 / set
Set of 2 Thonet Bentwood Armchairs No. 17
By Thonet
Located in BERKEL EN RODENRIJS, NL
Beautiful set of two original Thonet Bentwood Armchairs, Model No. 17, a historic design first introduced in the early 20th century and later reissued by Thonet during the 1970s–1980...
Cane, Bentwood