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.
1950s Pair of Caned Prague Dining Chairs, Model 811, by Josef Frank for Thonet
By Josef Frank, Thonet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Pair of Caned 811 Dining Chairs, initially designed by Josef Frank for Michael Thonet in 1920. This pair of chairs dates to the 1950s. The chairs have a pressed Vienna Brai...
Bentwood, Cane, Braid
$480Sale Price / item|20% Off
7 Thonet Bar Stools / Sold Singly/3 Remaining
By Thonet
Located in Sheffield, MA
An authentic collection of 3 of 7 still remaining iconic Thonet stools from the 1930s, marked on the underside with Thonet Logo and certificate. ...
Chrome
Vintage Thonet Stool – White Lacquered Wood & Brown Leather – 1990s–2000s
By Thonet
Located in Hannover, DE
Vintage Thonet Stool – White Lacquered Wood with Brown Leather Seat – 1990s–2000s A stylish and well-crafted stool by Thonet, likely produced between the 1990s and early 2000s. The ...
Beech
Swivel Office Chair Thonet Nr.352, since 1904
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Manufactured in Austria by the Gebrüder Thonet company. Newly restored, new shellack polish, minor repairs.
Beech, Bentwood
$9,833 / set
Thonet, Salon Set, Austria, circa 1904
By Thonet
Located in PARIS, FR
Stamped and bearing the label THONET WIEN Armchairs – Height : 106 cm (41,7 in.) ; Width : 54,5 cm (21,5 in.) ; Depth : 55 cm (21,7 in.) Sofa – Height : 106 cm (41,7 in.) ; Length :...
Metal
Chair Kohn Nr.321, since 1906, Thonet
By Thonet, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state. Perfectly cleaned and re-polished with shelack finish. New upholstery surface on the original core.
Brass
Set of 4 Parisian Cafe Dining Chairs by Thonet from Musee d'Orsay
By Thonet
Located in Miami, FL
Four stackable French cafe dining chairs manufactured by Thonet from and designed for the Musee D'Orsay Restaurant in Paris, France. These we...
Beech, Fabric
1960s Desk or Side Bentwood Chair by Ton, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Carefully refurbished - Newly upholstered - beech wood - armrests Dimension: 44 cm
Wood, Beech, Bentwood
Set of Mid-Century Mies van der Rohe Dining Chairs by Thonet
By Thonet, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This set of four flat chrome Brno dining chairs feature the exquisite vintage cantilever design that so adeptly mixes comfort and style. Heavy chrome, unique style, and vintage fabri...
Chrome
Piano Stool Thonet Nr.1, 1920s
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Height-adjustable swivel stool. The seat height is adjustable from 44 to 60 cm. Solidly constructed base, decorative lower legs. Good original condition with signs of use, patina.
Metal
Original CM197 Armchair by Pierre Paulin for Thonet France
By Thonet, Pierre Paulin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original CM197 armchair by Pierre Paulin. Designed for Thonet, France in 1958. Green vinyl upholstery in excellent original condition. Can be reupholstered easi...
Metal
Vienna Secession Armchair Model 6528 designed by Marcel Kammerer for Thonet
By Marcel Kammerer, Thonet
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a beautiful and very rare bentwood armchair, crafted by Marcel Kammerer (1878 – 1959), a Viennese architect and designer who immigrated to Canada after ...
Fabric, Beech
$1,015 / set
Set of Four Dining Chairs/ Thon 'Thonet', 1970s
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of wood, fabric - New upholstery - Solid - Wooden parts has some signs use - Good, original condition.
Fabric, Wood
$3,110Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern 1980s Flex 2000 6 pcs Stacking Chairs by Gerd Lange for Thonet, Black
By Gerd Lange, Thonet
Located in Basel, BS
Excellent set of 6 Flex 2000 Stacking Chairs by Gerd Lange for Thonet, with Solid Black wooden frames and black seats. No longer produced, Rare items. VERY hard to find in solid black. Very Chic! Designed by Gerd Lange in 1983, manufactured in Western-Germany. The legs are made of solid ashwood, stained black. The seat and back consists of original black PVC material. Incredible space savers-- stackable! Dimensions 18.3ʺW × 16ʺD × 31.1ʺH International Shipping details...
Beech, Birch
$1,792
Thonet dining chair
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Thonet dining chair with new hand-woven rattan seat. Professionally stained and repolished.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
$3,750 / set
Pair of 404 F chairs by Stefan Diez for Thonet
By Stefan Diez, Thonet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 404 F chairs by Stefan Diez for Thonet. Original labels. Stefan Diez, born in 1971 in Freising (Germany). After taking courses in architecture and training to be a carpent...
Bentwood
$640Sale Price / item|20% Off
1 Mid Century Thonet Bentwood Dining Chair 12 available
By Thonet
Located in Pasadena, TX
One Thonet Bentwood Dining Chairs 1970s Rare oak bentwood dining chairs in a colorful upholstery. We have 12 available See similar chair in ...
Oak
Midcentury Set of 5 Thonet High Back Bentwood Dining Chairs
By Thonet
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Set of 5 !!!!! Thonet high back bentwood beech chairs. Solid and stabile. Signed. Fabric can be changed easily.
Bentwood
$3,345 / set
Secession tripod chairs no.81 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession tripod chairs no.81 by Thonet with new secession fabric.
Beech, Bentwood
Otto Wagner Jugendstil One Chair Beech Postal Saving Bank Vienna 1902 Thonet
By Thonet, Otto Wagner
Located in Vienna, AT
Jugendstil Otto Wagner One (1) Chair Side Chair Chocolate Brown Beech Postal Saving Bank Vienna - Oesterreichische Postsparkasse 1902 for Thonet 1904/1906 Vienna. An iconic chair or ...
Metal
Art Deco Josef Frank Thonet Vintage Chocolate Brown Four Windsor Armchairs c1925
By Josef Frank, Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage four ( 4 ) dining chairs or armchairs from chocolate brown stained beech, design attributed to Josef Frank executed by the company Thonet circa 1925 Austria. Labeled...
Beech
Thonet Side Chair
By Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
Beech bentwood frame with upholsterd seat. Manufactured by Thonet in Austria about 1880.
Beech, Bentwood
Original CM197 Armchair by Pierre Paulin for Thonet France
By Thonet, Pierre Paulin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original CM197 armchair by Pierre Paulin. Designed for Thonet, France in 1958. Green vinyl upholstery in excellent original condition. Can be reupholstered easi...
1960 Set of 4 Design Retro Chair, Antonín Šuman for Ton, Czechoslovakia
By Antonín Šuman, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Design by Antonín Šuman, production by Ton Bystrice pod Hostýnem - Construction with bent beech wood and fabric upholstered seat - Original preserved condition - Measures: Heigh...
Fabric, Beech
Sample Stool by Thonet Brothers - Statesville N.C., United States 1940s
By Thonet
Located in Milan, IT
Sample stool manufactured by Thonet Brothers - Statesville N.C. Plywood frame with maple finish, this rare piece comes with original paper label dated 1948.
Maple
Rare Bauhaus Mart Stam tubular chair by Thonet / original green colour!!
By Thonet, Mart Stam
Located in Praha, CZ
- Thonet - Before 1930, earliest model, practically unseen - Original red eisengarn, iron fabric, perfect condition, original screws - Lacquered in original green seen in Thonet col...
Steel
$1,225Sale Price|30% Off
Mid-Century Modern Thonet Lounge Slipper Chairs - a Pair
By Thonet
Located in Waxahachie, TX
D.O.B. October 8th 1964 Pair of Thonet lounge slipper chairs. Stunning chrome trim around the back. Ebonized wood base. Nailhead trim on back. Dark eggplant tinted grey tweed fabric ...
Upholstery
$3,750 / set
Pair of 404 F chairs by Stefan Diez for Thonet
By Stefan Diez, Thonet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 404 F chairs by Stefan Diez for Thonet. Original labels. Stefan Diez, born in 1971 in Freising (Germany). After taking courses in architecture and training to be a carpent...
Bentwood
Thonet Bentwood Swivel Piano Stool, Czechoslovakia 1930s
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Original swivel piano stool manufactured by Thonet in Czechoslovakia during the 1930s. Crafted from beech wood and beech plywood, this piece showcases the timeless elegance of bentwo...
Wood, Beech, Plywood
$3,750 / set
Pair of 404 F chairs by Stefan Diez for Thonet
By Thonet, Stefan Diez
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 404 F chairs by Stefan Diez for Thonet. Original labels. Stefan Diez, born in 1971 in Freising (Germany). After taking courses in architecture and training to be a carpent...
Bentwood
Very rare jugendstil dining chair no.522 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Very rare jugendstil dining chair no.522 by Thonet in very nice original condition.
Beech, Bentwood
$3,184Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 4 Blue Cantilever Chairs B43 by Mart Stam for Thonet, Germany, 1930s
By Mart Stam, Thonet
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of four blue cantilever chairs, two with armrests and two without. Model B43, designed in 1930s by Mart Stam and manufactured by Thonet in G...
Steel
Unique Thonet Desk Chair, Museum Piece
By Thonet
Located in Delft, NL
Unique Thonet desk chair, Museum piece One of our unique Thonet desk chair It's from a collection of a Museum, The Haque, Netherlands The chair ...
Wood
Secession dining room chair atr. Otto Prutscher for Thonet
By Otto Prutscher, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession dining room chair atr. Otto Prutscher for Thonet professionally stained and repolished.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
$2,500Sale Price|34% Off
Vienna Secession Otto Prutscher Thonet Austria Morris Chair #6392 Adjustable
By Otto Prutscher, Thonet
Located in Miami, FL
Vienna Secession Otto Prutscher Thonet Austria Morris Chair #6392 Adjustable Offered for sale is an original Vienna Secession Otto Prutscher for Thonet Austria Morris adjustable ch...
Brass
Art Deco Thonet Chair in Style of Josef Frank
By Thonet, Frank Josef
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Art Deco Thonet chair in style of Josef Frank in very good original condition.
Rattan, Beech
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
Austrian post-modern chairs by Ernst W. Beranek for Thonet, 1990s
By Thonet
Located in MIlano, IT
Austrian post-modern chairs by Ernst W. Beranek for Thonet, 1990s Set of three chairs with square seat, padded and covered in black fabric with silver geometric pattern. Structure in...
Fabric, Wood
$1,335Sale Price|40% Off
Thonet Bentwood Armchair with Purple Seat
By Thonet
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This elegant 1950s lounge chair by Thonet features undulating blond bentwood arms and continues seat. The chair has been professionally recovered in period Purple.
Wood
1980s Office Room Modul Set from Ton/Thonet, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Leather pillows with signs of use including holes - wooden parts in good original condition - Can be set up as 2-seat sofa and one chair or 3-seat sofa.
Leather, Wood
EXQUISITE ViCTORIAN THONET ROCKING CHAIR WITH CHERUB CARVED BACK & SEAT PANELS
By Thonet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely full sized Antique Victorian Thonet circa 1880 rocking chair with hand carved back and seat pane...
Bentwood
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
$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
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
1970s Pair of Beech Armchairs and Coffee Table by TON, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition with minor signs of use - table 50 x 60 X 60 cm
Upholstery, Wood
Restored Bauhaus Armchair, by Marcel Breuer for Thonet, Chrome, Czech, 1930s
By Thonet, Marcel Breuer
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Model B35 This armchair is an absolute icon of world design and one of the most important models of the Bauhaus school. It is the famous B35 type, designed in the 1930s by the visio...
Steel, Chrome
Thonet Bentwood Armchair in the style of Alvar Aalto
By Thonet
Located in Chicago, IL
1940's Thonet bentwood lounge chair. The chair features bentwood arms and legs that have been lacquered in black (the arms and legs are in original condition with some imperfections ...
Upholstery, Wood
Set of Eight Art Nouveau Chairs Model 639 by Thonet, Cotton - Czechoslovakia
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Girona, Girona
Set of eight bistro chairs, completely restored, French polish, mottled greige cotton upholstery. Model 639. Attributed to Josef Hoffmann. Thonet Fabrique' en Tchecoslovaquie (lab...
Cotton, Wood
$1,314 / item
Art deco Thonet armchairs no.428
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Art deco Thonet armchairs no.428 executed by Thonet Debrecen. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
$2,120Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century Thonet Oak Bentwood & Chrome Armchair
By Thonet
Located in Madison, WI
For sale here is a Rare stunning lounge / side / accent bentwood chair made by THONET. The chair is a mid century chair, with refined character, high quality craftsmanship and uni...
Upholstery, Wood
Secession dining chair no.41 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession dining chair no.41 by Thonet. Condition: Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
1960s Pair of Ton/Thonet Beech Armchairs, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Wooden parts have been repolished. Seat Height 43cm.
Fabric, Wood
1970s Beech Bentwood Chair by Ton, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Carefully refurbished - Newly upholstered - The height of armrests is 70cm
Wood, Bentwood, Beech
$2,986
Thonet dining char no.1
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Thonet dining char no.1. Professionally stained and repolished with new handmade rattan seat.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
$931
Swivel bar stool
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Swivel bar stool with leather seat. Professionally stained and repolished.
Leather, Beech, Bentwood
Bentwood Scroll Arm Chair
By Thonet
Located in Queens, NY
19th Century Bentwood arm chair with scroll design and black upholstered seat & back. (signed with THONET label)
Upholstery, Bentwood
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
$1,911 / set
4 Sedie Thonet originali anni '50
By Thonet
Located in Manzano, IT
4 Sedie Thonet originali anni '50 sono presenti lievi macchie sul tessuto della seduta (come in foto)
Fabric, Wood
1960s Ton/Thonet Beech Armchair, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered - Carefully refurbished - The seat height is 39cm
Fabric, Wood, Upholstery, Beech
Rocking Chair S826 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic rocking chair by Ulrich Böhme for Thonet. Designed in 1971, model S826. Frame made of chrome-plated tubular steel. The rocking chair has been reupholstered and covered with a...
Steel