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.
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
Pair of Bentwood High Back Dining Chairs by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Pair of beech bentwood high back dining chairs. Signed by Thonet, 1987. Style Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau. New upholstery, same fabric, differe...
Bentwood
S33 Chairs by Mart Stam for Thonet, 1980s, Set of 2
By Mart Stam, Thonet
Located in Radomsko, Województwo łódzkie
Introducing the iconic S33 Chair Set by Mart Stam, proudly crafted by Thonet. This collection, produced during the 1980s in Germany, pays homage to the timeless designs of the Bauhau...
Steel, Chrome
$3,954Sale Price|20% Off
Siesta Medizinal N. 44 by Hans and Wassili Luckhardt for Thonet, 1930s
By Thonet
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Design Classic “Siesta Medizinal” by Hans and Wassili Luckhardt for Thonet Frankenberg with a height adjustable leather neck support as well as an adj...
Hardwood, Bentwood
1970s Beech Coffee Table by TON, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition with minor signs of use
Wood
$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
$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
Thonet Side Chair
By Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
Beech bentwood frame with upholsterd seat. Manufactured by Thonet in Austria about 1880.
Beech, Bentwood
Jil Sander for Thonet S 64 P Serious 04 in Lacquered Wood an Blue Leather
By Thonet
Located in Tilburg, NL
Jil Sander for Thonet S 64 P Serious in Lacquered Wood and Leather. New, current production. With the JS . THONET signature collection, she has taken the m...
Steel
$1,765
Thonet dining chair
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Thonet dining chair with new hand-woven rattan seat. Professionally stained and repolished.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
Office chair Gebrüder Thonet no.23
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Acquire a remarkable piece of design history with these authentic antique office armchairs, model No. 23, manufactured by Thonet Austria. Dating back to the 1885–1920 period, these c...
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
Office chair by Gebrüder Thonet no.23
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Acquire a remarkable piece of design history with these authentic antique office armchairs, model No. 23, manufactured by Thonet Austria. Dating back to the 1885–1920 period, these c...
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
$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
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
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
Early Mid-Century Modern Thonet Armchair Attributed To Russel Wright
By Thonet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This early Mid-Century Modern lounge armchair was manufactured by Thonet circa late 40s - early 50s. This chair design has been attributed to the noted American Modern designer Russe...
Maple, Fabric
20th Century Austrian Bar Stool in Black Wood by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Sofia, BG
Bar stool by Thonet in very elegant typical shape and in great condition. Austria, circa 1910.
Wood
Secession office chair attr. to Marcel Kammerer for Thonet
By Thonet, Marcel Kammerer
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Secession office chair attr. to Marcel Kammerer for Thonet in very nice original codition with signs of use.
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
$2,353 / set
Bentwood dining room chairs by Thonet Austria
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Bentwood dining room chairs by Thonet Austria in very nice original condition with signs of use.
Beech, Bentwood
Easy armchair no.1 with rattan seat by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Rare easy armchair no.1 with rattan seat by Thonet in very nice original condition with signs of use.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
1990 Set of Three Mart Stam for Thonet Bauhaus Dining Chairs in Oak
By Thonet, Mart Stam
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a set of three cantilever dining chairs with arms, produced by Thonet and presumed to be designed by Mart Stam. Thonet is a historically important furniture compan...
Chrome, Steel
Jugendstil Vintage Beech Leather Side Chair Joseph Urban Gebrüder Thonet 1903
By Thonet, Joseph Urban
Located in Vienna, AT
Jugendstil Vintage Authentic Side Chair Slipper Chair Desk Chair Model No. 405 by Joseph Urban for Gebrüder Thonet circa 1903, Vienna. A wonderful chair or side chair from stained be...
Brass
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
Secession desk chair by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Secession desk chair by Thonet, professionally stained and repolished.
Abalone, Beech, Bentwood
1960s Pair of Ton Armchairs by Jaroslav Smidek, Czechoslovakia
By Jaroslav Smidek, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made of beech wood - Newly upholstered - Carefully refurbished - The seat height is 39 cm.
Fabric, Beech
$2,200 / set
Upholstered Swivel Stools by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. Upholstered in red fabric with chrome base. Tagged
Chrome
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
Upholstery, Wood
$1,000 / 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
$6,472 / set
Set of 4 Fledermaus Chairs Executed by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Set of 4 Fledermaus chairs executed by Thonet in 1999. Original vintage condition with signs of usage.
Fabric, Bentwood
Set of Eight Art Nouveau Chairs Model 639 by Thonet, Cotton - Czechoslovakia
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
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
1980s Set of Four Dining Chairs by Ton, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- rare model - carefully refurbished - newly upholstered - heigh of seat 45 cm
Fabric, Wood
Bentwood dining room chair by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Bentwood dining room chair by Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
Austrian post-modern purple fabric Chairs by Marcel Kammerer for Thonet, 1990s
By Marcel Kammerer, Thonet
Located in MIlano, IT
Austrian post-modern purple fabric and black wood chairs by Marcel Kammerer for Thonet, 1990s Pair of chairs with square seat and oval backrest, padded and covered in bright purple ...
Fabric, Wood
Very rare jugendstil dining chair no.522 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Very rare jugendstil dining chair no.522 by Thonet in very nice original condition.
Beech, Bentwood
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
$1,941 / 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
Art Nouveau Wing Chair No.6542 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Art nouveau wing chair no.6542 by Thonet in excellent condition, backhausen fabric.
Fabric, Wood
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
Secession dining chair no.437 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Secession dining chair no.437 by Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
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
1950s Pair of Caned Prague Dining Chairs, Model 811, by Josef Frank for Thonet
By Thonet, Josef Frank
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
$929 / set
Set of Four Chairs, 1960s
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Maker Ton, Bystrice pod Hostýnem - Retro style, Expo 58, Brusel - Made in Czechoslovakia - Very good, original condition.
Fabric, Wood
Thonet dining chair no.103
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Thonet dining chair no.103. Professionally stained and repolished.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
1950's Classic Elegant Bentwood Painted Dining Chair By Ton & Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1950's Classic Elegant Bentwood Painted Dining Chair By Ton & Thonet. The chair was produced in volume by the famous Czech firm Ton, still trading today and producing beautiful c...
Bentwood, Beech, Walnut
Pair of Restored Art Deco Armchairs, by Josef Frank, Thonet, Beech, Czech, 1930s
By Thonet, Josef Frank
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant pair of Art Deco armchairs comes from Czechoslovakia from the first half of the 20th century and was manufactured by the renowned Thonet company according to the design ...
Wood, Beech, Lacquer
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
$2,942
Thonet dining char no.1
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Thonet dining char no.1. Professionally stained and repolished with new handmade rattan seat.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
1960 Set of 4 Design Retro Chair, Antonín Šuman for Ton, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet, Antonín Šuman
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
Secession dining room chair atr. Otto Prutscher for Thonet
By Otto Prutscher, Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Secession dining room chair atr. Otto Prutscher for Thonet professionally stained and repolished.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
Art deco armchairs A752F by Jozef Frank for Thonet
By Thonet, Josef Frank
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Art deco armchairs A752F by Jozef Frank for Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
1970s Modular Three Seater Sofa by TON, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly reupholstered - The beech wooden frames has been refurbished - Hight of seat 36cm.
Fabric, Beech
Restored Bauhaus Armchair, by Marcel Breuer for Thonet, Chrome, Czech, 1930s
By Marcel Breuer, Thonet
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
Original, Early Vintage Tubular Easy Chair with Original Fabric, circa 1930
By Paul Schuitema, Thonet
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach...
Metal
Thonet Chair in Birch and Plastic by Gerd Lange, West-Germany, 1973
By Gerd Lange, Thonet
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Designer: Gerd Lange Manufacturer: THONET Model: Flex chair Material: Birch / Plastic Design period: 1973 Size in cm: 49 x 49 x 79 seat height 46cm. Condition: Good...
Plastic, Birch
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
Antique Thonet Wood Chair, German Design, 36\" Diameter, Circa 1920
By Thonet
Located in Barcelona, ES
After Thonet chair, manufactured by unknown manufactured, circa 1920. In good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Thonet...
Wood
$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
$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
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
Thonet Dining Chair No.733
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Thonet dining chair no.733. professionally stained and repolished with new handmade rattan seat.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood