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Thonet Armchairs

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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Number in Set: Set of 12 or more
Creator: Thonet
Francesco Zaccone for Thonet Golf Chairs in New Bouclé Upholstery, Germany 1970
By Thonet, Francesco Zaccone
Located in Almelo, NL
Presenting this stunning set of ‘Golf’ chairs by Francesco Zaccone for Thonet. Beautifully shaped chrome bases creating an incredibly sturdy and stately pre...
Category

Late 20th Century German Modern Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Ton Bentwood Armchair With Gold Velvet, Czechoslovakia 1930s, 40 Available
By TON a.s., Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Zohor, SK
Iconic and elegant armchair produced by TON in Czech republic in 1930s. This particular chair is a variation on the classic model '811' Thonet Hoffman chair...
Category

1930s Czech Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Bentwood

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...
Category

1930s German Streamlined Moderne Vintage Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Francesco Zaccone for Thonet Golf Dining Chairs, Germany, 1970
By Francesco Zaccone, Thonet
Located in Almelo, NL
Francesco Zaccone for Thonet golf dining chairs, Germany, 1970 Presenting this stunning set of 12 ‘Golf’ chairs by Francesco Zaccone for Thonet. Beautifu...
Category

Late 20th Century German Modern Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

'1' Thonet Anton Lorenz Cantilevered Chrome Armchair
By Anton Lorenz, Thonet
Located in Pasadena, TX
(1 ) Thonet Lorenz arm chair The Lorenz arm chair was designed by Anton Lorenz in 1929 and manufactured by Thonet. In 1929 Anton Lorenz founded the firm Desta (Deutsche Stahlmöbel) in Berlin making Anton Lorenz the first to manufacture tubular-steel furniture on a commercial scale...
Category

1920s European Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

Thonet Chrome Tubular Steel Armchairs, Leather Upholstery, Customisable, c. 1935
By Thonet
Located in Berlin, DE
Thonet S 411 tubular steel cantilever armchairs in leather upholstery, designed and manufactured by Thonet, c. 1935. This original tubular steel cantil...
Category

1930s German Streamlined Moderne Vintage Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

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 Armchairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Midcentury Bauhaus Chrome Steel Armchairs by Thonet, circa 1930s
By Thonet
Located in Almelo, NL
Model S411 armchairs by Thonet circa 1930s mid-century Bauhaus period. These cantilever armchairs are typical for the German and Eastern Europe Bauhaus ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

Related Items
Pair of Thonet Style Bentwood Armchairs, C1960
By Thonet
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of hard to find bentwood armchairs in the style of Thonet. In very good vintage condition with minimal wear. Have other sets that can be combined but these are the only...
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1960s American Modern Vintage Thonet Armchairs

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Beech

Thonet Bauhaus White Vinyl & Chrome Model SS33 Cantilever Barstool Anton Lorenz
By Thonet, Anton Lorenz
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 Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

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.
Category

1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Mid Century Cantilevered SS33 Armchairs by Anton Lorenz for Thonet, c1970s
By Thonet, Anton Lorenz
Located in Chino Hills, CA
For sale, we have a stunning collection of Mid-Century SS33 Cantilevered Dining Chairs, designed by the legendary Anton Lorenz for Thonet. These chairs are iconic pieces of mid-centu...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

Mart Stam Cognac Leather and Chrome Dining Chairs for Thonet
By Thonet, Mart Stam
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of four Cantilevered Cognac leather and chrome dining chairs, designed by Mart Stam for Thonet, circa 1970s. They retain their war...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Set of Ten Dining Chairs by Anton Lorenz for Thonet
By Thonet, Anton Lorenz
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of ten armchairs designed by Anton Lorenz for Thonet. Each chair has tan upholstered backrest and seat with polished chrome tubular frames. Mid-Century Modern S-37 chairs were originally designed by Anton Lorenz in 1929 and later manufactured by Gebruder Thonet in the 1970s. In 1929 Anton Lorenz founded the firm Desta (Deutsche Stahlmobel) in Berlin making Anton Lorenz the first to manufacture tubular-steel furniture on a commercial scale.
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

Six Black Patent Leather and Chrome Thonet Dining Chairs
By Anton Lorenz, Thonet
Located in Dallas, TX
Six armchairs designed by Anton Lorenz for Thonet. Each chair has black patent leather upholstered backrest and seat with polished chrome tubular frames, labeled underneath. Mid-C...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

1930s Art Deco Armchair, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- good original condition with minor signs of use - Upholstery in good condition with some signs of use - high of seat 47 cm
Category

1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

1930s Art Deco Armchair, Czechoslovakia
1930s Art Deco Armchair, Czechoslovakia
H 31.5 in W 26.78 in D 37.01 in
Le Corbusier for Thonet Mid Century Bentwood Dining Chairs, Set of 6
By Thonet, Le Corbusier
Located in Countryside, IL
Le Corbusier for Thonet mid century bentwood dining chairs - Set of 6 Each chair measures: 21 wide x 22 deep x 31 high, with a seat height of 19 i...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Bentwood

Four Black and Chrome Dining Chairs by Anton Lorenz for Thonet
By Anton Lorenz, Thonet
Located in Dallas, TX
The Hungarian designer Anton Lorenz is famous for his timeless steel tube furniture. The original cantilevered chrome base and professionally uphols...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

Thonet Chrome and Pink Vinyl Dining Chairs by Anton Lorenz - Set of 4
By Anton Lorenz, Thonet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A set of 4 armchairs designed by Anton Lorenz and produced by Thonet. Tubular steal frames with pink vinyl seats and back rests. Retains original manufacturer tags.
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Bauhaus Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

Black Dining Chair "Cesca" B32 by Marcel Breuer for Fasem, Italy, 1970
By Marcel Breuer, Fasem International
Located in DE MEERN, NL
Black dining chair "Cesca" B32 by Marcel Breuer for Fasem, Italy, 1970s Introducing the iconic "Cesca" B32 dining chair by Marcel Breuer, expertly crafted by Italian brand Fasem in the 1970s. This Classic chair has remained a favorite among interior designers and design enthusiasts alike, thanks to its timeless elegance and unparalleled comfort. Marcel Breuer, the renowned Bauhaus designer, revolutionized the world of furniture design with his innovative use of materials and avant-garde approach. The Cesca...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

Previously Available Items
Set of 50 Marcel Breuer Bauhaus "Cesca" Armchairs, Manufactured in Italy
By Thonet, Marcel Breuer
Located in Almelo, NL
Beautiful set of 50 “Cesca” armchairs by Marcel Breuer, manufactured in Italy. Black finish cane seats and backs. Classic chrome cane. Caning very good condition and a beautiful Carm...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Bauhaus Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

Set of 6 Thonet S320 Armchairs 1980s Design by Ulrich Böhme and Wulf Schneider
By Ulrich Bohme, Thonet
Located in Tourcoing, FR
This S320 armchair is a creation of Ulrich Böhme and Wulf Schneider (German architects and designers many times rewarded for their innovative creations)...
Category

1980s German Modern Vintage Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

1980s Thonet Design S320 Armchair by Ulrich Böhme and Wulf Schneider
By Wulf Schneider, Ulrich Bohme, Thonet
Located in Tourcoing, FR
This S320 armchair is a creation of Ulrich Böhme and Wulf Schneider (German architects and designers many times rewarded for their innovative creations)...
Category

1980s German Modern Vintage Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

Thonet armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Thonet armchairs 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 armchairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original armchairs 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 armchairs by Knoll, Pierre Paulin, and Artifort. Prices for Thonet armchairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $332 and can go as high as $27,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,449.
Questions About Thonet Armchairs
  • 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 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 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 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 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 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.
  • 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.

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