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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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Period: 1970s
Creator: Thonet
Pair of Cantilevered Chrome Barrel Back Club Chairs by Anton Lorenz for Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Houston, TX
A pair of cantilevered chrome barrel back club chairs by Anton Lorenz for Thonet. In very good sturdy condition. There was a Thonet tag on the bottom of the chair, but it fell off an...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

Set of Chairs by Gerd Lange for Thonet
By Gerd Lange, Thonet
Located in Čelinac, BA
Set of four chairs by Gerd Lange for Thonet.
Category

1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Metal

1978 Molded Plywood Armchair Set of 2 in Oak by Peter Danko for Thonet
By Thonet, Peter Danko
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Chairs listed and sold as a set of (2) It is truly no surprise that this same chair is in the permanent collection at The Smithsonian American Art Museum. Meditate on the genius involved in crafting each chair from a single sheet of layered ply. Cutting and molding a single medium into functional art with a style so timeless, the revival exceeds the debut. Designed by Peter Danko in 1978 and produced by Thonet, all but one chair had their original factory tags underneath. The three tags were gently removed and bagged separately during our restoration. Exquisitely re-upholstered in red-orange weave fabric to harmoniously compliment the honey colored oak frames. Our restoration team spent countless hours touching up the frames. Although a few still remain, most chips and scratches were expertly mitigated before we applied a topcoat to match the original. We're certain these chairs will meet expectations. The chair was gifted to the museum by Lloyd E. Herman, founding director and director emeritus of the Renwick Gallery (1971-1986), in honor of Michael W...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Pair of Vintage German Minimalist Chrome Black Armchairs from Thonet, 1970s
By Thonet
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This set of two armchairs was manufactured by the German Thonet manufacture during the 1970s. The frame is made of chrome-plated tubular steel. The chairs are made by plywood and covered with black synthetic leather. The minimalist form adds elegance, and the contoured seat improves comfort during use. Both pieces have manufactory labels. Thonet is the oldest existing furniture company in the world. It began its long business in 1819 when the carpenter Michael Thonet founded a furniture workshop in Boppard, Germany. A supporter of the Biedermeier style, he specialized in chairs, tables and cabinets characterized by clean lines, reduced ornamentation and an emphasis on the principles of functionalism. In the 1930s, Thonet's experiments with glued and steam-bent wood furniture...
Category

1970s German Minimalist Vintage Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

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.
Category

1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair Black and Chrome Brno Chairs by Mies van der Rohe for Thonet
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Thonet
Located in Dallas, TX
Classic Bauhaus design pair of Brno chairs by Mies van der Rohe for Thonet. The chairs feature polished chrome-plated tubular steel cantilevered frames, seats upholstered in a black ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

1970s Beech Armchair by Ton, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered - repolished wooden parts - High of seat 41 cm.
Category

1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Armchairs

Materials

Beech, Fabric

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Thonet Bauhaus White Vinyl & Chrome Model SS33 Cantilever Barstool Anton Lorenz
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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...
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Gerd Lange Farmer Series Chairs and Table
By Gerd Lange
Located in Weesp, NL
Farmer series chairs and table designed by Gerd Lange for Bofinger in the 1965. 8 pieces of wood, 4 square rods, 2 fabric panels. All built str...
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By Marcel Breuer, Thonet
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Pair of Lovely Vintage Oxblood Leather Chesterfield Gentleman's Club Armchairs
By Chesterfield
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6 Tubular Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Brno Armchairs by Gordon International, 1979
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Miami, FL
Set of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe attributed Brno armchairs or dining room chairs in original coral red fabric upholstery. Solid chrome tubular frames with cantilever swing, very comf...
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Set 8 Mies van der Rohe Knoll Brno Flat Bar 255 Cantilever Dining Chairs White
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
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Eastern Bloc Vintage armchairs by Jitona, Czechoslovakia, 1970s
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Pair of Club Tub Lounge Chairs by Joan Burgasser/Anton Lorenz for Thonet
By Thonet
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Pair of "Club Tub" lounge chairs by Joan Burgasser/Anton Lorenz for Thonet.
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Chairs Thonet 209, Pair of Cane and Black Bentwood , 1940s or 1950s
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Located in Mombuey, Zamora
The chair after Thonet is from the years between 1950-1960 This is Le Corbusier's favourite chair and one of the favourite designs of architects and designers. Unfortunately it has...
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Mid-Century Modern Italian Pair of Bamboo Armchairs, 1970s
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Located in Prato, IT
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Mid Century Cantilevered SS33 Armchairs by Anton Lorenz for Thonet, c1970s
By Thonet, Anton Lorenz
Located in Chino Hills, CA
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Previously Available Items
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Located in Praha 2, Hlavní město Praha
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1970s Pair of Ton Armchairs and Stool, Czechoslovakia
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Located in Keego Harbor, MI
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Set of Two Adjustable Armchairs, Thon, 1970
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of beech, fabrik - New upholstery - Wooden parts is in original condition - Armchairs have six positions - Very good, original condition.
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Set of Two Adjustable Armchairs, Thon, 1970
Set of Two Adjustable Armchairs, Thon, 1970
H 40.16 in W 23.23 in D 28.75 in
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Pair of 1970s Thonet Tubular Steel and Velvet Upholstered Club Chairs
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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 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 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 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 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 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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