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Thonet Chairs

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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Creator: Thonet
Thonet Chair HO. 41, 1905s
Thonet Chair HO. 41, 1905s

Thonet Chair HO. 41, 1905s

By Thonet, Michael Thonet

Located in Čelinac, BA

Thonet chair HO 41, restored in good condition. Designed by Michael Thonet.

Category

Early 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Thonet Chairs

Materials

Plywood

Bentwood Chair By Thonet, Czechoslovakia 1940s
Bentwood Chair By Thonet, Czechoslovakia 1940s

Bentwood Chair By Thonet, Czechoslovakia 1940s

By Thonet

Located in Zohor, SK

Beautiful and fully restored vintage bentwood chair produced in Czechoslovakia by Thonet company in 1940s. The chair is made of oak wood construction with molded plywood used for sea...

Category

1940s Czech Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Chairs

Materials

Bentwood, Plywood

Cocktail Chair, Thonet, Vienna, 1950s
Cocktail Chair, Thonet, Vienna, 1950s

Cocktail Chair, Thonet, Vienna, 1950s

By Thonet

Located in Wolfurt, AT

The relatively small cocktail chair covered with a firm vinyl cover, the seams of which are stabilised by a piping strip. The backrest is not only decorated with upholstery nails in the lower arch, but also reinforced. The chairs stand sturdily on light beechwood legs. Original condition. Please note that upholstered chairs from the 1950s like to have a lower seat height of 41 to...

Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Chairs

Materials

Faux Leather, Wood

Back of the Chairs by Martino Gamper for the Conran Shop/Thonet, 2008
Back of the Chairs by Martino Gamper for the Conran Shop/Thonet, 2008

Back of the Chairs by Martino Gamper for the Conran Shop/Thonet, 2008

By Thonet

Located in Uppsala, SE

This chair, along with two other models, was commissioned by The Conran Shop in 2008 to the designer Martino Gamper for The London Design Festival and for ...

Category

Early 2000s Croatian Futurist Thonet Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Chair of the Rings by Martino Gamper for the Conran Shop/Thonet, 2008
Chair of the Rings by Martino Gamper for the Conran Shop/Thonet, 2008

Chair of the Rings by Martino Gamper for the Conran Shop/Thonet, 2008

By Thonet

Located in Uppsala, SE

This chair, along with two other models, was commissioned by The Conran Shop in 2008 to the designer Martino Gamper for The London Design Festival and for ...

Category

Early 2000s Croatian Futurist Thonet Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Folding Chair, Thonet, 1920's
Folding Chair, Thonet, 1920's

Folding Chair, Thonet, 1920's

By Thonet

Located in Praha, CZ

- made in Czechoslovakia - made of wood - good, original condition.

Category

1920s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Chairs

Materials

Wood

Jugendstil Otto Wagner Chair Beech 1902 Postal Saving Bank Vienna Thonet
Jugendstil Otto Wagner Chair Beech 1902 Postal Saving Bank Vienna Thonet

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...

Category

Early 20th Century Jugendstil Thonet Chairs

Materials

Beech

Original 430 Chair by Verner Panton for Thonet, 1960s
Original 430 Chair by Verner Panton for Thonet, 1960s

Original 430 Chair by Verner Panton for Thonet, 1960s

By Alexander Girard, Thonet

Located in Dronten, NL

An exceptional and rare original 430 Chair designed by Verner Panton for Thonet, produced for only a very short period in the 1960s. This piece represents a unique collaboration betw...

Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

1960s Ton/Thonet Beech Armchair, Czechoslovakia
1960s Ton/Thonet Beech Armchair, Czechoslovakia

1960s Ton/Thonet Beech Armchair, Czechoslovakia

By Thonet

Located in Praha, CZ

- Newly upholstered - Carefully refurbished - The seat height is 39cm

Category

1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Upholstery, Beech

4 Sedie Thonet originali anni '50
4 Sedie Thonet originali anni '50

4 Sedie Thonet originali anni '50

$1,498Sale Price / set|20% Off

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)

Category

1950s Italian Vintage Thonet Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

4x Chairs Thonet Nr.717, Gustav Siegel
4x Chairs Thonet Nr.717, Gustav Siegel

4x Chairs Thonet Nr.717, Gustav Siegel

By Gustav Siegel, Thonet

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...

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Thonet Chairs

Materials

Textile, Bentwood

Secession dining chair no.41 by Thonet
Secession dining chair no.41 by Thonet

Secession dining chair no.41 by Thonet

By Thonet

Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj

Secession dining chair no.41 by Thonet. Condition: Professionally stained and repolished.

Category

Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Chairs

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

Pair of Bentwood High Back Dining Chairs by Thonet
Pair of Bentwood High Back Dining Chairs by Thonet

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...

Category

1980s Austrian Hollywood Regency Vintage Thonet Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Pair of 404 F chairs by Stefan Diez for Thonet
Pair of 404 F chairs by Stefan Diez for Thonet

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...

Category

20th Century German Thonet Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Austrian post-modern chairs by Ernst W. Beranek for Thonet, 1990s
Austrian post-modern chairs by Ernst W. Beranek for Thonet, 1990s

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...

Category

1990s Austrian Post-Modern Thonet Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair of 404 F chairs by Stefan Diez for Thonet
Pair of 404 F chairs by Stefan Diez for Thonet

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...

Category

20th Century German Thonet Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Set of Eight Art Nouveau Chairs Model 639 by Thonet, Cotton - Czechoslovakia
Set of Eight Art Nouveau Chairs Model 639 by Thonet, Cotton - Czechoslovakia

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...

Category

1910s Czech Art Nouveau Vintage Thonet Chairs

Materials

Cotton, Wood

1980s Set of Four Dining Chairs by Ton, Czechoslovakia
1980s Set of Four Dining Chairs by Ton, Czechoslovakia

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

Category

1980s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair of 404 F chairs by Stefan Diez for Thonet
Pair of 404 F chairs by Stefan Diez for Thonet

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...

Category

20th Century German Thonet Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Dining Chairs No.81 by Thonet Debrecsen
Dining Chairs No.81 by Thonet Debrecsen

Dining Chairs No.81 by Thonet Debrecsen

By Thonet

Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj

Dining chairs no.81 by Thonet Debrecsen executed in 1980s. Excellent original condition.

Category

1980s Hungarian Jugendstil Vintage Thonet Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Bentwood

Chair Thonet Nr.402, Jan Kotěra in 1907
Chair Thonet Nr.402, Jan Kotěra in 1907

Chair Thonet Nr.402, Jan Kotěra in 1907

By Thonet

Located in Praha, CZ

Designed by Jan Kotera for the National association house in Prostejov. Slightly modified - reduced backrest height, as an adjustment to the salon chair). P...

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Thonet Chairs

Materials

Brass

Early Nr 5 Chair Thonet Made for First International Exposition in London in 185
Early Nr 5 Chair Thonet Made for First International Exposition in London in 185

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...

Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Thonet Chairs

Materials

Nutwood, Plywood

1960s Oswald Haerdtl Chair by TON Czechoslovakia
1960s Oswald Haerdtl Chair by TON Czechoslovakia

1960s Oswald Haerdtl Chair by TON Czechoslovakia

By Thonet, Oswald Haerdtl

Located in Praha, CZ

- Made of stained beech wood and beech plywood - The wooden parts have been repolished - Height of armrests: 64 cm

Category

1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Chairs

Materials

Beech, Plywood, Wood

Set of Four Restored Art Deco Chairs, by Thonet, Beech, Walnut, Czech, 1940s
Set of Four Restored Art Deco Chairs, by Thonet, Beech, Walnut, Czech, 1940s

Set of Four Restored Art Deco Chairs, by Thonet, Beech, Walnut, Czech, 1940s

By Thonet

Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj

This set of 4 chairs is a magnificent and highly aesthetic showcase of furniture design from the transitional period between Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern (1940s). Manufactured in ...

Category

1940s Czech Art Deco Vintage Thonet Chairs

Materials

Wood, Beech, Walnut, Lacquer

Otto Wagner Jugendstil One Chair Beech Postal Saving Bank Vienna 1902 Thonet
Otto Wagner Jugendstil One Chair Beech Postal Saving Bank Vienna 1902 Thonet

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 ...

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Thonet Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of Four Chairs, 1960s
Set of Four Chairs, 1960s

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.

Category

1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Secession dining chair no.437 by Thonet
Secession dining chair no.437 by Thonet

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.

Category

Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Chairs

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

Thonet Chair in Birch and Plastic by Gerd Lange, West-Germany, 1973
Thonet Chair in Birch and Plastic by Gerd Lange, West-Germany, 1973

Thonet Chair in Birch and Plastic by Gerd Lange, West-Germany, 1973

By Thonet, Gerd Lange

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...

Category

1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Chairs

Materials

Plastic, Birch

Austrian post-modern purple fabric Chairs by Marcel Kammerer for Thonet, 1990s
Austrian post-modern purple fabric Chairs by Marcel Kammerer for Thonet, 1990s

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 ...

Category

1990s Austrian Post-Modern Thonet Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

20th Century Austrian Bar Stool in Black Wood by Thonet
20th Century Austrian Bar Stool in Black Wood by Thonet

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.

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Thonet Chairs

Materials

Wood

Set of 4 Fledermaus Chairs Executed by Thonet
Set of 4 Fledermaus Chairs Executed by Thonet

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.

Category

1990s Slovak Vienna Secession Thonet Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Bentwood

Original 4er Set Thonet Stuhl S32N Netz Mesh Design Freischwinger
Original 4er Set Thonet Stuhl S32N Netz Mesh Design Freischwinger

Original 4er Set Thonet Stuhl S32N Netz Mesh Design Freischwinger

By Thonet

Located in Berlin, DE

Wir bieten ein wunderschönes 4er Set Freischwinger Stühle mit Netzbespannung von Thonet aus dem Jahr 2000 zum Verkauf an. Es stehen insgesamt 15 Stühle zum Verkauf an. ***Der Preis ...

Category

Early 2000s German Post-Modern Thonet Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Antique Thonet Wood Chair, German Design, 36\" Diameter, Circa 1920
Antique Thonet Wood Chair, German Design, 36\" Diameter, Circa 1920

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...

Category

1890s German Other Antique Thonet Chairs

Materials

Wood

Thonet Bentwood Red and Black Lacquered Modernist Desk Chair
Thonet Bentwood Red and Black Lacquered Modernist Desk Chair

Thonet Bentwood Red and Black Lacquered Modernist Desk Chair

By Thonet

Located in Westport, CT

Thonet bentwood vintage red and black lacquered plywood inspired by Eames DCW desk/dining chair, great form and comfort.

Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Thonet Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Illustrated Thonet Chair
Illustrated Thonet Chair

Illustrated Thonet Chair

$2,240Sale Price|20% Off

Illustrated Thonet Chair

By Thonet

Located in Antwerp, BE

Thonet armchair with a printed illustration. The seat and backrest are weaved in rattan. The rest of the frame is covered in a print that could have influenced by the great Fornase...

Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Art Nouveau Thonet Chairs

Materials

Wood

Nobiliary Dining Chair of Thonet from Wiener Werkstaette
Nobiliary Dining Chair of Thonet from Wiener Werkstaette

Nobiliary Dining Chair of Thonet from Wiener Werkstaette

By Thonet

Located in Mariano Del Friuli, GO

Rare chair of the Wiener Werkstaette considered the prototype of the successive variants on Design by the architect. Gustav Sigel. The rectangular sections and geometric motifs of th...

Category

Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Thonet Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

1950s Classic Elegant Bentwood Painted Dining Chair by Thon- set Of 6
1950s Classic Elegant Bentwood Painted Dining Chair by Thon- set Of 6

1950s Classic Elegant Bentwood Painted Dining Chair by Thon- set Of 6

By Thonet

Located in Hook, Hampshire

1950s Classic elegant bentwood dining chair by Thon, set of six, other quantities available. These chairs were produced in volume by the famous Czech firm Ton, still trading today an...

Category

1950s Czech Vintage Thonet Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Pair of 19th century Faux Bamboo Parlor Chairs by Thonet
Pair of 19th century Faux Bamboo Parlor Chairs by Thonet

Pair of 19th century Faux Bamboo Parlor Chairs by Thonet

By Thonet

Located in Munich, DE

19th Century bentwood parlor chairs by Thonet. Beautiful gold patina & faded fabric. Both chairs show heavy signs of their age, flaking gold patina, washed out seat fabric & yet the ...

Category

19th Century French French Provincial Antique Thonet Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Faux Bamboo

Thonet chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Thonet chairs 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 chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original chairs 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 chairs by Michael Thonet, Karl Fostel Sen’s Erben, and Anna-Lülja Praun. Prices for Thonet chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $149 and can go as high as $24,318, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,765.

Questions About Thonet Chairs

  • 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 ExpertSeptember 23, 2024
    To identify a Thonet, first locate the maker's marking. On Thonet chairs, you'll usually find it carved into the wood frame on the underside of the seat. Markings may say “Thonet,” “Thonet Wien,” “GT,” “GBThonet” or “GBThonetWien,” depending on the age of your piece. Cross-reference the mark with information published on trusted online resources to get a rough idea of when your furniture was produced. Then, you can review Thonet catalogues available online to identify your piece's model number. Alternatively, you can enlist the help of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer to perform the identification process for you. Shop a wide range of Thonet furniture 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 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 ExpertSeptember 27, 2024
    To identify a Thonet chair, look under the seat. Most Thonet chairs will feature a maker's marking. Often, you'll find the Thonet name carved into the wooden seat frame or printed on a paper label mounted on the seat's underside. Because Thonet changed its markings over the years, you can get a rough idea of the age of your chair by comparing the ones on your piece to images on trusted online reference guides. If you need help with the identification process, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can be of assistance. Find 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 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 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.
  • 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.