1860s Furniture
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Period: 1860s
Pine Rustic Farm House Grain Bin Firewood Box Rustic Charm Green Painted
Located in Newfoundland, PA
This is an early pine wooden box. Great for storing firewood. We used it as a recycling bin. Multi-functions with this great early pine box. Wonderful li...
Category
American Rustic Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Pine
Antique Victorian Mahogany & Inlaid Card Games Table 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fabulous antique Victorian mahogany, satinwood and marquetry games table in the manner of Edwards & Roberts, circa 1860 in date.
It is made of beautiful flame mahogany and satinwood with elegant satinwood inlaid and penwork floral and foliate decoration of ribbons, bellfowers and garlands..
The shaped hinged top opens to reveal a fabulous green baize lined gaming interior for playing cards, above a frieze fitted with a drawer and decorated by a beautiful classical urn. The table is raised on elegant square tapering legs terminating in spade feet.
It is an elegant piece which will enhance a special room in your home.
THE BOTANICAL NAME FOR THE MAHOGANY THIS ITEM IS MADE OF IS SWIETENIA MACROPHYLLA AND THIS TYPE OF MAHOGANY IS NOT SUBJECT TO CITES REGULATION.
Condition:
In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned and polished in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 74 x Width 89 x Depth 48
Dimensions in inches:
Height 2 foot, 5 inches x Width 2 foot, 11 inches x Depth 1 foot, 7 inches
Marquetry
is decorative artistry where pieces of material (such as wood, pewter or brass silver) of different colours are inserted into surface wood veneer to form intricate patterns such as scrolls or flowers.
The technique of veneered marquetry had its inspiration in 16th century Florence. Marquetry elaborated upon Florentine techniques of inlaying solid marble slabs with designs formed of fitted marbles, jaspers and semi-precious stones. This work, called opere di commessi, has medieval parallels in Central Italian "Cosmati"-work of inlaid marble floors, altars and columns. The technique is known in English as pietra dura, for the "hardstones" used: onyx, jasper, cornelian, lapis lazuli and colored marbles. In Florence, the Chapel of the Medici at San Lorenzo is completely covered in a colored marble facing using this demanding jig-sawn technique.
Techniques of wood marquetry were developed in Antwerp and other Flemish centers of luxury cabinet-making during the early 16th century. The craft was imported full-blown to France after the mid-seventeenth century, to create furniture of unprecedented luxury being made at the royal manufactory of the Gobelins, charged with providing furnishings to decorate Versailles and the other royal residences of Louis XIV. Early masters of French marquetry were the Fleming Pierre Golle and his son-in-law, André-Charles Boulle, who founded a dynasty of royal and Parisian cabinet-makers (ébénistes) and gave his name to a technique of marquetry employing brass with pewter in arabesque or intricately foliate designs.
Edwards & Roberts
The firm Edwards & Roberts was one of the best English antique furniture cabinet makers of the second half of the eighteenth century. The company was founded in 1845 and by 1854 was trading as ‘Edwards & Roberts’, 21 Wardour Street, Antique and Modern Cabinet...
Category
English Victorian Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
1863 "Lloyd's New Map of the United States, the Canadas, and New Brunswick"
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is “Lloyd's New Map of the United States, the Canadas and New Brunswick, From the latest Surveys, Showing Every Railroad & Station Finished to June 1863, and the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts.” A large, Civil War-era hanging map of the United States and adjacent territories, this map covers the area from the Atlantic Ocean and extends as far west as the 103 meridian, to “Dacotah,” Nebraska, Kansas, "Indian Territory," and Texas. The southern continuation of Florida is shown in an inset map along the right margin. This map was published by J. T. Lloyd, in New York, in 1863. According to the publisher’s marking at lower right, this map was originally issued in two states: "in Sheets, Colored" for 50 cents, and "Varnished nicely, with Rollers" for $1.
Throughout the map, the counties are colored and the towns and cities well labeled. A reference key in the bottom margin provides symbols for railroads, turnpikes and wagon roads, state capitals, cities and towns, and village post offices. As emphasized in the map’s title, this map is especially notable for the countless railway lines and stations depicted, with distances noted between points, listing “every railroad and finished station to June 1863.” Additionally, two shipping agents and their routes are drawn out of New York City. The map includes details of the steamship routes into New York and Philadelphia from Liverpool and on to California and Oregon via an overland Nicaraguan trek, presumably to assist gold rush emigrants.
This expansive and impressive map depicts the eastern half of the United States in the third year of the Civil War. In order not to recognize the legitimacy of the Confederate States of America, each state is shown in the same manner as the Union states. The only indication that the American Civil War was in progress when this map was published is a printed notice that Gideon Wells, Secretary of the Navy, wishes to acquire a quote on 100 copies of Lloyd’s Mississippi River map...
Category
American Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Linen, Wood, Paper
Collectible Horse Saddle from Tibet, Also Wall Hanging
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Antique Tibetan horse saddle . External border with eternity symbols -
nr. 1124 -.
Category
Tibetan Tibetan Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Wool
NAPOLEON III Paris 1860 Travel Foldable Writing Desk Box In Precious Woods & Aba
By Napoléon III
Located in Miami, FL
An antique Napoleon III traveler portable writing-desk box.
This is a gorgeous portable writing desk-box, created in France during the period of emperor Napoleon III, circa 1860. Th...
Category
French Napoleon III Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Leather, Shell, Wood
Antique 19th Century Victorian Oval Walnut Centre Table
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique 19th century Victorian oval walnut centre table having a splendid oval solid walnut top and an oval walnut frieze supported by four elegant turned and shaped columns with two...
Category
English Victorian Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Walnut English 19th Century Spider Leg Table with Drop Leaves
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant English 19th Century spider leg table with drop leaves.
Striking English design from the 1860s.
Solid walnut base with original solid walnut and inlay top.
The w...
Category
British Georgian Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Minton Ca 1866 Dessert Set Hand Painted Birds Turquoise with Cameo Reserves
By Minton
Located in Great Barrington, MA
A rare and exceptional 19th century Minton dessert service featuring hand painted ornithological subjects hand painted in the neoclassical perio...
Category
English Neoclassical Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Victorian Burr Walnut and Marquetry Serpentine Credenza 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a superb antique Victorian ormolu mounted burr walnut and floral marquetry inlaid credenza, circa 1860 in date.
Oozing sophistication and charm, this credenza is the absolut...
Category
English Victorian Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Minton Majolica Chestnut Server
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica chestnut server which features chestnuts and chestnut leaves. Coloration: Green, turquoise, brown, are predominant. The piece bears mak...
Category
English Victorian Antique 1860s Furniture
Napoleon III French Settee
Located in Houston, TX
Napoleon III French settee upholstered in off-white ticking and burlap. Ready to be re-covered in your own fabric. Constructed circa 1870-1889 with wood and iron frame, turned and eb...
Category
French Napoleon III Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel, Iron
Marshes Opposite Erith by Francis Seymour Haden, 1865
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Etching on paper by Seymour Haden, titled “Marshes Opposite Erith."
Signed and dated in the plate, lower left: S. Haden, Marshes opposite Erith, 1865
Signed in graphite, lower right...
Category
British Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Paper
Japanned or Chinoiserie Decorated Louis XV Style Lacquer Inkwell
Located in Nashville, TN
The lacquer ground with a strong burgundy undertone. Well carved , colored and other wise decorated . The porcelain well in good Antique condition . Minor wear due to age and use .
Category
French Louis XV Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
A large antique Sienna marble bolection frame style mantel or fireplace surround
Located in Tyrone, Northern Ireland
A large antique Sienna marble bolection frame style fire surround dating to the mid 19th century
Made from the richest colour of Convent Sienna marble, ...
Category
Northern Irish Baroque Revival Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Siena Marble
Portrait of an officer, signed Willem Geets, oil on canvas, 1867, 19th century
Located in NICE, FR
Portrait of a high-ranking officer with arms crossed over his chest and three-quarter view in detailed military garb: fringed silk epaulets, gold buttons, red cuffs. The attention to...
Category
Dutch Napoleon III Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Didactic Flower Model German Manufacture of 1860 circa Made of Painted Plaster
Located in Milan, IT
Didactic flower, German manufacture of 1860 circa, depicting Marchantia Polymorpha L., made of painted plaster on a wooden base; the seed is removab...
Category
German Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Plaster
19th Century Sterling Silver Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Mid 19th century sterling silver footed centerpiece bowl with exterior floral band design details and gold wash interior. The centerpiece bowl is in great antique condition. Minor we...
Category
North American Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Gold, Sterling Silver
Stunning Pair of Hand Carved Italian Walnut Antique circa 1860 Throne Armchairs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of original Italian circa 1860 hand carved walnut throne armchairs with period upholstery
A wonderfully decorative and super or...
Category
Italian High Victorian Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Battleship Coming Into Port
Located in Downingtown, PA
Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Second Rate Battleship Coming into Port,
Circa 1865
The British sailor's woolwork has a dramatic view of a Royal Navy Second Rate Battleship coming i...
Category
English Folk Art Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Wool
The Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence by N. Dwight, 1860
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Dwight, Nathaniel. The Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. New York: A. S. Barnes & Burr, 1860. Later printing. Octavo. Rebound in ¼ leather and cloth boards, wi...
Category
American Federal Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Leather, Paper
Set of 2 open bookcases
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Beautiful set of 2 antique walnut bookcases. With adjustable shelves. Stylish cabinets with beautiful patina. Suitable for multiple purposes. Interior made blue/grey
Origin: England
...
Category
British Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Walnut
English Needlepoint Stool
Located in Wilson, NC
This concave shaped English needlepoint stool has floral needlework on the top and applied fabric sides to its mahogany base. The bottom has a roun...
Category
English Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Wool, Mahogany
19th Century French Painted Tole Covered Urn Pair
Located in Savannah, GA
This very handsome pair of French toleware lidded urns, in a deep red color with gold gilt accents, feature lion head handles on either side and artichoke finials atop the lids. Each...
Category
French Grand Tour Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Metal
ANTIQUE ViCTORIAN BROWN LEATHER BRASS GALLERY MILITARY CAMPAIGN DAVENPORT DESK
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning full sized Victorian circa 1860-1880 Military Campaign Davenport desk writing slope with slidi...
Category
English Campaign Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Brass
Japanese Lacquered Tebako 'Box'
Located in PARIS, FR
Tebako box with three compartments in golden and nashi-ji lacquer, decorated with golden, red, and kirigane lacquer, golden persimmon tree leaves, among rocks. The compartments are of increasing size from the top. The decoration is in continuity.
Persimmon has been cultivated in southern China for more than 2500 years and is believed to have been introduced to Japan in the 8th century. The veneer is a tree with very hard wood, similar to ebony. According to a legend, one specimen survived the atomic bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, close to the epicenter. It is therefore in Japan a symbol of strength and longevity. It is also the national fruit of the country. It is eaten as a traditional dish during New Year's Day celebrations.
Tebako literally means "portable box...
Category
Japanese Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Antique Victorian Quality Burr Walnut Inlaid Lamp Table
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian quality burr walnut inlaid lamp table having a quality pretty marquetry inlaid shaped gallery back with four original turned walnut finals above two burr walnut ser...
Category
English Victorian Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Napoleon III Period Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock by Delafontaine
Located in London, GB
The acclaimed French bronze foundry, Delafontaine, created this remarkable mantel clock. At the time this piece was crafted, in c.1860, the company was directed by Auguste-Maximilien Delafontaine (1813-1892). The firm was famous for its high-quality artistic bronzes, which can today be viewed in major art collections, such as the Louvre in Paris.
Shaped like an upside down ‘T’, this gilt bronze...
Category
French Napoleon III Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Antique English School Oil Painting on Board
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A scene of the Thames River near Richmond (outside of London). Unsigned, with hand written note attached verso as pictured. The elegant painting in original giltwood frame Dimensions...
Category
English Victorian Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
19th Century English Dresser Base
Located in Nashville, TN
This is an early 19th century English dresser base shown with three drawers and two doors the center door being stationary. Comes with th...
Category
English Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Important Antique Victorian Howard & Son's Chesterfield Sofa Inc Ticking Fabric
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale very rare, original Victorian circa 1860 Howard & Son’s Chesterfield sofa with the original ticking fabric and long, ...
Category
English High Victorian Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19thC Carved Rosewood with Floral Tapestry Fireplace Screen from Scotland
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous hand carved Rosewood with walnut framed tapestry fireplace screen. Panel is 21.5 x 23 which elevates or can be lowered with the brass adjustment knob on the back. Restored s...
Category
Scottish High Victorian Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Brass
19thC Welsh Ebonised Sycamore Top Dresser
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1870
19thC Welsh Ebonised Sycamore Top Dresser
sku 901
W183 x D49 x H211 cm
Base W183 x D49 x H86 cm
Top (cornice) W188 x D23 x H125 cm
Category
Welsh Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Sycamore, Pine
Antique French Giltwood Cylindrical Pedestal Display Cabinet 19th Century
Located in London, GB
A superb, rare and unusual French giltwood and ormolu mounted cylindrical pedestal and combined glazed display cabinet, Circa 1860 in date.
The cabinet with wonderful ormolu mounts and raised on a circular pedetal base.
Add a touch of French sophistication with this lovely pedestal display cabinet...
Category
French Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Unusual Antique Edwardian Quality Rosewood Inlaid Drop Leaf Centre Table
Located in Suffolk, GB
Unusual antique Edwardian quality rosewood inlaid drop leaf centre table having a quality attractive rosewood inlaid top with three shaped rosewood prettily inlaid drop leaves supported by three square tapering inlaid legs with shaped feet united by a shaped inlaid undertier raised on original castors.
A quaint versatile example which can be used as a small centre table...
Category
English Edwardian Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Late 19th Century Black Forest Bronze Decorative Box by Leopold Oudry & Cie.
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A refined French lidded box, embelished all around with floral motifs in Black Forest style. Made of casted bronze with the original brown patina finish. The box is marked, L. Oudry & Cie. With key, lock is not working.
Léopold Oudry...
Category
French Black Forest Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Copper
19thC Large English Pine Cabinet
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1870
19thC large English pine office cabinet
(losses)
Measures: H 176 x D 34 x W 121 cm.
Category
British Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Pine
English Painted Blanket Chest
Located in Wilson, NC
English painted blanket chest, this chest features a beautiful salmon color with a swirl graining effect on the front(see photo). The interior and drawer are lined with paper, the un...
Category
English Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Steel
English Inlaid Bookcase
Located in Wilson, NC
This English inlaid bookcase has an eight pane astragal door which is banded with satinwood and ebony inlay. It has the original working lock and key. ...
Category
English Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Victorian Gothic Fire Dogs or Andirons in the Shape of Griffins
Located in London, GB
A mid 19th century pair of zoomorphic Griffin Fire Dogs or Andirons. Made from cast Iron and with copper stomach inserts, these unusual and rare pieces are indicative of the Victoria...
Category
English Gothic Revival Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Iron, Copper
French Beaux-Arts 19th c Heavily Carved Mahogany Panel for Possible Headboard
Located in Chicago, IL
Beaux-Arts architecture was taught at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, starting in the 1830s and ran into the late 1800’s. Beaux-Arts design leaned towards a sculptural decoration ...
Category
French Beaux Arts Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Small Antique Quality Brass Fender
Located in Suffolk, GB
Small Antique quality brass fender having a quality shaped pierced brass front and raised on oval shaped stepped feet
Measures: H 13.5cm
W 82cm
D 24cm
Date 1860.
Category
English Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Brass
Large Napoleon III Period French Bronze Wall Sconce of Classical Female Figure
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This Napoleon III period bronze sconce features a classical female figure standing atop curling acanthus and flowers. Two candle arms extend from the floral base. The unusual large s...
Category
French Napoleon III Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1800s Kittredge & Blakes Gold Gilt Large Wall Mirror
Located in Esperance, NY
Quality Antique Gold Gilt Old Mirror from Kittredge and Blakes Boston Furniture store in the 1800s.It is in good shape with gold gilt comp over wood with typical flaking and fading o...
Category
American Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Mirror
Victorian Centre Table Marquetry Inlay Floral 1860
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Victorian round walnut table with fine quality marquetry panels terminating on a triple cabriole leg base
Circa 1860
Marquetry inlay is incredibly detailed showing floral motifs on t...
Category
Victorian Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th C Large Renaissance Revival Black Lacquer & Gilt Fireplace Screen Tapestry
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and in amazing restored condition. Black lacquer finish with Gilt in the carved areas remains in top condition. Aristocratic family representativ...
Category
Scottish Renaissance Revival Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Tapestry, Glass, Walnut, Lacquer
SIX EXQUISITE ANTIQUE HAND CARVED CLAW & BALL FRAMED CIRCA 1860 DINING CHAIRs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning suite of six Victorian Circa 1860 hand carved Walnut Claw & Ball feet dining chairs
Please no...
Category
English High Victorian Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Jacquard Woven Coverlet with Fringe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This multicolored handwoven 19th century coverlet with the original fringe in fine condition.
Category
American Country Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Wool
Pair of 19th Century French Doors with Wrought Iron Panels
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Pair of stunning stripped 19th century French doors with wrought iron, featuring bold molded detail framing the lower panels as well as the intricate wrought iron inserts, which open...
Category
French Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Baccarat Crystal Prismic Pattern Centerpiece and 4-Light Candelabra Set
Located in New York, NY
An unusual 19th century French Baccarat Prismic pattern crystal centerpiece and four-light dore bronze candelabra set. The centerpiece bowl is French Baccarat crystal, the finest cry...
Category
French Louis XVI Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Very Early Nantucket Lightship Basket, circa 1860
Located in Nantucket, MA
Very Early Nantucket lightship basket, circa 1860, an oval open basket with wide splint staves, split wood rim, cane weave, solid birch bottom plate, and sha...
Category
American Folk Art Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Cane, Wood
19th Century Gilt Bronze Ewer Classical Renaissance Decorative Pitcher
Located in Labrit, Landes
Gilt bronze Ewer Pitcher 19th century gilt bronze Renaissance Revival
Heavy and solid
Decorative and impressive
Good antique condition.
Category
French Renaissance Revival Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Victorian Leather Top Writing Table / Desk
Located in London, GB
A superb antique Victorian leather top writing table / desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1860-1880 period.
This is of wonderful quality, it sits on beautifull...
Category
British Victorian Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
ANTIQUE GRAND TOUR MARCUS AURELIUS STATUE CORINTHIAN PiLLAR ROMAN OIL PAINTING
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original circa 1860-1880 Italian Grand Tour Oil on Board painting of Roman Temple Ruins with a...
Category
Italian Grand Tour Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Wood
Empire Mahogany Sofa, Restored, Original Upholstery, France, 1860s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Empire Mahogany Sofa
Origin: France
1860s
This item features classic Empire elements. This style, originating in 19th century France, was made to...
Category
French Empire Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Lacquer, Mahogany
Antique Picture Frame - Louis XVI Style - Ormolu Gilt Bronze - Mid 19th Century
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique bronze photo frame, Louis XVI style, from the French Napoleon III period.
Made in France, mid 19th century.
Very nice quality bronze, very refined with ormolu gi...
Category
French Napoleon III Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
Carved Chinese Coffee Table
Located in Wilson, NC
Carved Chinese coffee table is made from a carved Chinese panel with a custom made base. The panel is carved in high relief with gilt highlights. T...
Category
Chinese Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Early Michael Thonet Bistro Dining Table in Bentwood and Cane - Austria
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Bistro dining table in bentwood and cane designed by Michael Thonet. Originally designed in the 1860s and produced by Thonet in the 20th century by multiple factories.
Size:
chairs: 57x49x96.5 seat height 46 Arm height 67 centimeter
table: ø85.5 height 75 centimeter
Condition: used. The lacquer has worn out on some places. The stained beech wood has discoloration. Cane in the table top is good.
The cane in two seats is damaged. The cane in one back is damaged. One arm has a crack in a curve. Some small wood details are missing. The cane can be repaired or replaced professionally on request.
Michael Thonet
The development of bentwood for use in furniture is one of history’s most significant innovations in design. A range of renowned mid-century modern designers such as Alvar Aalto, Arne Jacobsen, and Charles and Ray Eames drew heavily on this technological advancement, and the success of their enduring works owes to the efforts of pioneering German-Austrian industrialist and designer Michael Thonet — founder of Thonet and widely considered the father of bentwood furniture.
Bentwood furniture dates as far back as the Middle Ages, but it is the 19th-century cabinetmaker and master of parquetry Michael 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. He experimented with bending birch rods into rounded shapes — forming delicately seductive, curving Art Nouveau creations that were a daring departure from the heavy, hand-carved designs attributed to his contemporaries.
The Boppard-born Thonet 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. He received an invitation from Austrian Chancellor Prince Metternich to contribute Neo-Rococo interiors to the Liechtenstein City Palace in Vienna. From there, 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. 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 — or Gebrüder Thonet — with his sons in 1853.
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.
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. Composed of just six parts, the chair, with its simple, lightweight design, belies its durability. 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.)
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.
Thonet’s patented bentwood technology also yielded an improvement to rocking chairs for his company — 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. And bentwood furniture was embraced by a series of design greats — the innovation can be found in the seating that Josef Hoffman designed for Thonet, in the elegant Superleggera chair created by Gio Ponti and Alvar Aalto’s expressive Paimio armchair...
Category
Austrian Rococo Revival Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Cane, Bentwood
Every Rose Has a Thorn - French Lithograph, c.1860s
Located in Savannah, GA
A French lithograph entitled “Il n’y a pas de roses sans épines”, circa 1860.
Engraved by Jacot for Lemercier a Paris after the painting by R.R. Aiffre.
19 ¼ by 23 ¼ inches
Category
French Antique 1860s Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
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