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Material: Bentwood
Set of 2 THONET S320 Stacking Chairs designed by Ulrich Boehme & Wulf Schneider
By Ulrich Bohme, Thonet
Located in Schwerin, MV
Set of 2 Thonet S 320 Armchairs in stained reddish-brown plywood and chrome plated Steel, Germany, 1980s
A striking set of four original Thonet S 320 armc...
Category
1980s German Post-Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Chrome
$478 Sale Price / set
33% Off
Set of 4 THONET S320 Stacking Chairs designed by Ulrich Boehme & Wulf Schneider
By Thonet, Ulrich Bohme
Located in Schwerin, MV
Set of 4 Thonet S 320 Armchairs in stained reddish-brown plywood and chrome plated Steel, Germany, 1980s
A striking set of four original Thonet S 320 armc...
Category
1980s German Post-Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Chrome
$956 Sale Price / set
33% Off
Pair James Mont King Cole Lounge Chairs, Circa 1960's
By James Mont
Located in Rochester, NY
A pair of King Cole Chairs. The name of these chairs comes from a James Mont commission for a lavish penthouse design in the King Cole building in Miam...
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Bentwood
Set of for Set of four bentwood chairs produced by Kohn in early 20th century
Located in SAINT-YRIEIX-SUR-CHARENTE, FR
Set of four bentwood chairs with cane seats, produced by J&J Kohn in Austria in the early 20th century. This is model number 36, as can be seen in reproductions from the 1904 cat...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
Vintage 3-Seat Cinema Theatre Bench from Ton, 1960s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This three - seat cinema bench was produced by Ton (former Thonet) in Czechoslovakia during the 1960s. The chairs are stabile and can be placed anywhere. It is made of beech wood (pa...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Wood, Beech, Bentwood, Plywood
Original Josef Hoffmann & Kohn Jacob Chair from 1914
Located in Vienna, AT
A very rare undocumented chair by Josef Hoffmann and J&J Kohn. An identical chair with leather upholstery is available as well.
Category
1910s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Set of 4 Thonet dining chairs model 17
By Thonet
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Set of 4 Thonet dining chairs model 17
This exceptional set of four bentwood beech chairs, produced by the renowned manufacturer Thonet, features the iconic Model 17, more commonly ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood, Straw, Beech
$1,674 Sale Price / set
37% Off
Italian Mid-Century Design Medea Chair by Vittorio Nobili for Tagliabue Brothers
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Italian iconic mid century design single "Medea" chair. This fantastic chair is made of bent oak wood and black metal legs. Designed by Vittorio Nobili for the Tagliabue Brothers in 1955. First advertised in Domus issue 329 in April 1955, it has become an iconic and highly collectible piece of mid-century design. Perfect Conditions restored. This piece is attributed to the above-mentioned designer...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Metal
Thonet Chair N. 15, 1960s, 1 of 2
Located in Ljubljana, SI
1 of 2 Thonet No. 15 chairs was manufactured 1960.
The chair was designed by Michael Thonet in 1859.
It features a beech bentwood frame with cane.
Clear wood finish. Wood and ca...
Category
1960s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Cane, Hardwood, Bentwood
$392 Sale Price / item
30% Off
Set of 8 Rare Wojciechów Thonet Chairs
By Thonet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 8 Wojciechów Thonet chairs. Original tags. Rare as a set of 8.
Nice set of pre-war bentwood chairs signed Wojciechów, the first Polish bentwood furniture factory. It was foun...
Category
Early 1900s Polish Art Nouveau Antique Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
$4,000 / set
Vintage Bentwood Rocking Chair Att. to Thonet
By Thonet
Located in New York, NY
Unusual bentwood and cane rocking chair, in the Vienna Secessionist style, probably mid 20th C vintage, Thonet - made in USA, unsigned. The chair is slightly smaller in scale, a vari...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Vienna Secession Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Cane, Bentwood
Cesca Chair, 1980s, 1 of 3
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Cesca chair, 1980s
Designer Marcel Breuer
Country of producer: Italy
Design Period: 1920 to 1949
Production Period: 1980s
Style: Mid-Century, Classic, Modern
Detailed Condition: Th...
Category
1980s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Chrome
$473 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair MCM Dining Chairs Prague No.811 Designed by Josef Hoffmann, Drevounia 60s
Located in Lucija, SI
These Chairs were designed by Josef Hoffmann, model no. 811 and produced by Drevounia in '60s.
Chairs are in mint condition
They are made of black wooden fr...
Category
1920s Czech Art Nouveau Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Cane, Bentwood
Set of 8 Mid Century Dining Chairs by Antonin Šuman, Customizable Upholstery
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This set of eight vintage dining chairs was designed by Czech designer Antonin Šuman in the 1960s. The chairs have been completely restored, stained to chocolate brown color to even ...
Category
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood, Walnut
Italian Lounge Chairs, 1950s, Set of 2
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Set of two elegant Italian modernism armchairs with wood turned legs and original upholstery.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Bentwood
$10,764 / set
Curvaceous Bentwood Dining Chairs by Thonet Set of Six Armchairs
By Thonet
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of Six Curvaceous Bentwood Dining Chairs, designed for Thonet, probably manufactured in Austria and retailed from their NYC store, circa 1950s. They are currently being reupholst...
Category
1950s American Art Deco Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Metal
Rare Josef Hoffmann Chair for Mundus Vienna Austria 1907-1914
Located in Den Haag, NL
Rare Josef Hoffman Chair for Mundus Vienna Austria 1907-1914
Leopold Pilzer, a junior partner at the bentwood furniture company Rudolf Weill & ...
Category
1910s Austrian Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Rush, Bentwood
Chair by Thonet, No. 18 "Wide" 1970s, 1 of 3
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Bentwood cane Thonet No. 18 dining chair "Wide" in great vintage condition (well preserved). Chairs are lightly refreshed and the cane on two chairs was replaced with new webbing.
...
Category
1970s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Cane, Hardwood, Bentwood
$368 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Chair, Bentwood 1960s, 1 of 3
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Chair, Thonet Style, Bentwood, Cane - beautiful patina
Period: 1960s
Materials: Bentwood, Cane (new cane seat)
Condition: solid, signs of use, undamaged
Colour: Wood
Dimensions:...
Category
1960s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Cane, Hardwood, Bentwood
$251 Sale Price / item
33% Off
Series 7 Chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 2001.
Located in Asaa, DK
Series 7 Chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 2001.
Arne Jacobsen stacking dining chairs Model 3107 with cognac leather removable upholstery.
Model 3107 also know as series 7, B...
Category
Early 2000s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Leather, Bentwood
Pair of Rare E66 Chairs by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Karis, Nyland
A rare pair of Alvar Aalto model E66 chairs, designed in 1930s. Good vintage condition, patina consistent with age and use. The chairs are sold as a set.
We can dismantle the chairs...
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Birch, Bentwood
$2,296 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Set of Six Early 20th Century Bentwood Chairs with Cane Seats
Located in Barcelona, ES
Add a touch of vintage elegance to your home with this exquisite set of six early 20th century bentwood chairs. Manufactured in Vale...
Category
1940s Spanish Arts and Crafts Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
$3,107 Sale Price / set
72% Off
Plycraft Norman Cherner "Pretzel" Bentwood Armchairs USA 1960s, a Pair, Signed
Located in Miami, FL
Plycraft Norman Cherner "Pretzel" Bentwood Armchairs USA 1960s, a Pair, Signed
Offered for sale is s an original pair of 1960s Norman Cherner for Plycraft bentwood Pretzel chairs. ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Rare Postmodern Cantilever Bentwood Chair by Randers, Scandinavian Modern
Located in Chicago, IL
Black painted bentwood and tubular steel cantilevered chair made by Randers Mobelfabrik in Denmark -- for the offices of Kroin in Cambridge, Massachusetts in the early 1980s. Kroin i...
Category
1980s Danish Post-Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Metal
Set of Four Vintage Prague 811 Chair By Josef Hoffmann 1950s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Josef Hoffmann Prague 811 Chairs for Stol Kamnik 1950s
Category
1950s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Cane, Bentwood
Knoll Frank Gehry Power Play Pair of Bentwood Armchairs and Matching Ottoman
By Frank Gehry, Knoll
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A set of Knoll Frank Gehry "Power Play" armchairs and ottoman. This stunning set of artful furniture designed by Frank Gehry and produced by Knoll feature a bentwood construction with a ribbon-like design. These pieces are inspired by Gehry's childhood, specifically by the apple crates...
Category
1990s Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
$10,000 Sale Price / set
37% Off
Chairs Thonet Nr.10, circa 1870
Located in Praha, CZ
Manufactured in Austria by the Gebrüder Thonet company or at a similar company. Newly restored in the recent past. Perfectly cleaned and re-polished with french polish.
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Belle Époque Antique Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Set of 6 Bistro Chairs by Jacob & Josef Kohn, 1890 Austro-Hungarian Empire
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Exceptional and rare set of 6 Bistro chairs by Jacob & Josef Kohn from the end of the 19th century. Bentwood chairs with seats and backs carved with be...
Category
1890s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Thonet Bentwood Bistro Chair, Czechoslovakia 1940s
By Thonet
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful vintage chair designed by Thonet. Bentwood details and construction makes this piece a timeless item. Plywood seat and backrest. Strong oak wood. The chair was partially re...
Category
1940s Czech Bauhaus Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Oak, Bentwood, Plywood
$401 Sale Price
20% Off
1980s Post-Modern Memphis Style Chairs, 3 Pairs Available
Located in Miami, FL
1980s Post-Modern Memphis Style chairs- 3 Pairs available
Offered for sale is a pair of 1980s Post-Modern Memphis Style accent chairs with bent...
Category
1980s Post-Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Metal
Vittorio Nobili for Fratelli Tagliabue Medea Desk Chairs, Italy, 1950s
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A pair of original Vittorio Nobili Medea office or desk chairs with swivel base, for Fratelli Tagliabue, Italy, 1950s. Price per chair. Fast shipping worldwide.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Metal
Early 20th century accent chair
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
Discover a timeless gem for your living space with our Early 20th century accent chair. Lovingly crafted from exotic wood, this stand-out piece embodies unparalleled elegance and his...
Category
Early 20th Century Finnish Country Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Dining Chair by Thonet in Original Vintage Silk & Oak, Czechoslovakia, 1940s
By Thonet
Located in Zohor, SK
Elegant dining chair produced by Thonet company in an original condition. The chair is made of strong oak wood with upholstered seat and backrest. The fabric is vintage silk. Some patina is visible on the wooden parts which adds to the vintage look...
Category
1940s Czech Art Deco Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Silk, Oak, Bentwood
$275 Sale Price / item
50% Off
Pair of Thonet Style Bentwood Dining Chairs, Italy 60s
Located in Lucija, SI
Pair of dining chairs in the style of Thonet bentwood chair. The chairs were made in Italy in the 60s. Both in good vintage condition. With minor traces of use and age.
Category
1960s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Cane, Bentwood
Set of 6, Mid Century Cow Hide Upholstered Bentwood Chairs by Thonet, 1950s
By Thonet
Located in Basel, BS
These make an incredible opportunity for a complete rare hard to find set of beautiful early American Made, Mid Century Thonet chairs after Eames.
Stunning, very cool authentic Bruno Weil...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood, Cowhide
$7,160 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Oswald Haerdtl Set of Four Chairs, the 1950s
By Thonet, Oswald Haerdtl
Located in Almelo, NL
Oswald Haerdtl set of four chairs, the 1950s
A rare set of four chairs was designed by the Austrian designer Oswald Haerdtl and produced by Ton (Thonet) in the former Czechoslova...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Ash, Beech, Bentwood
$2,450 / set
Set Of Two Art Nouveau Thonet Bentwood Chairs, Vienesse Mesh, AT ca. 1895
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Elegant set of two beautiful made bentwood chairs made by the renowned company of Thonet in Vienna/ Austria in the period around 1895. This appealing pair of early Art Nouveau chairs...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Bentwood chair by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood chair by Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Category
1920s Slovak Vienna Secession Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
Original Alvar Aalto N65 childrens chair from the mid 20th century in birch wood
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Ebberup, DK
Bring iconic Scandinavian design into your child’s world with this original Chair N65 by Alvar Aalto. Designed in 1935, the N65 is a perfect example of Aalto’s innovative approach to...
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Wood, Birch, Bentwood
Norman Cherner for Plycraft Bentwood Swivel Chair with Cream Upholstery
Located in Chicago, IL
Attention Collectors! This architecturally captivating swivel chair designed by the acclaimed Norman Cherner is ideal for those searching for authentic Plycraft pieces from the early...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Bentwood
Revers Chair by Andrea Branzi for Cassina Italian Design 1993
By Cassina, Andrea Branzi
Located in DE MEERN, NL
Timeless piece of design history – the Pre-loved Revers Chair by Andrea Branzi for Cassina. This iconic armchair, dating back...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Steel
Cataract Chair II by Raka Studio
By Raka Studio
Located in Cape Girardeau, MO
Cataract II a side/filler chair made in solid ashwood by bending wood. Three of the legs have been made using the wood-bending technique to adopt an abstract natural wave-like design...
Category
2010s Organic Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Ash, Bentwood
$2,600 / item
Bruno Mathsson Eva Reading Chair
Located in Riverdale, NY
Bruno Mathsson reading chair, originally designed in 1934 in laminated beech bent wood with linen webbing. This later version has original webbing and is...
Category
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Medea "Fratelli Tagliabue " N. 2 Chair Brass Iron curved Wood 1950 Italy
Located in Milano, IT
N 2 Medea chairs
Category
1950s Italian Other Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
2 Wittmann Fledermaus Chairs by Josef Hoffmann, Austria (Customizable)
Located in Argelato, BO
Set di due sedie modello "Fledermaus" (che significa "pipistrello" in tedesco), progettato dall'architetto e designer austriaco Josef Hoffmann nel 1907. Originariamente concepito per...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Late 20th Century MCM Pair DCM Chairs by Eames for Herman Miller Black & Chrome
Located in Topeka, KS
Awesome vintage Mid-Century Modern pair of DCM chairs by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller with chrome frames & black bentwood back & seats. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Dining chair by Thonet, Bentwood cane, No. 18, 1980s
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Bentwood cane Thonet No. 18 dining chair in great vintage condition (well preserved).
Production period: 1980s
Materials: Bentwood, cane
Condition: great, signs of use, undamaged
...
Category
1980s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Cane, Hardwood, Beech, Bentwood
$377 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Thonet Model No. 511 Bentwood Armchair, Vienna Secession, circa 1904
Located in Austin, TX
An iconic armchair of the Vienna Secession movement, the Thonet model no. 511 bent beechwood armchair, featuring stunning lines and beautiful proportions. A design tour de force, it ...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood, Cane, Beech
Vintage Bentwood Rocking Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Bentwood Rocking chair. This unique chair is a perfect conversation piece for any living room or lounge space.
Please confirm...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Wood, Bentwood
Josef Hoffmann, Pair of Fledermaus Chairs, Austria, 1905 (First Edition)
Located in Argelato, BO
Pair of chair in bent beech designed by the illustrious Viennese architect Joseph Hoffmann for the Cabaret Fledermaus in Vienna in 1907.
In their sober and unmistakable style, they ...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Mid Century Bentwood Chairs, Thonet Style, Italy 50s, Pair
By Thonet
Located in Lucija, SI
Pair of Mid Century bentwood and cane chairs from the 50s era.
In good vintage condition with signs of use and age. All visible on pictures. The cane net is in original condition; ha...
Category
1920s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Side chairs, Wooden Stool, with velvet Upholstery, Chair No. 5 - Vrksa Series
By Raka Studio
Located in Cape Girardeau, MO
The Chair No. 5 of the Vrksa Series is a filler chair that is crafted in either Ash wood or Oak, using wood bending techniques. One of the legs of the piece emerges from the frame of...
Category
2010s Asian Organic Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Ash, Oak, Bentwood
Set of Four Art Nouveau Thonet Chairs by Marcel Kammerer, Austria, circa 1910
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Fantastic set of four Thonet chairs from the Art Nouveau period around 1910 in Austria. These unique chairs were designed by none other than ...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Set of 12 Paul Frankl Corset Back Dining Chairs in Ivory White Bouclé, c. 1950s
By Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
We are pleased to offer this one of a kind exquisitely large set of 12 Paul Frankl plunging corset dining chairs for Johnson Furniture, circa 1950 professionally reupholstered in ivo...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bouclé, Upholstery, Mahogany, Bentwood
Rare Pair of Thonet Rattan Chairs, Made in 1890, Stable and Good Condition
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in Stockholm, SE
This rare pair of Thonet rattan chairs, crafted in 1890, showcases exceptional craftsmanship and timeless design. Produced by the renowned Thonet company, these chairs feature a sturdy rattan frame with intricate woven detailing that adds both elegance and comfort. This particular model is a rare find, making it a unique addition for collectors or enthusiasts of vintage Thonet furniture...
Category
1890s Swedish Vienna Secession Antique Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Rattan, Bentwood
Vintage Two-Seat Cinema Bench from TON, 1960s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This two-seat cinema bench was produced by Ton (former Thonet) in former Czechoslovakia during the 1960s. The chairs are stable and can be placed anywhere. It is made of beech wood, ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Wood, Bentwood, Plywood
Thonet Style Red Dining Chair, 1980s
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Thonet Style Red Dining Chair made by Dal Vera, Italy, 1980s. Made of bent beechwood and finished in bright red colour. The seat in cane/rattan. In o...
Category
1980s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Cane, Hardwood, Bentwood
$320 Sale Price
20% Off
1980s Bouclé Armchair by TON
By TON a.s.
Located in High Point, NC
An upholstered wooden armchair with a unique Mid-Century Modern silhouette. Made in the 1980s by TON, this piece showcases the innovative yet humane design for which the Czech furnit...
Category
1980s Czech Minimalist Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bouclé, Upholstery, Bentwood
$1,195 / item
Original of Time Otto Wagner Armchair 1901 Jugendstil, Secession Style, 1901
Located in Vienna, AT
As pioneer and master of the Modern, Otto Wagner seized the then rather new technique of bending Wood for his furniture designs.
The design of this armchair dated back in 1901. This ...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
1950's Dark Shaker Baumann Bentwood Dining Chairs - Set Of Six
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1950’s Dark Shaker Baumann Bentwood Dining Chairs – Set Of Six.
Baumann is a slightly off the radar French producer just starting to gain traction in the market. Baumann was founde...
Category
1950s French Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Antique and Vintage Bentwood Chairs for Sale on 1stDibs
Looking for antique or vintage bentwood chairs for your home? A collection of authentic bentwood rocking chairs, bentwood armchairs and other bentwood seating can be found today on 1stDibs.
Antique, new and vintage bentwood furniture has become very popular in interiors over the years. Today bentwood chairs, tables, sofas and pendants are receiving striking modern interpretations from makers like Thonet, which are being carried on by the next generation. And while bentwood furniture dates as far back as the Middle Ages, it is Michael Thonet who is most often associated with this now-classic technique.
The presence of a rocking chair stirs up our penchant for nostalgia and has the power to transform a space, and it would take the great German-Austrian chair maker Michael Thonet to turn the rocking chair into a work of art. Thonet manufactured chairs out of steam-bent wood, and starting in the middle of the 19th century, he produced a series of rocking chairs in which the different curved parts were integrated into fluid, sinuous wholes. Considered the world’s oldest mass-produced chair, 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. From there the bentwood look skyrocketed to furniture fame.
Bentwood was eventually embraced by design greats ranging from Josef Hoffmann to Gio Ponti, and Adolf Loos to Alvar Aalto for its versatility, timelessness and simple elegance. Mid-century modernists Charles and Ray Eames added wooden rockers to their famous plastic shell armchair, while Danish designer Frank Reenskaug opted for teak and polished beech, introducing pops of color with small cushions (a precursor to the bold works that would follow in the 1970s and 1980s).
In the Czech Republic — home to a range of talented but unsung mid-century modern and Art Deco designers — the company TON held a bentwood furniture exhibition in Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s Villa Tugendhat in recent years. TON manufactures their bentwood furniture in the same workshops where Michael Thonet set up his operations in the 1800s.
Sophisticated bentwood seating designs include Alvar Aalto’s cantilever lounge chairs and Italian designer Luigi Crassevig’s 1970s rocking chairs, which feature cane seats.
Find antique and vintage bentwood chairs in a range of styles on 1stDibs.
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