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Material: Bentwood
Thonet Rocking Chair, Model Number 71, Vienna, 1910, Signed Thonet Bellow
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Thonet rocking chair, model number 71. Vienna, 1910. Signed Thonet Bellow.
Category
1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Beech, Bentwood, Rattan
Shelton Mindel Chairs for Knoll, 2006
By Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Shelton Mindel chairs for Knoll, 2006.
2 Available
Lacquered wood, mohair.
Knoll plaque and paper label on underside.
Condition: very good to excellent.
Measures: 22”W...
Category
Early 2000s Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Mohair, Bentwood
$675 / item
1960s Vintage Armchairs by Jiri Jiroutek, Pair
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of armchairs produced in the former Czechoslovakia, with the design attributed to Jiri Jiroutek. This 1960s design is re-upholstered in an updated taupe bouclé upholstery; the...
Category
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bouclé, Bentwood
$2,795 / set
19th Century, Thonet Original Theatre Seats, '1717.2'
By Thonet
Located in Hook, Hampshire
19th Century Thonet original theatre seats (1717.2)
19th Century Thonet original theatre seats. Founded in the early 19th Century by Michael Thonet, Thon...
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Set of 3 Post Modern Carved & Bent Oak Chairs By Shin-Lee, After Michael Thonet
Located in Chicago, IL
As is set of 3 curved oak and cane dining chairs dating back to the 1970s / 1980s. Made in Taiwan by Shin-Lee, they echo the designs of Michael Thonet and Kohn Mundus. Sculptural wit...
Category
Late 20th Century Taiwanese Post-Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Cane, Oak, Bentwood
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
Antique French Bentwood Cane Rocking Chair
Located in London, GB
A lovely antique bentwood cane rocking chair, this was made in France and dates from around the 1900-1920 period.
It is beautifully made, the frame is a combination of turned and st...
Category
Early 1900s French Georgian Antique Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Cane, Bentwood
Siesta chair by Westnofa
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Siesta chair in bentwood and leather by Westnofa, Norway.
Designer: Ingmar Relling (1920 - 2002)
Category
1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Leather, Bentwood
$1,371
Egon Eiermann SE18 Folding Chair produced by Wilde + Spieth
Located in Bern, CH
SE18 Folding Chair in beech wood designed by German Architect and designer, Egon Eiermann. Produced by Wilde + Spieth.
Designer: Egon Eiermann, 1952
Producer: Wilde + Spieth
Measure...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Chair Thonet Nr.12, 1881-1887
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state with a pleasant patine of age, perfectly cleaned and re-polished with shelack finish. New seat string.
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Belle Époque Antique Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
$934 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Mid Century Modern Bentwood Chairs with Caned Seat & Back
By Thonet
Located in Freehold, NJ
This pair of mid century modern accent chairs feature bentwood frames with caned seat and back.
Matching end table available separately.
Dimensions:21.25w 21.25d 29h 17sh 25ah
Co...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Cane, Bentwood
Vintage Thonet Bentwood Oak Chair With Original Label, Czechoslovakia, 1920s
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Zohor, SK
This elegant vintage chair, crafted by the renowned Thonet company, is a distinguished example of bentwood design. Featuring the original manufacturer’s label, the piece showcases Th...
Category
1920s Czech Bauhaus Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
$488 Sale Price
50% Off
Mid-Century Modern French Wood, Chromed Metal and Black Leather Bar Stool, 1930s
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing barstool in wood, chromed metal and black leather with footrest. This fantastic item was designed in France during the 1930s.
The piece is fantastic because of the mix of ...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Vintage 1960s Modernist Set of 6 Chairs Italian Design by Fratelli Proserpio
Located in London, GB
A beautiful modernist 1960s set of 6 chairs Italian design by Fratelli Proserpio, solid Teak wooden frame and back with upholstered leather seats, elegant legs on tapered feet.
This ...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood, Plywood
Attributed to Jean Prouvé - Tout Bois - Wooden Armchair - France circa 1950s
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Hasselt, VLI
"Tout Bois” armchair - 1940/50s - Armchair in stained Beech, recognizable base profile, curved armrests, oval backrest and seat in thermoformed Beech plywood, visible screws.
Attributed to the Ateliers Jean Prouvé - Based on previous sales, their provenance, and verification by the particular gallery.
Provenance: Medical university near Paris.
Normal wear and tear due to age - very good condition.
Overall dimensions:
Depth: +/- 43 cm
Width: +/- 53 cm
Height: +/- 81 cm
Jean Prouvé's "Tout Bois" chair was an all-wood version of his famous steel "Standard Chair." Because the exigencies of world war made supplies of steel unobtainable in 1942, Prouvé redesigned the chair to use as little metal as possible (the eight screws which fasten the seat and back are the only parts not made of wood). The switch from steel to wood gave Prouvé an opportunity to experiment with traditional furniture-making methods that were paradoxically new to him, the Machine Age Pioneer. Lovely through-tenons conspicuously join the horizontal members (that support the seat) to the rear legs, and also the front cross-bar to the front legs. Though consistent with the modernist ethic of structural honesty, such labor-intensive joinery links Prouvé to the craftsmen of an older era...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Wood, Bentwood, Plywood
$18,075 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Harnisch and Co chair Wiena 1880s Set of Two
Located in Čelinac, BA
Wiena 1880s chair by Harnisch Co
Category
1880s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
$1,568 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Thonet Bentwood Chairs with Table, Art Nouveau Seating Set, Austria, circa 1915
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Beautiful bentwood seating set made by the famous Austrian manufactory of Thonet around 1915. This artfully processed Art Nouveau seating set consists of four exceptional craftedb chairs, all made of fine beechwood that has been bent under steam and high pressure to get this outstanding looking result. All chairs have been newly upholstered with the original, renowned "Vienna mesh", typical for these kind of chairs. The very special design with beautiful arranged high backrests is absolutely matchless. A lovely round beechwood table with unique designed feet and an additional "floating" compartment finalizes the look of this remarkable Thonet suite...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
Pair of Midcentury Bentwood Chairs Carlo Ratti for Legni Curvi, Italy, 1950s
By Carlo Ratti
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Two beautiful original Carlo Ratti bentwood chairs, manufactured by his company Industria Legni Curvati, based in Lissone, Milan.
New upholstered with a two-tone fabric.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Bentwood
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
1950s Czech Gray Upholstered Armchairs, a Pair
Located in High Point, NC
Produced in the former Czechoslovakia, this pair of bentwood armchairs from circa 1950 are re-upholstered with an updated gray fabric. The cotton-linen blend was chosen to compliment...
Category
1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Bentwood
$3,195 / set
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
Chair, 1960s Unique
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Vintage Chair
Period: 1960s
Material: wood, plywood
Colour: white
Condition: good original vintage condition, signs of use
dimensions: H = 73 cm, W = 38cm, D = 44cm, s...
Category
1960s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Hardwood, Bentwood
$176 Sale Price
20% Off
Secession Desk Chair No. 25 by Thonet
By August Thonet, Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession desk chair no. 25 by Thonet with new handmade rattan seat professionally stained and repolished.
Category
Early 1900s Czech Vienna Secession Antique Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Rattan, Bentwood
Set of 4 Stacking Chairs Made in Sweden by Lammhults Mobel
By Lammhults
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice set of 4 stacking chairs designed and manufactured in Sweden by Lammhults Mobel AB, made in May 2005. The chairs can be used as dining chairs, off...
Category
Early 2000s Swedish Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Kurvor Counter Stool in Oiled Rift Sawn Red Oak by Samantha Brueggen for Wooda
By Wooda
Located in Omro, WI
Inspired by the contours of the land in the Driftless Region of SW Wisconsin, Kurvor’s draping front edge is the focal point of the design. Bound together by tension and compression,...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Steel
Pair of Thonet B403 Designed by F. Kramer in 1927, Bauhaus
Located in Vienna, Austria
The architect and designer Ferdinand Kramer designed the chair B403 for Thonet in1927.
Developed during the construction of the New Frankfurt, it was initially used in vocational e...
Category
1920s German Bauhaus Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Italian Midcentury Reupholstered Lounge Chairs by Gastone Rinaldi, Set of Four
By RIMA, Gastone Rinaldi
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Beautiful set of 4 lounge chairs or low chairs, designed by Gastone Rinaldi in the 50-60s.
Made in the 70s, Italy.
All chairs have been completely refurbished and are newly upholste...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Metal
Medea N 6 Chairs "F.lli Tagliabue " Brass Iron Wood 1950 Italy
Located in Milano, IT
N 6 Medea made of brass iron and curved wood.
Category
1950s Italian Other Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Wood, Bentwood
Two Old Folding Chairs in Bentwood Italy 1950s Curved Wood
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Two old folding chairs in bentwood Italy 1950s curved wood.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
$763 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Set of 4 Oak Dining Chairs with Upholstered Back and Seat – Boytes Model
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
The Boytes model balances elegance and structural expression through its angular silhouette and subtle textural contrast. The backrest features a distinctive cut-out detail, while th...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Textile, Wood, Bentwood
Carlo Ratti Original Chairs Mid-Century Bentwood Italian Design
By Carlo Ratti
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Carlo Ratti original chairs mid-century bentwood Italian design.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
$1,430 Sale Price / set
52% Off
Kofod Larsen Mid Century Penguin Wrought Iron and Bent Plywood Dining Chairs, S
Located in Countryside, IL
Kofod Larsen mid century penguin wrought iron and bent plywood dining chairs - Set of 8
Each chair measures: 20.5 wide x 24 deep x 28.75 inches ...
Category
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Teak, Bentwood
Postmodern Design Chair by Pierantonio Bonacina, Italy, 1990's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Postmodern Modern Italian Design dining chair by Pierantonio Bonacina, made in Italy 1990's. Steer head bend bentwood pressed wood back wit...
Category
1990s Italian Post-Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Metal, Chrome
$476 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Armchairs with Bentwood Arms, France 1960's
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of armchairs with bent ply arms and a flat metal connection between the seat and back that acts like a spring.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Metal
$12,000 / set
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
$10,730 / set
Set of 4 Mid Century Dining Chairs by A.Šuman, Customizable Upholstery Available
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This set of four vintage dining chairs was designed by Czech designer Antonin Šuman in the 1960s. The chairs have been completely restored finished with high-quality oil that gave th...
Category
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Torstein Nilsen Model Totem Leather Chair for Møremøbler AS Ørsta
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This sculptural chair was designed 1986 by norway architect Torstein Nilsen with name "TOTEM" for Møremøbler Ørsta.
Today the company is named is still existing under the name Fora F...
Category
1980s Norwegian Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
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 Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Two Chairs Thonet 811, Josef Hoffmann
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state with a pleasant patine of age, perfectly cleaned and re-polished.
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
$1,430 / set
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 Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Viennese Chair Josef Neyger, 1847-1878
By Josef Neyger
Located in Praha, CZ
Chair from a Viennese competitor, which copied Gebrüder Thonet products in yeas 1847-1878. Newly restored.
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
Robert Mallet Stevens, Hammock Chair, France, 1925, Original Canvas & Paint
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Original Lacquers, canvas and is great vintage condition. Canvas can be reversed for tidier look if desired. Very hard to find in such a prime state.
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Bentwood
Modern Bentwood Stacking Chairs by Wieland, Set of 4
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sleek set of bentwood stacking chairs made by Wieland. Simple yet stylish design with a keyhole accent at the peak of the backrests. Supported ...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Metal
Bentwood dining chair no.228 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood dining chair no.228 by Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
Five Original circa 1920 Dinette Josef Hoffmann Thonet 811 Bergere Dining Chairs
By Thonet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning suite of five original circa 1920’s, hand made in Poland, Dinette chairs, designed by Josef Frank and J...
Category
1920s Polish Art Deco Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
21st Century Marcantonio Unique Piece Vintage Inlay Wood Scapin Collezioni Italy
By MARCANTONIO
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
"Memo"
nasce dall'idea dell'artista Marcantonio Malerba di rivisitare dei pezzi antichi arricchendoli con l'intervento dell'intarsio in legno, in questo caso il "Post-it" e la scrit...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Two Unique Chairs J&J Kohn from 1915, Hotel Ambassador in Prague, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Praha, CZ
Manufactured in Austria by the Jacob & Josef Kohn company. Marked with paper label, stamp with date of manufacture and metal sticket with name of hotel. Found total five-pieces of th...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
$1,239 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Pair of 404 F chairs by Stefan Diez for Thonet
By Stefan Diez, Thonet
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 Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
$3,750 / set
Carl-Johan Bowman Exceptional "Fexible Chair", circa 1930 Made for N. Bomanin
Located in New York, NY
Carl-Johan Boman exceptionally rare "Fexible Chair" circa 1930 made for N. Bomanin at Höyrypuusepäntehdas, Turku, Finland. The chair features a cantilever seat and is constructed fro...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Suede, Birch, Bentwood
Chair Thonet Nr. 698, circa 1910, Gustav Klimt
Located in Praha, CZ
Marked with paper label and stamp. Newly restored. A variant of the design based on the work of Marcel Kammerer and Josef Hoffmann. Pattern of fabric inspired by the work of Gustav K...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Set of 4 Mid Century Dining Chairs by A.Šuman, Customizable Upholstery Available
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This set of four vintage dining chairs was designed by Czech designer Antonin Šuman in the 1960s. The chairs have been completely restored finished with high-quality oil that gave th...
Category
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Set of 4 Dinning Chairs, 1970's, Thonet Factory
Located in Vienna, Austria
Set of 4 dining chairs made from steamed bentwood, produced in 1970, at the factory Ton in Bystrice pod Hostýnem, Czechoslovakia.
Factory Ton was the original Thonet factory, that i...
Category
1970s Czech Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
$2,003 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Six chairs Thonet Nr.41, 1885
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Completely renovated in the recent past. Solid and compact. Perfectly cleaned and polished with shellac.
Model No. 41 appeared in Thonet catalogs in 1885. The most famous use of the...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Belle Époque Antique Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
$2,360 / set
Pair of August Thonet Bentwood Chairs by Thonet Bros
By August Thonet, Thonet
Located in Madrid, ES
Bentwood chairs with new silk-blend seat upholstery. Chairs designed by August Thonet, the son of original bentwood furniture designer Michael Thonet. August took over his father's b...
Category
20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Silk, Bentwood
Pair of 404 F chairs by Stefan Diez for Thonet
By Stefan Diez, Thonet
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 Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
$3,750 / set
Carlo Ratti Italian Midcentury Chairs Form the Fifties
By Carlo Ratti
Located in bari, IT
Pair of 50's bentwood chairs Designer Carlo Ratti.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Wood, 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
Teak Kofod Larsen Side Chair
By Selig, Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
This is a rare example of a teak side chair with a bent wood back designed by Kofod Larsen and made and distributed by Selig. This is a stunning chair from the 1950s that is the epit...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Teak, Bentwood
Rare Chair Thonet Nr.31 with Shoe Remover
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state with a pleasant patine of age, perfectly cleaned and re-polished with shelack finish. Minor repairs made.
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Belle Époque Antique Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
$953 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid Century Modern Style Custom Built Bentwood Chair
Located in Tulsa, OK
Mid Century Modern Style Custom Built Bentwood Chair
Very heavy and well made. Not the most comfortable chair but not meant to be a lounge chair but a conversation piece. Overall in...
Category
20th Century American Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood, Birch, Birdseye Maple
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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