Bentwood Chairs
to
97
229
125
335
18
11
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
208
140
45
71
32
42
23
26
23
20
19
30
135
38
23
19
10
5
2
2
1
1
1
1
40
295
29
84
146
44
29
9
13
14
10
40
34
19
17
6
2,218
18,077
9,932
10,079
5,038
304
100
51
37
31
364
349
354
65
20
18
17
16
Material: Bentwood
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
Set of Six Chairs Model 2025 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Set of six chairs model 2025 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn,
Sweden, 1950s.
Lacquered wood frame and a fabric upholstered seat.
Marked.
Josef Frank designed this chair i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Bentwood, Lacquer
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
Pair of Stacking Bentwood Chairs by Pagholz Flötotto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of original stacking bentwood chairs by Pagholz Flöttoto. Stamped under the seats and with original "Made in West Germany" stickers.
Hard to find in the US.
Category
1980s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Set of 14 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 14 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
Jugendstil Vintage Thonet Chair No 519 Adolf Loos for Cafe Capua Vienna 1913
Located in Vienna, AT
Jugendstil vintage Chair Model number 519 by Thonet. Adolf Loos designed the chair for Cafe Capua.
While the wooden parts are shellac polished by hand, the ...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood, Beech
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
Shell Chips Finished Regency Style Chair
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Regency orange lacquered shell finish arm chair. Mohair camel beige upholstery. Carl Springer influence. Made in Colombia. NYC area del...
Category
20th Century Colombian Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Very charming, elegant, vintage bentwood design bistro chair with armrests
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This stunning thonet design bistro chair features a curved bentwood frame and woven seat and backrest. It has a charming and elegant appearance and can easily be placed in almost any...
Category
20th Century Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Six Vintage Fritz Hansen Vico Magistretti Duo Bentwood Stacking Armchairs 6 4 2
By Fritz Hansen
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely set of six vintage Fritz Hansen Vico Magistretti Due bentwood stacking armchairs
An iconic set of high designer stacking armchairs by the absolute creative genius’s at Fritz Hansen. Each chair is label stamped to the base
Condition wise they bentwood has wear and patina marks on some chairs, others are perfect, we have cleaned waxed and polished them from top to bottom
Dimensions:
Height 74cm, seat height 45.5cm
Width 56.5cm
Depth 53cm
Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point.
The Vico Duo...
Category
20th Century Danish Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Most Sought After Paghold Industrial Retro Metal Bendwood Chair Set of 6 Chairs
Located in Markington, GB
Most sought after Paghold Industrial retro metal bendwood chair set of 6 chairs we have 5 sets available.
This is currently the only set available i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Metal
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
Vintage Chair 66 by Alvar Aalto for Artek, 1940-50s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Centreville, VA
Chair 66 is a universal wooden chair in the tradition of classic kitchen and café chairs; its visible, additive construction logic is full of character and pleasing to the eye. The w...
Category
1930s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, serie 7 Butterfly chairs
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Set of 5 all original early 7 series chairs of Fritz Hansen designed by Arne Jacobsen.
In its original colour chocolate brown, with some small traces of use according to age.
No cra...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of 16 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 16 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
Chair in the Style of Thonet by Unknown Designer, circa 1930
By Thonet
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair in the style of Thonet by Unknown designer, circa 1930
Manufactured in France.
Bentwood and rattan.
In original condition, with wear consistent with age and use, preserving a...
Category
1930s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
1960s Mid-Century Armchairs by Jaroslav Šmídek
Located in High Point, NC
Produced in the former Czechoslovakia, this pair of armchairs from circa 1960 are re-upholstered with an updated natural white fabric, chosen to compliment the elegant polish of the ...
Category
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Fabric, 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
Bentwood Armchair by Thonet, Beech and Fabric, 1930s
By Thonet
Located in Brussels, BE
Bentwood armchair by Thonet, Beech and Fabric, 1930s
Europe.
Category
1930s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Late 19th Century Pair of N°91 Chairs by Jacob and Josef Kohn
Located in Brussels, BE
According to the n°91 model by Thonet.
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Bentwood Chairs
Materials
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
1950s Mid-Century Czech Beige Bentwood Armchairs, a Pair
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of armchairs by Czech furniture designer Jindrich Halabala. This 1950s design is upholstered in an updated beige fabric, the soothing earth tone was chosen to compliment the t...
Category
1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Bentwood
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
1970's Thonet ZPM Radomsko Sweetheart #16 Bentwood Cane Arm Chairs
By ZPM Radomsko, Thonet
Located in Stafford, TX
Pair of 1970's Thonet ZPM Radomsko
Sweetheart #16 Bentwood Cane Arm Chairs!
Both in overall great condition as seen.
Measurements 21.5x19x35h SH18.5 AH28
Message with questions.
Category
1970s American Bohemian Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Cane, 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
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
Pair of August Thonet Bentwood Chairs by Thonet Bros
By Thonet, August 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
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
Teak Kofod Larsen Side Chair
By Ib Kofod-Larsen, Selig
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
8 BRUTALIST RUSTIC MODERN Modernist CHAIRS by CHARLES DUDOUYDT, France 1950
Located in PARIS, FR
A set of 8 powerfull chairs in massive dark wood and bright straw seatings, by Charles Dudouyt, France 1950. The thick wood structures are giving the chairs a strong and solid feel, ...
Category
1950s French Brutalist Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Straw, Bentwood
Pair of Swedish Elm Bentwood Chairs in the Style of Alvar Aalto
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Atlanta, GA
Beautiful pair of Swedish side or dining chairs in the style of Alvar Aalto.
Measures: SH 18 SD 15.5 W 16.25 D 19.5 H 30.75.
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Elm, Bentwood
19th Century Thonet Original Theatre Seats '1717.3'
Located in Hook, Hampshire
19th century Thonet original Theatre seats (1717.3)
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
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
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
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
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
Set of 4 chairs model A821 by Adolf Gustav Schneck for Thonet Mundus
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Set of 4 chairs model A821 by Adolf Gustav Schneck for Thonet Mundus. Absolutely original condition, combination of natural rattan weave on the ba...
Category
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
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
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
1 of 9, Dining Chair, Bentwood Cane, No. 18, 1970s
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Bentwood cane Thonet No. 18 dining chair in vintage condition (well preserved).
Production period: 1970s
Materials: Bentwood, cane
Label: STO...
Category
1970s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Cane, 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
6 Molteni Dining Chairs 1970s
Located in Vezzano Sul Crostolo, IT
Set of 6 Dining Chairs 1970s Molteni production curved wood and Walnut.
Excellent condition.
Category
20th Century European Post-Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Nutwood, Bentwood
3er Set Bugholzstühle ähnlich Thonet Nr 18 Midcentury Bistrostuhl
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes 3er Set Vintage Bistro-/ Bugholzstühle zum Verkauf an. Die Stühle verfügen über eine Sitzfläche aus leicht geriffeltem Holz und erinnern an den Design Kl...
Category
Early 19th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Antique Bentwood Chairs
Materials
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
6x Thonet chairs Nr. 157
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
In original condition with a beautiful patina of age. Solid and compact. Perfectly cleaned, minor repairs made. Disinsection: Lignofix I-profi. The surface is revived with linseed oi...
Category
Early 20th Century Czech Arts and Crafts Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Beech, 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
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
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
Jacob & Josef Kohn Vienna Secession Patinated Chairs with Wicker Seats, Pair
Located in Barcelona, ES
Beautiful pair of bentwood chairs patinated in white color with cane weave seats. Manufactured by J & J Kohn. Austria, 1900s.
Both are marked with the original manufacturers paper l...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood, Cane, Wood
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
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
Set of Four Midcentury Ebonized Bentwood Chairs
Located in Troy, MI
Found in England, this set of circa 1960s bentwood armchairs were professionally ebonized and reupholstered in a gray chenille velvet. Unknown ...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Chairs
Materials
Bentwood, Upholstery
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
Two Chairs Thonet 811, Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Kaleidoscopic Upholstery Makes This Edward Wormley Chair a Showstopper
What at first glance seems an unusual choice jibes perfectly with the designer's aesthetic.
Design Icon Ilse Crawford on Her Colorful New Hans Wegner Chairs
If anyone is brave, humble and adept enough to recolor these mid-century masterpieces, it’s Ilse Crawford. Here, she gives us the details on her five earthy paint choices and tells us how she feels about design collaborations.
How to Reupholster a Chair
Want to update an old chair that still has good bones? We spoke to experts to find out how they approach reupholstering antique furniture.
How to Spot Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI Chairs
A field guide for anyone who wants to brush up on their knowledge of French antiques
The Ball Chair, Eero Aarnio’s Space Age Masterpiece, Was Almost Never Made
Now considered emblematic of 1960s mod aesthetics, the Finnish designer's famous creation was far from an overnight success.