Thonet Chairs
For more than 180 years, Thonet — or Gebrüder Thonet — has produced elegant and durable tables and cabinets as well as chairs, stools and other seating that wholly blur the lines between art and design. Widely known as a trailblazer in the use of bentwood in furniture, the European manufacturer has reimagined the places in which we gather.
Noted for his skill in parquetry, German-Austrian company founder Michael Thonet received an invitation from Austrian Chancellor Prince Metternich to contribute Neo-Rococo interiors to the Liechtenstein City Palace in Vienna. The Boppard-born Thonet had honed his carpentry skills in his father’s workshop, where he carried out experiments with plywood and modified the Biedermeier chairs that populated the studio.
Thonet’s work for the chancellor raised his profile, and the cabinetmaker gained international recognition, including at London’s Great Exhibition of 1851, which featured works created by members of the Arts and Crafts movement as well as industrial products of the day. Thonet showed a range of furniture at the fair and won the bronze medal for his bentwood chairs. He incorporated his family’s company, the Thonet Brothers, with his sons in 1853.
Bentwood furniture dates as far back as the Middle Ages, but it is the 19th-century cabinetmaker Thonet who is most often associated with this now-classic technique. Thonet in 1856 patented a method for bending solid wood through the use of steam, and from there, the bentwood look skyrocketed to furniture fame. The works of renowned mid-century modern designers such as Alvar Aalto, Arne Jacobsen, and Charles and Ray Eames that put this technological advancement to use would not be as extensive or celebrated were it not for the efforts of the pioneering Thonet.
Considered the world’s oldest mass-produced chair, Michael Thonet’s ubiquitous Chair No. 14 demonstrated that his patented bentwood technology made it possible to efficiently produce furniture on an industrial scale. Now known as the 214, it won the German Sustainability Award Design for 2021, a recognition of the company’s commitment to environmentally responsible production.
Often called the Coffee House chair — the company’s first substantial order was for a Viennese coffeehouse — the No. 14 remains an icon. Thonet originally designed the chair in 1859, and it is considered the starting point for modern furniture.
The bentwood process opened doors — there were investments in machinery and new industrial processes, and the business began mass-producing furniture. By the end of the 1850s, there were additional Thonet workshops in Eastern Europe and hundreds of employees. Michael Thonet’s reputation attracted the attention of notable architects including Otto Wagner, Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
The No. 14 was followed by the No. 18, or the Bistro chair, in 1867, and the 209, or the Architect’s chair, of which Le Corbusier was a fan. (The influential Swiss-French architect and designer used Thonet furniture in his Pavillon de l’Esprit Nouveau at the 1925 International Exposition of Decorative Arts in Paris.)
Thonet’s chair designs also appeared in artwork by Toulouse-Lautrec, John Sloan and Henri Matisse in his Interior with a Violin Case. The noteworthy Thonet rocking chair remains a marvel of construction — in the middle of the 19th century, Michael produced a series of rockers in which the different curved parts were integrated into fluid, sinuous wholes. Thanks to Thonet, the humble rocker acquired something unexpected: style. It was captured in the paintings of Pablo Picasso, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and James Tissot.
Thonet is currently split into global divisions. Thonet Industries U.S.A. was acquired in 1987 by Shelby Williams and joined the CF Group in 1999, while the Thonet brand in Germany is owned by Thonet GmbH.
Find a collection of antique Thonet furniture on 1stDibs.
1950s French Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Chairs
Suede, Bentwood
1950s Polish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Chairs
Cane, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Thonet Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Thonet Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Thonet Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
1920s European Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Chairs
Cane, Beech
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Thonet Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Thonet Chairs
Aluminum
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Chairs
Metal
Late 20th Century European Bauhaus Thonet Chairs
Cane, Beech
1990s German Post-Modern Thonet Chairs
Steel, Chrome
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Thonet Chairs
Wicker, Cane, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Thonet Chairs
Leather, Faux Leather, Beech
1980s German Post-Modern Vintage Thonet Chairs
PVC, Ash, Beech
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Chairs
Wood, Bouclé
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Thonet Chairs
Bentwood
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Thonet Chairs
Brass
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Chairs
Steel
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Chairs
Chrome
1980s German Post-Modern Vintage Thonet Chairs
PVC, Ash, Beech
1930s German Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Chairs
Wood, Beech, Bentwood, Plywood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Thonet Chairs
Wood
1930s Czech Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Chairs
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Thonet Chairs
Beech, Plywood
1940s Czech Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Chairs
Oak, Bentwood, Plywood
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Chairs
Cane, Beech, Bentwood
1940s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Chairs
Wood, Beech, Bentwood
1890s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Thonet Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Thonet Chairs
Wood
1960s German Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Chairs
Chrome
Early 20th Century Jugendstil Thonet Chairs
Beech
Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Thonet Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Thonet Chairs
Suede, Maple
Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Thonet Chairs
Beech, Leather, Bentwood
1910s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Thonet Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Early 20th Century Czech Art Nouveau Thonet Chairs
Leather, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Thonet Chairs
Wood, Bentwood
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Thonet Chairs
Beech
1940s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Thonet Chairs
Beech
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Chairs
Leather, Bentwood, Beech
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Chairs
Fabric, Beech
1920s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Thonet Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Thonet Chairs
Wood
1960s German Bauhaus Vintage Thonet Chairs
Steel
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Chairs
Chrome
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Chairs
Plastic, Birch
1920s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Thonet Chairs
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Thonet Chairs
Beech
1890s Swedish Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Chairs
Rattan, Bentwood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Chairs
Upholstery, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Thonet Chairs
Bentwood, Straw, Beech
Mid-20th Century German Bauhaus Thonet Chairs
Steel, Chrome
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Thonet Chairs
Beech
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Thonet Chairs
Cane
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Thonet Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
Thonet chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Creators Similar to Thonet
- What is a Thonet chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024A Thonet chair can be any chair developed by the furniture maker Thonet, which has been manufacturing furniture for more than 180 years. However, most people are referring to one designed by founder Gebrüder Thonet. It features a bentwood frame produced with a patent steam method that Thonet patented and a curved seat. Find a range of Thonet chairs on 1stDibs.
- How do I identify a Thonet?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024To identify a Thonet, first locate the maker's marking. On Thonet chairs, you'll usually find it carved into the wood frame on the underside of the seat. Markings may say “Thonet,” “Thonet Wien,” “GT,” “GBThonet” or “GBThonetWien,” depending on the age of your piece. Cross-reference the mark with information published on trusted online resources to get a rough idea of when your furniture was produced. Then, you can review Thonet catalogues available online to identify your piece's model number. Alternatively, you can enlist the help of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer to perform the identification process for you. Shop a wide range of Thonet furniture on 1stDibs.
- What is Thonet furniture?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Thonet is a well known furniture company that was started by Michael Thonet in 1830 as he experimented with bentwood furniture. The brand is known for producing high-quality products with exquisite craftsmanship. Shop a collection of Thonet furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022An authentic Thonet chair will have the company’s name with a solid line underneath carved somewhere on the chair. The brand can also confirm the authenticity and age of a Thonet chair via its website. Shop a variety of authentic Thonet furniture on 1stDibs.
- What is a Thonet-style chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023A Thonet-style chair is a wooden chair that has a curvy, bent backrest, a round seat and subtly flared legs. The chairs get their name from the original manufacturer, Thonet, which produced chairs in the mid-century modern style in Europe during the 20th century. Shop a range of Thonet furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023Perhaps the most significant thing about the Thonet chair was that it was the first chair to ever be shipped in parts with instructions that allowed the purchaser to assemble it themselves. As a result, the beech wood and rattan chairs could be mass produced and sold all over the world more easily. Shop a range of Thonet chairs on 1stDibs.
- Are Thonet chairs marked?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Yes, Thonet chairs are marked. You will usually find the brand's label on a tag or burned into the wood under the seat. On 1stDibs, you can shop a variety of expertly vetted Thonet furniture from top sellers around the world.
- Are Thonet chairs stackable?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Whether or not Thonet chairs are stackable depends on their design. The bentwood chairs produced by the company do easily stack, but others like cantilever chairs do not. Find a range of Thonet chairs forms some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Michael Thonet is a German-Austrian furniture maker who designed the famed bentwood chair in 1830. His last name, Thonet, is pronounced “TOE-net,” but it’s commonly mispronounced “tho-NAY.” Shop a collection of vintage and modern Michael Thonet pieces on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 27, 2024To identify a Thonet chair, look under the seat. Most Thonet chairs will feature a maker's marking. Often, you'll find the Thonet name carved into the wooden seat frame or printed on a paper label mounted on the seat's underside. Because Thonet changed its markings over the years, you can get a rough idea of the age of your chair by comparing the ones on your piece to images on trusted online reference guides. If you need help with the identification process, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can be of assistance. Find a range of Thonet chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024To tell if a Thonet chair is real, you can use Thonet's authenticity verification service. To take advantage of it, you will need to take many photographs of the chair from different angles and close-up images of markings and paper labels. You can learn more about the authentication process on the Thonet website. Shop a diverse assortment of Thonet chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To identify a Thonet rocking chair, look for the company name. You will normally find it stamped directly onto the underside of the seat, arms or legs. You can find a collection of expertly vetted Thonet rocking chairs on 1stDibs.