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.
Thonet Table by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Thonet table by Josef Hoffmann in very good original condition with signs of use.
Metal
Bentwood Thonet Cradle No.1
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
This French bentwood cradle made by Thonet circa late 1900s. The cradle is in very good working order.
Bentwood
Restored Art Deco Chair, by Thonet, Beech, Revived Polish, Czech, 1920s
By Thonet
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant Art Deco chair comes from Czechoslovakia from the first half of the 20th century. It is made of solid beech wood and is marked Thonet. The chair has undergone careful r...
Beech, Wood, Lacquer
Mid Century Modern Desk Chair by Thonet Circa American 1950’s
By Thonet
Located in Bernville, PA
Beautiful and simple Mid Century Modern desk chair manufactured by Thonet Industries. With very clean lines, this chair blends well with Mid Century modern design as well as the Stre...
Suede, Maple
Set of 6 chairs mod. "MR10" designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Thonet
By Thonet, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Firenze, FI
Set of six chairs model "MR10" designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and produced by Thonet in the 1960s. La his frame is made of chrome-plated tubular steel, the seats are made of r...
Steel
Bentwood "Angel Back" armchair nr.19 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Up for sale is a beautiful and highly collectible antique bentwood armchair, manufactured by the legendary company Thonet (circa 1900–1920). This model is famously known as the "Ange...
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
Set of two Stools Plywood designed by Gerd Lange for Thonet, 1970s
By Gerd Lange, Thonet
Located in Antwerp, BE
Set of 2 stools designed by Gerd Lange. Gerd Lange is one of the most influential German furniture designers of the 1970s and 1980s. He was known for his extremely down-to-earth, fun...
Metal
Vintage Massive Coffee Table, Thonet, 1940's
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- made in Czechoslovakia - made of massive wood - good, original conditon.
Wood
Bentwood Childs Chair by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Fun bentwood child’s chair by Thonet. This piece has a great patina from many years of use. Photographed with Bertoia side chair by Knoll for scale.
Bentwood
$5,113Sale Price|20% Off
Art Nouveau Seating Set by Otto Wagner for Thonet, 1910s
By Thonet, Otto Wagner
Located in Praha, CZ
Set of Thonet sofa type 6285 and two armchairs Thonet 6585. Rare type designed by Otto Wagner. Recently reupholstered. Shellac finish. Dimensions of a...
Upholstery, Beech
Adolf Schneck, rare A 64 F Bentwood armhair for Thonet, 1929
By Gustav Adolf Schneck, Thonet
Located in Uppsala, SE
Rare armchair by Adolf Schneck (sometimes wrongly attributed to Josef Hoffmann) designed in 1929 and made by Thonet. This model was exhibited at the Viennese Art and Industry show du...
Beech, Bentwood
Restored Bauhaus Armchair, Thonet, Marcel Breuer, Czechia, 1930s
By Marcel Breuer, Thonet
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Armchair Designed by Marcel Breuer and made by Thonet. Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1930-1939 Maker: Thonet Designer: Marcel Breuer Material: Chrome-Pla...
Metal, Steel, Chrome, Iron
Gerd Lange Set of Two Stools designed for Thonet, 1970s
By Thonet, Gerd Lange
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rare set of two stools designed by GERD LANGE for Thonet. also available set of four chairs.
Wood
$1,162
Thonet Hall Coat Stand
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Large Thonet hall coat stand with umbrella holder. Very good original condition.
Bentwood
Extremely rare armchair no.6521 by Otto Wagner for Thonet
By Otto Wagner, Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Magnificent and highly sought-after piece of design history: an original Otto Wagner Armchair, Model No. 6521, manufactured by the world-renowned Thonet around 1900-1905. This icon...
Beech, Bentwood
Pair of Thonet Birch Bentwood and Pale Olive Naugahyde High Back Lounge Chairs
By Thonet
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Pair of Thonet Modular Birch Bentwood Lounge Olive Naugahyde High Back Arm Chairs, C. 1950. Featuring smooth organic steamed bent Birch frameworks, with ergonomic high back and seats...
Wood, Fabric, Naugahyde, Birch, Bentwood
$2,092 / set
Set of 4 dining chairs by Thonet Debrecen
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Set of 4 dining chairs by Thonet Debrecen in very nice original condition.
Beech, Bentwood
$2,650Sale Price / set|20% Off
Rare Set of Two Bauhaus Armchairs B 246 by Josef Frank for Thonet, 1930s
By Josef Frank, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Rare Bauhaus armchairs B 246 designed by Josef Frank and manufactured by Thonet in 1930s. Historically, this model was among those installed in the iconic Villa Rezek in Vienna, buil...
Bentwood
Thonet Settee designed by Otto Prutscher for Cafe Heinrichshof, Austria 1880s
By Thonet
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a very rare antique settee designed by Otto Prutscher for Cafe Heinrichshof, and manufactured by Thonet Brothers in 1908. It is done in beech bentwood, ...
Fabric, Bentwood
$3,893 / item
Jugendstil Thonet wardrobe
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Jugendstil Thonet wardrobe in very good original condition with slight signs of use.
Beech
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Original "Thonet" Office Chair
By Thonet
Located in Medina, OH
"Thonet" office arm chair in its original fabric. "Thonet" stamped under chair. It is in great condition and perfect to be added to an office!
Upholstery, Oak, Bentwood
Model No. 3 Desk or Writing Chair by Thonet, 1900's
By Thonet
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
A very nice desk or writing chair by Thonet. It is fabricated in the Czech Republic around 1900. This chair was originally designed at the second half of the 19th century and can be...
Wood
Vintage Beech Bentwood Stool by Thonet Industries with Label
By Thonet
Located in San Diego, CA
A vintage beech bentwood stool by Thonet Industries with original label, circa 1940s. The stool is in good vaintage condition showing appropriate wear and patina. It measures 14.5"D ...
Bentwood, Beech
Thonet Bentwood and Rattan Rocking Chaise Model 7500
By Thonet
Located in Madrid, ES
Rare Thonet bentwood rocking chaise lounge chair with cane seat. The design of the rocking chaise model no. 7500 is attributed to August Thonet. Initially it was made without armrest...
Rattan, Bentwood, Cane
$650Sale Price / item|20% Off
Thonet armchair model EMT 0030 designed by Rudolf Glatzel 1961
By Thonet
Located in Debrecen, HU
Rudolf B. Glatzel for Thonet, lounge chair, model 'EMT0030' designed in 1961, Germany. The chair features a beech frame, upholstered seat, and backrest, covered in swiss fabric. t...
Fabric, Beech
Round side table by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Round side table by Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Brass
Set of Mid-Century Mies van der Rohe Dining Chairs by Thonet
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Thonet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This set of four flat chrome Brno dining chairs feature the exquisite vintage cantilever design that so adeptly mixes comfort and style. Heavy chrome, unique style, and vintage fabri...
Chrome
Armchair number 6151 by Adolf Loos for Thonet, 1900s, France
By Thonet, Adolf Loos
Located in Brussels, BE
Armchair number 6151 by Adolf Loos for Thonet, 1900s, France Adolf Franz Karl Viktor Maria Loos( 10 December 1870 – 23 August 1933) was an Austrian and Czechoslovak architect, influ...
Beech
Bentwood dining chair no.19 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Bentwood dining chair no.19 by Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
1950s Le Corbusier Jeanneret Perriand LC1 Basculant Lounge Chair Stendig Label
By Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier, Thonet, Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an original 1950s LC1 Basculant Sling Lounge Chair, initially designed by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand in 1929. This example is marked with a Stendig...
Steel
Restored Art Deco Dining Table, by M. Breuer for Thonet, Walnut, Germany, 1930s
By Thonet, Marcel Breuer
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This Bauhaus dining table dates back to the 1930s in Germany and is designed by the renowned Marcel Breuer for Thonet. The table features a tubular chrome steel frame complemented by...
Steel, Chrome
Josef Maria Olbrich, Pair of armchairs for Thonet, Austria, 1910
By Joseph Maria Olbrich, Thonet
Located in Argelato, BO
Josef Maria Olbrich, Pair of armchairs for Thonet, Austria, 1910 Rare and extraordinary set of 2 bent beech chairs by the architect and designer Olbrich for Thonet from an important office in Trieste...
Bentwood
Set Of Eight Thonet Chairs, Model No. 4, Known As "daum Café", 1880
By Thonet
Located in Charmes, FR
Set of eight chairs, model no. 4, by Thonet, in Paris in 1880/1890. This model was made for the Café Daum in Vienna in 1849. The frame is made of blackened bent beechwood. The chair ...
Wood
Thonet S 33 Vintage Cognac Vegetal Leather Chair Mart Stam Cantilever 1 of 2
By Mart Stam, Thonet
Located in Munich, Bavaria
These Cantilever vintage chairs are Bauhaus classics and were designed 1926 by Mart Stam and produced by Thonet with the Model name S33. It is a thick saddle vegetal tanned leather t...
Steel, Chrome
Art nouveau screen no.11306 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Art nouveau screen no.11306 by Thonet in excellent original condition. Oil peacock painting on canvas in bentwood frame.
Beech, Bentwood
$5,813
Art Nouveau Thonet Chair
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Art nouveau Thonet chair.
Beech, Bentwood
$2,600 / item
Thonet Armchairs by Otto Wagner
By Otto Wagner, Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
Design attributed to Otto Wagner. Wood finish and upholstery according to customer requirements. Price for already restored ones. Up to eight pieces available, more on request. Deli...
Leather, Beech, Bentwood
Pair Thonet Side Chairs Scalloped and Ribbed Open Back and Bronze Nail Heads
By Thonet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stunning pair of Thonet Chairs. A departure from the traditional bentwood framework, this frame features a bentwood leg, however the draw is an open scallop back with ribbed Chann...
Wrought Iron
$390Sale Price|20% Off
1940s Thonet Beech Chair no. 57, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- partly refurbished - some signs of use - sturdy and stable - Height of seat 47
Wood, Beech
Very rare walnut art deco bar cabinet by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Very rare walnut art deco bar cabinet by Thonet. Signed Thonet Fabrique en Tchecoslovaque. Professionally stained and repolished with fench polish.
Walnut
Italian mid-century big beech wood and Vienna straw Thonet chairs, 1950s
By Thonet
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century big beech wood and Vienna straw Thonet chairs, 1950s. Large chairs or armchairs with armrests in Thonet style, with Vienna straw seat and curved armrests and with...
Straw, Beech
Mid-Century Modern Set of 4 Thonet Bent Chairs made by ZPM Radomsko
By Thonet, ZPM Radomsko
Located in Prato, IT
This no.18 chair was designed by Gebrüder Thonet around 1875 and was one of the most popular chairs of Thonet. This set of 4 chairs was manufactured by ZPM Radomsko in the 1960s. The...
Rattan, Oak
$1,700 / item
ST 664 Shell Chairs, Designed by Eddie Harlis
By Thonet, Eddie Harlis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The ST 664 chair designed by Eddie Harlis in 1954. Thonet manufactured the chairs in Germany. These chairs are no longer produced. The chair has a yellow stained finish and are made ...
Steel, Chrome
Rare 4-piece set of bentwood Salesman Sample furniture made by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Buffalo, NY
This is a rare set of salesman sample furniture made by Thonet, the master of bentwood furniture creator of the iconic bentwood chairs that ...
Cane, Bentwood
Thonet S 33 Vintage Cognac Vegetal Leather Chair Mart Stam Cantilever 1 of 2
By Thonet, Mart Stam
Located in Munich, Bavaria
These Cantilever vintage chairs are Bauhaus classics and were designed 1926 by Mart Stam and produced by Thonet with the Model name S33. Original Thonet Chairs. The chairs usually h...
Steel, Chrome
$25,800 / set
Eight Dining Chairs by Anton Lorenz for Thonet
By Thonet, Anton Lorenz
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of 8 armchairs designed by Anton Lorenz for Thonet. Each chair has tan upholstered backrest and seat with polished chrome tubular frames. Mid-Century Modern S-37 chairs were ori...
Chrome
$3,023
Thonet Chair No.1
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Thonet dining chair no.1 in very good original condition.
Bentwood
Emile Guillot Tubular Steel Modernist Armchair Made by Thonet
By Emile Guillot, Thonet
Located in London, GB
Emile Guillot tubular steel modernist armchair made by Thonet. The shaped headrest, arms and shaped seat are ebonized Beech wood.
Steel
Secession desk chair by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Secession desk chair by Thonet, professionally stained and repolished.
Abalone, Beech, Bentwood
Art deco armchair no.811 "Prague chair" by Josef Hoffmann
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
A stunning example of timeless modernist design, this Model No. 811 armchair (famously known as the Prague Chair) is a centerpiece of 20th-century furniture history. Originally desig...
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
Classic Modernist Sculpted Settee Sofa by Russel Wright for Thonet
By Russel Wright, Thonet
Located in Buffalo, NY
A Sculpted Green Naugahyde Settee Sofa Designed by Russel Wright for Thonet, Untied States, c.1950. This Settee would look exceptional while displayed in a Mid-Century inspired inter...
Naugahyde, Beech
$669Sale Price|20% Off
1970s Antonin Suman Chair by TON in Zinc Fabric
By Thonet, Antonín Šuman
Located in Praha, CZ
- Carefully refurbished - Newly upholstered in Zinc luxury fabric :SOL silver grey
Fabric, Wood
$639 / set
Set of Two Bentwood Chairs, Ton 1989
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- made in Czechoslovakia - made of wood, fabric - the fabric has some signs of use - good, original condition. - seat height 47 cm.
Fabric, Wood
Thonet Model K411 cantilever armchair first series Bauhaus tubular steel, 1930
By Thonet
Located in Berlin, DE
This rare Thonet Model K411 cantilever armchair, produced around 1930, is an important example of early Bauhaus Modernism and one of the first tubular steel armchairs manufactured in...
Chrome
$2,324Sale Price / set|20% Off
Thonet - Plant Stand (2) - Beech
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Budapest, HU
Pair of Art Nouveau Thonet Plant Stands – Circa 1900 A striking pair of original Art Nouveau plant stands attributed to Thonet, crafted around 1900...
Beech
Pierre Paulin CM 178 Desk for Thonet, Oak and Black Metal Writing Desk, France
By Pierre Paulin, Thonet
Located in Paris, FR
Rare CM 178 writing desk designed by Pierre Paulin and produced by Thonet in France, circa 1950s–1960s. This elegant mid-century modern desk features a minimalist black lacquered me...
Metal
Childs Chair by David Rowland for Thonet
By David Rowland, Thonet
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Presenting a truly rare and exceptional piece of design history - the Child's Softech Chair, designed by the renowned David Rowland for Thonet...
Metal
20th Century Austrian Bar Stool in Black Wood by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Sofia, BG
Bar stool by Thonet in very elegant typical shape and in great condition. Austria, circa 1910.
Wood
set 3 Chair Ludwig Mies van der Rohe "MR10" by Thonet
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Thonet
Located in Firenze, FI
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe "MR10" by Thonet set 3 chair. - Chromed tubular steel frame - Original rattan or cane seat - Designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and produced by Thonet...
Steel
$1,283Sale Price|20% Off
1930s Thonet Restored Armchair, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- carefully refurbished and finished in shellac - Newly upholstered - Labeled - Heigh of seat 49 cm
Fabric, Wood