Original Thonet Chair
Vintage 1940s Austrian Art Nouveau Chairs
Beech
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1960s Austrian Dining Room Chairs
Bentwood
Vintage 1960s Austrian Dining Room Chairs
Bentwood
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Upholstery, Oak, Bentwood
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Straw, Beech
1990s German Modern Chairs
Wood
Antique 1890s German Other Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1930s Austrian Art Deco Swivel Chairs
Bentwood
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Beech, Leather
Vintage 1940s Czech Art Deco Chairs
Silk, Oak, Bentwood
Vintage 1940s Czech Bohemian Chairs
Fabric, Beech
Early 20th Century Czech Arts and Crafts Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Faux Leather, Wood
Antique 19th Century Austrian Chairs
Bentwood
Vintage 1920s Czech Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Austrian Belle Époque Chairs
Bentwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Rocking Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Dining Room Chairs
Wicker, Wood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Upholstery
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Chairs
Fabric, Bentwood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1920s Czech Vienna Secession Rocking Chairs
Bentwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Belle Époque Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
Vintage 1980s Hungarian Jugendstil Chairs
Fabric, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Belle Époque Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fabric
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fabric
Early 20th Century Austrian Belle Époque Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
Antique Early 1900s Slovak Vienna Secession Dining Room Chairs
Bentwood
1990s Slovak Vienna Secession Chairs
Fabric, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Belle Époque Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
Antique 1890s Austrian Art Nouveau Chairs
Wood
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Dining Room Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
Vintage 1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fabric, Beech
Vintage 1920s European Bauhaus Chairs
Cane, Beech
Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Swivel Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Dining Room Chairs
Wicker, Wood
Vintage 1930s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Rattan, Wood
Vintage 1930s Czech Bauhaus Side Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
Vintage 1930s Czech Bauhaus Side Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
Vintage 1950s European Lounge Chairs
Wood, PVC
Vintage 1920s Polish Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Bentwood
Vintage 1920s German Bauhaus Chairs
Steel, Chrome
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century Dining Room Chairs
Wicker, Bentwood
Antique Late 19th Century Austrian Belle Époque Chairs
Bentwood
Vintage 1970s European Modern Chairs
Cane, Wood
Vintage 1960s Romanian Art Deco Chairs
Straw, Beech
Vintage 1920s Austrian Victorian Rocking Chairs
Upholstery, Bamboo
Antique Mid-19th Century German Belle Époque Rocking Chairs
Bentwood
Early 20th Century Dining Room Chairs
Wicker, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Bentwood
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
Vintage 1930s Austrian Bauhaus Dining Room Chairs
Beech
Antique Early 1900s French Arts and Crafts Chairs
Straw, Wood
Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Chairs
Bentwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Belle Époque Wingback Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood, Rattan
- 1
- ...
Original Thonet Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Original Thonet Chair?
Finding the Right Seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 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.
- 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, 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.
- 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, 2022The slipper chair originated in 18th century Europe. It was used in women’s bedrooms as seating for when maids would assist them in putting on their slippers. Today, a slipper chair refers to a low-slung chair. Browse a selection of modern and antique slipper chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022The original Barcelona chair designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe featured ivory upholstery made of pigskin leather. Modern incarnations come in a wide range of upholstery colors and are available from Knoll Furniture. You'll find a variety of Barcelona chairs 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The original Eames chair and matching ottoman were designed by Charles and Ray Aemes for the Herman Miller furniture company in 1956. The Eames chair is considered the epitome of modern interior design and is widely coveted by home decor enthusiasts. Browse a range of authenticated Eames chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022In 1949, Hans Wegner made the original Wishbone chair, a bentwood piece with a curved rail and Y-back. Today, Carl Hansen & Søn manufactures the chair based on Wegner's original design. You can find a variety of Hans Wegner chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022One way to authenticate an original Wassily chair is to look at the stainless frame. There will be no weld in the corners, and will look like a continuous piece, with no cap on the end. Shop a collection of expertly vetted Wassily chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023The original Eames chair was made out of molded plywood and leather. Charles and Ray Eames designed the iconic mid-century modern chair for Herman Miller in 1958. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Eames chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022There are a number of ways that you can tell an original Marcel Breuer chair. One trick is to examine the frame. If you see end caps, you're likely looking at a replica. Authentic Breuer chairs featured polished, welded ends. Some chairs also feature stickers that identify the model name located under their seats. On 1stDibs, find a collection of expertly vetted Marcel Breuer chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 21, 2020
The design has changed over the years, but most antique carver chairs were made of wood. Antique carver chairs were wide chairs made in 17th century New England — with backs that featured several supporting spindles — although there were no spindles between the armrests and the seat. Antique carver chairs were typically topped with decorative ornaments.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Which chair is best for a George Nakashima Origins for Widdicomb desk is largely a matter of preference. George Nakashima chairs with Shaker-inspired spindle backs like the Mira and Conoid tend to complement the lines of the desks in the collection. However, you can mix and match styles to create an eclectic look. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of George Nakashima desks and chairs.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
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.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
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.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.