Set of Four Thonet Bentwood and Cane Children’s Chairs
About the Item
- Creator:Michael Thonet (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 25 in (63.5 cm)Width: 12.5 in (31.75 cm)Depth: 12.5 in (31.75 cm)Seat Height: 12 in (30.48 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 4
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU9441238954362
Michael Thonet
The development of bentwood for use in furniture is one of history’s most significant innovations in design. A range of renowned mid-century modern designers such as Alvar Aalto, Arne Jacobsen, and Charles and Ray Eames drew heavily on this technological advancement, and the success of their enduring works owes to the efforts of pioneering German-Austrian industrialist and designer Michael Thonet — founder of Thonet and widely considered the father of bentwood furniture.
Bentwood furniture dates as far back as the Middle Ages, but it is the 19th-century cabinetmaker and master of parquetry Michael 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. He experimented with bending birch rods into rounded shapes — forming delicately seductive, curving Art Nouveau creations that were a daring departure from the heavy, hand-carved designs attributed to his contemporaries.
The Boppard-born Thonet 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. He received an invitation from Austrian Chancellor Prince Metternich to contribute Neo-Rococo interiors to the Liechtenstein City Palace in Vienna. From there, 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. 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 — or Gebrüder Thonet — with his sons in 1853.
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.
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. Composed of just six parts, the chair, with its simple, lightweight design, belies its durability. 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.)
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.
Thonet’s patented bentwood technology also yielded an improvement to rocking chairs for his company — 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. And bentwood furniture was embraced by a series of design greats — the innovation can be found in the seating that Josef Hoffman designed for Thonet, in the elegant Superleggera chair created by Gio Ponti and Alvar Aalto’s expressive Paimio armchair.
The No. 14 chair earned a gold medal at the 1867 Paris World’s Fair and reportedly sold 50 million copies prior to World War I. Today it’s a staple furnishing in countless movies, television shows, restaurants, bars and homes.
On 1stDibs, find an array of antique Michael Thonet seating, tables and more.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Shelter Island Heights, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Vintage Paul McCobb set of Four Fiberglass Origami Gray ChairsBy Paul McCobbLocated in New York, NYRare and wonderful 1950s set of four stackable fiberglass gray chairs know as Origami Chairs. Designed by Paul McCobb for St John Seating Corporation, USA.. McCobb designed these mol...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Original 1960s Set of Six Harry Bertoia Side Chairs with Full Seat CoversBy Harry BertoiaLocated in New York, NYThis gorgeous set was acquired from an original owner who bought the set of six chairs in 1968 from Knoll and I have a copy of the receipts. The chairs are covered in the original re...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal, Steel
- Four Mid Century Modern Rattan and Bamboo Stools by Danny Ho FongBy Danny Ho FongLocated in New York, NYVery handsome set of four bamboo and rattan stools by Danny Ho Fong from the 1960s. The seats are rattan basket weave and set in bamboo with sturdy black metal bases. The stools are ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsWrought Iron
- Set of Three Russell Woodard Black Iron Nesting TablesBy Russell WoodardLocated in New York, NYThree original Russell Woodard mid century stacking tables or nesting tables are sturdy, balanced and beautiful. Square shaped . 1950s. Great minimal design and great condition .Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
MaterialsWrought Iron
- Mid Century Knoll Four Door Walnut Credenza with Leather PullsBy Florence KnollLocated in New York, NYThis elegant and classic Mid Century understated Knoll credenza has four sliding doors with original leather pulls and adjustable wood shelves. This seems to be an early piece with r...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- Original Paul McCobb Bookcase/Etagere and Bench Set from the Planner GroupBy Paul McCobbLocated in New York, NYGorgeous Mid Century two piece shelving system by Paul McCobb and part of the “Planner Group” manufactured by Winchendon in the 1950s. Original maple wood shelves and black wrought i...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsIron
- Early 20th Century French Bentwood and Cane Baby Chair Thonet StyleBy Michael ThonetLocated in Dallas, TXDecorate a kid's room with this antique Art Deco child chair. Crafted in France circa 1920 in the matter of Michael Thonet (1796-1871), and made of bentwood, the baby chair...Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Children's Furniture
MaterialsCane, Bentwood
- Early 20th Century French Thonet Style Bentwood and Cane Child Rocking ChairBy Michael ThonetLocated in Dallas, TXDecorate a kid's room with this antique Art Deco child rocking chair. Crafted in France circa 1920 in the matter of German-Austrian cabinet maker Michael Thonet (1796-1871), and buil...Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Rocking Chairs
MaterialsCane, Bentwood
- Early 20th Century French Bentwood and Cane High Baby Chair by M. ThonetBy Michael ThonetLocated in Dallas, TXFeed your child in style in the antique and sturdy Art Deco high chair. Crafted in France circa 1920 and attributed to Michael Thonet (1796-1871), the child chair stands on four curved legs embellished with a pierced footrest on the front; both seat and arched back features hand knotted caning, and the feeding tray table lifts up with lock mechanism to keep child safe in place. The bentwood high...Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Children's Furniture
MaterialsCane, Bentwood
- Early 20th Century French Bentwood and Cane High Baby Chair by M. ThonetBy Michael ThonetLocated in Dallas, TXFeed your child in style in the antique and sturdy Art Deco high chair; crafted in France of bentwood circa 1920 attributed to Michael Thonet (1796-1871), the child chair stands on f...Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Children's Furniture
MaterialsCane, Bentwood
- Set of Three Painted Pine Children's ChairsLocated in Baltimore, MDThese delightful plank seat children’s chairs are in a rustic Empire style, with a scroll at the top of the back rail and turned legs at the front. In old worn buttermilk paint. Seat...Category
Early 20th Century Hungarian Empire Chairs
MaterialsPine
- Pair of Modernist Bentwood Adam Stegner Children's Chairs Pagho 1960sBy Adam Stegner, Pagholz FlötottoLocated in Dallas, TXThese chairs were designed by Adam Stegner and were produced by Pagholz Flötotto in the 1960s. They were produced for the schulmobel line and have the manufacturers mark impressed in...Category
Vintage 1960s German Chairs
MaterialsMaple, Mahogany