Antique Thonet No. 2 Bentwood Sofa , late 19th century
About the Item
- Creator:Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH (Manufacturer),Michael Thonet (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 40.16 in (102 cm)Width: 44.1 in (112 cm)Depth: 19.69 in (50 cm)Seat Height: 18.9 in (48 cm)
- Style:Belle Époque (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1890-1900
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading. has been painted brown at some stage The sofa is a little unstable.
- Seller Location:Turku, FI
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8110238041962
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.
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
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 antique Gebrüder Thonet furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Turku, Finland
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Mid-century modern Boomerang sofa by Olavi HänninenBy Olavi Hanninen, Mikko NupponenLocated in Turku, Varsinais-SuomiAdd a touch of mid-century modern luxury to your space with the Olavi Hänninen 1960's Boomerang sofa. Crafted from rich mahogany, this iconic piece features the legendary boomerang s...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Mahogany
- Werner West, Finnish 1950's sofa "Royal" for Stockman Oy, FinlandBy Werner West, Oy Stockmann ABLocated in Turku, Varsinais-SuomiIntroducing the Werner West Royal Bent Sofa, a stunning addition to any vintage furniture collection. Crafted by the renowned Stockman Oy in Finland, this stylish sofa exudes eleganc...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Upholstery
- Carl-Johan Boman, Finnish 1940's curved sofa for Boman OyBy Boman OY, Carl-Johan BomanLocated in Turku, Varsinais-SuomiIntroducing the Carl-Johan Boman Finnish 1940's curved sofa, a classic piece of Scandinavian modern design from the prestigious Boman Oy. This vintage s...Category
Vintage 1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Birch
- Sokeva Oy, mid-century modern rattan mirrorLocated in Turku, Varsinais-SuomiIntroducing the Sokeva Oy mid-century modern rattan mirror, a timeless and stylish addition to any vintage home decor collection. Crafted with high-quality rattan material, this mirr...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsRattan, Mirror
- Sokeva Oy, mid-century modern rattan mirrorLocated in Turku, Varsinais-SuomiIntroducing the Sokeva Oy mid-century modern rattan mirror, a timeless and stylish addition to any vintage home decor collection. Crafted with high-quality rattan material, this mirr...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsRattan, Mirror
- Ilmari Tapiovaara, mid-century modern coat rack, FinlandBy Ilmari TapiovaaraLocated in Turku, Varsinais-SuomiIntroducing the Ilmari Tapiovaara mid-century modern coat rack, a vintage beauty that adds a touch of timeless elegance to any hallway or entryway. Crafted from solid wood, this coat...Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Coat Racks and Stands
MaterialsBirch
- Antique Bentwood Sofa Thonet No. 1, Austria circa 1860By Thonet, Michael ThonetLocated in Zagreb, HRVery rare bentwood sofa Thonet No 1, manufactured in the 1960s by Thonet. Professionally restored, retaining beautiful old patina and some normal traces...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Austrian Belle Époque Sofas
MaterialsBeech, Bentwood
- Michaël Thonet Gebrüder Thonet Austria Bentwood SofaBy Michael ThonetLocated in Grenoble, FRMichael Thonet, Austrian bentwood chaise is composed of beech with an adjustable back with two arms, a scrolling base, and cane paneled seat. New cane and perfect condition.Category
Antique Late 19th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Chaise Longues
MaterialsCane, Bentwood
- Mid Century Modern Thonet Bentwood SofaBy ThonetLocated in Brooklyn, NYImmerse yourself in the vintage charm of this Mid-Century Modern Thonet sofa. Crafted with exquisite walnut bentwood, this sofa retains its original tag, indicating its authentic ped...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFaux Leather, Walnut, Bentwood
- Antique sofa, France, late 19th century. After renovation.Located in Chorzów, PLA lounge set in the style of Louis Philippe, made in France around 1890. The set has undergone professional renovation in our workshop. The seats and backrests of the furniture were ...Category
Antique 1890s French Louis Philippe Sofas
MaterialsWalnut
- 19th Century Swedish Late Gustavian SofaBy Ephraim StahlLocated in Huntington, NYA sizable Swedish Late Gustavian sofa made in Stockholm by master furniture maker Ephraim Stahl (active 1794-1820). Signed ES on a back leg. Frames and sashes are decorated with upri...Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofas
MaterialsWood
- Modernist Thonet Sculpted Bentwood SofaBy ThonetLocated in Dallas, TXStunning bentwood three-seat sofa manufactured by Thonet, circa 1950s. Features a super stylish organic curved line bentwood arm frame, brass accent details on the back and upholster...Category
Vintage 1950s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass