A historic brand
Michael Thonet, founder of the Thonet furniture brand known as “Thonet frères” in Vienna, revolutionized the furniture industry by inventing the principle of “mass-produced” furniture in the mid-19th century. A modest cabinetmaker at the start of his career, he had the idea of simplifying the manufacture of furniture at the time, and in particular of making chairs in 6 separate pieces.
Thanks to a process he invented: bending boiled wood in a glue bath, they feature easy screwing, a characteristic circular, flexible seat and a rounded backrest. He created light, supple chairs such as the iconic “n°1”, designed for a Viennese palace, from which a number of other well-known series evolved, selling millions of units in Europe.
He was also the first designer of the bentwood rocking chair.
The company even survived the two world wars, and the Thonet family developed a new material for its furniture after them: cold-bent tubular steel.
The strength of this emblematic company lies in its avant-garde vision, imagining the industrialization of furniture before anyone else.
Between tradition and modernity
This brand, launched almost 200 years ago, continues to design, produce and distribute its signature furniture worldwide. Thonet has symbolized industrial success for more than 5 generations. However, this major brand has managed to innovate and modernize by surrounding itself with the greatest international designers, while still recreating models inspired by its traditional know-how. Even if today the round seat of the early days has been replaced by a trapezoidal shape.
From now on, all products made by Gebrüder Thonet Vienna are identified by the new “Wiener GTV Design” brand(THONET | More than a piece of furniture).
The sober design and curved lines, as well as their lightness, make Thonet furniture a perfect match for any space. One example is the Thonet “bistro” chair, still a favorite among vintage aficionados. We keep searching them regularly and offer them on our Amaru Antiques website…