Is Thonet chair comfortable?
Their novelty lay, in part, with Thonet’s innovative production methods, which pioneered the use of heat to bend wood into improbable shapes. The resulting chairs were graceful, comfortable and durable.
What was significant about the No. 14 chair or Thonet chair?
The No. 14 chair is the most famous chair made by the Thonet chair company. Also known as the ‘bistro chair’, it was designed by Michael Thonet and introduced in 1859, becoming the world’s first mass-produced item of furniture. It is made using bent wood (steam-bending), and the design required years to perfect.
What style is a bentwood chair?
While it may be synonymous with classic French style, the original bentwood chair was actually developed by German-Austrian cabinet maker Michael Thonet in the 1800s. He invented the technique for steaming and bending solid wood to create sturdy yet simple furniture using only a few pieces of timber.
What era are bentwood chairs?
While bentwood furniture seems sleek and modern, its origins are decidedly 19th century. We offer a wide ranging collection of new and antique bentwood seating, dating from the 1870s to today.
How do you clean a Thonet chair?
Remove stains by wiping the surface with a damp cloth and soap, or liquid detergent. Remove stubborn stains with a damp paste of baking soda, which you should leave on the stain for a few minutes and then blot away.
How do I identify a bentwood chair?
There have been many reproductions and generic chairs called “bentwood rockers” through the years. A sure way of identifying a real Thonet from around the turn of the 20th century is the presence of the company name (THONET) with a solid line underneath carved somewhere into the chair.
How do I know if my chair is a Thonet?
Thonet chairs are marked with a label on the underside of the seat. Most of the chair seats are rush or canned and the bent wood supports the back and legs of the chair in gentle curved styles. Thonet met Prince Klemens Wenzel von Metternich at the Koblenz Fair in 1841.