One way to tell if a chair is by the renowned manufacturer Thonet is to check for the company’s hallmark stamp. Most Thonet chairs will have the company name or a trademark stamp on the underside of the chair, such as “thonet”, “Thonet-Mundus”, “Thonet of Vienna”, or simply “Thonet Vienna”.
In addition to these imprints, look out for the style of the chair. Thonet chairs are often made of bent wood and have a distinct style that is easily recognizable. Often, these chairs feature curved, wooden frames and cane or spindle seating.
If the chair you are looking at features these characteristics, there is a good chance that it may be a Thonet chair. Lastly, the company still produces many of its original designs, so looking through their catalog can help to identify genuine pieces.
Where are Thonet chairs made?
Thonet chairs are traditionally made in Germany and Eastern Europe, with production being centralized around the company’s original headquarters in the city of Frankenberg. Founded in 1819 by cabinet maker Michael Thonet, the company has a long and storied history of crafting bentwood furniture, and their iconic chairs are considered a design staple in homes, restaurants and cafes all over the world.
Thonet’s production methods, founded on the idea of steam-bending the wood, have been carefully maintained and improved since the company’s inception and have been closely guarded since 1853.
The company continues to expand, and besides Europe and the US, there are a handful of satellite factories located in countries all over Asia, as well as in Mexico. In 2015, Thonet also opened a factory in China, demonstrating the company’s commitment to a global distribution model.
Is Thonet a brand?
Yes, Thonet is a brand of high-quality furniture. Founded in 1819 by the German cabinetmaker Michael Thonet, the company is best known for its iconic bentwood chairs and its revolutionary approach to furniture design.
For more than 200 years, Thonet has been at the forefront of furniture design, with its products featuring in prestigious institutions like the Café des Deux Magots in Paris, the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, and the Danish Parliament.
Today, the company produces a wide variety of pieces, including classic design classics like the Vienna Chair, its exclusive collection of modern pieces, and even contemporary furniture that still strongly features its signature curved wood.
Thonet’s furniture is not only recognized for its superior quality and craftsmanship, but also for its artistic flair, making the company a significant figure in the design world.
What is the difference between ton and Thonet?
The main difference between ton and Thonet is the type of furniture in which each is most commonly used. ton is a modern furniture brand, specializing in stylish, contemporary pieces that can easily be mixed-and-matched to create a stylish home.
Thonet, on the other hand, is a legendary furniture brand that has been around for centuries–over 200 years, in fact–and is associated with a classic and timeless style. Thonet furniture is characterized by tubular steel constructions and bentwood elements, including the iconic Thonet chairs and sofas.
They remain popular even today, offering an iconic look through which you can easily create a classic, timeless look in any home.
What was significant about the Thonet chair?
The Thonet chair–designed by German cabinet maker and furniture designer Michael Thonet in 1859–is significant in the world of furniture design for many reasons. Firstly, its beauty; the classic bentwood design of the chair has been described as timeless, with its distinct curves and gracefully curved legs.
Not only that, it was revolutionary due to its innovative use of bentwood as its primary material, allowing mass production of the chair. This was the first furniture to achieve such a feat; a process that previously had required far more time.
The affordability of the chair was also key to its appeal. The Thonet chair was novel in that it could be produced and sold at a fraction of the cost of a traditionally crafted piece. This meant that the chair–which had been designed for the Vienna Burgtheater–could now be purchased for domestic use and could be considered a ‘people’s chair’.
The Thonet chair’s widespread success in Europe and beyond broke down rigid social boundaries in furniture making and allowed many people from different classes and backgrounds access to stylish and affordable chairs.
Making the chair even more accessible were the new techniques in furniture packing, which allowed for easier transportation.
In total, an estimate of 50 million chairs, derived from Thonet’s designs, have now been produced, making it one of the most successful pieces of furniture in history. The chair is still produced in its original form and continues to be popular in both residential settings and in cafes and bars, furthering its global presence and significance.
What era are bentwood chairs from?
Bentwood chairs are from the 19th-century European era, specifically from the mid-1800s. The style was developed by Michael Thonet, a German-born Austrian cabinetmaker and furniture designer. He invented an innovative method of steaming and bending wood, making it possible to mass-produce furniture out of fewer, more affordable materials.
This method revolutionized the furniture industry, and it was quickly adopted by other furniture makers throughout Europe and the United States. Bentwood chairs became a distinct style, with several variations.
In addition to their low cost, the furniture makers of the time emphasized the chairs’ lightweight, strength, and the graceful appearance of their flowing curves. Bentwood chairs have become a ubiquitous piece of furniture and can still be found in many homes, business establishments, and restaurants today.
How do I identify a bentwood chair?
To identify a bentwood chair, start by looking at the construction of the backrest. Bentwood chairs typically have a rounded, curved backrest that is contoured to the spine of a seated person. The seat of a bentwood chair should also be curved to provide comfort and should be made of woven cane or a type of wood veneer.
Additionally, the legs of the chair should be made from bentwood strips of wood that are bent into an arch and held together with a connecting rod. Finally, bentwood chairs are often recognized for their unique curved arms that form loops in front and in the back.
To further confirm that a chair is a bentwood, you can also observe the stains and finishes applied to the wood. The finish should be glossy and may be covered by paint or varnish. Additionally, it is common to find bentwood chairs decorated with a painted panel or a wire filigree design.
The overall look of a bentwood chair should be sturdy and smooth with little to no visible joints.
Although identifying a bentwood chair can be tricky, if you observe the construction and look for the aforementioned details you should be able to correctly identify a chair as a bentwood.
What is a British ton?
A British ton is a unit of measurement traditionally used in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries to measure weight and mass. It is defined as 2,240 pounds (or 1,016 kilograms), which is 20% more than the corresponding U. S.
ton. It is largely used in the UK to measure the weight of cargo, containers and other larger items. The terms “long ton” and “gross ton” can also be used interchangeably with British ton. The metric ton (1,000 kilograms/2,204.
6 pounds) is now the most commonly used measurement for large masses in the UK and other metric countries.
How old are bentwood rockers?
Bentwood rockers are furniture items designed to rock, typically made from steam-bent wooden pieces, and they can range in age from the 1800s to the early 2000s. As with any type of furniture, it is impossible to calculate an exact age without knowing the specific piece’s history – there were two main producers of bentwood rockers, Thonet and Jacob & Josef Kohn, who produced them from the 1800s until the early 1900s – so these are the oldest examples, with rockers from the later half of the 20th century usually produced by modern manufacturers.
In addition, age does play a role in the overall value of a bentwood rocker. Pieces from the 1800s are typically the most sought after and valued, followed by those from the early 1900s, and then by items produced in the 20th century.
The condition of the bentwood rocker can also impact its value, with restoredrockers typically being the most valuable and less expensive if they are in need of restoration.
How do you pronounce Thonet?
Thonet is pronounced as “Tone-it”. It is named after the famous furniture designer and manufacturer Michael Thonet, who was born in 1796. He is credited with inventing the first modern mass-produced furniture.
His designs and manufacturing innovations made him a world-renowned furniture maker in the 19th century. He revolutionized furniture production by creating bentwood pieces that could be quickly and cheaply made.
His most famous product is the Bentwood Chair, which has become an iconic piece of furniture in modern design. The pronunciation of Thonet is derived from his name, with the emphasis on the second syllable.
How can you tell a real Thonet rocking chair?
The Thonet company has a long history of creating iconic designs and is credited with many pioneering achievements in furniture making. The Thonet rocking chair is one of their most recognizable pieces, with a bentwood design that has become iconic.
To identify a real Thonet rocking chair, you should look for a few key elements.
First, the chair should have curved sides that are testaments to their bentwood design. The seat should also be low and flex slightly when rocked. The frame should be made of bent tubular steel that features a unique design.
Other features to look out for include a wide armrests with a slightly curved profile and a comfortable back with a rounded edge. Lastly, the chair should be stamped with a Thonet label (either a gold foil label or a hung tag).
Authentic Thonet labels are quite detailed and include the company’s name, logo and the model name.
Identifying a real Thonet rocking chair requires knowledge of the company and some experience in discerning authentic vintage furniture. For those who are new to vintage furniture, researching Thonet in detail can be a great way to ensure you are getting the real thing.
Is ton and Thonet the same?
No, Ton and Thonet are not the same. Ton is a modern Estonian furniture brand that produces contemporary and minimalist furniture, especially chairs and tables. Thonet is a classic German furniture brand known for its revolutionary use of bentwood for chairs, tables and other furniture pieces in design history.
While both are names associated with high-quality furniture,Thonet has a much longer history and its signature furniture is known worldwide, while Ton is relatively still new to the furniture scene.