Thonet Chair and Armchair Model No. 1, 2 & 4

The Thonet models No. 1, 2, and 4 mark the beginning of industrial bentwood furniture design.

Photo collage of ten Thonet chairs and armchairs in bentwood design, featuring curved backrests and cane or upholstered seats in various wood finishes. — Image: A collection of classic Thonet chairs and armchairs featuring model numbers No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4.
Source: by Stable MARK - own work.

Discover the iconic bentwood chairs that revolutionized 19th-century furniture design — elegant, lightweight, and industrially made.

Table of Contents

Thonet Chair Model No. 1 Thonet Chair Model No. 2 Thonet Armchair Model No. 2 Thonet Chair Model No. 4 Thonet Armchair Model No. 4

The models No. 1, 2, and 4 illustrate key steps in the evolution of Thonet’s early bentwood production, shaped by developments in Thonet history.

Thonet Chair Model No. 1

Thonet Chair No. 1 was introduced around 1850 and is considered one of the earliest bentwood chairs. It was a foundational model in Michael Thonet's industrial production of furniture.

Thonet bentwood chair model no. 1 with cane seat, designed by Michael Thonet around 1850, produced by Gebrüder Thonet in Vienna circa 1861. — Image: Thonet chair model no. 1, designed by Michael Thonet around 1850. Made by Gebrüder Thonet, Vienna, circa 1861.
Source: by Stable MARK - own work

Crafted: Solid beechwood, steam-bent in multiple parts, with a two-piece backrest insert, rosewood-stained finish, and cane weave.

Learn More Still curious about bentwood furniture? Click here to see Thonet rocking chair.

Side view of Thonet chair model No. 1, with a bentwood frame, curved backrest, and cane seat. — Image: Side view of Thonet chair model No. 1, showing the curved backrest and cane seat construction.
Source: by Stable MARK - own work.

Learn More Still curious? Click here to see Thonet Children and Doll Furniture.

Thonet Chair Model No. 2

Chair No. 2 followed shortly after No. 1 and featured slight design variations. It was part of Thonet's early efforts to standardize and simplify chair production using steam-bent wood.

Crafted: Bent laminated beech with solid front legs, brown stained; cane weave.

Learn More Still curious about bentwood furniture? Click here to see Thonet Settee and Table.

Side view of Thonet chair model No. 2 showing the curved double scroll backrest and woven cane seat. — Image: Side view of Thonet chair model No. 2, with double scroll backrest and cane seat.
Source: by Stable MARK - own work.

Thonet Armchair Model No. 2

Crafted: Solid bent beech with three-part backrest inserts, brown stained; cane weave.

Learn More Still curious about bentwood furniture? Click here to see Thonet Chair and Armchair Model No. 7, 8, 11 & 12.

Side view of Thonet armchair model No. 2 with curved scroll armrests and woven cane seat. — Image: Side view of Thonet armchair model No. 2, showing the bentwood scroll armrests and cane seat.
Source: by Stable MARK - own work.

Thonet Chair Model No. 4

Crafted: Solid bent beech with three-part backrest inserts, rosewood-stained; renewed damask upholstery.

Learn More Still curious about bentwood furniture? Click here to see the iconic Thonet Boppard Chair.

Side view of Thonet chair model No. 4 showing the curved decorative backrest and upholstered seat. — Image: Side view of Thonet chair model No. 4, with ornamental bentwood backrest and upholstered seat.
Source: by Stable MARK - own work.

Thonet Armchair Model No. 4

Model No. 4 gained prominence in the 1850s and was notably used in the Daum Café in Vienna. It is distinguished by its armrests and was among the first bentwood armchairs produced.