The Austrian bentwood furniture designed by Michael Thonet (1796-1871) was among the 19th century's most original contributions to furniture development. Thonet used the techniques of steam-bending and the pliable nature of beech wood to make chairs, tables, hallstands, cots and so on. The furniture was simple in form, light in weight, elegant and capable of being mass produced, so that bentwood furniture was exported to many parts of the world, including Australia, following its success at the 1851 Great Exhibition. Thonet chairs, and those made by his competitor Kohn, often have paper trade labels pasted on the inside seat rail. Thonet was not the first to apply the techniques of steam bending to furniture. It was used, for example, during the 18th century by the Windsor chair makers to construct bow back or hoop back chairs, and the arched crinoline stretchers but he was the first to more...

14 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Tessa T4 armchair & footstool, designed by Fred Lowen, bentwood…

Tessa T4 armchair & footstool, designed by Fred Lowen, bentwood ply frame with sleigh legs, Slung black leather seat plus footstool to match, armchair height 81 cm, width 78 cm, depth 100 cm footstool: height 42 cm, width 74 cm, depth 70 cm

Attributed to Thonet (Austria), bentwood side table, c. 1900,…

Thonet Bentwood Side Table with Marble Top

Attributed to Thonet (Austria), bentwood side table, c. 1900, with oval white marble top, above four legs with central urn finial, height 83 cm width 97 cm depth 70 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

Bentwood and mahogany side table, c. 1905, circular top above…

Bentwood Mahogany Side Table, 1905

Bentwood and mahogany side table, c. 1905, circular top above four carved legs joined by central urn finial, height 73.5 cm diameter 69 cm. Provenance: The Estate of Diana Kemp, NSW

A set of cane seat bentwood dining chairs by Y.M. Jack & Co,…

Set of Six Cane Seat Bentwood Dining Chairs

A set of cane seat bentwood dining chairs by Y.M. Jack & Co, Sydney, 1960's, comprising six chairs

A matched set of six bentwood chairs, by Thonet and W.H. Rocke…

Matched Set of Six Bentwood Chairs

A matched set of six bentwood chairs, by Thonet and W.H. Rocke & Co, all of matching design, three bearing the Thonet label to underside, the other three bearing the W.H. Rocke & Co. Label to underside, 97 cm high

Jacob & Josef Kohn (Austria) bentwood and rattan bench, c. 1890…

J & J Kohn Bentwood Furniture Set

Jacob & Josef Kohn (Austria) bentwood and rattan bench, c. 1890 together with a pair of bentwood and rattan side chairs by J & J Kohn (3), height 98 cm, width 126 cm, depth 46 cm, (bench); height 92 cm, (chairs). Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney.

An industrial welders chair c. 1940's, adjustable height,…

1940s Industrial Welders Chair

An industrial welders chair c. 1940's, adjustable height, foldable, bentwood and steel. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

An industrial welders chair c. 1940's, adjustable height,…

1940s Welder's Chair: Adjustable, Foldable, Bentwood and Steel

An industrial welders chair c. 1940's, adjustable height, foldable, bentwood and steel. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

Set of four industrial machinist chairs c. 1940's, adjustable…

1940s Industrial Machinist Chairs (Set of 4)

Set of four industrial machinist chairs c. 1940's, adjustable height and reclining back rest with springs, bentwood and steel (4). Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

Thonet, bentwood and cane chaise lounge, c. 1900. Provenance:…

Bentwood Thonet Chaise Lounge, c. 1900

Thonet, bentwood and cane chaise lounge, c. 1900. Provenance: The Collection of Janet and Graeme Webb, Wollogorang, NSW

A cedar bentwood style towel rail, 89 x 69 x 37 cm

Cedar Bentwood Towel Rail - 89x69x37cm

A cedar bentwood style towel rail, 89 x 69 x 37 cm

A pair of bentwood framed cane seated 'campaign' folding…

Bentwood Campaign Folding Armchairs from The Water Diviner Film

A pair of bentwood framed cane seated 'campaign' folding armchairs, used in the film, The Water Diviner (2014), first quarter 20th century, each with a rounded back and a hinged folding mechanism incorporated into the seat and armrests. 116 cm high, 55.54…

Thonet, bentwood music stand, with stencilled musical trophy…

Thonet Bentwood Music Stand with Trophy Stencil (A/F)

Thonet, bentwood music stand, with stencilled musical trophy (A/F), height 112 cm. Provenance: The Estate of the late Janis Salisbury, Sydney

An Australian bentwood and ply hall chair late 19th / early…

Australian Bentwood Hall Chair, 19th/20th Century

An Australian bentwood and ply hall chair late 19th / early 20th century