Bentwood furniture dates as far back as the middle ages, but it is the 19thcentury germanaustrian cabinetmaker michael thonet who is most often associated with this nowclassic technique. Bentwood furniture is highly recognizable because it has a curved, rounded or otherwise bent pieces of timber to form the arms or back of a chair. Following a carpenters apprenticeship, thonet set himself up as an independent cabinetmaker in 1819. In furniture making this method is often used in the production of rocking. In about the same time, a furniture factory called the wernicke co was set up in grand rapids, michigan. Bentwood furniture, based in grants pass, oregon, has been building heirloomquality, solid hardwood furniture for 40 years. Add a couple to your living room for a pop of color and additional seating. Bent wood and metal furniture 18501946 ostergard, derek e. Jul 17, 2017 consult an authoritative source and study the pictures to familiarize yourself with the different designs of different eras. The bentwood furniture developed by michael thonet made style history and. So this week i thought i would touch on the work of thonet, one of the most recognized chair designers in history. Thonet bentwood chair thonet furniture bauhaus 2 your house. The companys name is changed to ton, which is an abbreviation of the czech tovarna na ohybany nabytek literally.
Furniture was now affordable for and available to the general public. Roguewood furniture represents the latest version of a long line of furniture products that began around 100 years ago when the arts and crafts movement began. Thonet heritage modern commercial modular furniture for. As its name suggests, the bentwood chair is made using a unique woodbending technique that makes it sturdy yet stylish, with a simple beauty thats. The history of thonet is often focused toward its bentwood range, but it had an earlier history and an important role with metal tube furniture of. Furniture labels and marks have been used since the 19th century, and the number of marks out there is mindboggling in his book arts and crafts shopmarks, author bruce e. Thonet brothers austrian bentwood furniture, brunswickbalke. Oct 27, 2011 furniture was now affordable for and available to the general public. This book shows the personal preference of the authors for bentwood chairs on one. In the 1830s, thonet attempted to construct furniture, mainly chairs, from bent wooden slats and glue. Thonet used the techniques of steambending and the pliable nature of beech wood to. Shop bentwood furniture and other bentwood furniture from the worlds best dealers at 1stdibs.
The atlas of furniture design is the most comprehensive overview of the history of furniture design ever published. The bentwood range grew to include a wide range of public, private, work and leisure furniture. The first chair to be massproduced was the bentwood, developed by michael thonet toenet. Ostergard editor see all 2 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Ostergard michael thonet and the development of bentwood furniture.
A brief history of bentwood furniture the handbook. Interior design enthusiast, she works on the communication side, focusing on content marketing, inbound marketing, and event organization. A more refined take on our popular scoopback chair, the crest bentwood chairs curvy silhouette and rich walnutveneer finish bring easy elegance to the dining room. Bugholz, vielschichtig thonet and modern furniture design morawa. Several other smaller production centres are allied with the factory. Bentwood furniture, type of furniture made by bending wooden rods into the required shape after they have been heated with steam. He trained as an apprentice and established his own cabinet making firm in 1819. Bentwood designs by michael thonet are unlike any other furniture. While the bentwood chair may seem sleek and modern, its design is actually centuries old. The 1904 illustrated catalogue, by gebruder and michael thonet describes the dimensions of these rockers, and illustrates their designs through the years. Complemented by loans from international collections, the book. The 1,028page book documents 1,740 objects by 546 designers and 565 manufacturers and features more than 2,500 images, from detailed object photographs to historical documentation such as interiors, patents, brochures, and. Michael thonet 2 july 1796 3 march 1871 was a germanaustrian cabinet maker, known for the invention of bentwood furniture. Bentwood objects are those made by wetting wood either by soaking or by steaming, then bending it and letting it harden into curved shapes and patterns in furniture making this method is often used in the production of rocking chairs, cafe chairs, and other light furniture.
Thonet bentwood furniture exhibited ath the crystal palace. How to tell the age of a thonet bentwood wicker rocker. North american bent chair company north american bent chair. It is amazing that a chair that is nearly 150 years old in design is still. Weaving of cane seats and backs vienna bentwood side chair, 1876 model 1953 model. The origin of the bentwood or thonet chair from the 19th to the 20th century interesting facts about bentwood chairs. Gebruder thonet, the austrian company founded in 1853 by german cabinet maker michael thonet 17961871 and his five sons, had 52 factories in europe by 1900, making bentwood furniture. Although carving and inlays were used, furniture was not overdecorated. Jul 17, 2017 the bentwood range grew to include a wide range of public, private, work and leisure furniture. They began the furnituremaking plant known as the north american bent chair co. Michael thonet was an innovator in the bentwood furniture making industry, and his creations remain a favorite among designer furniture fans today.
Thonet in 1856 patented a method for bending solid wood through the use of steam, and from there the bentwood look skyrocketed to furniture fame. This catalogue includes the first folding chair, the first tip up theatre seating, and the iconic bentwood rocking chair. In the 1830s, he invented the vienna bentwood chair, those wooden chairs with rounded cane. Gently used thonet furniture up to 50% off at chairish. Michael thonet germanaustrian, 17961871 was the founder of the furniture firm which bears his name. Thonet was the son of the master tanner franz anton thonet of boppard. Collection, the museum of modern art frame 16 bentwood rocking chair, i860. Although this method of bending wood was used by makers of the windsor chair in the 18th century, it was not until the 1840s that its possibilities were exploited fully. Giedion in his book mechanization takes command terms them form purified by. She is the coauthor of a book, with giovanni renzi, entitled antonio volpe company, italian design challenges the gebruder thonet.
While bentwood furniture seems sleek and modern, its origins are decidedly 19th century. Lodgecraft furniture history and background information. How to tell the age of a thonet bentwood wicker rocker hunker. It was the first factory in canada to develop the bentwood chair, made by a process in which the wood was heated by steam and then bent to the desired shape. Lara the book contains a revised history by wolfgang thillmann which gives an.
Our rustic hickory twig furniture collection is a great way to bring the outdoors in to any cottage or country style home. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Bent wood and metal furniture 18501946 hardcover may 1, 1987. There is something about bentwood furniture that is classic, clean and sculptural. Learn about bentwood the austrian bentwood furniture designed by michael thonet 17961871 was among the 19th centurys most original contributions to furniture development. Irma and paul milstein division of united states history, local history and genealogy, the new york public library. Some pieces of bentwood furniture is a series of elaborate turns and twists, while other bentwood has just a curved back with a second curve inside the first. This is why experts say and we agree that owning a thonet chair means owning a piece of history. The following is one such feature from log home design ideas emphasizing our history. Michael thonet died on the 3rd of march 1876 but his family continued his legacy by producing and experimenting with the bentwood methods. Bentwood news newspapers books scholar jstor january 20 learn how and when to remove this. Bentwood chairs are certainly the most recognizable and one of the most established chairs that have ever been produced. Bentwood objects are those made by wetting wood then bending it and letting it harden into curved shapes and patterns.
They began the furniture making plant known as the north american bent chair co. Michael thonet style bentwood chair made in krakow, poland. These pieces represented a unique combination of simple yet functional styling and quality construction. The detail of these handmade bentwood pieces is exquisite and the style is timeless. Bentwood objects are those made by wetting wood either by soaking or by steaming, then bending it and letting it harden into curved shapes and patterns. Sadly, the large manufacturers put the small furniture makers and shops out of business. Yeiser set up a furniture factory called the globe files co in cincinnati in 1882. Michael thonet was an innovator in the bentwood furnituremaking industry, and his creations remain a favorite among designer furniture fans today.
If the rich legacy doesnt entice you, do it for comfort and stylea thonet bentwood chair brings the casualchic vibes. Polish bentwood furniture industry, krakow poland single side chair with a solid seat, bears remains of makers label under seat. We offer a wide ranging collection of new and antique bentwood seating, dating from the 1870s to today. Bentwood mission furniture arts and crafts style mission. The history of the bentwood chair 24 february, 2017. May 04, 2020 michael thonet germanaustrian, 17961871 was the founder of the furniture firm which bears his name. Consult an authoritative source and study the pictures to familiarize yourself with the different designs of different eras. Bentwood chairsthere is a timeless classic to michael thonets bentwood chair. Unique hickory twig furniture designs are available in hickory twig beds, hickory twig chairs, hickory twig dining chairs, hickory twig. The history of the bentwood chair industry blog serenity made. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. The greek history of furniture can be traced back to the heritage of egyptian furniture, evolving into softer lines, subtle and elegant curves, and more attention was given to comfort. The tantalizing treasures of thonetthonets tantalizing treasures. The history of thonet is often focused toward its bentwood range, but it had an earlier history and an important role with metal tube furniture of the bauhaus period.
Greek furniture styles were simple, elegant and tasteful. The name thonet quickly became synonymous with a high standard of exquisite craftsmanship and thonets bentwood products soon joined the ranks of. The factory started manufacturing office and filing furniture. In my mind, what makes michael thonet 17961871 one of the most fascinating furniture designers is his clean and modern design which far predates. In 1830, michael thonet began experimenting with what was soon to be known as bentwood furniture and it was not long before thonet and his sons were producing this furniture on an industrial scale. But bentwood furniture for years was chiefly famous for being. Today, the interest in thonet bentwood furniture is enormous. The museum of modern arts exhibition history from our founding in. Bent wood and metal furniture, 18501946 book, 1987. Thonet used the techniques of steambending and the pliable nature of beech wood to make chairs, tables, hallstands, cots and so on. In furniture making this method is often used in the production of rocking chairs, cafe chairs, and other light furniture.
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