Armchair
Armchair
ca. 1859 (manufactured)
ca. 1859 (manufactured)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This armchair is a bravura demonstration of the extraordinary design and manufacturing innovations of Michael Thonet and his sons. It shows the pioneering technique of steam-bending beechwood into metal moulds to create curvilinear elements which, when assembled, perfectly reflect the method of manufacture. Thonet chairs were first made in a workshop, then in factories in which the family themselves designed and made all the manufacturing equipment and fittings. This very early example of this model is a mixture of solid wood for the arms and legs, and laminated wood for the back. The capitals at the top of the front legs add stability to the relatively thin legs and would be abandoned in later examples. This chair was continuously manufactured for more than 75 years.
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Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Armchair (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Steam-bent, solid and laminated beechwood frame, solid beechwood and caned seat, stained wooden parts |
| Brief description | Armchair, model no. 1, designed and made by Thonet Brothers, ca. 1859 |
| Physical description | Armchair, steam-bent, solid and laminated beechwood frame, solid beechwood and caned seat, all wooden parts stained. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | ‘GB THONET Wien’ (Impressed mark ) |
| Gallery label | Armchair, model no. 1
About 1859
Designed and manufactured by Thonet Brothers (Gebrüder Thonet)
Designed in Austria (Vienna)
Manufactured in Moravia (Koritschan, now Koryčany in the Czech Republic)
Frame: steam-bent, solid and laminated beechwood
Seat: solid beechwood, caned
All wooden parts stained
Impressed mark ‘GB THONET Wien’
Museum no. W.30-2011
This early Thonet design was a bravura demonstration of the bentwood technique. The curvilinear form of the back was only achievable by using laminated rather than solid wood, whereas the arms and legs are bent from solid wood. The capitals at the top of the front legs add stability to the relatively thin legs and would be abandoned in later examples. (01/12/2012) |
| Summary | This armchair is a bravura demonstration of the extraordinary design and manufacturing innovations of Michael Thonet and his sons. It shows the pioneering technique of steam-bending beechwood into metal moulds to create curvilinear elements which, when assembled, perfectly reflect the method of manufacture. Thonet chairs were first made in a workshop, then in factories in which the family themselves designed and made all the manufacturing equipment and fittings. This very early example of this model is a mixture of solid wood for the arms and legs, and laminated wood for the back. The capitals at the top of the front legs add stability to the relatively thin legs and would be abandoned in later examples. This chair was continuously manufactured for more than 75 years. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.30-2011 |
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| Record created | September 26, 2011 |
| Record URL |
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