Bentwood Chair

vc-41-41

c. 1900

Side Chair, Model No. 14
Designed by Michael Thonet in 1870
Made by Thonet Brothers
Bent dark walnut stained beech wood

Thonet Brothers made its debut in the coffeehouse world with chair No. 14, the first large commission for a public space. The chairs were manufactured for the Cafe Daum, a fashionable meeting place in the heart of Vienna.

The coffeehouse was an important institution- a forum for social life, discussions and playing billiards. The chairs were ideal for flexibilty in seating arrangements, being both durable and lightweight at the same time. Identified as No. 4 in the first single-paged catalogue of 1859, the circular leg brace was introduced in 1866, the side braces connecting the seat and back in 1870.

Height: 35” Seat Height: 17.5”
17” x 18”