Michael Thonet
1796 – 1871
Michael Thonet was born on 2 July 1796 in the small town of Boppard near Koblenz in western Germany (then, of course, part of revolutionary France).
He trained as a cabinetmaker and set up a workshop in his home town, where he made furniture. In the 1930s he began to experiment with bending wood, which he then used in his profession. He first introduced bentwood furniture to the public in 1841 at an industrial exhibition in Koblenz, which was also visited by the Austrian Chancellor Metternich. On his recommendation Thonet moved the following year to Vienna, where he set up his own furniture company.
With his wife Anna Maria he had thirteen children, but only five sons survived to adulthood. Because of them he renamed the company 'Gebrüder Thonet' in 1853.
Interest in bentwood furniture continued to grow, so in 1856 Thonet decided to set up a new factory. Because of the favourable conditions he chose Moravian Koryčany, where he subsequently moved for a while. Production started there in 1857, and thanks to its great success, the company soon expanded to include plants in Bystřice pod Hostýnem and Vsetín. He later also established factories in Radomsko and in German Frankenberg.
Thonet's bentwood furniture soon became a household name, and the German entrepreneur received numerous awards for its production, including the Gold Cross of Merit and the Knight's Cross of the Order of Franz Joseph. Towards the end of his life he was a respected furniture maker. He died on 3 March 1871 in Vienna, and his sons took over the management of the company.
Sons Michael Thonet Jr. (1824-1902), Josef Thonet (1830-1887), Jakob Thonet (1841-1929), and August Thonet (1829-1910) were active in the business. August also served as a member of the Moravian Provincial Assembly and mayor of Bystřice pod Hostýnem. Jakob also served as mayor of Bystřice pod Hostýnem.
Thonet products in our offer
meticulous hand restoration, preserving the spirit of the item and using the finest materials
Each piece of furniture has its own history, sometimes very complex and dramatic, sometimes peaceful. But never ordinary. At the time of creation it was already distinctive and high-quality furniture. The owners knew it. We move its story further, sometimes just by pushing it along, sometimes breathing new life into it. It is only up to you how its story continues.
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I have my own items
We are happy to restore your items according to period procedures and methodologies using the best materials.
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I do not have my own items
If you don't own your chosen item, that's okay, we'll be happy to provide the product and then restore it for you.
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I need to fix the weaving
We hand weave Thonet chairs and armchairs with new original natural rattan fibre.
