Antique bentwood Thonet chairs – Central Europe, circa 1930 #9 – Set of 2 pieces

Set of two antique bentwood chairs, featuring a closed arched backrest and a moulded board seat. Originating from Central Europe, where beech was steam-bent in iron moulds and assembled with through screws. The steam-bent beech chair was born in Vienna in the mid-19th century and became the most widespread seat in Europe: lightweight, sturdy, disassemblable, and inexpensive to transport. Its presence in cafés, dining rooms, and waiting areas made it so common that it became almost invisible. One of the chairs bears the Thonet manufacturing mark. The Viennese company industrialised steam-bending of beech in the mid-19th century and made the café chair the first mass-produced piece of furniture in European history. Details. Dimensions: Length 41 cm – Depth 41 cm – Height 90 cm. Piece #1: Length 41 cm – Depth 41 cm – Height 90 cm – Seat height 46 cm. Piece #2: Length 44 cm – Depth 49 cm – Height 92 cm – Seat height 46 cm. Style: Viennese Secession. Materials and techniques: Solid steam-bent beech; moulded board seat; original varnish. Place of origin: Central Europe. Period: Viennese Secession. Date of manufacture: Circa 1930. Condition / Observations: Retains its old varnish with wear on the edges and supports. The joints are firm. Wear consistent with age and use.