Vintage Thonet No. 18 Bentwood Bistro Chair, Wood Seat

Description

This original, curvy beauty is one of the two most successful classics of the Thonet collection; The other being No. … more This original, curvy beauty is one of the two most successful classics of the Thonet collection; The other being No. 14. First manufactured in the mid 1870's by Gebrüder Thonet (Thonet Brothers in German), it has been in continuous production since then with obvious improvements & refinements developed over the last +120 years.

It has been referred to as the "export chair" because the n°18 is one of the most popular bistro chairs worldwide and was exported outside Europe early on. It's simple, yet elegant styling and comfort attributed to this success. That added curved element "inside" and down the middle of the backrest was a key new feature made it so much more comfortable which made it very popular. Finally, the backrest that turn into rear legs are made of a single piece of wood, still steam-bent today, as tradition dictates.

The chair appears to be from the early to mid 1900's so it could possibly be approximately 100 years old or more. It was made in the former Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic) as it is stamped under the the seat. Despite it missing it's brand label (see picture 9), it has the classic signs of an original such as the plugged screw holes on the exterior, the sculpted/carved wood seat and the old-fashion carpentry slot screws. less