About this site
michaelthonet.eu is an independent reference devoted to Michael Thonet (1796–1871) and the wider bentwood world: people and factories, manufacturing methods, trade routes, catalogues and stamps, design evolution across models, authentication, conservation, and how these chairs shaped everyday life.
What we cover
- People & timelines: Thonet, family, collaborators, and the benders behind the work.
- Places & factories: workshops, tooling, and production flows from Moravia to the world.
- Design & models: from early numbers to café chairs, rockers, stools, and later derivatives.
- Methods & materials: steam-bending, jigs, glues, finishes, repairs, and spare parts.
- Business & logistics: flat-pack packing, dealer networks, catalogues, stamps, and marks.
- Museums & reception: how curators framed the canon and why it still matters.
- Identification & care: checklists for genuine bentwood, dating clues, and maintenance.
How articles are organised
Content is grouped into consistent collections — people, places, companies, models, processes, and documents — with cross-links between related entries. Start with the Articles index or use site search to jump to specific topics.
Sources & method
We favour primary materials (catalogues, patents, archives, museum records) and reputable secondary literature. When accounts differ, we note alternative views and provide citations. Updates are timestamped.
Images & rights
Images are public-domain, used with permission, or reproduced under fair use for scholarship. Credits appear in captions when known. Rights holders may contact us for corrections or takedowns.
Contact
Found a gap, typo, or better source? We welcome suggestions — please use the contact link in the footer.