Boppard chair, c. 1836-1840
Michael Thonetexpand_more
Bent and laminated wood, walnut veneer, caneexpand_more
Gift of funds from the Decorative Arts Council with proceeds from the 2004 Antiques Show and Saleexpand_more 2005.117
Not on Viewexpand_more
Indelibly identified as classics of modern design, the remarkable bentwood furnishings of Gebrüder Thonet continue to turn heads more than a century later. The history of bentwood furniture dates back centuries, but it was Michael Thonet, an enterprising cabinetmaker from Boppard-am-Rein in Germany, who propelled the notion of steam-bending woods (and subsequently, tubular metal) into the 20th century, representing a significant passage from craft to industrial production.
In 1819, Thonet began producing delicate, lightweight Biedermeier designs in his hometown, one surrounded by forests. This led to experiments with laminated wood a decade later. Having gained the patronage of Prince Metternich, he moved to Vienna where this side chair was made. Today, this chair serves as a celebrated example in which the stylish forms of Biedermeier furniture converge with a new, revolutionary technology.
Incidentally, we continue to struggle with the correct pronunciation, many preferring the French Tho-Nay rather than the correct German TONN-ett.
Details
- Title
- Boppard chair
- Artist Life
- German (Prussian), 1796-1871
- Role
- Designer
- Accession Number
- 2005.117
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know
Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.