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Matched Pair of Museum-Quality, Antique Thonet No. 16 "Sweetheart" Bentwood Bistro Chairs (c. 1890–1915)
To the Cincinnati Decorative Arts Specialists,
…
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Matched Pair of Museum-Quality, Antique Thonet No. 16 "Sweetheart" Bentwood Bistro Chairs (c. 1890–1915)
To the Cincinnati Decorative Arts Specialists,
I am writing to formally submit a highly rare, matched pair of authentic antique Thonet No. 16 "Sweetheart" (hairpin double loop) bentwood bistro chairs for appraisal and consignment consideration in your upcoming design or fine furniture auctions.
These chairs are in exceptional, museum-quality condition and possess verified, historical provenance that aligns with the caliber of properties handled by Freeman’s Cincinnati:
* Authentic Labeling: Both pieces retain their original, pristine pre-WWI Thonet export paper labels affixed firmly to the inner seat rims. The typography clearly displays the historic "THONET WIEN" crest and branding alongside the Gilded Age American showroom location at "Broadway or 17th Street, New York", dating production precisely between 1890 and 1915.
* Pristine Preservation: The traditional Vienna straw rattan cane seats are 100% original, structurally flawless, and show zero sagging, breaks, splits, or structural fraying.
* Zero Alterations or Repairs: The chairs feature all-original historical hardware with no structural modifications, leg-shortening, or breaks in the steam-bent wood.
* Conservation-Minded Maintenance: The chairs have been lightly tightened to maintain absolute structural integrity, gently cleansed to preserve the historic patina, and conditioned with a professional application of Howard Feed-N-Wax to protect the integrity of the wood and the delicate export paper labels.
Given the immense scarcity of an original matched pair remaining together in this uncompromised state with their American export paper labels perfectly legible, I am requesting a contractual reserve price of $1,200.00 for the pair.
I have attached detailed, high-resolution photographs showcasing the overall profile, the flawless condition of the rattan weave from both sides, the original hardware, and a clear close-up of the historical New York export label.
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- Dimensions
- 16.14ʺW × 19.29ʺD × 35.43ʺH
- Styles
- French
- Seat Height
- 18.7 in
- Number of Seats
- 2
- Brand
- Thonet
- Designer
- Thonet
- Period
- Late 19th Century
- Country of Origin
- France
- Item Type
- Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
- Materials
- Bentwood
- Condition
- Good Condition, Original Condition Unaltered, Some Imperfections
- Color
- Copper
- Condition Notes
- These two chairs are literally in museum quality condition! I tightened them up, all hardware is original and period accurate. … moreThese two chairs are literally in museum quality condition! I tightened them up, all hardware is original and period accurate. They both still retain the original paper label in legible condition. I cleaned them, light steel wool , 0000# . I applied one coat of Howard’s wax and feed. Let dry 24 hours, then buffed off, followed by a medium speed 200 rpm micro fiber polishing using a drill attachment that I made myself just for round and irregularly shaped chair parts. I have a laser leveled steel flat deck. These chairs do not have even a slightest of wobble. The Rataan seats are in phenomenal condition. I gently cleaned seat both top and bottom. Immediately dried it . Then mist sprayed a solution of distilled water 6 parts, and glycerin, 2 parts . I only deal in chairs, pre- art -deco . I am also a master carpenter and a certified and nationally recognized Historic Homes Renovation and preservation company and are general contractors with a 3 million dollar license. You will not find another set like these, unless you pay dearly, as these chairs were fragile and one could actually order them from Sears catalog and they delivered them In unassembed state. So customer assembled their own chairs. Maybe that’s another reason they didn’t fare too well after awhile. These are gallery condition chairs less
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