Bentwood Chairs in the style of Thonet, Central Europe, 1930, Set of 4

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Description

A set of four antique chairs in bentwood, with a curved crest rail over vertical splats and a moulded board … Read more A set of four antique chairs in bentwood, with a curved crest rail over vertical splats and a moulded board seat. Originates 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 middle of the nineteenth century and became the most widespread seat in europe: light, strong, knock-down and cheap to ship. Its presence in cafés, dining rooms and waiting rooms made it so common that it went almost unnoticed. Attributed to the thonet tradition or the central european bentwood school (including makers such as jacob & josef kohn or fischel), this piece reflects the formal and structural standards of early 20th-century viennese production, although no maker’s mark is present to confirm a definitive attribution.

the seat hoops and stretchers are single lengths of steam-bent beech; the rear legs run up in continuity with the back uprights. The joints are screwed from inside, the heads left visible beneath the seat.

the beech has taken a pale honey tone under its original varnish, more golden where hands and clothes have passed. The seats show the sheen that years of use give, with the odd fine scratch. The curves keep their tension and the hoops have no play. The set is complete and stable.

an everyday dining chair, easy to stack against a wall and light to move. It works around a solid wood table and suits a rustic kitchen as readily as a contemporary dining room.

details

dimensions:
piece #1: length 48 cm – width 42 cm – height 77 cm – seat height 46 cm
piece #2: length 45 cm – width 46 cm – height 77 cm – seat height 47 cm
piece #3: length 44 cm – width 46 cm – height 77 cm – seat height 46 cm
piece #4: length 43 cm – width 47 cm – height 73 cm – seat height 47 cm
style: vienna secession
materials and techniques: steam-bent solid beech; moulded board seat; original varnish.
place of origin: central europe
period: vienna secession
date of manufacture: circa 1930
condition: retains its old varnish with wear at edges and feet. The joints are firm. Wear consistent with age and use.
this piece is part of the curated collection of amaru antiques, barcelona.

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