Design & History

Model No. 8 can be traced to historical Thonet furniture catalogues and was conceived as a dedicated table for cards and other games.

The design follows the principles that made Thonet furniture internationally successful: economical construction, practical function and the expressive possibilities of bent beechwood.

Its most distinctive feature is the set of four elegantly curved S-shaped legs. Rather than simply supporting the tabletop, their sweeping forms become the main decorative element of the design, demonstrating the possibilities of the bentwood technology for which Thonet became famous.

This particular example is believed to date from the 1920s and to have been produced in one of Thonet's factories in former Czechoslovakia. The table does not retain a visible manufacturer's label, so we prefer to describe it as attributed to Gebrüder Thonet. The Model No. 8 design itself, however, is documented in historical Thonet furniture catalogues.

Design Details

The square tabletop has gently rounded corners and sits above an unusually clever arrangement of four small drawers.

A drawer is discreetly positioned beneath each side of the tabletop, providing individual storage for playing cards, counters and other gaming accessories. This thoughtful detail reveals the table's original purpose while keeping its overall appearance beautifully uncluttered.

Below, four S-shaped bentwood legs curve towards a central lower shelf. The shelf adds another practical surface while visually connecting the legs and giving the table its distinctive sculptural silhouette.

The dark brown finish allows the subtle pattern and natural character of the wood to remain visible throughout the piece.

Although originally conceived as a games table, its compact proportions make it equally suitable today as an occasional table, side table or distinctive centre table.

Why We Like It

We particularly like the combination of practicality and playfulness in this table. The four tiny drawers hidden beneath the tabletop immediately reveal that this was designed specifically for people to sit together and play — a lovely detail that gives the piece a real sense of its original life.

But it is the curved legs that make it special. They transform an otherwise simple square table into something much more sculptural and are a beautiful demonstration of the bentwood technique associated with Thonet.

More than a century after the model was introduced, it remains an elegant and genuinely useful piece of furniture.

Condition & Restoration

The table has been professionally restored by our experienced craftsman using traditional restoration techniques.

The wooden surfaces have been carefully restored while preserving the character and patina acquired through age and previous use. The piece was hand-finished with shellac to recreate its rich dark brown appearance while allowing the natural character of the wood to remain visible.

The construction is stable and the four drawers are functional.

The table is in very good vintage condition, with minor signs of age and use consistent with its history. Please refer to the photographs for a detailed record of its condition.

Details

Maker: Attributed to Gebrüder Thonet
Model: No. 8
Period: 1920s
Origin: Former Czechoslovakia
Materials: Beech, plywood
Colour: Dark brown
Condition: Professionally restored
Quantity: 1

Dimensions

Width: 65 cm
Depth: 65 cm
Height: 67 cm

Delivery & Returns

The table will be carefully packed and shipped from our studio in Brno, Czech Republic.

EU shipping: €180, confirmed at checkout.
Estimated EU delivery: 3–5 working days

We also ship worldwide using trusted international couriers. Please contact us for a tailored shipping quote outside the EU.

EU customers have a 14-day right of withdrawal. Please see our Terms & Conditions for full details.

If you’d like to check anything before ordering - from condition and dimensions to delivery - Martin and Amy are always happy to help throughout the process, and also after your piece has arrived.