1920s Thonet Model No. 105 Bentwood Dining Chair

1920s Gebrüder Thonet Model No. 105 bentwood dining chair in warm honey-toned beech
Front view of Thonet Model 105 dining chair showing tall bentwood backrest and wooden seat
Three-quarter view of 1920s Thonet No. 105 chair with gently curved beech legs and open back
Side view of antique Thonet Model 105 bentwood dining chair showing slender curved construction
Rear view of Gebrüder Thonet Model No. 105 chair highlighting its tall bentwood backrest
Elevated view of restored 1920s Thonet dining chair showing shaped wooden seat and beech frame
Close-up of distinctive upper bentwood backrest on Gebrüder Thonet Model No. 105 chair
Detail of warm honey-toned beech and natural wood grain on restored Thonet dining chair
Restored 1920s Thonet Model No. 105 dining chair showing classic bentwood construction and natural beech grain
Historic Gebrüder Thonet furniture catalogue showing bentwood dining chair Model No. 105
Period Thonet catalogue page documenting Model No. 105 alongside other bentwood dining chair designs
1920s Gebrüder Thonet Model No. 105 bentwood dining chair in warm honey-toned beech
Front view of Thonet Model 105 dining chair showing tall bentwood backrest and wooden seat
Three-quarter view of 1920s Thonet No. 105 chair with gently curved beech legs and open back
Side view of antique Thonet Model 105 bentwood dining chair showing slender curved construction
Rear view of Gebrüder Thonet Model No. 105 chair highlighting its tall bentwood backrest
Elevated view of restored 1920s Thonet dining chair showing shaped wooden seat and beech frame
Close-up of distinctive upper bentwood backrest on Gebrüder Thonet Model No. 105 chair
Detail of warm honey-toned beech and natural wood grain on restored Thonet dining chair
Restored 1920s Thonet Model No. 105 dining chair showing classic bentwood construction and natural beech grain
Historic Gebrüder Thonet furniture catalogue showing bentwood dining chair Model No. 105
Period Thonet catalogue page documenting Model No. 105 alongside other bentwood dining chair designs

1920s Thonet Model No. 105 Bentwood Dining Chair

€240.00

A beautifully proportioned Model No. 105 dining chair by Gebrüder Thonet, produced in the early 20th century and believed to date from the 1920s.

Made from solid beech using Thonet's celebrated bentwood techniques, the chair combines an exceptionally economical construction with a warm honey-toned finish and beautifully visible natural wood grain.

Its gently curved legs and distinctive tall backrest give the chair an elegant, almost graphic silhouette - a wonderful example of how Thonet continually refined its bentwood furniture while keeping the construction remarkably simple.

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Design & History

Model No. 105 belongs to an important family of Thonet chairs developed from the revolutionary Model No. 56.

Introduced during the late 19th century, Model No. 56 represented an important development in Thonet's bentwood production. Earlier chairs often required very long pieces of timber to create their continuous back structures. The newer construction divided the back into shorter individual elements, making the wood easier to bend, handle and manufacture.

This more efficient system opened up an extraordinary number of possibilities. By changing relatively small elements of the backrest, Thonet could create numerous distinct chair models while retaining much of the same underlying construction.

Model No. 105 is a particularly refined example of this approach.

Its relationship to Model No. 56 is immediately visible in the legs, seat and lower back construction. The principal difference is concentrated at the top, where Model No. 105 replaces the broader rounded upper element with a taller, narrower bentwood form.

A relatively subtle alteration gives the chair a noticeably different personality - lighter, more vertical and particularly well balanced.

You can read more about the development of this family of chairs in our Journal article on the revolutionary design of Thonet Model No. 56.

Design Details

The chair is made from beech, with the construction reduced to a surprisingly small number of carefully shaped components.

The backrest is the defining feature.

Two slender vertical supports rise from the rear legs and curve gently backwards before meeting the distinctive narrow upper bentwood element. A smaller horizontal support below provides additional strength while creating a beautifully restrained geometric composition.

The legs have the characteristic subtle curves associated with Thonet's bentwood production, while a circular stretcher connects them close to the floor and strengthens the construction without adding unnecessary visual weight.

The shaped wooden seat provides a contrast to the slender bentwood structure surrounding it.

Particularly beautiful on this example is the warm honey-coloured beech. The restoration has brought out the natural variation and grain of the wood, allowing the material itself to become the principal decoration.

Why We Like It

What we particularly like about Model No. 105 is how little is needed to give a chair its own character.

The basic construction is closely related to other chairs within Thonet's extensive catalogue, yet one carefully reconsidered element at the top of the backrest changes the entire silhouette.

There is nothing unnecessary here.

The curves provide strength as well as decoration, the circular stretcher stabilises the legs and the open back keeps the chair visually light. Every element appears to have a reason for being there.

We also love the colour of this particular example. The warm honey tone and visible grain give the otherwise highly rational construction a softer, more individual character.

More than a century after the model was developed, its simplicity still feels remarkably fresh - which perhaps explains why Thonet's bentwood furniture has remained so influential for so long.

Condition & Restoration

The chair has undergone a careful professional restoration.

Our experienced craftsman strengthened and restored the wooden construction using traditional techniques while respecting the age and character of the piece.

Particular care was taken to preserve and revive the natural pattern of the beech, including the seat and backrest. The surfaces were subsequently hand-finished with shellac varnish, restoring their warm depth and gentle gloss.

The chair remains in excellent vintage condition with only minor signs of age and previous use.

The construction is stable and the chair is ready for everyday use.

Please refer to the photographs for a detailed record of its condition.

Details

Model: No. 105
Designer: Unknown
Manufacturer: Gebrüder Thonet
Period: Early 20th century, circa 1920s
Origin: Austria / Central Europe
Materials: Beech
Condition: Professionally restored
Quantity: 1

Dimensions

Width: 40 cm
Depth: 51 cm
Height: 87 cm
Seat height: 47 cm

Delivery & Returns

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

EU shipping: €40, confirmed at checkout

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 would like to check anything before ordering - from condition and dimensions to delivery - Martin and Amy are always happy to help before and after your purchase.