Set of Four 1960s Model 150 Dining Chairs by TON, attributed to Antonín Šuman

Set of four 1965 TON Model 150 dining chairs in beech with original burgundy upholstery
Four Czechoslovak TON Model 150 dining chairs with burgundy seats in a mid-century interior
Angled view of four 1960s TON Model 150 dining chairs showing curved plywood backrests
1965 TON Model 150 dining chairs viewed at an angle with tapered beech legs and red upholstery
Side view of Czechoslovak Model 150 dining chairs showing angled uprights and curved plywood backs
Rear view of four TON Model 150 chairs showing shaped plywood backrests and slender beech frames
Three-quarter rear view of 1960s TON dining chairs with curved plywood backs and tapered legs
Front and side view of Model 150 dining chairs showing original burgundy textured upholstery
Back view of 1965 TON Model 150 dining chairs highlighting their simple geometric construction
Side profile of TON Model 150 chair with angled rear uprights, curved backrest and upholstered seat
Left rear view of Czechoslovak TON Model 150 chairs showing beech frames and supporting stretchers
Angled rear view of four vintage TON Model 150 dining chairs retaining their original finish
TON Model 150 dining chair illustrated in an original Czechoslovak furniture catalogue, 1960s
Set of four restored 1965 TON Model 150 dining chairs at the By Barnabas studio in Brno
Set of four 1965 TON Model 150 dining chairs in beech with original burgundy upholstery
Four Czechoslovak TON Model 150 dining chairs with burgundy seats in a mid-century interior
Angled view of four 1960s TON Model 150 dining chairs showing curved plywood backrests
1965 TON Model 150 dining chairs viewed at an angle with tapered beech legs and red upholstery
Side view of Czechoslovak Model 150 dining chairs showing angled uprights and curved plywood backs
Rear view of four TON Model 150 chairs showing shaped plywood backrests and slender beech frames
Three-quarter rear view of 1960s TON dining chairs with curved plywood backs and tapered legs
Front and side view of Model 150 dining chairs showing original burgundy textured upholstery
Back view of 1965 TON Model 150 dining chairs highlighting their simple geometric construction
Side profile of TON Model 150 chair with angled rear uprights, curved backrest and upholstered seat
Left rear view of Czechoslovak TON Model 150 chairs showing beech frames and supporting stretchers
Angled rear view of four vintage TON Model 150 dining chairs retaining their original finish
TON Model 150 dining chair illustrated in an original Czechoslovak furniture catalogue, 1960s
Set of four restored 1965 TON Model 150 dining chairs at the By Barnabas studio in Brno
sale

Set of Four 1960s Model 150 Dining Chairs by TON, attributed to Antonín Šuman

€620.00 €720.00

A beautifully preserved set of four Model 150 dining chairs, produced by TON in Bystřice pod Hostýnem, Czechoslovakia, in 1965 and attributed to Czech furniture designer Antonín Šuman.

With their slender beech frames, gently angled legs and curved plywood backrests, the chairs capture the visual lightness that transformed Czechoslovak furniture during the 1960s. Particularly appealing is the survival of their original burgundy-red upholstery, creating a rich contrast with the warm honey-toned wood.

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Design

The Model 150 is built around a remarkably economical construction. Gently tapered cylindrical legs are joined by slender stretchers, while the rear uprights rise at an angle to support a single curved plywood backrest.

It is this backrest that gives the chair much of its character. Lightly shaped to follow the body, it introduces a soft organic curve into the otherwise geometric construction and makes the chair appear particularly light when viewed from the side.

The design is attributed to Antonín Šuman (1924–1998), one of the important figures in post-war Czechoslovak furniture design and a designer closely associated with TON. Šuman's work frequently combined straightforward industrial production with carefully considered proportions, curved wooden elements and an understated sense of character.

A period TON catalogue reproduced among the photographs documents the Model 150 and provides an important historical reference for the identification of the chairs.

The combination of angled lines, warm wood and strong colour places the design firmly within the optimistic visual language of Czechoslovak interiors of the 1960s, with clear affinities to the Brussels style that developed around Expo 58.

Why We Like It

We particularly like the honesty of these chairs. There is very little decoration: their character comes instead from proportion, construction and the gentle curve of the plywood backrest.

The original burgundy-red upholstery makes this set especially appealing. Together with the warm beech frames, it gives the chairs a wonderfully authentic 1960s character that would be difficult to recreate with new fabric.

Preserved as a complete set of four, they are a very good example of how thoughtful Czechoslovak design brought visual lightness and personality to furniture made for everyday life.

Details

Origin: Czechoslovakia
Date: 1965
Model: 150
Manufacturer: TON, Bystřice pod Hostýnem
Designer: Attributed to Antonín Šuman
Materials: Solid beech, shaped plywood and original textile upholstery
Style: Czechoslovak Mid-Century Modern / Brussels style

The chairs are sold as a complete set of four.

Condition & Restoration

All four chairs are in good original vintage condition and have been carefully checked, cleaned and prepared for use in our Brno workshop.

The beech frames retain their warm original finish and have developed a gentle patina, with light signs of age and previous use visible particularly around the backrests and seat edges.

The original burgundy-red upholstery is remarkably well preserved, showing only absolutely minimal signs of age. We chose to retain it rather than reupholster the chairs, as it forms an important part of their original character and history.

All four chairs are stable and ready for everyday use.

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

Dimensions

Dimensions of each chair:

Width: 44 cm
Depth: 53 cm
Height: 80 cm
Seat height: 46 cm