About the Chairs

The chairs are made from bent beechwood with a warm brown finish and gentle satin sheen. Their most distinctive feature is the backrest, where slender bentwood supports spread upwards towards a broad semicircular rail.

Circular forms recur throughout the design - from the rounded seats to the ring-shaped stretchers beneath them - giving the chairs a coherent and softly geometric character. Their compact proportions make them suitable for a dining area, bedroom, hallway or occasional seating.

Design & History

The Ungvár Furniture Factory was established in Uzhhorod in 1882 and became an important regional producer of bentwood furniture. Following the expiry of Michael Thonet’s bentwood patent in 1869, numerous Central European manufacturers began developing their own furniture using the same industrial bending techniques.

Ungvár joined the Mundus group in 1907 and subsequently became part of the Thonet-Mundus holding in 1924. At the time these chairs were produced, Uzhhorod belonged to Czechoslovakia; the city is now situated in western Ukraine.

The design recalls established Thonet models, particularly chairs No. 8 and No. 28, while introducing different proportions and a distinctive fan-shaped arrangement of the back supports. Rather than being direct copies, the chairs represent Ungvár’s own interpretation of the Central European bentwood tradition.

An original paper manufacturer’s label remains preserved beneath one of the chairs, bearing the names Ungvár, Uzhhorod and Czechoslovakia.

Why We Like Them

We particularly like the rhythm of the fan-shaped backrests and the repeated circular forms running through the design. These details give the chairs a decorative quality without compromising their lightness or simplicity.

Ungvár furniture is encountered far less frequently than comparable pieces by Thonet or J. & J. Kohn. Finding two matching examples together - and with a surviving manufacturer’s label - makes this pair especially appealing to collectors of early bentwood and Czechoslovak design.

Condition

Both chairs remain in very good vintage condition.

The wooden surfaces display light wear and a gentle patina consistent with their age and previous use. The original manufacturer’s paper label beneath one chair is worn but remains partially legible.

Both chairs are structurally stable and ready for use. Please refer to the photographs for a detailed record of their condition.

Details

Quantity: One pair
Period: Circa 1920s
Origin: Czechoslovakia
Manufacturer: Ungvár Furniture Factory, Uzhhorod
Materials: Bent beechwood

Dimensions

Dimensions are for each chair.

Width: 44 cm
Depth: 43 cm
Height: 76 cm
Seat height: 47 cm

Delivery & Shipping

These chairs will be carefully packed and shipped from our studio in Brno, Czech Republic.

EU shipping: €60, 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’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 chairs have arrived.