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Bentwood chairs are perhaps the most iconic chairs of all time. The name ‘bentwood’ refers to a manufacturing technique invented after years of painstaking research and development by Michael Thonet, the entrepreneur behind the Thonet chair maker Thonet. Bentwood chairs are made by heating solid beech in steam chambers and then bending the now pliable timber into components for chairs. The iconic model number 14 designed in 1859 is the most chair produced in the history of furniture. The familiar designs of bentwood and the soft curves bring an timeless character to any interior. We love everything about vintage bentwood chairs and scour Europe for the best examples, Thonet, Fischel, Luterma and of course Baumann are our favourite makers.
Read MoreThonet was perhaps the critical turning point when design was combined with mass production. In the late 19th century Michael Thonet invented the process of steam-bending beech wood and the ubiquitous bentwood chair was born. Over the next century, it has been the discovery of new materials and production methods that has driven chair design. Two of the most famous examples are the Bauhaus development of tubular metal chairs and Charles and Ray Eames’s development of their iconic fibreglass chairs.
We are champions of the forgotten 20th-century makers of vintage seating and usually stock chairs from iconic names such as PEL, Baumann, Tolix, Thonet, Mullca to name a few. We supply these chairs to cafés, hotels, restaurants and pubs and to private clients all over the world. We have so many chairs that we tweaked our website to categorise them and here are some highlights:
We love everything about vintage bentwood chairs and scour Europe for the best examples, Thonet, Fischel, Luterma and of course Baumann are our favourite makers.
We carry a vast range of vintage stacking chairs, perfect for café and restaurants due to their practicality. Our favourite makers are Mullca the makers of the ubiquitous French school chairs and Esavian chairs when we can find them.
Nothing beats a vintage garden chair, and Tolix is the master, although we love Multipl’s when we can find them, but don’t forget that outdoor chairs can also be used inside for a different look.
A single spectacular chair is a perfect accessory in almost any spot, they have infinite uses, tucked in a corner as a focal point or even next to the bed as a bedside table.
As champions of the forgotten maker our chairs come with a history and provenance and many of the makers have rich stories of their industrial past. We service all of our chairs and make sure they are ready for a second generation, but still ensure they carry the original scars of their original journey.
We love to hear from fellow vintage fans. Telephone +44 (0)1256 760 044, or paul@merchantandfound.com.
We travel far and wide to source each & every unique piece
Every item is restored by hand in our Hampshire workshop
We photograph and measure everything with precision
We believe sustainability starts with lasting craftsmanship
We offer worldwide delivery, carefully packed to arrive safely
