The Famous Coffeehouse Chair: 214 by Thonet

The 214 by Thonet is considered one of the most famous chairs in the world. Its iconic design is known to young and old alike around the globe, even though very few people know that the chair was designed by Michael Thonet as early as the 1850s. At that time, it was still known simply as “No. 14.”

Bentwood Chair

The “ 214 ,” also known as the Viennese coffeehouse chair, is an absolute icon of furniture design and is today regarded as the world’s most successful industrial product, one that ushered in the era of modern furniture production. It also served as a model for other bentwood chairs, such as the “ Thonet ” 233 with armrests. The chair is made of bentwood—solid beech wood that is bent using steam. The seat is traditionally covered with wicker. In addition to the classic beech version, the 214 is also available in ash wood. Michael Thonet was the inventor of this technique and perfected it to such an extent that his chair could go into mass production in the 1850s. With its clean, minimalist aesthetic, this classic has found a place in both public and private spaces for over 150 years. The 214 is manufactured at the Thonet factory in Frankenberg. * For chairs subjected to heavy use—such as in cafés or restaurants—a seat made of transparent, durable plastic mesh is recommended.