Art Deco Chairs by Michael Thonet, 1890s, Set of 4

The chairs in this Thonet set are true masterpieces of craftsmanship, testaments to a time that seems to slip further away with each passing day. These pieces, now almost impossible to find, embody the very essence of late 19th-century design, when French craftsmanship merged with industrial innovation to create furniture that defied conventions and redefined interior aesthetics.

Every curve of these chairs tells the story of a complex and meticulous process: wood bending, a revolutionary technique perfected by Thonet to the point of turning it into an art form. These are not just chairs, but functional sculptures. The soft, flowing lines of the armrests, worn smooth as if time itself has caressed them, and the solid structure that contrasts with the apparent delicacy of the design, express the perfect balance between strength and grace.

The wood, likely beech, has been carefully shaped, steamed, and then fixed into these enveloping forms that became the hallmark of Thonet craftsmanship. The seat is wide, slightly concave, as welcoming as an open hand ready to support you. Today, finding chairs like these is a rare feat. They are objects that tell the story of an era of refined beauty, of artisans who dedicated days, weeks, perhaps months to create something so simple yet so extraordinary.

To complete this extraordinary ensemble, the Art Deco-style table fits in with elegance and harmony. Its refined and light lines, made of curves that almost seem to dance in space, echo the flowing lines of the chairs, creating a visual continuity that captivates the eye. Even though its origin remains shrouded in mystery, the table perfectly integrates into the setting, with its smooth and glossy surface and a base that seems sculpted out of air. It’s a piece that, though from a different era, dialogues with the Thonet chairs, enhancing their beauty and giving the whole set an air of sophisticated refinement.