Today we want to tell you about a design classic: The Thonet B9 Chair. Loved by Architects around the globe, it’s has an interesting history. This model shown below was produced in the 1980’s by TON furniture manufacturer in former Czechoslovakia.
Image credit: Barnabas
As a result of Europe splitting into the West and East after the war, TON was founded as a direct evolution of the renowned Thonet Company in 1953.
Image credit: TON
For some time it continued producing Thonet’s designs despite labelling its products as TON. However TON was still using the Thonet factories and some former workers, technologies as well as owning some of their original furniture patents rights.
Image credit: Barnabas
This model was originally designed by Gebruder Thonet at the end of 19th Century. We can find it in various Thonet sales catalogues under different titles but in general this chair is mostly known as model B9.
Image credit: Barnabas
The main design feature of this chair is definitely the backrest and armrests which is beautifully bent into this neat organic shape which is the greatest tradition of the Thonet trademark technique. The other significant feature is the round shaped seat. We can find versions of this chair with a wooden seat, a rattan seat or later with cushioned seats like this one. This chair has also been produced in different wood finishes and later in various colours.
Image credit: Barnabas
Thanks to this unique blend of progressive technology of bending wood with a modern design of clean forms, this model has been adored and used by some of the most important architects and designers of the 20th century.
Image credit: Easy Shop
One example is French architect Le Corbusier who mentioned B9 model as his favourite chair and used this model in interior of the legendary Weissenhof Estate project in 1927 (see below).
Image credit: FLC/ADAGP/Gonzàles/Weissenhofmuseum Stuttgart
Another example is the American design pioneers Charles and Ray Eames who were using the chair in their own iconic villa (see below).
Image credit: Domus
This particular chair was produced in 1988. It comes with a cream paint finish together with an original red/pinkish cushion.
Image credit: Barnabas
The fact that this model has been produced by both Thonet and TON companies for more than hundred year and is still hugely popular is a great testimony and compliment to this “timeless” design piece.