Bistro Table attributed to Michael Thonet for Thonet

Guéridon Bistro Thonet Mickael. Michael Thonet created in 1819 a small furniture business. In parallel, he experiences assemblies and manners to bend the wood.

He is spotted by Prince Clemens Metternich, Chancellor of Austria, who becomes his admirer and protector. Thanks to him, he went in 1842 to Vienna, where he presented his achievements to the emperor.

Thonet chairs exhibited at the Wien Museum Karlplatz.
He then begins to work for a cheap furniture manufacturer, whose very inexpensive production methods he will retain.

Employed by Clemens List, the main Viennese cabinetmaker (100 workers), he recommends him to the English architect of the Prince of Liechtenstein, and he is entrusted with the realization of the furniture – so -called “flying” chairs and the parquet floor of the Liechtenstein palace .

In 1851 he decided to create a new company, and developed there chair No. 14 which he created to respond to the order of Anna Daum, director of Café Daum, who dreams of “practical, elegant and space -saving chairs”. Orders are linked very quickly, and Thonet decides to produce n ° 14 in series; It will become its first industrial model and will make its success, even bearing its name.

Cradle, c 1870.
In July 1851, Thonet presented a series of his latest furniture at the London Universal Exhibition, and he received the bronze medal, which contributed to his international notoriety. Faced with the crowds, he developed his facilities and bought his first steam engine. Forty employees work in the company when he transmits her to her five sons, including a chemist; He will actually continue to direct her until his death.

International exhibitions are still developing markets, and Thonet increases production. For this, he moved in July 1856 the factory in Koryčany, Moravia, a region very rich in beech forests of the Black Forest and allowed him to employ a cheaper workforce. The factory employs 300 workers and produces 200 furniture per day.