‘233’ chair by the Thonet brothers for GebrüderT1819
Get your dose of design through David Harrison’s blog at The form: A bentwood dining chair in natural beech, ash or stained in a variety of colours with a solid timber back and arms. What makes it special: Designed in 1895 by Franz, Michael Jr., August, Josef and Jakob Thonet – the sons of Thonet founder, Michael Thonet – the ‘233’ chair offers a continuation of the early bentwood style. However, the addition of a back support and arms made it more robust: a good dining chair for lengthy periods spent at a table. A major success in cafes and dining establishments since its release, the chair was just one of a huge number of chairs designed in the early 1900s by the Thonet family as the business grew around the world. During this period, the company had 26 manufacturing works spread across Eastern Europe with factories in Austria, Poland, and Moravia (a state within former Czechoslovakia) and produced as many as 15,000 chairs per day. Available with either a woven cane or upholstery seat (in leather or fabric), the current version of the chair is flexible in both look and comfort level. Expect to pay: $2040. Buy at: Anibou, anibou.com.au.