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Thonet chairs…one redone & 9 more to go

In Furniture > Dining Chairs > Show & Tell and Furniture > Mid-Century Modern Furniture > Show & Tell.
Furniture6768 of 14272Greatgrandmother's TrunkBeautiful antique rocker
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    Posted 8 years ago

    leemyselfa…
    (1 item)

    I found this set of ten Thonet molded plywood side chairs in Athens, TX last spring on craigslist for $650. They were pretty ravaged… I think they had literally been in a barn for 2-3 decades, used, abused, weather beaten, dirt daubbered, nicked, chinked & slathered with brown stain, but still sturdy and about the most body fitting, comfortable chairs I’ve ever sat in. Above on right the brown one before and with the green seat the first one refinished. Disassembled, stripped twice, sanded down completely, the heavily nicked and cracked seat, restored to smooth perfection with 8 coats of filling primer, sanded between each, 4 coats of John Deere green, steel wooled between and 3 coats of wipe on poly buffed with a dish pad, this chair took about 2 weeks doing an hour or so every day and letting things settle and dry as they should. The legs and back were quick once sanded, getting only a light natural stain and a couple coats of beeswax rubbed on and buffed away to a soft luster. It was a lot of work, but I feel so rewarded when I look at my new chair and it's shiny now perfect seat, I absolutely love it. Now I just have to do it nine more times. Yay.

    Partial mystery: I know they are Thonet and I’ve found pictures of many similar ones, only two photos this chair design exactly and no information at all. If anyone has pictures, the name, model number, production date or other details to share, I would love to know more about them.

    I believe often, the seats were covered with brightly colored vinyl, however I don't think these ever were, as there are no signs of tacks, staples or nail holes on the underside of them.

    Unsolved Mystery

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    Comments

    1. SEAN68 SEAN68, 8 years ago
      Very beautiful and these should be signed as well meaning the word impressed on the bottom THONET!! Is there a paper label as well.
    2. SEAN68 SEAN68, 8 years ago
      http://www.frenchart-deco.com/produit/?id=2370
    3. SEAN68 SEAN68, 8 years ago
      http://www.antiques.com/classified/Mid-Century-Modern/Mid-Century-Furniture/Antique-Mid-Century-Modern-set-of-6-Thonet-bentwood-chairs-c1950---Item---7146
    4. SEAN68 SEAN68, 8 years ago
      the ones you have are very different and if they are not signed even with out the paperlabel , meaning the word should be impressed into the base on the bottom of the chair still. so these may not be thonet.
    5. SEAN68 SEAN68, 8 years ago
      and the deisgn is very different as well.
    6. SEAN68 SEAN68, 8 years ago
      do you have the listing for these chairs yet from craigslist?
    7. racer4four racer4four, 8 years ago
      I am very impressed with your restoration. Totally fitting.

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