Gebrüder Thonet (Austrian, founded Vienna, 1842). Settee for Dolls, mid 1880's. Copper beech, modern caning, 12 1/4 x 14 1/4 x 9 1/4 in. (31.1 x 36.2 x 23.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Dr. Barry R. Harwood, 84.277. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 84.277_bw.jpg)
Gebrüder Thonet (Austrian, founded Vienna, 1842). Settee for Dolls, mid 1880's. Copper beech, modern caning, 12 1/4 x 14 1/4 x 9 1/4 in. (31.1 x 36.2 x 23.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Dr. Barry R. Harwood, 84.277. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 84.277_PS6.jpg)
Settee for Dolls
Decorative Arts and Design
Michael Thonet (1796-1871)
Bentwood furniture, perhaps the most ubiquitous type of furniture worldwide, is indebted to the nineteenth-century innovations of Michael Thonet. Although the process—which involves steaming wood and bending it into curved shapes—had been used since ancient times to manufacture not only furniture but also wheels, barrels, and boat hulls, Thonet’s application of it in the 1830s was revolutionary. Thonet was the first designer to fuse the means of production and design to create superior products: his chairs were stronger, lighter, and less expensive than traditionally made ones. He was also a master of marketing, selling his designs through catalogues and an international chain of stores. He offered the same piece of furniture in different colors, and he produced pieces for adults, children, and even dolls (as seen here) to capture as much of the consumer market as possible.
Bentwood furniture, perhaps the most ubiquitous type of furniture worldwide, is indebted to the nineteenth-century innovations of Michael Thonet. Although the process—which involves steaming wood and bending it into curved shapes—had been used since ancient times to manufacture not only furniture but also wheels, barrels, and boat hulls, Thonet’s application of it in the 1830s was revolutionary. Thonet was the first designer to fuse the means of production and design to create superior products: his chairs were stronger, lighter, and less expensive than traditionally made ones. He was also a master of marketing, selling his designs through catalogues and an international chain of stores. He offered the same piece of furniture in different colors, and he produced pieces for adults, children, and even dolls (as seen here) to capture as much of the consumer market as possible.
MANUFACTURER
Gebrüder Thonet, Austrian, founded Vienna, 1842
MEDIUM
Copper beech, modern caning
DATES
mid 1880's
DIMENSIONS
12 1/4 x 14 1/4 x 9 1/4 in. (31.1 x 36.2 x 23.5 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Decorative Arts and Design
ACCESSION NUMBER
84.277
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Dr. Barry R. Harwood
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Settee for dolls, steam-bent beech wood. Typical bentwood settee form, miniature for doll size. The rear legs, stiles and back made from a single length of wood into which are set two horseshoe-shaped open back rests, and from which horizontally extends a long, irregular, oval-shaped seat, and above, a pair of sinuous arms that begin vertically at the back, then descend horizontally to form arms, and then vertically again to support the front of the seat rail and form front legs. Model No. 1.
CONDITION: Numerous surface gouges and scratches, none recent. Two arm/leg pieces are not identically splayed. Chair was recaned by donor to match original cane, was recently damaged.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Gebrüder Thonet (Austrian, founded Vienna, 1842). Settee for Dolls, mid 1880's. Copper beech, modern caning, 12 1/4 x 14 1/4 x 9 1/4 in. (31.1 x 36.2 x 23.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Dr. Barry R. Harwood, 84.277. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 84.277_bw.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 84.277_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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