Armchair c. 1848 - 1860

This Armchair, by Michael Thonet, is an exploration in bent wood. Its pale, matte surface is composed of repeating curves and circles. The eye is drawn to these fluid, organic shapes, especially the curls at the top of the chair's back and where the armrests meet the seat. This chair demonstrates Thonet's innovative approach to furniture design through industrial processes. By bending solid wood into these shapes, the chair embodies a tension between nature and industry. The woven seat, a grid-like structure, contrasts with the amorphous form of the frame. The chair could be read as a system of signs where each element, from the curve to the joinery, contributes to its overall structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. The chair challenges traditional notions of furniture design, revealing how an object can be both functional and expressive. This piece encourages us to consider how form facilitates new ways of thinking about space and representation.