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Miniature Bentwood and Cane Armchair, probably Thonet Salesman Sample or Doll Chair, early 20th century

A rare and charming miniature bentwood armchair with cane seat, very probably made as part of a salesman’s sample set or as high-quality doll furniture in the manner of Thonet.

This lovely miniature chair with a bentwood construction, round caned seat and looping arm-and-back structure are directly connected to the language of Thonet’s famous bentwood production. The form is close to the refined bentwood armchairs that made Thonet internationally famous in the second half of the 19th century.

Comparable miniature Thonet salesman sample sets are known. One documented example (see last picture in presentation) consisted of a small love seat, chair, rocking chair and table, with only the table retaining the original paper label “Thonet, Wien”. That is an interesting parallel: in such sets, not every individual piece was necessarily marked, and the presence or absence of a label on a single chair does not tell the whole story. This chair may well have belonged to a similar miniature set.

The piece is beautifully made, with the same delicate bentwood logic as full-size Thonet furniture: flowing lines, minimal material, strong rhythm and lightness. The cane seat adds wonderful texture and casts a lovely patterned shadow. It is a small object with real presence and a collector’s piece.

It would be perfect as a chair for a small antique doll, but also as a decorative object in a cabinet of curiosities, a design collection, a dollhouse setting or an eclectic interior. A miniature object of furniture history.

Condition:
Very good antique condition. The cane seat is present, done in the original manner and in very good complete condition.

Attribution:
Most probably Thonet. Possibly part of a salesman’s sample set or made as doll furniture.