Children’s Furniture 
The natural-coiored armchair shown here was 
manufactured by one of Gebrüder Thonet's 
Viennese competitors. The most interesting 
components are the two armrests and front 
legs, each made from one single laminated 
component. This type of construction can oth- 
erwise be found only in Thonet's children's 
armchair which was available as of the mid- 
1860s-however then bent only in solid 
wood. 1 The question arises: Did the competi 
tors adopt Thonet’s construction for children’s 
armchairs for their large armchairs or, con- 
versely, did Gebrüder Thonet adapt one of 
their competitor’s ideas for their children's 
armchairs? The advantage of this construction 
is obvious: The production is more economi- 
cal, since the armrest and front leg are formed 
by a single component, which can be fastened 
to the seat frame with only one screw. Using 
this construction, you could even do without 
the leg ring in the children’s armchairs due to 
the low seat height; only the higher children’s 
armchairs and children’s highchairs, those with 
aseat height between 50 and 60 centimeters, 
needed a stabilizing ring, which could then 
also be used to attach a footrest. In the case 
of classic adult armchairs, however, for rea- 
sons of stability, Thonet considered this 
method of construction to be out of the ques 
tion. 
1 This concerns the classic children's armchair, where the crest rail, 
the Stiles, and the rear legs are one component. In contrast, 
Children’s Armchair No. 2, available as of 1888, and No. 221, 
available as of 1898-derived from the model numbers 56 and 221 
for adults-have front legs and armrests made of separate 
components. 
Hoher Kinderfauteuil Children’s High Armchair 
Entwurf Design: Gebrüder Thonet, um ca. 1870 
Ausführung Execution: Gebrüder Thonet, Bistritz Bystrice, um ca. 1875; Buche, massiv gebogen, 
Geflecht Beech, solid bent, cane; MAK H 2196/1 969; Schenkung Bundeskammer der gewerblichen 
Wirtschaft Donation Federal Chamber of Commerce 
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