Hi all,
I did a forum search since I'm sure people ask to authenticate Thonet chairs all the time, but no luck for this particular case.
There are a couple bentwood chairs that I'd like to buy, but I want to make sure they're authentic. The seller says she is pretty sure they are, but there is no "Thonet" anywhere on either chair.
She says there is a ZPM Randomsko label and a "Made in Poland" stamp. She told me that ZPM Randomsko is an official manufacturer of Thonet chairs.
Does this sound right to you guys?
Thanks!
True.
It's true. The factory was founded in 1881. It is still working and produces chairs. See this link:
http://www.fameg.pl/en/id/295/a-1814
Actually, I don't see any...
Actually, I don't see any indication that Radomsko is licensed to make authentic Thonet chairs, even from the website you cited. Maybe they had their beginnings with Thonet but I'm pretty convinced now that what they make are knockoffs.
Thonet was one of the earliest designers to consistently put his rectangular label on chairs from almost the beginning, right? Maybe a design aficionado here can confirm.
.
This book and article may be of value.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/mass-production-chair-ma...
Fameg history.
I beleive that the Fameg produces furniture under the licence. At least they are the natural successor on Thonet Mundus company. In fact I've read somewhere over the internet that they are using some of the original vintage machines to bent wood as the technology didn't change much.
The history:
In 1881 Michael Thonet's sons buy parcel with steam mill. The mill is later adapted to production of furniture.
In 1913 Ksawery Wünsche & Co. factory is set up.
During the WW2 both factories go under German management.
After the war in 1945 the companies are nationalized and have their's name changed to Fabryka Mebli Giętych No 1 former Thonet Mundus and Fabryka Mebli Giętych No 2 former Wünsche. (Fabryka Mebli Giętych stands for bent furniture factory).
In the '50 both factories are joined with addiction of third company Fameg (abbreviation of Fabryka Mebli Giętych) and go under that name as a national firm till half of the '90. Then the company is privatized. It consist of 3 workshops. Workshop no 2 being the former Thonet.
Radomsko factory is a former ...
Radomsko factory is a former Thonet factory, they use original Thonet equipment, but they are not authorised by Thonet/Germany to produce chairs under the Thonet name.
There are also two former Thonet factories, one in Croatia (Mundus) and one in Czech Republic (Ton), they all produce perfectly good bentwood chairs from Thonet range. You can buy their chairs in Conran shop, SCP, etc... price 100£ and they will last forever.
ZPM Radomsko chairs
Hello, I was given these four armed chairs several several years ago.
They have the paper tags on underside of seat, and also a smaller paper tag on underside of arm, These are the numbers I have
143541 sm tag#S27, 144100 sm tag#S15, 199451 sm tag#W22,
The last chair has paper tag missing but the glue is there
sm tag#W24. Are these the authentic chairs,?
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