S 34 Armchair

Thonet S 34: The Cantilever Chair with Armrests and a Rich History

Thonet ’s S 34 is one of the first cantilever chairs in the history of furniture. With its armrests, it combines the lightness of the design with greater seating comfort. Those who choose it take a seat in a piece that made design history and has lost none of its appeal to this day.

Why four legs when two are enough?

The artist Kurt Schwitters asked this very question in 1927 when he saw the first cantilever chairs. The S 34 provided the answer: A chair doesn’t need rear legs if it can support itself freely. This idea continues to shape how we think about seating to this day.

Cubic, clean, balanced

The design follows simple basic forms. Clean lines, refined proportions, and a serene silhouette make the chair unmistakable. The armrests add an elegant touch without detracting from the overall sense of lightness.

An Idea from the Workshop

Starting in 1925, Mart Stam experimented with thin tubes and used them to develop the principle of the cantilever chair. The S 34 was exhibited in 1927 at the Werkbund Exhibition in the Weissenhof Estate in Stuttgart and caused quite a sensation. Thonet continues to produce it to this day.

A Place for Many Moments

Whether at the dining table, in the study, or in the reception area: The chair fits in anywhere while remaining both understated and striking.