Set of Dining Chairs by Antonin Suman for Ton, 1987

This is a pair of Mid Century Modern dining chairs designed by the renown Czech furniture designer Antonin Suman in the 1960’s and produced by TON Furniture Company in former Czechoslovakia.

As a result of Europe splitting the West and East after the war, TON was founded in 1953 as a direct evolution of the Thonet Company. TON kept using some of Thonet factories, technologies as well as owning some of their original furniture patents rights but shortly after collaborating with various Czech designers and architects, they developed their own distinctive style.

These chairs date back to the so-called Czech Brussel style (the name given to the unique Czech Mid Century Modern aesthetic movement of the late 50s and early 60s) but you can also clearly see a Scandinavian influence. The main design feature, apart from the honey brown colour of the beechwood, are the tampered cylinder legs, the oval shaped seat and the two angled rods at the back which support a nicely curved backrest.

This chair type was also produced in different finishes and colours, mainly with a formica top in pastel shades which were very popular and typical for the Czech Mid Century style. These particular chairs were produced in 1987. After all the years that have past since they were originally designed, they still seem as contemporary and modern as ever.

Both chairs are in good vintage condition with only minimal wear but with a patina mainly on the seat and backrest acquired over the years.