TON: The Czech Factory Behind Le Corbusier's Favorite Chair

In Bystřice pod Hostýnem, Moravia, the neoclassical Villa Thonet, completed in 1873 as a family residence, now serves as the headquarters and showroom of TON, an independent Czech brand since 1953. TON is one of several companies carrying the Thonet legacy, which pioneered industrial wood bending. While Thonet GmbH was reestablished in Frankenberg, Germany, in 1953 by Georg Thonet, and Gebrüder Thonet Vienna moved to Styria in 1976, TON represents the branch that developed behind the Iron Curtain. The factory still uses the same 1861 techniques: steamed wood pieces are placed in metal-flanged molds, then undergo multiple manual steps by specialized craftsmen. Modern machinery assists, but key operations like carving saturated wood into molds remain irreplaceably manual. TON collaborates with Czech and international designers; at IMM Cologne 2018, it will present the Chips lounge chair by Czech designer Lucie Koldová, featuring delicate curves, contrasting materials, and hand-bent wood. Koldová describes the process as a creative dance, aiming for a visually light, oversized backrest in perforated fabric framed by hand-bent wood, creating a distinctive and sexy piece.