Ton
Ton – Timeless Craftsmanship
Industrialisation, steam power, electricity, evolutionary theory – the nineteenth century produced many remarkable innovations unsurpassed to this day. These advancements revolutionized industries and shaped the modern world in unprecedented ways.
Among these ground-breaking innovations was the technique of bending wood, a method that Michael Thonet and his sons perfected to create a network of factories dedicated to transforming bent wood into iconic furniture designs. This approach revolutionised European furniture, resulting in the timeless Bentwood chairs and furniture we admire today.
Production at Thonet’s factories began in 1861 in Bystřice pod Hostýnem, located in the Czech Republic. The location was strategically chosen for its logistically advantageous position, surrounded by abundant beech trees in the nearby forests. This natural resource, combined with a skilled local workforce, shaped the spirit of the factory. Over more than 150 years, it has managed to preserve its exacting craft despite several changes in ownership. Since 1953, the factory has been producing high-quality furniture under the independent label Ton.
Work at Ton beats to the same rhythm as it did 160 years ago. Each day, skilled wood benders place hundreds of pieces of wood into bending forms with remarkable precision and care. Their strength, speed, and affinity with wood continue to fascinate, no matter how many times one observes their craft. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that every piece of furniture produced, especially their renowned chairs, is of the highest quality.
Manual work also dominates the rest of the production process. Ton’s craftsmen and craftswomen work tirelessly, each step of the way, to ensure that every piece meets their rigorous standards. This dedication to manual craftsmanship is complemented by the innovative work of Ton’s designers, who continually push the boundaries of what is possible with bent wood. Their designs blend tradition with modernity, creating furniture pieces that are both classic and contemporary.
Ton’s dedication to quality craftsmanship and sustainable practices has earned them a reputation for producing furniture that lasts for generations. Each piece, whether it be a chair, table, or other furniture items, is a testament to the skill and dedication of the craftsmen and craftswomen who created it, embodying the timeless elegance and durability that has come to define the Ton brand.
This is Ton – quality that will last for generations.
About the designer
E-ggs Studio
The studio was founded in 2012 by Gaia Giotti and Giona Scarselli in Florence. Their work is a cross-section between product design, interior design and architecture.
Their attention is directed to unusual phenomena in everyday life and the search for new forms of expression and materials. “When we started to work together, we looked for a name that would synthesise our names – and also contain something that resembled some design concepts. We take “Egg” (from the English) to represent birth; an archetype that is closely linked with every idea and, at the same time, also includes the initials of our names,” said Gaia Giotti, explaining the origins of the name.
They designed the Leaf Product range for TON.