Josef Hoffmann Fledermaus Chairs for J & J Kohn
View Similar Items
Josef Hoffmann Fledermaus Chairs for J & J Kohn
About the Item
- Creator:Jacob & Josef Kohn (Manufacturer),Josef Hoffmann (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 21 in (53.34 cm)Depth: 19.5 in (49.53 cm)Seat Height: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Vienna Secession (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1910-1919
- Date of Manufacture:1910s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Original finish shows well with color variations and wear that we love. Leather has a beautiful, soulful patina, but one chair shows a 3" clean tears along the front edge of seat and overall cracking on both. Partial or full restoration available.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU800216805412
Josef Hoffmann
The Austrian architect Josef Hoffmann was a central figure in the evolution of modern design, and a leader in an aesthetic movement born in Europe in the late 19th century that rejected florid, extravagant ornamentation in favor of a new emphasis on simplicity of line.
As a founder of the Vienna Secession — a union of artists and designers determined to upend Austria’s artistic conservatism — and later, a founder of the turn-of-the-century Wiener Werkstätte (in English: the Viennese Workshops), a design cooperative that produced superbly crafted furniture and housewares, Hoffmann was a pioneering practitioner of what would become a fundamental principle of modernism: that good design is a way of life.
Hoffmann came of age amidst a shift in the culture of the applied arts, as a conservative order that looked only to the past for inspiration was pushed aside. But what, exactly, would replace that order was in question — and Hoffmann’s career embodies the developing patterns of design’s new spirit. His architectural work reflects his time as a student of the Vienna architect Otto Wagner, who disdained excessive decoration and employed new materials such as steel girders and reinforced concrete to create buildings with airy, open interiors full of light.
As a designer of furniture and interiors, Hoffmann was consistently open-minded about the aesthetics he explored. He was an early adherent of the flowing, organic forms of the Art Nouveau design movement that began to flourish in the late 1880s — but by the opening of the Wiener Werkstätte in 1903, Hoffmann’s designs embraced the beauty of geometry in pieces that feature grids and angular forms.
Hoffmann’s greatest works reflect his ability to combine seemingly conflicting design visions into coherent wholes. His architectural masterpiece, the Stoclet Palace in Brussels, has an exterior that groups together simple geometric forms and spacious interiors marked by subtly naturalistic design details that lend rooms an air of charm and geniality.
Hoffmann’s signature furniture design is an adjustable lounge chair — the Sitzmaschine (1905) — that marries a curving frame with square and rectangular back- and side rests. This piece, like so many others by Hoffmann, reflects a groundbreaking, forward-thinking appreciation for the union of different looks and sources that marks the best of interior design in our own day. Moreover, items offered on 1stDibs — which range from enameled silver jewelry, to silver flower vase baskets and other decorative objects, to sofas, lighting pendants and sconces — testify to the astonishing breadth of Hoffman’s creative pursuits. He was truly a giant of design.
Jacob & Josef Kohn
While the first name that comes to mind when thinking of bentwood furniture might be Thonet (maker of the iconic Thonet No. 14 chair or “bistro chair”), Michael Thonet and his subsequent studio, the Gebrüder Thonet (Thonet Brothers), had a strong competitor in 19th-century Vienna: Jacob & Josef Kohn (also referred to as J. & J. Kohn).
Founded in 1849 by a father and son with the motto “Be one step ahead,” Jacob & Josef Kohn created modern furniture for indoors and out from Austrian beech. At the turn of the 20th century, after establishing itself with mastery of everything from chairs to coatracks and even doll furniture, J. & J. Kohn began working closely with the Wiener Werkstätte, the artisan cooperative cofounded by Austrian architect and designer Josef Hoffmann (Gustav Klimt and Koloman Moser were also members). Through this partnership, J. & J. Kohn produced an array of furniture in bentwood, cane and upholstery, which it sold through showrooms across Europe and North America. Its designs throughout the first decade of the 20th century reflect the Art Nouveau movement that was quickly gaining traction across Europe.
Price wars and mergers ensued during the First World War. Changes in the organizational structure of Thonet included a merger with Viennese company Mundus in the early 20th century, which followed Mundus’s becoming a majority stakeholder in J. & J. Kohn — these mergers yielded the formation of Mundus-Kohn and later, in 1922–23, Thonet-Mundus. The new conglomerate went on to produce examples of its bentwood furniture in keeping with the modern style of the Vienna Secession. While Thonet rebuilt, rebranded and expanded in the United States and elsewhere after World War II, J. & J. Kohn never produced furniture under that name again.
On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique J. & J. Kohn furniture including bentwood wingback chairs designed by Josef Hoffmann and other seating, side tables, beech nesting tables and more.
- Josef Hoffmann for J. & J. Kohn, Bentwood Armchair Model 725 B/FBy J & J Kohn & Mundus, Josef HoffmannLocated in Brooklyn, NYNice example of this rare and desirable chair, in the original dark stained beech, with corner balls enforcements under the seat. Upholstered in a Secessionist style fabric.Category
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Beech
- Gustav Siegel Chair for J & J KohnBy Gustav Siegel, Jacob & Josef KohnLocated in Brooklyn, NYElegant bent beechwood frame with brass feet is the epitome of Secessionist refinement.Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Armchairs
MaterialsBrass
- Wiener Werkstatte Armoire Attributed to Josef HoffmannBy Wiener Werkstätte, Josef HoffmannLocated in Brooklyn, NYRare signed piece of Wiener Werkstatte furniture in beech with Macassar Ebony inlay. The "Wierner Werkstatte of America" insignia dates thi...Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Wardrobes and Armoires
MaterialsBeech, Macassar
Price Upon Request - Rare Ward Bennett Settee and Side Chair in Vintage FabricBy Brickel Associates, Ward BennettLocated in Brooklyn, NYBent ash frame with remarkably clean original mod striped cotton velvet upholstery. The chair frame is in a lighter stain wood but otherwise matches. Chair is...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
MaterialsAsh
- Pair Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 5480 ChairsBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in Brooklyn, NYAn iconic Edward Wormley design, the ‘A-Frame' chair is a wonderful example of Wormley’s expertise in mixing materials into sophisticated, architectural forms. Employing dark stain...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Bentwood
$11,500 / set - Thonet Secessionist Armchair Attributed to Otto WagnerBy Thonet, Otto WagnerLocated in Brooklyn, NYUnusual bentwood chair with flaring side arms, upholstered in Secessionist-style fabric. Thonet stamp to interior frame.Category
Vintage 1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Armchairs
MaterialsBentwood
- Elephant Desk Chair by Josef Hoffmann for J&J KohnBy Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef HoffmannLocated in Banská Štiavnica, SKElephant desk chair by Josef Hoffmann for J&J Kohn professionally stained and repolished.Category
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsBentwood
- Armchair by Josef Hoffmann for Jacob and Josef Kohn, ViennaBy Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef HoffmannLocated in Vienna, ATKohn catalog no 423 on the 1st picture chair which is already sold. The chair is still in original condition (pic.2,3) so you have the possibility to choose the color of the wood and fabric or leather. The price incl. shellack polish and traditionally upholstery with "Backhausen" fabric or leather. Delivery time about 4-6 weeks Lit. Giovanni Renzi, Il mobile moderno, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna, Jacob & Josef Kohn, Milano 2008, S. 226; Julio Vives Chillida, Jacob & Josef Kohn, Catalogo (estratto) dei mobili in legno curvato, ca. 1912, o. O. 2008, S. 2, Nr. 423 F u. C.; Ausst. Kat. Josef Hoffmann und sein Kreis, Galerie Alt Wien...Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Armchairs
MaterialsBeech, Bentwood
- Four chairs mod. Fledermaus, Josef Hoffmann for Thonet, 1910sBy Josef HoffmannLocated in Argelato, BOFour bentwood chairs mod. Fledermaus by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet, 1910s It is one of the most famous creations of the Austrian architect Josef Hoffmann, one of the founding fathers...Category
Vintage 1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Armchairs
MaterialsStraw, Bentwood
$1,243 Sale Price / item20% Off - Set of 4 Fledermaus chairs by Josef Hoffmann For ThonetBy Thonet, Josef HoffmannLocated in Banská Štiavnica, SKSet of 4 Fledermaus chairs by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet in very nice original condition with signs of use. Later limited edition by Thonet Vienna from 1985, signed.Category
Vintage 1980s Austrian Vienna Secession Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Beech, Bentwood
- Rare, Josef Hoffmann Salon Suite Designed for the Cafe Fledermaus, ViennaBy Josef HoffmannLocated in New York, NYOriginal good condition with vintage upholstery, the suite measures: Measures: Sofa: 46" x 21.5" x 31" Chairs : 22.5" x 21.5" x 31". each. Imported by Eileen Lane Antiques...Category
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Settees
MaterialsBeech
- Very rare armchairs nr.813 /1F by Josef Hoffmann for Jacob Josef KohnBy Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef KohnLocated in Banská Štiavnica, SKVery rare armchairs nr.813 /1F by Josef Hoffmann for Jacob Josef Kohn in very good original condition.Category
Vintage 1910s German Vienna Secession Armchairs
MaterialsBeech, Bentwood