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.
J.&J. Kohn Vienna Art Nouveau Jardinière, Flower Stand, J. Hoffmann, ca. 1905
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegant Art Nouveau jardinière on four high legs, slender elongated shape with rounded ends, the delicate latticework on the wall as the only typical ornament, as Josef Hoffmann like...
Beech, Bentwood
Vallauris Glazed Art Nouveau Planter Jardinière, 1930s
By Vallauris AM
Located in Verviers, BE
Brilliant handmade hand glazed Art Nouveau planter jardinière, 1930s Wonderful Art Nouveau period/ monumental ceramic planter jardinière, h...
Majolica
$750
H 5.12 in W 12.01 in D 10.5 in
Beautiful flower jardiniere, Jugendstil Art Nouveau Eichwald green, Bohemia 1900
By Eichwald
Located in Wien, AT
A beautiful, classic flower jardinière, made by the renowned ceramics manufacturer Eichwald in Bohemia, circa 1900. The jardinière features typical Art Nouveau design. It has an ova...
Ceramic
$2,200
H 12.5 in W 6.75 in D 6.75 in
Japanese Art Nouveau, Awaji Ware Art Studio Pottery Flower Vase, Ca. 1900
By Awaji Pottery
Located in New York, NY
DIMENSIONS: Height: 12.5 inches Width: 6.75 inches Depth: 6.75 inches ABOUT AWAJI POTTERY Awaji pottery was made on the Japanese island of the same name between 1830 and 19...
Ceramic
Glazed Art Nouveau Centerpiece Planter Jardinière, 1930s
Located in Verviers, BE
Brilliant handmade hand glazed Art Nouveau planter jardinière, 1930s Wonderful Art Nouveau period/ monumental ceramic planter jardinière, handmade and hand-glazed in brilliant blue ...
Majolica
$11,032
H 63 in Dm 21.66 in
Large Wiener Werkstaette Koloman Moser Flower Stand, Jardiniere, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Koloman Moser, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
Designed and originally manufactured for the early showrooms of the Wiener Werkstaette in Vienna VII, Neustiftgasse 32-34 - Model# M 0182 The diameter of the pots is 16cm Punched i...
Iron
Vallauris Majolica, Jardinière on Stand
By Jerome Massier
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Art Nouveau Vallauris Majolica jardinière on stand, circa 1900.
Ceramic
Art Nouveau Zsolnay "Pheasants" Jardinière
By Zsolnay
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite Zsolnay jardiniere features a pair of golden pheasants with richly striated plumage in shimmering shades of gold, green, blue, and magenta. As lifelong mates, golden p...
Earthenware
Old Brass Flower Pot Jardinière Art Nouveau Style Mécap Belgium
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful antique flowerpot, jardinière, or cachepot made of hammered brass, with gargoyle handles and lion claw feet. Marked on the bottom: "Mécap Made in Belgium," manufactured in ...
Brass
Art Nouveau Flowerpot Jardinière Majolica Gustave De Bruyn
By Gustave De Bruyn
Located in Poperinge, BE
Small flowerpot or jardinière from the Art Nouveau period, crafted from crackle-glazed majolica earthenware, decorated with peonies and floral ornamentation, numbered 4522 on the bot...
Majolica
$13,790
H 49.22 in Dm 13.78 in
Josef Hoffmann and Wiener Werkstätte Vienna Secessonist Flower Stand, 1910s
By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Praha, CZ
- Design: Josef Hoffmann - Maker: Wiener Werkstätte - A typical work from the early period - Measures: Diameter of bowl 17 cm - A typical work from the early period of the Wiener...
Iron
$947
H 8.27 in Dm 8.08 in
Exceptional Art Nouveau Barbotine Majolica Jardiniere Flowerpot Thistle Motif
By Fives-Lille, Gustave De Bruyn
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A highly decorative and vividly colored Art Nouveau Majolica jardinière or flowerpot, dating from circa 1900. This exuberant barbotine piece features an ornate relief design dominate...
Ceramic, Majolica
Ceramic Vase, Vienna, Art Nouveau Period, circa 1890
By Ernst Wahliss
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Ceramic Vase, Vienna, Art Nouveau Period, circa 1890.
Ceramic