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.
Original Josef Hoffmann Jugendstil Bench/Settee, Early 20th Century restored
By Otto Prutscher, Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Attributed to either Josef Hoffmann or Otto Prutscher as both of the designers did similar objects in bentwood at this time, and both were using balls or olives for joining the legs ...
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
Antique Swedish Jugendstil Bench
Located in Nijlen, BE
19th-century Swedish bench from the Art Nouveau period. Beautiful piece in an ebonized finish. Upholstered in a new bouclé fabric. The wood details are beautifully carved. A multifun...
Wood
$3,800
H 30.31 in W 48.43 in D 21.26 in
20th Century Art Nouveau Bench - Bentwood, newly upholstered, Austria circa 1910
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Absolute beautiful, early 20th century Art Nouveau bentwood bench attributed to the renowned company of Jacob & Josef Kohn in Vienna/Austria. An incredible timeless design impressing...
Fabric, Bentwood
On Hold|$2,900
H 29.14 in W 22.84 in D 17.72 in
Art Deco Chair by Josef Hoffmann, Austria, Early 20th Century
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Antwerp, BE
Emerging from Josef Hoffmann’s early 20th century work, this Art Deco chair conveys the designer’s central role in shaping modern design in Austria. As a leading figure of the Vienna...
Textile, Wood
$3,592Sale Price|20% Off
H 50.4 in W 64.97 in D 29.14 in
Early 20th Century Spanish Polychromed Hand Carved Oak Settee or Park Bench
Located in Miami, FL
Early 20th century Spanish bench made from oak. The back is exquisitely hand carved with two differents motifs, surrounded by decorative ca...
Oak
Early 20th C. Windsor Bench Settee
By Thomas Moser
Located in Southampton, NJ
An early 20th C. hand crafted bench designed to offer comfort in a configuration for two. Features include bent wood arms, carved splat and formed seat with mortis & tenon joine...
Walnut
$3,600
H 31.11 in W 51.19 in D 19.69 in
Jugendstil Settee designed in style of Josef Hoffmann, done in beech bentwood
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a beautiful Jugendstil Settee done in beech bentwood. It is designed in style of Josef Hoffmann, featuring sleek lines typical for his work. The settee ...
Fabric, Beech
$57,000 / set
H 29 in W 54 in D 28 in
Josef Hoffmann 'Buenos Aires' Suite by J&J Kohn, Austria, Early 20th Century
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Austin, TX
A wonderful Vienna Secessionist parlor suite by Josef Hoffman, manufactured before 1920 by J & J Kohn, Vienna, Austria. The suite comprised of a settee and pair of armchairs or club ...
Leather, Beech
$7,901
H 30.32 in W 49.61 in D 26.78 in
Jugendstil Settee by Josef Hoffmann in 1902, manufactured by Wittmann in 1980s
By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a “Cabinett” settee, designed by Josef Hoffmann for the apartment of Dr. Johannes Salzer in Vienna, c. 1902. The settee was later on reintroduced to the...
Silk, Walnut
$3,600
H 31.11 in W 51.19 in D 19.69 in
Jugendstil Settee designed in style of Josef Hoffmann, done in beech bentwood
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a beautiful Jugendstil Settee done in beech bentwood. It is designed in style of Josef Hoffmann, featuring sleek lines typical for his work. The settee ...
Fabric, Beech
Jugendstil corner chair attr. to Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Anton Pospischil
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Jugendstil corner chair attr. to Josef Hoffmann. Professionally stained and repolished.
Wood
$3,783Sale Price|20% Off
H 38.98 in W 46.46 in D 20.08 in
Vienna Secession Bench or Settee by Jacob and Josef Kohn, 1900s
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Vienna Secession bench or settee. Design by Jacob and Josef Kohn. Striking Austrian design from the 1900s. Original lacquered beech and bentwood curved frame....
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
$18,500
H 47.5 in W 78.25 in D 39 in
French 19th-20th Century Louis XVI Style Giltwood Carved Settee, François Linke
By François Linke
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine french 19th-20th century Louis XVI style giltwood carved settee by François Linke (d. 1946). The finely carved frame, upholstered in a recent cream fabric, topped with an...
Fabric, Giltwood