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 Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn, Otto Prutscher
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
$5,230
H 32.29 in W 46.46 in D 19.69 in
Fledermaus Bench By Josef Hoffmann No.406 For Jacob & Josef Kohn 1900s
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Čelinac, BA
Fledermaus Bench By Josef Hoffmann No 728 For Jacob & Josef Kohn Austria 1900s
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century French Chestnut Trestle Bench
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 20th century French bench with a simple trestle base and clean, understated lines. The chestnut wood has developed a beautiful warm patina from generations of use. Noticeable a...
Chestnut
Early 20th Century French Chestnut Bench
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 20th century French bench with a simple trestle base and clean, understated lines. The chestnut wood has developed a beautiful warm patina from generations of use. Noticeable ...
Chestnut
$2,195
H 17.5 in W 40 in D 15.25 in
Early 20th Century Upholstered Steam Bent Oak Arts and Crafts Bench
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Southampton, NJ
An Arts and Crafts period bench of steam bent oak construction with exposed framework, turned ball feet and curved brass accented support stretchers. Custom upholstered in William M...
Brass
$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
$3,495
H 42 in W 73 in D 28 in
Early 20th-C. French Louis XV Style Painted Canapé Settee Or Sofa In Velvet
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an early French carved and painted fruitwood canapé in vintage velvet. The frame has peg construction. There is wear throughout the piece that does not detract from its beaut...
Velvet, Fruitwood
$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
French Early 20th Century Confidant Garden Bench
Located in Round Top, TX
An exceptional early 20th century Confidant - Tete A Tete - Garden Bench from the Provence region of France. Beautifully constructed from iron and zinc with a wonderful form. Fabulou...
Iron, Zinc
$5,149
H 27.96 in W 46.07 in D 20.48 in
Josef Hoffmann Attributed Vienna Secession Bentwood Bench or Settee, circa 1910
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet-Mundus
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This exceptional bentwood bench settee was made in early 20th century and is attributed to Josef Hoffmann designed for Thonet - Mundus. This model appeared in the catalog in 1907, an...
Beech, Bentwood
$3,698Sale 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
Jugendstil corner chair attr. to Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Anton Pospischil
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Jugendstil corner chair attr. to Josef Hoffmann. Professionally stained and repolished.
Wood
$7,723
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 Josef Hoffmann, Wittmann
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