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.
Late 19th Century Pair of N°91 Chairs by Jacob and Josef Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Brussels, BE
According to the n°91 model by Thonet.
Bentwood
$2,382 / set
H 34.45 in Dm 14.38 in
Set of 6 Bistro Chairs by Jacob & Josef Kohn, 1890 Austro-Hungarian Empire
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Exceptional and rare set of 6 Bistro chairs by Jacob & Josef Kohn from the end of the 19th century. Bentwood chairs with seats and backs carved with be...
Bentwood
$4,050 / set
H 31.89 in W 15.75 in D 17.72 in
Pair of Salon Chair No.423 by Josef Hoffmann for J&J Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Pair of Cabaret Fledermaus chairs no.423 by Josef Hoffmann for J&J Kohn after professional renovation with new fabric.
Fabric, Beech
Office Chair by Jacob & Josef Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Office chair by Jacob & Josef Kohn.
Bentwood
$5,420Sale Price|30% Off
H 35.04 in W 21.66 in D 23.63 in
Very Rare Josef Hoffmann 725 B/F Chair by Jacob and Josef Kohn
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Munich, DE
New belts, foam and zig zag fabric designed by Josef Hoffmann for Wiener Werkstätten. With Jacob and Josef Kohn label.
Bentwood
Jacob & Josef Kohn #7 Bent Wood Side Chair, 1800s, Austria
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A gorgeous rare bentwood side chair by Jacob & Josef Kohn. This piece is perfect for use as a side chair, desk chair, or dining chair. Created by the iconic duo Jacob & Josef, or J &...
Wood
$4,050 / set
H 33.08 in W 22.05 in D 18.9 in
Set of 4 Thonet Chairs designed by Jacob & Josef Kohn, Model No. 380, 1930s
By Thonet
Located in Wrocław, Poland
Exceptional original set of four chairs, model no. 380, originally designed by Jacob & Josef Kohn in 1906. The presented set was produced in Vienna after 1922, following the acqu...
Bentwood
$800Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 35 in W 16 in D 19.5 in
Pair of J. and J. Kohn Austrian Bentwood and Cane Chairs
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare pair of Austrian Viennese bentwood chairs produced by J. and J. John. handcrafted beechwood frames featuring a round handwoven cane seat. Supported by four round legs conjoined by a round stretcher. Each seat is stamped JJ Kohn Austria...
Cane, Beech, Bentwood
$20,000 / set
H 33.25 in W 23.5 in D 22.75 in
Rare Pair of Josef Hoffmann Model 725 B/F Chairs for J. & J. Kohn
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of fantastic Vienna Secession bentwood chairs with upholstery designed by Josef Hoffman (1870-1956) and manufactured by J. & J. Kohn circa early 20th century. These armchairs are model 725 B/F designed in 1905 and are dated from the original production in the Austrian workshop. Quite a rare original pair, they feature ebonized bentwood frame with corner ball enforcement details and wine-red leather upholstery accented conforming decorative round tacks along the edge. Both retain factory label remnants as well as manufacturer's name branded to the underside. Provenance: Purchased from Modernism Gallery...
Upholstery, Wood
$4,288
H 30.32 in W 20.87 in D 21.66 in
ART NOUVEAU CHAIR by THONET + JACOB & JOSEF KOHN WIENER WERKSTATTE Austria 1900
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in PARIS, FR
An exceptional and extremely rare Model N°6009 chair with armrests, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, in dark brown bended & lacquered wood, with superb backrest and airy armrests in folded woo...
Wood
Pair of 19th Century Carved Oak Corner Chairs
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of 19th century carved oak corner chairs from England with a wonderfully carved back, supports and arms, all depicting acanthus leaves and scrolls. The seats have wonderful carv...
Oak
$2,044Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 37.01 in W 19.69 in D 18.12 in
19th Century French Pair of Hand Carved Chairs in Louis XVI Style
Located in Sofia, BG
19th century French pair of redecorated and cream coloured lacquered wood chairs with delicate golden painted finish. The chairs have round back in Louis XVI style and are in very go...
Wood
Sculptural Bentwood Armchair by Jacob & Josef Kohn, circa 1900
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Las Vegas, NV
A rare example of a bentwood armchair from the Vienna Secession era. Designed by Jacob & Josef Kohn of Vienna, circa 1900. Completely original with soulful wear and patina. No cra...
Wood