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.
Austrian Beechwood Loveseat by Jacob & Josef Kohn, Antique Slat Design
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Queens, NY
Austrian bentwood 'Secessionist' beechwood loveseat with slat design and upholstered seat and back (J&J KOHN paper label under seat). Jacob &...
Upholstery, Beech
$1,980
H 18.51 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Stool Model 616 / S, designed by Otto Wagner for Jacob & Josef Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Otto Wagner
Located in Vienna, AT
Beech bentwood or plywood designed about 1905 by Otto Wagner for Kohn. Original condition newer restored.
Beech, Plywood
Office Chair by Jacob & Josef Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Office chair by Jacob & Josef Kohn.
Bentwood
$3,375
H 41 in W 21 in D 37 in
Original Gustav Siegel Bentwood Rocking Chair / Lounge, Jacob & Josef Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Gustav Siegel
Located in New York City, NY
A fabulous and important original Vienna workshop, bentwood rocker, model# 824, Schaukel Fauteuils by designer Gustav Siegel, manufactured by Jacob & Josef Kohn, Austria 1905 Illust...
Bentwood
$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 Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
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
$17,669 / set
H 31.89 in W 44.89 in D 22.45 in
Original Otto Wagner & Kohn Jacob & Josef & Koloman 'Kolo' Moser Ensemble, 1901
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Koloman Moser, Otto Wagner
Located in Vienna, AT
As pioneer and master of the Modern, Otto Wagner seized the then rather new technique of bending wood for his furniture designs. Occasionally These furniture are attributed to Koloma...
Fabric, Bentwood
$5,700
H 46 in W 40 in D 18.5 in
Vienna Secession Bentwood Angel Motif Settee Bench by Jacob & Josef Kohn No. 67
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Late Victorian bentwood settee bench with angel motif by Jacob & Josef Kohn. Crafted with the companies signature steam-bent beechwood frame, the settee features its striking, all-or...
Oak
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
$5,359Sale 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
$4,240
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
$3,722Sale 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
Josef Hoffmann Chair for Jacob and Josef Kohn Furniture
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Josef Hoffmann Chair Model 725 circa 1903-1905. Rare variation with caned seat and back. Usually found with upholstered seat and back. Chair is sometimes said to be by Gustav Siegel ...
Cane, Beech
A Loveseat Designed by Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman
Located in New York, NY
A contemporary design loveseat by Milo Baughman (1923 - 2003). With fully upholstered back, a single loose seat cushion and two loose back cushions. The rectangular frame having chro...
Chrome
Austrian Secessionist Settee/ Loveseat by Koloman Moser for J & J Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Koloman Moser
Located in New York City, NY
A fine Austrian Secessionist bentwood bench/ canape in light walnut stained beechwood with upholstered seat and back. Designed by Koloman Moser, (March 30, 1868 – October 18, 191...
Beech
J.J. Kohn Bentwood Sette
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in New York, NY
Secessionist bentwood bench, manufactured by J.J. Kohn, design attributed to Michael Thonet. Dark stain beech wood frame, with caned seat. Two extremely minor stress cracks in bentwo...
Cane, Beech
Bentwood Secessionist Leather Loveseat
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Queens, NY
Austrian Bentwood Secessionist stained beechwood loveseat with brown leather seat, back, and sides with ball decoration by legs & box stretcher. (labeled: JACOB & JOSEPH KOHN, WEIN)
Beech, Leather