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 & J. & J. Kohn Bench Vienna Secession, 1901
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Vienna, AT
A very rare and early bench, obviously the role model for the famous Barrel chair #720 which was presented four years later, in 1905.
Bentwood, Plywood
J.&J. Kohn – Josef Hoffmann – Sofa – “Fledermaus” – Black Beech & Red Leather
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Budapest, HU
Rare Josef Hoffmann “Fledermaus” sofa, designed circa 1900–1910 for J.&J. Kohn, Austria. A striking example of Viennese Jugendstil, this early modernist piece features a bent beechwo...
Leather, Beech
Viennese Sofa Jacob & Josef Kohn Nr.4, circa 1875
By Michael Thonet, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Praha, CZ
Manufactured in Austria by the Jacob & Josef Kohn company. Marked with very old type of paper label. Newly restored.
Beech, Bentwood
1902 Antique Sofa Set Kohn No. 717, Designed by Gustav Siegel
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Gustav Siegel
Located in Praha, CZ
- Kohn catalogue 1902 - Art Nouveau - completely restored - bentwood beech solids - new brown shellac hand polished polish - completely reupholstered ...
Brass
J.&J. Kohn - Gustav Siegel - Sofa - No. 715
By Gustav Siegel, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Budapest, HU
Gustav Siegel - Settee No. 715 - Designed 1899, Produced by J. & J. Kohn, Vienna CUSTOMIZATION AVAILABLE: THIS PIECE CAN BE TAILORED TO YOUR SPECIFICATIONS. OPTIONS INCLUDE CUSTOM L...
Leather, Beech
Art Nouveau Sofa and Armchairs Labelled Jakob & Joseph Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Beirut, LB
Set of Art Nouveau sofa and two armchair by Jakob e Joseph Kohn, Wien. Bentwood solid walnut with an original upholstery in hand painted silk with typical ...
Bentwood
$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
$2,943 / set
H 34.65 in W 17.33 in D 20.08 in
Set of Beech Dining Chairs by Josef Hoffmann for Jacob & Josef Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Budapest, HU
Set of Two Beech Dining Chairs by Josef Hoffmann for Jacob & Josef Kohn This refined set of two dining chairs was designed by Josef Hoffmann for the renowned Austrian firm Jacob & J...
Leather, Beech
Salon Set by Josef Hoffmann, 1910s, Excellent Condition
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Praha, CZ
Art nouveau sofa set Thonet, J/J Kohn, upholstered in genuine leather, designed by architect Josef Hoffmann for the Fledermaus cabaret in Vienna, Austria, completely restored, newly ...
Leather, Bentwood
Fledermaus bench no.728 by arch.Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Fledermaus bench no.728 by arch.Josef Hoffmann in very nice original condition with signs of use.
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
$1,766
H 76 in W 53 in D 55 in
Vienna Secession armchair by Gustav Siegel for J.J.Kohn, Modell 715/F Austria
By J.&J. Khon 1, Josef Hoffmann, Gustav Siegel
Located in Argelato, BO
One of the most iconic and refined armchairs of the Viennese secession, designed by the famous Austrian designer Gustav Siegel and created by the Kohn company, is proposed here in it...
Beech, Bentwood
Armchair by Josef Hoffmann for Jacob and Josef Kohn, Vienna
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Kohn catalog no 423 on the 1st picture chair which is already sold. The chair is still in original condition (pic.2,3) so you have the possibility to choose the color of the wood and fabric or leather. The price incl. shellack polish and traditionally upholstery with "Backhausen" fabric or leather. Delivery time about 4-6 weeks Lit. Giovanni Renzi, Il mobile moderno, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna, Jacob & Josef Kohn, Milano 2008, S. 226; Julio Vives Chillida, Jacob & Josef Kohn, Catalogo (estratto) dei mobili in legno curvato, ca. 1912, o. O. 2008, S. 2, Nr. 423 F u. C.; Ausst. Kat. Josef Hoffmann und sein Kreis, Galerie Alt Wien...
Beech, Bentwood
Josef Hoffmann 795 Barrel Ensemble , by J. & J. Kohn
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Vienna, AT
A rare Variation of Hoffmanns ‘720 Half-Barrel Settee Lit.: Die Wiener Werkstätte 1903-1932, Gabriele Fahr Becker, Taschen Verlag S. 106 Material: Bentwood and Plywood.
Beech
Fledermaus Armchair by Josef Hoffmann, Stained Wood & Brown Leather
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in San Francisco, US
A “Fledermaus” tinted wood armchair in stained curved wood, horseshoe-shaped structure highlighted with spheres. Seat and back covered in original re-dyed brown leather edged with up...
Leather, Wood
Secession Armchair by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession armchair by Josef Hoffmann professionally stained and repolished. Signed J&J Kohn Teschen Austria.
Bentwood
$7,005
H 35.44 in W 50.01 in D 22.45 in
Art Nouveau Settee No. 717 by Gustav Siegel for J.J. Kohn, 1899
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Gustav Siegel
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a stunning, rare settee Model No. 717 designed by Gustav Siegel in 1899 and produced by the renowned Viennese furniture manufacturer Jacob & Josef Kohn ...
Brass
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
$941Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 21.66 in D 20.87 in
J.&J. Kohn - Josef Hoffmann - Armchair - Fledermaus - Beech
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Budapest, HU
This Fledermaus armchair, designed by Josef Hoffmann for J.&J. Kohn around 1900, is a striking example of early 20th-century Viennese design. Hoffmann, a key figure in the Wiener Wer...
Fabric, Beech
Viennese Sofa J&J Kohn Nr.8
By Michael Thonet, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Praha, CZ
Manufactured in Austria by the Jacob & Josef Kohn company. Very good original condition. It can withstand normal daily use. Fixed knitted seat
Beech, Bentwood
Secession Two Armchairs by Gustav Siegel for J.J.Kohn, Restored
By Gustav Siegel, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Praha, CZ
- carefully refurbished and finished by shellac - reupholstered with quaility fabric from Backhausen - Made in Austria - height of seat 47 cm
Fabric, Wood
Secession Sofa by Gustav Siegel for J.J.Kohn, Restored, Austria
By Gustav Siegel, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Praha, CZ
- carefully refurbished and finished by shellac - reupholstered with quaility fabric from Backhausen - Made in Austria - height of seat 47 cm
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 32.29 in W 47.64 in D 20.08 in
Secession Sofa and Two Armchairs by Gustav Siegel for J.J.Kohn, Restored
By Gustav Siegel, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Praha, CZ
- carefully refurbished and finished by shellac - reupholstered with quaility fabric from Backhausen -Made in Austria - height of seat 47 cm -Armchair dimensions: H: 81cm (47cm )...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 28.35 in W 48.43 in D 25.6 in
Viennese Secession Sofa J&J Kohn Nr.975, circa 1915, Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Praha, CZ
Manufactured in company Jacob & Josef Kohn. Newly restored. Easier version of Nr.720 designed by Josef Hoffmann. Used textiles also design by Josef Hoffmann. In the production progra...
Bentwood