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, Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
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
$4,193Sale Price|20% Off
Viennese Sofa Jacob & Josef Kohn Nr.4, circa 1875
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Michael Thonet
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
$7,007Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
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
$2,329 / 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
$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 Otto Wagner, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Vienna, AT
Beech bentwood or plywood designed about 1905 by Otto Wagner for Kohn. Original condition newer restored.
Beech, Plywood
$3,500
H 29 in W 22 in D 21 in
Rare & Early 1900's Pair of Josef Hoffmann Fledermaus Armchairs by J & J Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Oakland, CA
Pair of early 20th Century Josef Hoffman Fledermaus armchairs, constructed by Josef and Jacob Kohn of Austria. Newly upholstered in Josef Hoffmann designed linen fabric. The finish a...
Fabric, Beech, Lacquer
$7,500 / set
H 42 in W 25 in D 21 in
Beautiful Pair of Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Carved Wood Armchairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Beautiful Pair of Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Carved Wood Arm Chairs High backs with high wavy arms, fine floral and foliate carved motifs on the back, arms and bottom. Detail...
Fabric, Wood
$2,400
H 38 in W 46.75 in D 18 in
Vienna Secessionist Bentwood Cane Loveseat Settee Bench by JJ Kohn 1880/1920's
By Thonet, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional bentwood settee, loveseat, bench, by J J Kohn. This charming bench is in excellent, original, clean and ready to use condition, free of damage or repairs. Executed in Au...
Cane, Beech
Office Chair by Jacob & Josef Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Office chair by Jacob & Josef Kohn.
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
$5,488
H 32.29 in W 24.81 in D 21.66 in
Jugendstil Vintage Armchairs Office Chair No 714 Jacob & Josef Kohn circa 1902
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Vienna, AT
Jugendstil armchairs model no 714 designed in Style Otto Wagner, and produced by Jacob & Josef Kohn, 1902. Documented in the company´s catalogue Kohn from 1903. The chairs were made out of mahogany stained beechwood and shellac hand polished. While the frame was made out of beechwood, the back and seat were made of perforated plywood...
Plywood, Beech
Vienna Secession J. & J. Kohn Bench No. 67
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Vienna, AT
Extremely rare, beech bentwood frame with an embossed plywood seat and backrest. First time mentioned in the J. & J. Kohn catalog 1902 with the catalog no. 67. Still in original cond...
Beech, Bentwood, Plywood
$3,970 / 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 Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
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
$8,094
H 35.44 in W 50.01 in D 22.45 in
Refurbished 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
Armchairs by Gustav Siegel for Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Gustav Siegel
Located in Vienna, AT
Armchairs by Gustav Siegel for Kohn (model no. 715) Beech, bent wood, curved, brown stained. Inside of the seat ring inscribed.: J. & J. KOH...
Brass
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 Jacob & Josef Kohn, Gustav Siegel
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 Jacob & Josef Kohn, Gustav Siegel
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 Jacob & Josef Kohn, Gustav Siegel
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