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 Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn, Woka Lamps
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
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 Gustav Siegel, Jacob & Josef Kohn
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
$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
$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
Fledermaus No. 28 armchair by Josef Hoffmann & Gustav Siegel
By Gustav Siegel, Josef Hoffmann
Located in London, GB
"Fledermaus No. 28” armchair, designed c. 1905 for the Fledermaus Café; listed in the 1906 J.&J. Kohn catalogue. Bent, stained, and lacquered beechwood with cylindrical legs; rear le...
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
$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 Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
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
$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
$4,560Sale Price|20% Off
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
$3,375
H 41 in W 21 in D 37 in
Original Gustav Siegel Bentwood Rocking Chair / Lounge, Jacob & Josef Kohn
By Gustav Siegel, Jacob & Josef Kohn
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
$5,589
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
$4,043 / 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
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 Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
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