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 J.&J. Kohn Piano Stool, Early 20. Century
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Schwerin, MV
Bentwood piano stool from the late 19th or early 20th century, made by Jacob & Josef Kohn (Austria-Hungary). Kohn was a competitor of Thonet, and after World War I, during the Great ...
Wood
J.&J. Kohn - Josef Hoffmann - Stool - Beech
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Budapest, HU
Crafted circa 1900 by the renowned J.&J. Kohn, this striking stool, designed by the visionary Josef Hoffmann, stands as a paragon of early modernist design from the Viennese Secessio...
Fabric, Beech
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
J.&J. Kohn - Stool - Beech
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Budapest, HU
J.&J. Kohn Height-Adjustable Bentwood Stool, Austria, circa 1900 A beautifully restored bentwood stool designed by J.&J. Kohn, dating to circa 1900–1905. Crafted from beech wood, st...
Leather, Beech
Jugendstil causeuse no. 6611 attr. to Otto Wagner for Thonet
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Otto Wagner
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Jugendstil causeuse no.6611 atr. to Otto Wagner for Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
J.&J. Kohn - Piano stool - Beech
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Budapest, HU
Restored J.J. Kohn Piano Stool in Black Lacquered Beech, circa 1900 This beautifully restored piano stool by renowned Austrian furniture maker J.J. Kohn features a timeless silhouet...
Beech
Secession Stools by J&J Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Secession stools by J&J Kohn with engraved legs. New upholstery.
Fabric, Beech
Jugendstil stool no.715 by Otto Wagner for J.J.Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Otto Wagner
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Jugendstil stool no.715 by Otto Wagner designed for Paris World Exhibition in 1900 for J.J.Kohn. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
1950s Italian Midcentury Piano Stool
Located in Paris, FR
A charming Italian vintage 20th-century stool or piano stool, reupholstered in a soft velvet taupe grey seat with a subtle floral pattern. It is composed of solid wood, beautiful bra...
Brass
Thonet Armchairs by Otto Wagner
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Otto Wagner
Located in Vienna, AT
Beach bentwood design by Otto Wagner about 1900 The fabric on the chairs is obsolete but I can offer you huge range Vienna Secession fabrics instad of. Delivery time 5-6 weeks
Beech, Bentwood
Minimalist Beech Wood Stool, France, 1960's
By Pierre Gautier-Delaye
Located in New York, NY
Elegant stool in the style of Pierre Gautier Delaye Seat is elegantly embossed Good vintage condition minor loss on one corner (please see picture 14) Price does not include ship...
Beech, Plywood
$2,114
H 30.71 in W 22.84 in D 22.45 in
Vienna Secession Armchair by Otto Wagner for J&J Kohn, Austria
By Otto Wagner, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Lucija, SI
Rare and completely restored armchair from the era of Vienna Secession. Designed by Otto Wagner for j&J Kohn
Wood, Bentwood
Industrial Swivel Stool
Located in Vosselaar, BE
1930s industrial swivel stool. The adjustable beech sit has a nice patina as well as the green paint remains on the iron supports. The height m...
Metal
$3,600 / set
H 44 in W 17 in D 20.5 in
Set of 4 Hill Manufacturers Lucite & Chrome Swivel Bar Stools Mid-Century Modern
By Hill Manufacturing
Located in Miami, FL
Exceptional Mid-Century Modern fantastic and rare set of four Lucite 3 legged swivel bar stools with Chrome Round Footrest by Hill Manufacturers made in...
Chrome
Black Art Deco Round Piano Stool Made by Thonet, Original Condition, 1920s
By Thonet
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Small round Art Deco piano chair. Material: Beech Maker: Thonet Source: Czechia Period: 1920-1929 Adjustable height: 45 - 70 cm (18 in - 27.5 in) ...
Beech, Lacquer
$210
H 23.63 in Dm 13.78 in
Brown Midcentury Round Beech Piano Chair, Original Preserved Condition, 1960s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Small round midcentury piano chair. Material: Beech Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1960-1969 Measures: Maximal height 60 cm (23.62 i...
Beech
Restored Beech Swivel Piano Stool by Mücke, Melder, Czechia, 1930s
By Mücke & Melder
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored beech swivel piano stool by Mücke - Melder Maker: Mücke - Melder Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1930-1939 Material: Beech, ...
Chrome
Josef Hoffmann 795 Barrel Ensemble , by J. & J. Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps
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
Armchair by Josef Hoffmann for Jacob and Josef Kohn, Vienna
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
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
$10,336
H 39.38 in W 47.25 in D 19.69 in
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
Original J.&J. Kohn Piano Stool, Early 20. Century
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Schwerin, MV
Bentwood stool from the late 19th or early 20th century, made by the company Jacob & Josef Kohn (Austria-Hungary). Kohn was a competitor of Thonet, which temporarily merged with Thon...
Wood
Original J.&J. Kohn Piano Stool, Early 20. Century
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Schwerin, MV
Bentwood stool from the end of the 19th or beginning of the 20th century by Jacob & Josef Kohn (Austria - Hungary). Kohn was Thonet's competitor, which temporarily merged with Thonet...
Wood
Bentwood Stool, J.&J. Kohn, Late 19th Century
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Schwerin, MV
Elegant bentwood stool from the Art Nouveau period by the traditional company J.&J. Kohn, Austria - Hungary. This stool exudes the charm of a bygone era and, with its solid craftsma...
Wood
Original J.&J. Kohn Piano Stool, Early 20. Century
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Schwerin, MV
Bentwood stool from the end of the 19th or beginning of the 20th century by the company Jacob & Josef Kohn (Austria - Hungary). Kohn was the competitor company of Thonet, which tempo...
Wood
Otto Wagner, pair of stools, c. 1901
By Otto Wagner, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Firenze, IT
Rare pair of stools model number 412 designed by Otto Wagner and manufactured by Jakob and Joseph Kohn in 1901 in Vienna. Beautiful specimen of the Viennese Secession, the stools, ar...
Brass
Vienna Secession Fledermaus stool by Josef Hoffmann for J &J Kohn
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Rare stool from famous set of furniture designed by Josef Hoffmann for Viennese cabaret Fledermaus in 1905. Executed by J&J Kohn, Vienna under catalogue number 728/S. In original con...
Beech
Original Kohn Stool, Late 19th Century
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Schwerin, MV
Original Kohn bentwood stool with Viennese weave from the end of the 19th or beginning of the 20th century from the J.&J company. Kohn, Austria. The stool is made of bent beech wood ...
Wood, Braid
Original J.&J. Kohn Piano Stool, Early 20. Century
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Schwerin, MV
The piano stool is made of solid beech wood and has a seat made of curved plywood with a linear structure. The surface is black and has shellac. The stool is very stable and can be a...
Wood
Art Nouveau Piano Stool, Early 20th Century
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Schwerin, MV
Elegant, very solid Art Nouveau piano stool/swivel stool made of lacquered beech wood with a genuine leather seat. The piano stool has three curved f...
Metal
Small Salon Stool - J&J Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Michael Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
A rare small salon stool, not found in period catalogues. The only known one of this type from this well-known and prestigious company. (Normal stools are 47cm high, this one has a h...
Textile, Bentwood
Original J.&J. Kohn Piano Stool, Early 20. Century
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Schwerin, MV
Bentwood stool from the early 20th century by Jacob & Josef Kohn (Austria - Hungary). Kohn was Thonet's competitor, which temporarily merged with Thonet after World War 1 in the cour...
Wood
Sold
H 22.05 in W 25.2 in D 14.18 in
Documented Viennese Secessionst/Jugendstil Otto Wagner Jacob&Josef Kohn Stools
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Woka Lamps, Otto Wagner
Located in Vienna, AT
Extremely rare and very modern furniture from 1900 designed by Otto Wagner, a pair of stools which can be bought separately as well. Modell 412. Literature: Das Interieur IV 1903 p 7...
Leather, Bentwood