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.
J. and J. Kohn "Ohrenbackensessel" Chair by Josef Hoffmann
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
J. and J. Kohn 'Ohrenbackensessel' Chair, designed by Josef Hoffmann
Leather, Wood
Rare and Important "Ohrenbackensessel" Chair by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare and important Josef Hoffmann "Ohrenbackensessel" Chair by J & J Kohn Vienna, 1903 Having a stained beech bentwood frame, and period reproduction fabric in excellent condition. Possibly the finest example of its kind in existence. From the estate of famed antiques dealer Amy...
Fabric, Wood, Bentwood
$2,328 / 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
$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
$10,243
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
$2,444 / set
H 29.14 in W 22.64 in D 18.12 in
2 Wittmann Fledermaus Chairs by Josef Hoffmann, Austria (Customizable)
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Argelato, BO
Set di due sedie modello "Fledermaus" (che significa "pipistrello" in tedesco), progettato dall'architetto e designer austriaco Josef Hoffmann nel 1907. Originariamente concepito per...
Bentwood
Sold|$1,303
H 29.14 in W 16.93 in D 17.72 in
Four chairs mod. Fledermaus, Josef Hoffmann for Thonet, 1910s
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Argelato, BO
Four bentwood chairs mod. Fledermaus by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet, 1910s It is one of the most famous creations of the Austrian architect Josef Hoffmann, one of the founding fathers...
Straw, 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
Purkersdorf armchairs By Josef Hoffmann - not signed
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Paddington, NSW
Totally restored with the original patina. Not signed. Josef Hoffmann (1870–1956) was an influential Austrian architect and designer, known for his pivotal role in the development o...
Fabric, Lacquer
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
Bauhaus chair no.811 by Josef Hoffmann
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Bauhaus chair no.811 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet in very nice original condition with signs of use.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
Original Josef Hoffmann & Kohn Jacob Chair from 1914
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Vienna, AT
A very rare undocumented chair by Josef Hoffmann and J&J Kohn. An identical chair with leather upholstery is available as well.
Bentwood
$1,120Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.5 in W 19.5 in D 20.75 in
1 Vintage Thonet Josef Hoffmann Style Bauhaus Chair
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Pasadena, TX
Josef Hoffmann (Austria, 1870–1956) The Austrian architect Josef Hoffmann was a central figure in the evolution of modern design, and a leader in an aesthetic movement born in Europe in the late 19th century that rejected florid, extravagant ornamentation in favour of a new emphasis on simplicity of line. As a founder of the turn-of-the-century Wiener Werkstätte (in English: the Viennese Workshops), a design cooperative that produced superbly crafted furniture and housewares, Hoffmann was a pioneering practitioner of what would become a fundamental principle of modernism: that good design is a way of life. One vintage Josef Hoffmann Bauhaus style chair Classic Hoffmann style...
Bentwood
Office Chair by Jacob & Josef Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Office chair by Jacob & Josef Kohn.
Bentwood