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.&J. Kohn - Josef Hoffmann - Dressing table set - Beech
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Budapest, HU
Dressing Table No. 1134 by Josef Hoffmann for J. & J. Kohn Designed by Josef Hoffmann for J. & J. Kohn, this Dressing Table No. 1134 is a refined example of early 20th-century Vienn...
Mirror, Beech
J.&J. Kohn Art Nouveau Waiting Table, Mahogany stained, Austria, Around 1905
By Gustav Siegel, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegant Art Nouveau waiting table, or flower table, on slightly outwardly curved legs, with decorative struts underneath the table top and in the base area. High-quality handcrafted ...
Beech
Wall Hanger No.1368 by J.J.Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Wall hanger no.1368 by J.J.Kohn in original condition.
Bentwood
J.&J. Kohn Art Nouveau Waiting Table, Mahogany stained, Austria, Around 1905
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegant Art Nouveau waiting table, or flower table, on slightly outwardly curved legs, with decorative struts underneath the table top and in the base area. High-quality handcrafted ...
Beech
Jacob & Josef Kohn Dresser
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Storage cabinet by Jacob & Josef Kohn with marble top. In original condition.
Beech, Bentwood
J&J Kohn Austrian Secessionist Bentwood Secretary
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Queens, NY
Austrian Secessionist Bentwood (19/20th Century) small secretary with 2 grill doors and 2 embossed wood doors. (J.&J. KOHN)
Bentwood
Jugendstil chest of drawers by Jacob & Josef Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Jugendstil chest of drawers by Jacob & Josef Kohn. Professionally stained and repolished. .
Beech
$3,372
H 43.31 in W 37.41 in D 21.66 in
Beautiful Sloping Flap Secretary / Roll-Up Secretary, 20th Century
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful sloping flap secretary / roll-up secretary, 20th century Wood veneered with tulip wood and partially inlaid. High-quality workmanship on short square legs, straight four...
Wood, Tulipwood
Mid-Century Modern High Dresser
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning Mid-Century Modern highboy dresser. Six spacious dovetail-jointed drawers line the center of the case and are flanked by leather front cabinet...
Leather, Wood
Gustavian Style Swedish Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
Gustavian Style Swedish Dresser, large four-drawer commode with an antique painted finish, with carved dental moldings, blind fret carings, with...
Wood
$1,980 / item
H 18.9 in W 16.54 in D 16.54 in
Sumi 02 Blue, Nesting Tables, Ringvide, Birch Wood, Scandinavian
By Lukas Dahlén
Located in Visby, SE
This unique copy of the Sumi nest of tables is exactly as shown in the pictures. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. The name Sumi comes from the Japanes...
Birch, Oak
Oak Parquetry Six Drawer Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
A light oak parquetry six-drawer dresser in dawn finish. This beautiful hand-carved oak dresser includes six drawers with mirrored herringbone starburst ...
Wood
$1,600
H 10 in W 25 in D 10.5 in
1900s Thonet Vienna Art Nouveau Secessionist Bentwood Wall Coat Rack, Austria
By Thonet, August Thonet, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful, original, and authentic Art Nouveau (Jugendstil / Secession) wall-mounted coat and hat rack, dating from around 1900 and produced by Gebrüder Thonet, Vienna, Austria. Th...
Bentwood, Wood
$5,017
H 20.48 in W 43.31 in D 15.75 in
Austrian Mastercraft Lowboy Art Deco 1930 / Original, Restored
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
Delicate and elegant sideboard, veneered with a wonderful textured walnut.
Nutwood
Kai Kristiansen Teak Dresser, 1960’s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Chest of drawers designed by Kai Kristiansen and produced by Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark in the 1960s. This cabinet is made of teak and has beautiful detailed lines with his sign...
Teak
George III Mahogany Secretary
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
George III mahogany secretary, circa 1800. The pediment with dental moldings, two glass doors with through mullions, a slant top, desk interior with central prospect door flanked by ...
Brass
Antique French Secretary
Located in Malibu, CA
This early 19th-century drop-leaf secretaire features the traditional Biedermeier ebony accents, columns, and matched woodgrain pattern. Unlike the h...
Brass, Other
1970s Rosewood Dresser
By Reoval
Located in Copenhagen, DK
A Classic Danish dresser from the 1970s. Simple and functional.
Rosewood
Dresser from S.A.F.F.A, 1950s
By Saffa
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Set of maple and myrtle briar dressers and nightstands. Brass tips and handles. Retro-treated glass top from the Gris company of Varedo. Very interesting; under the top there are mar...
Brass
Sold
H 49 in W 42 in D 22 in
Beautiful And Rare Jacob And Josef Kohn Chest Of Drawers Vienna Austria C.1905
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Bernville, PA
Beautiful Jacob and Josef Kohn chest of drawers, Vienna Austria, Circa 1905. Uniquely designed with natural and stained beech wood in a striped pattern. This model is rarely seen on ...
Brass
Large jugendstil wardrobe by J&J Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Large jugendstil wardrobe by J&J Kohn in very nice original condition with signs of use.
Mirror, Beech, Bentwood
Sold
H 30.32 in W 21.26 in D 21.66 in
J.&J. Kohn Vienna Art Nouveau Desk Chair, Mahogany stained, Around 1900
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Vienna, AT
Armchair made by hand in high-quality, shapely bent beech wood furniture, mahogany stained, shellac hand-polished. Manufactured by JACOB & JOSEF KOHN, Vienna, around 1900 Model number T 1253 Measures: Height: 77.0 cm / 30.31 inches Seat: 47.0 cm / 18.50 inches Width: 54.0 cm / 21.25 inches Depth: 55.0 cm / 21.65 inches Bibliography: JACOB & JOSEF KOHN, 'DER KATALOG VON 1916' (catalogue from 1916), DRY MUNICH 1985, page 60, number T1253. Antique furniture from...
Beech
Sold
H 29.93 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
J.&J. Kohn Vienna Art Nouveau Set of Nesting Tea Tables, Mahogany Stained
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Vienna, AT
High-quality handcrafted placemat, shapely beech bentwood, stained mahogany, shellac hand-polished: Four nesting side tables in different sizes with an elegant design, table tops wit...
Beech
Secession Showcase No.60 by J&J Kohn Wien
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Secession showcase no.60 by J&J Kohn Wien professionally stained and repolished.
Bentwood
Secession Showcase No.60 by J&J Kohn Wien
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Secession showcase no.60 by J&J Kohn Wien. Signed with paper mark. Professionally stained and repolished.
Glass, Bentwood
Sold
H 86 in W 55 in D 23 in
Art Deco Vitrine Cabinet, Beech, Jacob & Josef Kohn Vienna, Austria, 1906
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beech vitrine cabinet Jacob & Josef Kohn Vienna, Austria, c. 1906. Labelled (see photos). Attributed to Josef Hoffman. Beech, marble, brass, beveled glass Measures: 86¼ H × 55½ W ...
Marble
Sold
H 93.71 in W 72.84 in D 23.63 in
Late 19th Century Brasserie Buffet Signed Jacob Josef Kohn, 1890s
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in LEGNY, FR
Spectacular and original late 19th century carved walnut Veneer Brasserie buffet double parts signed Jacob Josef Kohn from the 1890s. Open with six doors and two drawers. Carved raw wood...
Walnut
Sold
H 93.71 in W 72.84 in D 23.63 in
Late 19th Century Brasserie Buffet Signed Jacob Josef Kohn, 1890s
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in LEGNY, FR
Spectacular and original late 19th century carved walnut Veneer Brasserie buffet double parts signed Jacob Josef Kohn from the 1890s. Open with six doors and two drawers. Carved raw...
Walnut
Sold
H 93.71 in W 72.84 in L 93.71 in
Late 19th Century Brasserie Buffet Signed Jacob Josef Kohn, 1890s
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in LEGNY, FR
Spectacular and original late 19th century carved walnut Veener Brasserie buffet double parts signed Jacob Josef Kohn from the 1890s. Open with six doors and two drawers. Carved raw...
Walnut
Bentwood Dressing Table Attributed to Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Vienna, AT
Kohn (Mazovia) Make Up Or Dressing Table. Designed By Josef Hoffmann, Circa 1910 the dressing table is model no. 1134 the dressing table 60 cm wide, 46 cm deep, 142 cm(56in) high Stained bentwood frame with rounded rectangular mirror...
Beech, Bentwood, Mirror, Plywood
Austrian 1900s Armoire by Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Long Island City, NY
Austrian 1900's Art Nouveau armoire with a beveled mirror door and brass details. Stamped.