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.
Late 19th Century, Console , Side Table by Jacob & Josef Kohn Wien, in Walnut
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Rare console or nightstand with drawer in wood of walnut by Jacob & Josef Kohn Wien designed attributed to Wiener Werkstätte and produced, circa late 19th century. ABOUT Jacob & Jos...
Walnut
$1,577Sale Price|20% Off
Beech Vienna Secession Art Nouveau Console Table by Jacob & Josef Kohn, 1900s
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare Vienna Secession Art Nouveau console table. Design by Jacob & Josef Kohn. Striking Austrian design from the 1900s. Original lacquered beech base with original la...
Beech
Austrian Bentwood Queen Sized Bed by Jacob & Josef Kohn, 1900
Located in Miami, FL
Designed by J & J Kohn, this mahogany stained bentwood bed features curved head and footboards swelling with decorative scroll form tendrils. J & J Kohn, No. 876, 1900 Catalog. He...
Bentwood
19th Century Louis XV Style Marquetry Side Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century Louis XV style French two-drawer side table, or night stand with inlaid marquetry veneers of walnut and mahogany. Cast bronze hardware. Nice proportions with curved co...
Bronze
Late 19th Century Faux Bamboo Bed
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful French Faux Bamboo Bed with Rails - Rails are 73 inches long each - This bed is a European Size which can easily be converted to an Am...
Faux Bamboo
Spanish Console Table with Two Carved Drawers, 1900s
Located in Miami, FL
Spanish console table with two carved drawers, with iron handles that stand on four legs in the shape of domed columns and in turn carved with straight lines. These four legs are joi...
Walnut
Spanish Console Table with Two Carved Drawers, 1900s
Located in Miami, FL
Spanish console table with two carved drawers, with iron handles that stand on four legs in the shape of domed columns and in turn carved with straight lines. These four legs are joi...
Walnut
$1,195
H 27.25 in W 14.25 in D 12 in
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Period Burl Walnut Nightstand, Side Table
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This nineteenth century French Louis Philippe period nightstand or side table is constructed of solid walnut and features a single door and upper drawer of book matched burl walnut. ...
Walnut, Burl
$1,895
H 31.5 in W 16 in D 16 in
19th C. Continental Bookmatched Walnut Marble Top Porcelain Humidor Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
19th Century Continental Bookmatched Walnut and Marble Top with Porcelain Humidor Side Table / Nightstand. Measures 16" in width, 16" in depth and 31.75" in height.
Marble
$9,319
H 54.73 in W 23.23 in D 17.33 in
Original Josef Hoffmann Dressing Table from 1905 by Jacob & Josef Kohn
By Woka Lamps, Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
An extraordinary modern furniture from the best period of his works. He made trendsetting Industrial designs for the bentwood-industrie. This dressing-table is from the "Fledermaus" ...
Bentwood
$7,750
H 81.25 in W 58 in D 28.75 in
19th Century Viennese Jacob & Josef Kohn Attributed Bentwood Cradle
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Forney, TX
A rare original Viennese Art Nouveau period beechwood child's cradle, attributed to Austrian furniture maker and interior designer J. & J. Kohn (Jacob & Josef Kohn Company). Exqu...
Beech
Art Nouveau side table/console in painted wood, circa 1900
By Thonet
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Art Nouveau - Decoration - Home Decor Measures : 110x69cm H:80cm Material : Bentwood painted black Art Nouveau side table, in the style of the Gebrüder Thonet company, renowned for ...
Bentwood
19th Century French Country Side Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Country walnut side table, or nightstand, with a vertical tambour door above a dovetailed drawer. Finished on all four sides. Small brass knobs. One leg is bent...
Brass
$2,208
H 30 in W 35 in D 23.5 in
Gustav Siegel, for Jacob & Josef Kohn, a Vienna Secessionist Bentwood Table
By J.&J. Khon 1, Gustav Siegel
Located in London, GB
Gustav Siegel made by Jacob & Josef Kohn. A Vienna Secessionist bentwood side or centre table. Original paper label to the underside. Jacob & Josef Kohn, also known as J. & J. Kohn...
Bentwood