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.
Secession nesting tables no. 958aby Siegel or Kolo Moser ex. by J&J Kohn
By Gustav Siegel, Jacob & Josef Kohn, Koloman Moser
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Secession nesting tables by Siegel or Kolo Moser ex. by J&J Kohn in original vintage condition with signs of use.
Beech, Bentwood
J.&J. Kohn Art Nouveau Waiting Table, Mahogany stained, Austria, Around 1905
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Gustav Siegel
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
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
$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
$5,024
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
J.&J. Kohn - Josef Hoffmann - Dressing table set - Beech
By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef Kohn
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
Nesting tables by Mathieu Matégot
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Trois tables gigognes par Mathieu Matégot en métal perforé.
Metal
$2,156
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
$7,500
H 29.25 in W 22.25 in D 17.88 in
Josef Hoffmann Nest of Tables J. J. Kohn, 1904 Wiener Werkstatte
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Sharon, CT
The four stacking tables with the vertical slats only (better, I think without the additional decorative squared grill ornament).
Wood
$14,950Sale Price|39% Off
H 37.5 in W 87.63 in D 24.5 in
Italian Art Nouveau Carved Walnut Buffet Server, Vittorio Valabrega ‘1861-1952’
By Vittorio Valabrega
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine Italian 19th-20th century Art Nouveau carved walnut buffet server by Vittorio Valabrega (1861-1952). The finely carved walnut body with twin center doors carved with grape vin...
Marble, Silver Plate
Nesting Tables by Haslev
By Haslev Mobelsnedkeri
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of two nesting tables with inlaid stoneware tiles by Nils Thorsen for Royal Copenhagen. Produced by Haslev Møbelsnedkeri.
Stoneware, Wood
$1,515
H 29.14 in W 29.53 in D 17.72 in
Elegant beech coffee table from the Viennese Secession, J.J. Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Argelato, BO
An elegant Viennese beech coffee table from the early 1900s, produced by J.J. Kohn. The beech was steam-bent, stained a warm dark mahogany, and polished. The four slender, slightly ...
Beech
Stained Mahagony Art-Deco Style Sideboard
By Jules Leleu
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
A french stained mahagony sideboard with brass handles, work from the late 20th century. The design is clearly a nod to Jules Leleu's designs and to the Art-Deco period of the 1920's...
Wood
$1,811Sale Price / set|26% Off
H 27.56 in W 21.66 in D 14.97 in
Set of Four Art Nouveau Nesting Tables No. 10 by Thonet, circa 1900
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Lucenec, SK
Set of 4 Art Nouveau nesting tables or Quartetto tables by Thonet Wien, model no. 10, circa 1905.
Bentwood
$1,119Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.56 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
Thonet - Michael Thonet - Nesting tables - No. 10 - Beech
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Budapest, HU
Thonet by Michael Thonet - Nesting Tables No. 10 - Beech Austria, Jugendstil - 1900-1910 Designed by the legendary Michael Thonet, these Nesting Tables No. 10 embody the innovation ...
Beech
Sold
H 29.5 in W 24.4 in D 17.7 in
Beech Nesting Tables by Josef Hoffmann for Jacob & Josef Kohn, Set of 4
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Budapest, HU
Josef Hoffmann — Set of Nesting Tables This exquisite set of nesting tables, designed by the renowned Josef Hoffmann and produced by Jacob & Josef Kohn in Vienna around 1905/06, is ...
Beech
Sold
H 29.14 in W 16.93 in D 24.02 in
Josef Hoffmann four nesting tables model no. 988 designed in 1906
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Budapest, HU
Preserved in its original, unrestored condition with authentic signs of age and use. Dimensions: height 74 cm, length 61 cm, width 43 cm. Referenced in Kohn 1906 Catalogue, p. 52. A...
Beech
Sold
H 29.53 in W 24.41 in D 17.72 in
Four nesting tables Josef Hoffmann J. & J. Kohn circa 1907 Jugendstil
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Four nesting tables, designed by Josef Hoffmann, manufactured by J. & J. Kohn, ca. 1907 Josef Hoffmann designed the nesting tables in 1905 but they remain a design classic which has...
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
Sold
H 29.7 in W 24.4 in D 16.9 in
Josef Hoffmann Bentwood Nesting Table Mod. 986 by J & J Kohn, Austria, 1905
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Remarkable bentwood nestling table Mod. 986 made by the renown company of J & J Kohn in Austria around 1905. Designed by none other than the world famou...
Beech, Bentwood
Kohn, 4 Viennese Secession Nesting Tables, circa 1900
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Kohn, 4 Viennese Secession nesting tables circa 1900 good condition, but patina has to be redone.
Beech
Sold
H 29.53 in W 24.41 in D 17.72 in
Josef Hoffmann Beech Side Table, J&J. Kohn Model No. 986, circa 1905
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Lucenec, SK
A Josef Hoffman (1870-1956) table, circa 1906, probably made by J & J Kohn.
Beech
Sold
H 29.92 in W 25.59 in D 16.53 in
Jacob & Josef Kohn Art Nouveau Four Nesting Tables Black Number 958 A c.1906
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Vienna, AT
Jacob and Josef Kohn side tables/nesting tables, Model number 958 A, set of four pieces. Beech wood/black stained/refurbished by hand. Excellent condition, Vienna, made circa ...
Bentwood