Josef Hoffman Pair of Secessionist Bentwood Barrel Back Arm Chairs for J&J Kohn
View Similar Items
Josef Hoffman Pair of Secessionist Bentwood Barrel Back Arm Chairs for J&J Kohn
About the Item
- Creator:Jacob & Josef Kohn (Maker),Josef Hoffmann (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 26.5 in (67.31 cm)Width: 22.75 in (57.79 cm)Length: 26.5 in (67.31 cm)Seat Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Style:Art Nouveau (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1919
- Condition:Refinished. Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. Beautifully refinished and rehupolstered.
- Seller Location:Philadelphia, PA
- Reference Number:Seller: AJM1stDibs: LU1273224095592
Josef Hoffmann
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 favor of a new emphasis on simplicity of line.
As a founder of the Vienna Secession — a union of artists and designers determined to upend Austria’s artistic conservatism — and later, 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.
Hoffmann came of age amidst a shift in the culture of the applied arts, as a conservative order that looked only to the past for inspiration was pushed aside. But what, exactly, would replace that order was in question — and Hoffmann’s career embodies the developing patterns of design’s new spirit. His architectural work reflects his time as a student of the Vienna architect Otto Wagner, who disdained excessive decoration and employed new materials such as steel girders and reinforced concrete to create buildings with airy, open interiors full of light.
As a designer of furniture and interiors, Hoffmann was consistently open-minded about the aesthetics he explored. He was an early adherent of the flowing, organic forms of the Art Nouveau design movement that began to flourish in the late 1880s — but by the opening of the Wiener Werkstätte in 1903, Hoffmann’s designs embraced the beauty of geometry in pieces that feature grids and angular forms.
Hoffmann’s greatest works reflect his ability to combine seemingly conflicting design visions into coherent wholes. His architectural masterpiece, the Stoclet Palace in Brussels, has an exterior that groups together simple geometric forms and spacious interiors marked by subtly naturalistic design details that lend rooms an air of charm and geniality.
Hoffmann’s signature furniture design is an adjustable lounge chair — the Sitzmaschine (1905) — that marries a curving frame with square and rectangular back- and side rests. This piece, like so many others by Hoffmann, reflects a groundbreaking, forward-thinking appreciation for the union of different looks and sources that marks the best of interior design in our own day. Moreover, items offered on 1stDibs — which range from enameled silver jewelry, to silver flower vase baskets and other decorative objects, to sofas, lighting pendants and sconces — testify to the astonishing breadth of Hoffman’s creative pursuits. He was truly a giant of design.
Jacob & Josef Kohn
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, and a company that Jacob & Josef Kohn had merged with became part of the world’s largest furniture manufacturer in 1923. 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.
Find a variety of J. & J. Kohn furniture — including bentwood wingback chairs designed by Josef Hoffmann, beech nesting tables and more — at 1stDibs.
- Josef Hoffman Pair of Secessionist Bentwood Barrel Back Arm Chairs for J&J KohnBy J & J Kohn & Mundus, Josef HoffmannLocated in Philadelphia, PAThese lounge chairs from the early 1900s have an unusual bentwood design that makes them extremely rare. They have been reupholstered in a beautiful emerald green velvet and also the...Category
Early 20th Century European Vienna Secession Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Mid-Century Modern Barrel Back Swivel Club Chairs or Lounge Chairs Walnut BaseBy Milo BaughmanLocated in Philadelphia, PAA super comfy matching pair of barrel back lounge chairs circa 1960's. These feature swiveling walnut base with blue fabric. Fabric is old and should be replaced.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Pair of Matching Club Chairs in the Manner of Edward Wormley for DunbarBy Edward Wormley, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Philadelphia, PAA great pair of club chairs from the late 1960s in the style of Edward Wormley. Upholstery has some light soiling and can be reupholstered at $600 per chair (buyer supplies fabric).Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Pair Post-Modern Sculptural Anthropomorphic Lounge Chairs, Style of Jordan MozerBy Jordan MozerLocated in Philadelphia, PAThese super stylish Post-Modern lounge or club chairs are in the Style of Jordan Mozer. Like all Mozer custom design pieces, every aspect of these chair is designed with a curve or c...Category
1990s American Post-Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern Parsons Armchair Lounge Chairs with Open ArmsBy Milo BaughmanLocated in Philadelphia, PAA handsome classic matching pair of fully upholstered parsons chairs. Nice deep sitting comfy chairs. Upholstery is original and could use up...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric
- Pair of Gordon International Black Leather & Chromed Steel Club or Lounge ChairsLocated in Philadelphia, PAA pair of lounge or club chairs by Gordon International, in black leather upholstery and triple chrome-plated steel frames. Each chair is signed Gordon International beneath and in l...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Josef Hoffman Style Midcentury Club Chairs, PairBy Josef HoffmannLocated in Countryside, ILJosef Hoffman style midcentury club chairs - pair. Each chair measures: 27 wide x 27 deep x 29.5 high, with a seat height of 17.5 and arm height/chair clearance 29.5 inches All...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsMetal
$5,195 / set - Original Josef Hoffmann 1908 Barrel-Chair, Kohn, Jugendstil, Early 20th CenturyBy Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef KohnLocated in Vienna, ATExtremely rare armchair in bentwood, original condition, original fabric, manufactured by Jacob & Josef Kohn. Enclosed an image from the Exposicion Internacional de Centenario in...Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Bentwood
- Vienna Secessionist Bentwood Arm Chair by Jacob & Josef KohnBy Jacob & Josef KohnLocated in Shippensburg, PAVIENNA SECESSIONIST BENTWOOD ARM CHAIR BY JACOB AND JOSEF KOHN Stamped to the underside "J&J KOHN / WSETIN, AUSTRIA" Item # 906ANW08L A fine and rare Vienna Secessionist maroon stained bentwood arm chair executed and stamped by the firm of Jacob & Josef Kohn, it is a striking piece with a free-flowing form. The chair is finished in a caramel top...Category
20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Armchairs
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Teak Horseshoe Barrel Back Lounge ChairsLocated in Rockaway, NJMid-Century Modern lacquered teak X bases lounge chairs.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsTeak
$1,800 / set - Pair of Chrome Bases Barrel Back Tub ChairsBy Milo BaughmanLocated in Rockaway, NJPair of Mid-Century Modern dark chocolate brown upholstery barrel back chairs attributed to Milo Baughman. Crisp circular organic lines. Super comfortable seat and back support.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
$6,800 / set - Pair of Classic Barrel-Back Club Chairs in Ikat UpholsteryLocated in Chicago, ILClean lined pair of Classic club chairs in the manner of Jens Risom. Aquamarine and lavender Ikat patterned silk blend upholstery. Walnut wood legs with sculptural front apron and ra...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut