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.
$3,380Sale Price|35% Off
H 36 in W 56 in D 26 in
Vienna Secession Bentwood & Caine No. 08 Settee Bench by Jacob & Josef Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Late Victorian No. 08 Bent oak settee by Jacob & Josef Kohn featuring an elegant, sculptural frame crafted from warm-toned bentwood. The openwork backrest showcases a prominent c...
Oak
Antique Austrian Bentwood Settee
By Fischel
Located in Cambridge, US
Austria, ca. 1890. A charming Art Nouveau settee or bench by Fischel. Features classic bentwood construction with a high arched back and dramatically curved arms. Three oval backrest...
Cane, Bentwood
$2,400
H 38 in W 46.75 in D 18 in
Vienna Secessionist Bentwood Cane Loveseat Settee Bench by JJ Kohn 1880/1920's
By Thonet, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional bentwood settee, loveseat, bench, by J J Kohn. This charming bench is in excellent, original, clean and ready to use condition, free of damage or repairs. Executed in Au...
Cane, Beech
$3,424
H 41.34 in W 46.86 in D 25.6 in
J. & J. Kohn Bentwood and Rattan Bench, with Label, Austria, Circa 1900
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Beirut, LB
An elegant bentwood bench/sofa by the celebrated Austrian manufacturer J. & J. Kohn, dating to the turn of the 20th century. This exceptional piece exemplifies the artistry and innov...
Cane, Bentwood
$7,932
H 35.44 in W 50.01 in D 22.45 in
Refurbished Art Nouveau Settee No. 717 by Gustav Siegel for J.J. Kohn, 1899
By Gustav Siegel, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a stunning, rare settee Model No. 717 designed by Gustav Siegel in 1899 and produced by the renowned Viennese furniture manufacturer Jacob & Josef Kohn ...
Brass
$5,128
H 40.95 in W 58.67 in D 22.84 in
J & J Kohn Bench 1900 Vienna Secession Art Nouveau Bentwood Antique Thonet Style
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in London, GB
A gorgeous and extremely rare three-seater antique Art Nouveau Vienna Secession bentwood J & J Kohn bench in wonderful condition. Made by iconic Austrian father and son bentwood ...
Bentwood
$3,705Sale Price|35% Off
H 46 in W 40 in D 18.5 in
Vienna Secession Bentwood Angel Motif Settee Bench by Jacob & Josef Kohn No. 67
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Late Victorian bentwood settee bench with angel motif by Jacob & Josef Kohn. Crafted with the companies signature steam-bent beechwood frame, the settee features its striking, all-or...
Oak
$4,793
H 36.23 in W 47.64 in D 18.9 in
Jugendstil Bench or Settee done in bentwood, with cane seat, Austria 1910s
By J & J Kohn & Mundus
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a spectacular and extremely rare antique, Jugendstil settee or bench. It is done in bentwood, with a cane seat, featuring fans in the backrest. It was m...
Cane, Beech
Viennese Sofa Jacob & Josef Kohn Nr.4, circa 1875
By Michael Thonet, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Praha, CZ
Manufactured in Austria by the Jacob & Josef Kohn company. Marked with very old type of paper label. Newly restored.
Beech, Bentwood
Vienna Secession J. & J. Kohn Bench No. 67
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Vienna, AT
Extremely rare, beech bentwood frame with an embossed plywood seat and backrest. First time mentioned in the J. & J. Kohn catalog 1902 with the catalog no. 67. Still in original cond...
Beech, Bentwood, Plywood
Nicely Restored three piece Woodard sculptura wrought iron couch and chairs
By Woodard Furniture Co., Russell Woodard
Located in Ferndale, MI
Three piece set of Woodard wrought iron steel mesh furniture . From the Sculptura series the large couch 72" wide and pair of large straight leg lounge chairs 32" wide. Maybe the bes...
Wrought Iron
Completely Restored Woodard Full Size Wrought Iron Couch in Black Powder Coat
By Russell Woodard, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Ferndale, MI
Wrought iron with steel mesh couch by Woodard. From the sculpture line fresh modernist design. Maybe the best available, finished in gloss black powder coat with new glides added.
Wrought Iron
As Found Pair of 1940s Hollywood Regency Right and Left chairs or settee
Located in Ferndale, MI
Pair of 1940s lounge chairs . Solid frames both chairs need to be re upholstered . Sold as is hoping to save future client the cost of re doing my upholstery . Pair of sensually cur...
Upholstery, Wood
Moderne Art Deco Steel Chair Attributed to McKay Co.
By McKay Furniture Corp.
Located in Ferndale, MI
Industrial Moderne cantilevered spring steel chair attributed to the McKay Company. Chair was media blasted starting to develop " rust " patina .
Steel
Edward Wormley Dunbar Horseshoe dining or desk chair model 935
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Ferndale, MI
Edward Wormley design for Dunbar furniture Horsehoe chairs model 935 . This is a first generation chair . Backrest and arm are laminated wood as opposed to later version of solid wo...
Leather, Wood
TH Robsjohn Gibbings Widdicomb X base button tufted leather bench
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Ferndale, MI
Really nice example of my favorite Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb bench . Walnut X base nicely upholstered in a vintage cream tone leather . One or two minor blemishes on the leathe...
Leather, Walnut
