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 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
Thonet Vienna Art Nouveau Set Of Four Nesting Side Tables Mahogany Stained, 1900
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Vienna, AT
An elegant Art Nouveau side table set comprising four individual tables of varying sizes that can be nested inside one another. High-quality, handcrafted furniture featuring decorati...
Beech
Thonet Vienna Art Nouveau Set of Four Nesting Side Tables, Mahogany Stained
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Vienna, AT
High-quality handcrafted placemat, beech bentwood, stained mahogany, shellac hand-polished: Four nesting side tables in different sizes with an elegant design, the largest of the tables with a smoked glass inlay on top. Manufactured by Thonet brothers, Vienna, around 1900 Model number 9110 Measures of largest: Height: 69.5 cm / 27.36 inches Width: 60.0 cm / 23.62 inches Depth: 40.0 cm / 15.74 inches Bibliography: Illustrated Catalogue of Michael Thonet, Vienna 1904, page 68, number (91)10 Original vintage furniture...
Smoked Glass, Beech
Art Nouveau Table Rarity Beechwood Mahogany Massive and Veneer Vienna circa 1905
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Nouveau table, made of mahogany wood: Mahogany massive and veneer (table's plate) / high quality handwork. It is of most elegant appearance: The oval table's plate is attached t...
Beech, Mahogany
J & J Kohn Set Of 4 Nesting Art Nouveau Side Tables, Josef Hoffmann, Circa 1906
By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegant Art Nouveau side table set consisting of four individual tables of different sizes that can be nested inside each other, first appearing in the Kohn catalogue of 1906. The at...
Beech
Set Of Four Art Nouveau Nesting Side Tables, Glass & Brass Inserts, Vienna, 1900
By Viennese Manufactory
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegant Art Nouveau side table set comprising four individual tables of varying sizes that slide into one another; each table features a faceted glass top set within a surrounding br...
Beech
20th Century Art Nouveau Bentwood Side Table No. 960 by J & J Kohn, AT ca. 1910
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Remarkable early 20th century Art Nouveau bentwood side table made by the famous Austrian company of Jacob & Josef Kohn around 1910. This timeless designed side table with the Mod. N...
Beech, Bentwood
20th Century Art Nouveau J&J Kohn Bentwood Side Table, Austria ca. 1910
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Charming small 20th century Art Nouveau bentwood side table made by the world famous company of Jacob & Josef Kohn in Vienna/ Austria around 1910. A timeless designed side table ...
Beech, Bentwood
J. & J. Kohn art nouveau side table in bentwood, Austria ca. 1910
Located in Meulebeke, BE
An art nouveau “Palm” side table by Jacob and Joseph Kohn in bentwood. Designed in Vienna, Austria around 1910. The table top has a dark circled wear mark (see pictures) This table ...
Wood, Bentwood
Art Nouveau Side Table by Jacob & Josef Kohn, Bentwood, Austria, 1916
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Art Nouveau - Table or desk Measures : 110x64cm H:78cm This table is a creation of the Jacob & Josef Kohn company, dating from around 1916 - The belt is decorated with stylized fan ...
Bentwood
Art Nouveau Bentwood Side Table No. 960 by J&J Kohn - 1920s
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Measures : Top :42,5x42,5cm - Base 46x46cm - H:76cm Art Nouveau - Decoration - Signed Thonet Remarkable early 20th century Art Nouveau bentwood side table made by the famous Austri...
Bentwood
Art Nouveau Bentwood Side Table No. 960 by J&J Kohn - 1920s
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Measures : Top :42,5x42,5cm - Base 46x46cm - H:76cm Artistic collaborations: At the beginning of the 20th century, Kohn collaborated with artists from the Wiener Werkstätte (such a...
Bentwood
