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.
Dining Chairs by J. J. Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Vienna, AT
Beech bentwood with embossed plywood seat and with three tulips decorated back rest. Made in Austria in the 1900s by Jacob & Josef Kohn. only two chairs ...
Beech, Bentwood
$695 / set
H 33 in W 14.5 in D 14.5 in
Pair of Austrian Art Nouveau Period Kohn Bentwood Bistro Chairs, Shell Motif
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Fayetteville, AR
Designed by Jacob and Josef Kohn, these Art Nouveau period bentwood bistro chairs feature pressed wood seats and seat backs detailed with a classic symmetrical shell motif. The seats...
Bentwood
$1,812 / set
H 35.44 in W 16.15 in D 19.69 in
Set of 6 wooden vintage bistro chairs by Jacob & Josef Kohn Wien
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This charming set of 6 chairs is by Jacob & Josef Kohn Wien and features an elegantly curved wooden frame, a cane seat, and a graceful backrest, giving them a timeless and cozy look....
Wicker, Wood
Set of 6 dining chairs no.319 by J&J Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Exceptional and rare set of six original Art Nouveau chairs by J. & J. Kohn, model no. 319, designed and produced in Vienna around 1900. This exquisite model is notable for its uniqu...
Beech, Bentwood
$7,649 / set
H 35.44 in W 15.75 in D 16.54 in
Set of 6 dining chairs no.715 by Gustav Siegel for J&J Kohn
By Gustav Siegel, Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Exceptional set of six dining chairs designed by renowned architect Gustav Siegel and produced by the distinguished Viennese manufacturer J. & J. Kohn. Each chair bears its original ...
Beech, Bentwood
$800Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 35 in W 16 in D 19.5 in
Pair of J. and J. Kohn Austrian Bentwood and Cane Chairs
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare pair of Austrian Viennese bentwood chairs produced by J. and J. John. handcrafted beechwood frames featuring a round handwoven cane seat. Supported by four round legs conjoined by a round stretcher. Each seat is stamped JJ Kohn Austria...
Cane, Beech, Bentwood
Pair Of Kohn Model 33 Bentwood Chairs
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Charmes, FR
Pair of Viennese chairs made by Jacob & Joseph Kohn, model no. 33 from the 1884 catalog. Wsetin Manufacture. High-end chair model for the period. Frame in light brown bent beech. Sea...
Wood
Chaises J&J Kohn
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Moutier, CH
Superbe lot de quatre chaises bistrot signées Jacob & Josef Kohn, véritables témoins du design viennois du début du XXᵉ siècle. Fabriquées en bois de hêtre courbé, elles présente...
Wood, Beech
Thonet Style Bentwood Chairs, Art Deco Design, United States, 1940
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Elegant pair of Thonet Style bentwood chairs, cca 1840, in original condition, strong structure, some distressed finish.
Bentwood
$3,600 / set
H 35.5 in W 17 in D 18.5 in
Set of Six Vienna Scessionist Bentwood Dining Chairs Made in Austria by Thonet
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional and rare set of six cafe, bistro style dining chairs, marked "Thonet Austria", design attributed to Michael Thonet, circa 1890/1920's. The set consists of four side, and...
Cane, Beech
Pair of Antique King George III Period Wheelback Armchair or Side Chair Frames
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of antique armchair frames are unsigned, but presumed to have originated from England and date to approximately 1790 and done in the period King George III style. The chair...
Steel
Pair of Antique American Carved Walnut Parlor Chairs with Erotic Female Accents
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of antique chairs is unsigned but believed to have been made in the United States in circa 1880 in the Victorian style. The chairs have hand carved wooden frames and featur...
Fabric, Walnut
Pair of Erik Worts for Niels Eilersen Danish "Safari' Chairs in Brown Leather
By Niels Eilersen
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of lounge chairs were designed by Erik Worts and made by Niels Eilersen of Denmark in approximately 1960 in the period Mid-Century Modern style. The frames of the chairs ar...
Brass
Pair of Regency Styled Side or Accent Chairs with Reclining Nude & Swan Panels
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of antique chairs are unsigned, but presumed to have originated from the United States and date to approximately 1920 and done in a Regency, or Hollywood Regency style. The...
Cane, Pine
Antique King George III Period Wheelback Armchair or Side Chair Frame
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique armchair frame is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from England and date to approximately 1790 and done in the period King George III...
Steel
Antique Chinese Chippendale or Boho Styled Faux Bamboo Accent or Side Chair
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage Chinese Chippendale or Bohemian styled accent chair is presumed to have been manufactured in the United States in circa 1950. The frame is done in a sculptured wood to mimic bamboo stalks and covered with a bright honey amber lacquer...
Wood
