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.
Beech Vienna Secession Art Nouveau Console Table by Jacob & Josef Kohn, 1900s
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare Vienna Secession Art Nouveau console table. Design by Jacob & Josef Kohn. Striking Austrian design from the 1900s. Original lacquered beech base with original la...
Beech
Art Deco Serving Table by Hendrik Wouda, 1924, Solid Oak & Ebony
By H.Pander & Zonen, Hendrik Wouda
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Art Deco Modernist serving table. Design by Hendrik Wouda for H. Pander & Zonen Den Haag. Striking Dutch design from the 1920s. Solid oak frame with original...
Macassar, Oak, Glass
Art Deco Dining Table by J.A. Muntendam, Solid Oak, 1920s Dutch Design
By L.O.V. Oosterbeek
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Art Deco Modernist dining room table. Design by J.A. Muntendam for L.O.V. Oosterbeek. Striking Dutch design from the 1920s. Solid oak base with original black la...
Oak
Oak Arts & Crafts Pedestal Desk by Alexander J. Kropholler, 1890s
By Alexander J. Kropholler
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Arts & Crafts pedestal desk. Design by Alexander J. Kropholler. Striking Dutch design from the 1890s. Executed in solid oak and original wrought iron, this stunning and one of a kind museum piece has a hand-carved quotation " A Little Learning Is A Dangerous Thing" by Alexander Pope (1688-1744), one of the leading Neoclassical or Augustan poets of the first half of the 18th Century. Two original hand-carved owls and hand-carved elements on top of the desk. Original lock and key and in good working order. Measurement from ground to writing top is 76 cm or 29.92 in. This wonderful Arts & Crafts desk by Alexander J. Kropholler is in very good refinished condition with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. We offer the matching bookcase...
Oak
Oak Arts & Crafts Coffee Table by A.J. Kropholler, 1900s
By Alexander J. Kropholler
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare Arts & Crafts coffee table. Design by A.J. Kropholler. Striking Dutch design from the 1900s. Solid oak. In very good original condition with a beautiful patina.
Oak
Art Deco Extending Dining Table by Hendrik Wouda, Dutch Design, 1924
By H.Pander & Zonen, Hendrik Wouda
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare Art Deco Modernist extending dining room table. Design by Hendrik Wouda for H. Pander & Zonen Den Haag. Striking Dutch design from the 1920s. Solid oak base wit...
Oak
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
Art Deco Console Table by Jacques Quinet, Cuban Wood & Marble, 1940
By Jacques Quinet
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Low console by Jacques Quinet (1918 - 1992). Cuban wood and carrara marble top. France, CIRCA 1940.
Marble
19th Century Biedermeier Folding Console Table Mahogany
Located in Münster, DE
Folding console table Biedermeier around 1820/25 Mahogany veneered, top swivels and opens, rounded edges, restored condition, shellac hand polish ...
Mahogany
Book Table, France, 1925, Art Deco in Wood and Parchment "Leather"
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our A...
Wood
Danish Modern Console table in Caucasian nut tree. Copenhagen cabinetmaker 1960.
Located in København K, 84
This elegant danish modern console table in Caucasian Nut Wood with its long paw-like legs stands as a testament to the marriage of aesthetics and functionality that defines Danish d...
Fruitwood
Edwardian solid wood side / console table circa 1880–1910
Located in London, GB
Small Edwardian solid wood table suitable as a hall table, console table, lamp table or occasional table. Made from solid pine, finished in a dark stain, with drawers at either short...
Pine
