Bentwood Seating Set by Josef Hoffmann J&J Kohn, Austria, circa 1903
About the Item
- Creator:Jacob & Josef Kohn (Manufacturer),Josef Hoffmann (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30.3 in (76.97 cm)Width: 47.2 in (119.89 cm)Depth: 22 in (55.88 cm)Seat Height: 18.1 in (45.98 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 3
- Style:Art Nouveau (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1903
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Lichtenberg, AT
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Lichtenberg, Austria
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Art Nouveau Bentwood Seating Set "Fledermaus" by J. Hoffmann for Kohn, ca. 1907By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef HoffmannLocated in Lichtenberg, ATBeautiful Bentwood Seating set designed by the world renowed Austrian architect and founder of the "Wiener Werkstaette" - Josef Hoffmann for Jacob & Josef Kohn around 1907. Extraordinary shaped of Fine bentwood (=beech was bent under steam and high pressure), the bench and the chair carry the unique handwriting of Josef Hoffmann - the so-called "Fledermaus" design which was designed for the famous Cabaret Fledermaus in Vienna - a very own design that has made his creations famous and wanted all-over the globe. Both pieces have been newly upholstered with a fantastic looking, high quality Backhausen fabric. A small pillow upholstered with the same fabric is included as a nice addition to this gorgeous Art Nouveau seating set...Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Benches
MaterialsFabric, Bentwood
- Thonet Bentwood Seating Set/ Salon Suite by M. Kammerer, Austria, circa 1910By Marcel Kammerer, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbHLocated in Lichtenberg, ATTimeless Thonet bentwood seating set or Salon Suite designed by famous austrian architect and painter Marcel Kammerer in the beginning of the 20th century around 1910. M. Kammerer was a master of form language which reflects best in this absolute fantastic shaped bentwood furniture. Fitting to almost any kind of interior design, weather it is contemporary or residential, this Thonet seating set includes a wonderful bench and two fantastic armchairs, all newly upholstered in fine green alcantara during the restoration process. An absolute outstanding Art Nouveau salon suite...Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Living Room Sets
MaterialsFabric, Bentwood
- Bentwood Seating Set/ Salon Suite with Round Thonet Table, Austria, circa 1910By Otto Wagner, ThonetLocated in Lichtenberg, ATEarly 20th century bentwood seating set/ salon suite by Thonet from the Art Nouveau period in Austria, circa 1910. Attributed to the famous Austrian architect and designer Otto Wagne...Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Living Room Sets
MaterialsLeather, Beech
- Art Nouveau Thonet Bentwood Salon Suite by Josef Hoffmann, Austria ca. 1905By Josef Hoffmann, ThonetLocated in Lichtenberg, ATAbsolutely gorgeous bentwood seating set by Thonet Austria, designed by none other than famous Austrian architect Josef Hoffmann, wellknown from the world renowed Wiener Werkstaette....Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Living Room Sets
MaterialsFabric, Bentwood
- Bentwood Chairs Design Josef Hoffmann Attributed to J&J Kohn, Austria, ca. 1910By Josef Hoffmann, Jacob & Josef KohnLocated in Lichtenberg, ATBlack lacquered bentwood chairs designed by the famous Austrian architect Josef Hoffmann, attributed to the renown company of Jacob & Josef Kohn Vienna. Josef Hoffmann was also the f...Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Benches
MaterialsBentwood
- Art Nouveau Beechwood Side Table by J. Hoffmann for J & J Kohn, Austria ca. 1910By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef HoffmannLocated in Lichtenberg, ATLovely oval Art Nouveau Side Table from the renowed Austrian company of Jacob & Josef Kohn around 1910. Designed by none other than the well known Austrian designer and also founder ...Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Side Tables
MaterialsBeech
- Art Nouveau Seating-Set by Josef Hoffmann for J.J.Kohn (Buenos Aires Garnitur)By Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef HoffmannLocated in Wien, ATObjekt: Sitzgruppe “Buenos Aires” (Canapé + zwei Fauteuils) Entwurf: Josef Hoffmann, Wien um 1905 Modell-Nummer: 675 C/F (C: Canapé, F: Fauteuil) Ausführung: Jacob und Josef Kohn...Category
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Living Room Sets
MaterialsBrass
- Josef Hoffmann 'Buenos Aires' Suite by J&J Kohn, Austria, Early 20th CenturyBy Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef HoffmannLocated in Austin, TXA wonderful Vienna Secessionist parlor suite by Josef Hoffman, manufactured before 1920 by J & J Kohn, Vienna, Austria. The suite comprised of a settee and pair of armchairs or club ...Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Club Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Beech
- Sofa and Armchairs Labelled Jakob & Joseph Kohn Wien, Josef Hoffmann StyleBy Jacob & Josef KohnLocated in Vigonza, PaduaThey can be sold separately 1900s leaving room settee, pair armchairs and sofa, Art Nouveau, by Jakob e Joseph Kohn, Wien, is in solid walnut , in the styl...Category
20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Living Room Sets
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Josef Hoffmann Seating GroupBy Josef HoffmannLocated in New York, NYThis Austrian seating group was designed by Josef Hoffmann, the leading architect of the Viennese Secession movement of the early 20th century, and executed by the firm of Josef and Jacob Kohn, craftsmen of the Wiener Werkstaette collaborative group. The original good finish as been carefully restored and the three piece suite has been recently reupholstered in a reissued Josef Hoffmann fabric...Category
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Settees
MaterialsBeech
- Beech Art Nouveau Green Three-Piece Suite by Josef Franz Maria Hoffmann, 1910sBy Jacob & Josef Kohn, Josef HoffmannLocated in Horomerice, CZArt Nouveau three-piece suite. Material: Beech. Restored Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1910-1919 Maker: J. & J. Kohn ( Designer: Josef Franz Maria Hoffmann) Sofa di...Category
Early 20th Century Czech Art Nouveau Living Room Sets
MaterialsFabric, Upholstery, Lacquer, Beech
- Pair of Rare Josef Hoffmann Cabinet Chairs by Wittmann Austria 1903By Wittmann, Josef HoffmannLocated in Hawthorne, CAPair of rare original 'Cabinet Chairs' by Josef Hoffmann handmade circa 1980s by Wittmann Austria. Designed in 1903, for the Vienna home of Dr. Salzer, Josef Hoffmann's cabinet chair...Category
20th Century Austrian Club Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Velvet, Wood, Mahogany