Jacob & Josef Kohn bentwood furniture, Austria

Jacob & Josef Kohn was an Austrian furniture maker and interior designer in Vienna, founded in 1849 by Jacob Kohn (1791–1866) and his son Josef Kohn (1814–1884). The company became one of the leading bentwood furniture makers in Austria-Hungary, and was a major competitor of Gebrüder Thonet.

Kohn began producing bentwood furniture in the 1850s, using a process that had been developed by Michael Thonet. Bentwood furniture is made by steaming and bending wooden strips into various shapes, which are then held in place with glue or screws. This process allowed for the production of strong and lightweight furniture at a relatively low cost.

Kohn quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality bentwood furniture, and its products were exported all over the world. The company's furniture was known for its simple, elegant designs, and its chairs were particularly popular in cafes and restaurants.

In the more... early 20th century, Kohn began collaborating with designers from the Wiener Werkstätte, a group of artists and designers who were known for their innovative and modern designs. Kohn produced a number of iconic pieces of furniture in collaboration with the Wiener Werkstätte, including Josef Hoffmann's No. 670 armchair and Koloman Moser's No. 702 chair.

Kohn's furniture was very popular in the early 20th century, and it was featured in cafes, restaurants, and homes all over Europe and North America. The company's furniture was also used in a number of public buildings, including the Vienna State Opera and the Café Central in Vienna.

Kohn continued to produce bentwood furniture until the 1930s, when the company was forced to close due to the rise of the Nazi Party in Austria. The company's assets were seized by the Nazis, and its factory was destroyed during World War II.

After the war, Kohn's furniture was revived by a number of other companies, and it continues to be popular today. Kohn's furniture is known for its durability, its classic designs, and its association with the Wiener Werkstätte.

Kohn's furniture can be found in many museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Museum of Applied Arts in Vienna, and the Disseny Hub Barcelona. less...