Side Table from Jacob & Josef Kohn, Austria, 1916

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This Austrian side table by Jacob & Josef Kohn, dated 1916, is a refined example of the company’s transition from … Read more This Austrian side table by Jacob & Josef Kohn, dated 1916, is a refined example of the company’s transition from late‑19th‑century craftsmanship to the clean, modern sensibilities that would soon define Viennese design. Known for their pioneering work in bentwood furniture and their collaborations with leading designers of the era, Kohn pieces from this period embody a rare balance of elegance, innovation, and artisanal precision.

Crafted in richly finished wood, the table features a rectangular top supported by four slender legs connected through gracefully curved stretchers. The apron is adorned with delicately carved, fan‑shaped cutouts, a decorative motif that reflects the lingering influence of Secessionist geometry while maintaining the warmth and softness characteristic of early 20th‑century Austrian furniture. The lower supports add both structural stability and visual harmony, creating a rhythmic interplay of vertical and horizontal lines.

By 1916, Jacob & Josef Kohn had already established themselves as one of Europe’s most influential furniture manufacturers, shaping the visual language of modern interiors. Their designs from this era reveal a shift toward lighter forms, subtle ornamentation, and a focus on functional beauty; qualities that would soon merge with the emerging aesthetics of the Wiener Werkstätte and early modernism. This table captures that moment of stylistic evolution with clarity: decorative yet disciplined, traditional in craftsmanship yet forward‑looking in spirit.

In contemporary interiors, the table’s sculptural apron and refined proportions make it a versatile accent piece. It works beautifully as a side table, lamp table, or display surface, adding a touch of Viennese sophistication to both modern and eclectic settings. Its historical pedigree, combined with its understated elegance, makes it a compelling choice for collectors of early 20th‑century European design. I have official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs,
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