Pair of Bentwood Armchairs by Otto Wagner
J&J Kohn
Vienna
1900-1905
Stained beech, brass, original upholstery
31 1/2″ high x 24 1/2″ wide x 24″ deep (seat height 17 1/2″)
Otto Wagner was one of the seminal figures of the Vienna Secession. Along with Joseph Hoffmann, Koloman Moser and others, he rejected a backward-looking neoclassicism as well as the growing force of industrialism. His architecture and furniture design were strikingly modern, but relied for their production on skilled craftsmen and superior materials.
This pair of graceful fauteuils were designed by Wagner and manufactured by Jacob and Josef Kohn who, along with Thonet, were the primary producers of bentwood furniture. They still wear their original Backhausen upholstery.The tapered legs end in brass sabots.
A matching settee is also available.