Jacob & Josef (J&J) Kohn was one of the most significant furniture manufacturers of the 19th and early 20th centuries. While many people associate "bentwood" exclusively with Thonet, J&J Kohn was their fiercest rival and eventually a pioneer of the Vienna Secession and Art Nouveau movements. Founded in 1849 by Jacob Kohn and his son Josef in Vienna, the company initially focused on lumber and matches. After successfully challenging Michael Thonet’s patents in 1869, they entered the bentwood market and grew rapidly. The chair features elaborate Art Nouveau designs pressed directly into the plywood seats (the seat has minor damage - see photo - but still fully functional). Like Thonet, they used solid Austrian Beechwood, which was steamed and bent into shape. The bottom of the seat is pressed "J&J Kohn Teschen Austria". Dimensions: 93cm (h) x 33cm (width on back)