Complete seating set Otto Wagner J. & J. Kohn ca.1902 bentwood brass

Otto Wagner was one of the ground-breaking architects of Vienna’s modernism or, to quote a statement by the influential Viennese Salonière Berta Zuckerkandl: “Otto Wagner proclaims the architectural style of the 20th century(transl.)”. Among his main projects in Vienna are the Postsparkassengebäude, the church at Steinhof and the three so called "Wienzeilenhäuser".

As a pioneer, he made use of the new technique of bentwood for his furniture designs. Wagner designed this sitting room suite in 1901 and it was manufactured from 1902 on by the company J. & J. Kohn, which together with Thonet, was the leading producer of bentwood furniture at that time. The curved armrests emphasize the advantage of this new technique. Visible brass studs help to stabilize the furniture and at the same time form an adorning element. This sitting room suite has been upholstered with fabric by Backhausen, designed by Koloman Moser. (Dess.3907)

Measurements:
Bench: height ca.80cm, width ca. 118cm, depth ca. 57cm
Armchairs: height ca.81cm, width ca. 61cm, depth ca. 54cm.

Bib.: Giovanni Renzi, „Il mobile moderno“, Silvana Editoriale Spa, Milano, 2008. P. 48-49
Eva B. Ottilinger (ed.), „Wagner, Hoffmann, Loos und das Möbeldesign der Wiener Moderne“, catalogue Hofmobiliendepot Wien, Böhlau Verlag, Vienna, 2018, p. 34 and following.

Private collection, Upper Austria