Seating set Koloman Moser J. & J. Kohn ca. 1901

Until 1906, Koloman Moser maintained a close collaboration with the bentwood furniture manufacturer J. & J. Kohn, resulting in numerous pieces crafted using bentwood techniques.
One such piece is this seating group, comprising a bench and two armchairs, which Moser designed in 1900 as part of a salon set (No. 413). The set also included a salon cabinet, stools, and a table. The corresponding armchair was first presented at the Winter Exhibition of the Imperial and Royal Austrian Museum of Art and Industry in 1901. In 1902, the furniture series was showcased at the Turin Exhibition, and in 1904, it was introduced to an international audience at the World’s Fair in Saint Louis.

With their strict rectangular forms, which are prominently featured in both the backrest and side elements, the bench and armchairs embody the stylistic ideals of the era. Side metal rivets mark the connections between the seat and the side panels, emphasizing the clear, tectonic structure that defines Moser’s distinctive style.
This model is documented in the J. & J. Kohn catalogs from 1904 and 1906. An example of the chair is now part of the collection at the Leopold Museum in Vienna.