Description & Technical information
Designed by: Josef Hoffmann, Vienna, 1907/08
Executed by: J. & J. Kohn, from 1908, model no. 371, unmarked
Bent beech wood, stained, surface cleaned and slightly repolished, upholstery renewed and covered with original Jugendstil fabric, excellent original condition
H 108 cm, SH 46 cm, W 44 cm, D 44 cm
For the 1908 Kunstschau, Josef Hoffmann was commissioned by J. & J. Kohn to design a house complete with furnishings at a relatively low price. For this, Hoffmann used many of his well-known pieces of furniture such as the seating machine and the so-called "Fledermaus" suite. A seven-ball bench can also be found in the outdoor facilities. The seven-ball bench, armchair and chair are probably among the most modern and pioneering designs Hoffmann ever created for a series of furniture for the J. & J. Kohn company. This design is truly a pioneer of modernism. As is so often the case, the prophet was not recognised in his own country and the armchair was very rarely sold. Not least for this reason, this piece of furniture is one of the most sought-after collector’s items from Josef Hoffmann’s entire oeuvre.
Date: 1907/8
Period: Early 20th century
Dimensions: 108 x 44 x 44 cm (42¹/₂ x 17³/₈ x 17³/₈ inches)
Provenance:
private collection, Germany
Literature:
J. & J. Kohn sales catalogue, 1909; Moderne Bauformen VII, 1908, p. 368; G. Renzi, Il mobile moderno, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna, Jacob & Josef Kohn, Milan, 2008, pp. 206; Fremdkörper (ed.), Moderne Möbel, 150 Jahre Design, 2009, p. 658
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Bel Etage, Wolfgang Bauer, Vienna
Viennese Jugendstil, Secessionist Movement
