Adolf Loos Café Capua Chair Set (6 pieces) – J. & J. Kohn, 1900–1910

Data

Designer: Adolf Loos

Manufacturer: Jacob & Josef Kohn (J. & J. Kohn)

Country of origin: Austria

Date: 1900–1910

Style: Art Nouveau

Material / Technique: Beech wood, leather

Dimensions (per piece):

• Height: 92 cm
• Width: 61 cm
• Depth: 48 cm
• Seat height: 45 cm

Condition: Restored. The wood has been polished with traditional shellac, and the seats have been reupholstered with new leather. Shows slight signs of wear consistent with its age.

References:

• Thonet Catalog, Vienna, 1911, p. 85
• Ottillinger: Adolf Loos, p. 131

Price:
Price available upon request

Description

A rare, six-piece Café Capua chair set designed by Adolf Loos and manufactured by the Jacob & Josef Kohn factory in Vienna between 1900 and 1910. The model is one of the best-known works of Viennese furniture design from the turn of the century, reflecting Loos’s groundbreaking approach: rather than superfluous ornamentation, it emphasizes function, proportions, and high-quality craftsmanship.

The curved beechwood frame of the chairs is elegant yet extremely sturdy. The gently curved armrests, slender legs, and vertical slats create a harmonious overall effect that is both light and timeless. The surfaces of the furniture have been restored using traditional shellac polishing, which beautifully highlights the wood’s natural grain, while the new leather seats ensure an elegant appearance and comfortable use.

The models designed for Café Capua are among Adolf Loos’s most sought-after pieces of furniture; original examples are now rarely found on the art market, especially as complete sets. This six-piece set is significant from a collector’s perspective, yet it can also serve as a unique piece of furniture for elegant dining rooms, meeting rooms, or sophisticated interiors.

The model appears on page 85 of the *Thonet Katalog* (Vienna, 1911) and on page 131 of Ottillinger’s monograph *Adolf Loos*, which further underscores the model’s significance in art history.