Six Dinning room chairs by Johann Wolfgang Knussmann circa 1830

Johann Wolfgang Knussmann (1766 Mainz – 1840 Mainz)

At the age of 24, he made the application for his master degree, which was rejected several times, because it was believed there were already too many carpenters in Mainz. Only in 1795, after 5 years was he admitted as a master.

His father, Adam Knussmann, was loving France, and teached his son Johann Wolfgang French, which serves him well in the business relations to Noble houses. Adam Knussmann created a bedroom furnishing for Napoleon I of France.

From 1830 Johann Wolfgang’s son, Friedrich, actively works in his father’s workshop. He carries out his own orders and is responsible for the technical organization of the workshop.In earlier pieces you can see the Austrian influence obviously recognised by the styles.

After 1830s, the furniture is bearing the stamps and marks of the maker.

Clients:

Furniture for the hunting lodge palace at Wiesbaden and the Biebrich castle. The workshop Knussmann received orders for the Nassau palace.

Knussmann’s clients include the nobility and many senior officers of the court. Amongst them Count Franz von Kesselstadt, Duke of Mainz, the Count of Ingelheim, Brömerburg castle near Rüdesheim. The Prince of Metternich orders furniture for his Schloss Johannisberg in the Rheingau. The Duke William of Nassau-Weilburg for his Wiesbaden castle. Prince to Lich-Hohensolms-Lich. The complete furniture order for the New Palace in Darmstadt goes to Knussmann, he also works for the grand ducal castles of Darmstadt. This furniture was financed by Queen Victoria for her daughter Alice, who was married to the hereditary Ludwig IV of Hesse-Darmstadt.