Joseph François De Coene (1875–1950) was an entrepreneur from Courtrai who made a significant contribution to Flemish craftsmanship. He was the eldest son of the upholsterer Adolphe De Cone and the painter Coralie Tavernier from Ghent. In 1905, his brother Adolf and his brothers-in-law Arthur Deleu and Marcel Brunein joined the company, which they named “De Coene Frères”.
The destruction caused by the First World War led to considerable pent-up demand for joinery and carpentry work. De Coene Frères quickly seized this opportunity. Despite the company’s rapid success, Joseph De Coene aspired to greater things. In 1921, he travelled to the United States with De Win on a study trip. Upon returning home, he developed the serial production of laminated wood furniture and participated in international exhibitions in Milan, Paris, Roubaix and Brussels. The innovative furniture from their workshops received several awards and medals! After a few years, the company was renamed “Kortrijkse Kunstwerkstede Gebroeders De Coene”. Shortly before the Second World War, the company employed almost 3,000 people, and the “Kunstwerkstede” was at the forefront of European wooden furniture production.
The exuberant De Coene was an excellent networker. From 1922 to 1940, he opened the doors of his home for the weekly “Monday tables”. Regular guests included not only local friends such as Stijn Streuvels, Willem Putman and Albert Saverys, but also Herman Teirlinck, August Vermeylen, Jef van Hoof and Henry van de Velde. The latter was something of a spiritual father to the “Kunstwerkstede” and could regularly be found at their factory. De Coene also welcomed international designers there: Marcel Breuer, Harry Bertoia, Mies van der Rohe and Eero Saarinen.
Source:
https://designaddict.com/designer/de-coene-freres-2/
