Pair Mid Century John Keal Brown Saltman Walnut & Glass End Side Tables 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Brown Saltman (Manufacturer),John Keal (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 15.5 in (39.37 cm)Width: 17.25 in (43.82 cm)Depth: 17.25 in (43.82 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950-1959
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. In overall very good original condition. Noted some surface wear depicted in images.
- Seller Location:Troy, MI
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8950235236162
John Keal
At a time when many furniture makers were turning to cheaper materials for mass production, mid-century modern designer John Keal didn't shy away from utilizing quality woods in his work, like mahogany and walnut to create his coffee tables, cabinets and benches.
While little is known about Keal, he was part of a powerhouse group that collaborated with Los Angeles furniture manufacturer Brown-Saltman in the 1940s and ‘50s. Other designers who had partnered with the firm during the mid-20th century included Greta Magnusson Grossman, Paul Frankl, Paul Laszlo, and Gilbert Rohde, a New York City-born designer who would help legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer Herman Miller avert financial disaster during the Great Depression.
Brown-Saltman was established in 1923 and initially specialized in reproductions of furniture in period styles. When cofounder David Saltman met Frankl, the firm had discontinued its Early California collection and was producing modern furniture.
The Austrian-born Frankl was already a big name in decorating in California in the late 1930s — his clients were Hollywood movie stars who were drawn to pieces such as his Art Deco-style Skyscraper series and other biomorphically shaped designs that showed the influence of Chinese and Japanese forms (Brown-Saltman’s offerings were frequently demonstrative of Asian influences). Frankl had become interested in producing inexpensive furniture for middle-class consumers, and his 1940s-era collaboration with Brown-Saltman was a success — print advertisements touted his name as well as the fact that these furnishings, which drew on the clean lines of chrome-framed Bauhaus pieces but instead integrated organic materials, were intended for modern homes.
Keal’s work also fit snugly into what we now call California modernism, which derived from the Bauhaus and International Style movements, and revolutionized the way we build homes today, not only in the Golden State but across the globe. Keal created sleek end tables in walnut and topped with enameled copper and upholstered low-profile dining chairs framed in bleached mahogany for Brown-Saltman as well as other West Coast mid-century brands such as Glenn of California and Modeline.
Find vintage John Keal seating, storage pieces and tables on 1stDibs.
Brown Saltman
The enduring modern design legacy of Brown Saltman was born from the collaboration between designer Paul Frankl and furniture manufacturer David Saltman. Together, they created stunning mid-century modern solid wood furniture with Art Deco influences. Brown Saltman side tables, cocktail tables and credenzas are known for their thoughtful designs and exquisite details.
Frankl was a leading American designer who came to prominence in the 1930s by making rattan furniture for Hollywood stars. However, he dreamed of bringing his designs to the public. That chance came in 1939, when he met Saltman at a party. Saltman was the head of the Los Angeles-based Brown Saltman, which, at the time, specialized in furniture reproductions.
He asked Frankl to create a furniture line, which was released in 1941. It was a hit, with sales exceeding expectations. Frankl quickly started work on a new line for mass production. It featured simplified designs and less expensive materials like combed wood and textured plywood. This line was even more successful, and Frankl started on a third.
In 1942, Frankl and Saltman signed an extended contract to continue their collaboration. However, Saltman died in a traffic accident the next day. World War II also brought Brown Saltman production to a standstill. After the war ended, Frankl decided not to renew his contract.
Brown Saltman partnered with many other designers over the years. A walnut sideboard by Van Keppel-Green for Brown Saltman was featured in the Museum of Modern Art’s 1950-51 Good Design exhibition. Architect and interior designer Paul Laszlo also designed a commercial furniture line for the company in the 1950s.
Brown Saltman dissolved in 1960, but its well-built and beautifully designed furniture remains in high demand today.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Brown Saltman tables, storage cabinets, seating and more.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Troy, MI
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Pair Mid Century Modern Iron and Rattan John Risley Duyan Lounge Chairs 1950sBy John Risley, Ficks ReedLocated in Troy, MIA pair of sculptural outdoor "Duyan "lounge chairs by John Risley for Ficks Reed circa 1952 Minimalist iron frame with slung basket seats of woven rattan mounted by bamboo rails 35...Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
MaterialsIron
- Three Brass & Vitrolite Square Side Tables by Harvey Probber 1950s Mid CenturyBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Troy, MIThree matching square side tables or modular coffee table by Harvey Probber circa 1950s Elegant and clean design with solid brass frames and inset Vitrolite surfaces Suitable as sid...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Pair Mid Century Modern Walnut Lounge Chairs In the Style of Gio Ponti 1950sBy Gio PontiLocated in Troy, MIIncredible pair of rare sculptural lounge chairs in the manner of Gio Ponti circa 1950s Squared upholstered seat with exposed walnut angled legs and aluminum banding detail Original...Category
Vintage 1950s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Mid Century Sculptural Walnut Brass Lounge Chair Gio Ponti Style 1950sBy Gio PontiLocated in Troy, MI1950s lounge chair in the style of Gio Ponti Sculptural walnut frame with brass tipped feet Original Naugahyde upholstery in ivory with tufted back and brass nailhead accentsCategory
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Mid Century Modern Walnut Satinwood Square Pyramid Side Pedestal Table 1970sBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Troy, MIUnique vintage occasional table circa 1970s Architectural design with walnut and ebonized wood pyramid base and square top with inset satinwood surface Unsigned / In the style of Har...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsSatinwood, Walnut
- A Pair of Vintage Mid Century Mexican Modern Iron Leather Lounge Chairs 1950sBy Arturo PaniLocated in Troy, MIA pair of modernist Mexican lounge chairs circa 1950s Enameled iron frames / leather strap sling armrests / brass capped feet Loose cushions in a rust orangeCategory
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel, Iron
- Mid-century John Keal for Brown Saltman Hexagonal Walnut End TablesBy John Keal, Brown SaltmanLocated in Oakland, CAWalnut side tables designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman, circa 1960, United States. Crafted from solid walnut, these tables feature a hexagonal shape with glass surfaces. Fully re...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsMarble
- John Keal for Brown Saltman Glass Top End Table Solid WalnutBy Brown Saltman, John KealLocated in Fulton, CAA Mid-Century Modern end or side table crafted in solid walnut with a smoked glass top. Designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman of California, circa. 1960's. Features storage or disp...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsSmoked Glass, Walnut
- John Keal for Brown Saltman End TablesBy Brown Saltman, John KealLocated in Los Angeles, CAA pair of square walnut tables with a tile top on a square pedestal base, by John Keal for Brown Saltman. American, circa 1950.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsArt Glass, Walnut
- Mid Century Brown Saltman Walnut and Copper Enamel End Table by John KealBy Brown Saltman, John KealLocated in San Jose, CAVintage walnut side table designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman of California. This piece showcases an enameled glazed orange tile insert made out of copper. Perfect to use as a dr...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsCopper
- John Keal for Brown Saltman Hexagonal End TablesBy John Keal, Brown SaltmanLocated in Los Angeles, CASet of two hexagonal John Keal for Brown Saltman tables. Frames are walnut with enameled textured design under glass tops. Price per table.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsEnamel
- John Keal for Brown Saltman Constellation End TablesBy Brown Saltman, John KealLocated in Los Angeles, CASet of walnut with enamel copper tile tables titled ‘Constellation’ produced by high-end Californian furniture manufacturer, Brown Saltman. These two solid walnut wood tables each fe...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsCeramic, Walnut