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Brown Saltman Furniture

American

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.

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Creator: Brown Saltman
Dealer: Past Perfect
Paul Frankl Designed Stepped Coffee Table for Brown Saltman
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
Located in San Francisco, CA
Offered here is a Paul Frankl designed coffee table for Brown Saltman. Ebonized cerused oak, with glass, table top, and has a step down design, with a shelf below.
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Furniture

Materials

Glass, Oak

Pair Paul Frankl Ebonized Oak Side Tables For Brown Saltman
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
Located in San Francisco, CA
Offered here is a pair Paul Frankl designed side tables for Brown Saltman. Ebonized oak, with glass, table tops have a step down design, with a small...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Furniture

Materials

Glass, Oak

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John Keal for Brown Saltman Constellation End Tables
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Set 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...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Furniture

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Oak art deco Bell end table by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman
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This end table is a wonderful example of Art Deco design, created by the famous architect and furniture maker, Paul Frankl, who was known for his skyscraper-inspired furniture and hi...
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John Keal Expanding Coffee Table by Brown Saltman
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This expanding coffee table by John Keal is both handsome and versatile. When closed the rectilinear top sits on a pair of cube bases for a sim...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Furniture

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Paul Frankl Two-Tier Side Table for Brown Saltman
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
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Paul Frankl two-tiered occasional table by Brown Saltman of California, circa 1950. Solidly crafted and elegantly designed. Signed and marked. We have not refinished or restore...
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A mid century modern Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman cantilevered coffee table.
By Paul Laszlo, Brown Saltman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A mid century modern Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman blonde mahogany cantilevered coffee table. A Classic design by Paul Laszlo for the prominent California design company Brown Saltman.
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Paul Frankl-Style Stacked Rattan Side Tables with Mahogany Top, Pair, circa 1930
By Paul Frankl
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Paul Frankl two-tier stacked rattan end tables with cut-out sides and mahogany wood top, circa 1930. This listing includes two matching end tables that were professionally restored i...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Furniture

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Paul Laszlo Floating Travertine Stone Top Coffee Table for Brown Saltman
By Paul Laszlo, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Furniture

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Travertine

John Keal for Brown Saltman “Constellation” Walnut Side Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful John Keal designed side table for Brown Saltman furniture co. Walnut solid legs and square frame with painted metal inlay. In great shape an...
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John Keal for Brown Saltman Hexagonal End Tables
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
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Set of two hexagonal John Keal for Brown Saltman tables. Frames are walnut with enameled textured design under glass tops. Price per table.
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Furniture

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Enamel

Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman Black Lacquered Coffee Table, Newly Refinished
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency black lacquered oak coffee table By Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman USA, 1940s Measures: 47.75"W x 21"D x 16.5"H. Newly refi...
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1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Furniture

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Oak, Lacquer

Pair of Understated Walnut End Tables by Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of chic understated polished walnut end /side tables by Brown Saltman.
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Modernist John Keal for Brown Saltman Checkerboard Coffee Table /Storage
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Buffalo, NY
Coffee table designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman with internal storage Walnut table with black and white checked formica surface opens to reveal storage space Manufactured by Brown-Saltman of California in the 1950s whose company motto was "Live in the Modern Mode" Classic Mid-Century Modern design with two sides functioning as book cradles...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Furniture

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Laminate, Walnut

Previously Available Items
John Keal for Brown Saltman Expandable Walnut Coffee Table
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in San Francisco, CA
Wonderful John Keal design for Brown Saltman, circa 1950s./ Walnut top sitting on two walnut cube bases, when you pull or separate the top haves, it reveals Black formica. This expan...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Furniture

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Pair Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman Blonde Mahogany Sleek Leg End Tables
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
Located in San Francisco, CA
Offered here are a pair of stunning, slim leggy Blonde Mahogany end tables. A Paul Frankl design for Brown Saltman, marked on the underside. Classic California Mid-Century Modern...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Furniture

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Brass

Mahogany Drum Table John Keal for Brown-Saltman circa 1950s
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Mahogany drum table designed by John Keal for Brown-Saltman which was based in Los Angeles, California. Stamp on it's underside "Drum Table" with another area has a faded stamp/le...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Furniture

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Brass

Pair of John Keal for Brown-Saltman Sliding Top Mahogany End Tables, 1950s
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in San Francisco, CA
A handsome pair of professionally refinished 1950s model 84 blonde ribbon mahogany sliding top end tables with concealed storage compartment by John Keal for Brown-Saltman. Top with...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Furniture

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Mahogany

Paul Frankl for Brown-Saltman Blonde Mahogany End Table, Late 1930s
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
Located in San Francisco, CA
A professionally refinished late 1930s model 8088 end table in blonde ribbon mahogany by Paul Frankl for Brown-Saltman, as pictured in Emily Genauer’s 1939 book “Modern Interiors - T...
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1930s American Art Deco Vintage Brown Saltman Furniture

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Mahogany

John Keal for Brown-Saltman Mahogany Coffee Table with Built-In Warmer, 1950s
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in San Francisco, CA
A fantastic and rare Mid-Century Modern mahogany and glass coffee table with concealed laminate serving surface and built-in warming plate by John Keal for Brown-Saltman. Gorgeously grained golden ribbon mahogany with wood and glass top, open mid-section, and slatted shelf below. Slides open to reveal a speckled laminate surface with original metal plate and recessed enameled metal candle or Sterno holder for keeping a coffee pot, tea pot, or serving dish warm...
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Metal

Paul Laszlo for Brown-Saltman Cerused Mahogany Four-Drawer Buffet
By Brown Saltman, Paul Laszlo
Located in San Francisco, CA
A 1950s mahogany four-drawer buffet or server by Paul Laszlo for Brown-Saltman. A fairly uncommon piece, made even more so by it being finished in dynamic cerused bleached mahogany....
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Furniture

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Mahogany

Brown-Saltman Mid-Century Modern Small Walnut Desk
By Brown Saltman
Located in San Francisco, CA
An uncommon early 1960s Brown-Saltman small walnut desk with drawer. Top displays handsome bookmatched grain, while arced legs and backstop provide a perfect amount of personality...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Furniture

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Van Keppel & Green for Brown Saltman Midcentury Birch Chest of Drawers
By Brown Saltman
Located in San Francisco, CA
A 1950s birch Model 2004 chest of drawers or dresser designed by Van Keppel & Green for Brown Saltman. Crafted out of birch with a beautiful tone and subtle figure. Five drawers, ...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Furniture

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Birch

John Keal for Brown Saltman Expandable Walnut Coffee Table
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in San Francisco, CA
Wonderful John Keal design for Brown Saltman. Walnut top sitting on two walnut cube bases, when you pull or separate the top haves, it reveals Black formica. This expands the area yo...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Furniture

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Formica, Walnut

Martin Borenstein Designed Credenza for Brown Saltman
By Martin Borenstein, Brown Saltman
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Martin Borenstein designed Credenza for Brown Saltman, from the estate of Ray Hirsch (marked on it's backside, photo on request). Marked Brown Saltman inside top right drawer. Five drawers, large one top left, then four in a row...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Furniture

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Formica, Walnut

Martin Borenstein Designed Cocktail Table for Brown Saltman
By Martin Borenstein, Brown Saltman
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Martin Borenstein designed cocktail table for Brown Saltman. Ends have travertine tiles, middle island has a large shallow drawer, which opens on both sides, a perfect place to sta...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Furniture

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Travertine

Brown Saltman furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Brown Saltman furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. Many of the original furniture by Brown Saltman were created in the Art Deco style in united states during the 18th century and earlier. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Calvin, John Keal, and Richard Schultz. Prices for Brown Saltman furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $950 and can go as high as $950, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $950.

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