Brown Saltman Armchairs

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.

Creator: Brown Saltman

Brown Saltman Walnut Accent Chair

$1,800 / item

Brown Saltman Walnut Accent Chair

By Brown Saltman

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Brown Saltman walnut accent chair, c.1960s, USA. This armchair features a walnut slat back rest and newly upholstered leather cushioned seat. Perfe...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Brown Saltman Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Upholstery, Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Boucle and Leather Armchairs by Paul Laszlo

$18,000 / set

Mid-Century Modern Boucle and Leather Armchairs by Paul Laszlo

By Brown Saltman, Paul Laszlo

Located in North Hollywood, CA

A rare opportunity to acquire a pair of 1950s armchairs by the architect Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman, a testament to mid-century American design at its finest. These exceptional c...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Bouclé, Mahogany, Walnut

Mid Century Leather Armchair

$2,699 / item

H 30 in W 28 in D 28 in

Mid Century Leather Armchair

Located in Westwood, NJ

Mid-Century Modern style leather upholstered armchair with a floating headrest, with vintage style aniline top grade brown leather with a tub back form, cushion seat and raised on sp...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Brown Saltman Armchairs

Materials

Leather

Antique Chinese Chippendale or Boho Styled Faux Bamboo Accent or Side Chair

$1,895

H 41 in W 25.5 in D 21 in

Antique Chinese Chippendale or Boho Styled Faux Bamboo Accent or Side Chair

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

This vintage Chinese Chippendale or Bohemian styled accent chair is presumed to have been manufactured in the United States in circa 1950. The frame is done in a sculptured wood to mimic bamboo stalks and covered with a bright honey amber lacquer...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Brown Saltman Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Walnut Armchair

$1,400

H 33 in W 24 in D 24 in

Mid-Century Walnut Armchair

By Finn Juhl

Located in Atlanta, GA

Sculptural solid walnut and upholstered occasional chair after Finn Juhl. The chair has tapered legs, a subtly curved chair back and retains its original turquoise vinyl upholstery.

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Brown Saltman Armchairs

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Cube Armchair and Side table by Jorge Zalszupin, 1970s

$21,000 / set

H 25.2 in W 33.86 in D 33.86 in

Mid-Century Modern Cube Armchair and Side table by Jorge Zalszupin, 1970s

By L'Atelier San Paulo, Jorge Zalszupin

Located in New York, NY

This gorgeous set, composed of a Cube armchair and coffee table, is a statement for itself. The Cube collection is a creation by Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020), designed c. 1970, and it...

Category

1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Angel Pazmino Dark Brown Tooled Leather Folding Arm Chair with Wood Frame

$1,395

H 29.5 in W 26.63 in D 31 in

Angel Pazmino Dark Brown Tooled Leather Folding Arm Chair with Wood Frame

By Angel Pazmino, Muebles De Estilo

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Angel Pazmino folding arm chair with tooled leather seat and back and lightly refinished wood frame. In original condition with wear consistent with ...

Category

1960s Ecuadorean Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Paul Laszlo, Lounge Chair, Oak, Velvet, USA, 1950s

$13,500

H 30 in W 30 in D 34.5 in

Paul Laszlo, Lounge Chair, Oak, Velvet, USA, 1950s

By Paul Laszlo, Brown Saltman

Located in High Point, NC

An oak and green velvet lounge chair designed by Paul Laszlo and produced by Brown Saltman, USA, c. 1950s. Dimensions: 30” H x 30” W x 34.5” D Seat Height (inches): 15" Arm Height...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Oak

Mid-Century Modern curved white bouclé oak Niemeyer II armchair by InsidherLand

$4,820 / item

H 33.86 in W 37.01 in D 36.23 in

Mid-Century Modern curved white bouclé oak Niemeyer II armchair by InsidherLand

By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand

Located in Maia, Porto

Gold Design Award Winner for Furniture Design Category at the A’Design Award Competition 2021-2022 The Niemeyer II armchair is named after the Br...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Brown Saltman Armchairs

Materials

Bouclé, Oak

Beachcomber Spindle Back Chair in Walnut in Stock

$2,300

H 40 in W 22 in D 18 in

Beachcomber Spindle Back Chair in Walnut in Stock

By Greg Mitchell

Located in Los Angeles, CA

During the 18th century, a profound design movement took place in Wales. It was led by peasant-carpenters who, simply in an effort to create a practical seating option, produced one of the most elegant spindle back chairs of that time. It is known as the 'Welsh Stick Chair...

Category

2010s American Folk Art Brown Saltman Armchairs

Materials

Oak, Walnut

Italian 19th Century Renaissance Revival Savonarola Chair in Walnut Side Chair

$1,797

H 36.23 in W 27.96 in D 22.45 in

Italian 19th Century Renaissance Revival Savonarola Chair in Walnut Side Chair

Located in Ijzendijke, NL

Impressive & fully original Florentine Renaissance Savonarola chair in carved walnut. Restored in our workshop and it looks simply stunning. Armrests ending with two amazing hand-c...

Category

Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Brown Saltman Armchairs

Materials

Birch, Walnut

1960s Mid Century Walnut and Vinyl Dining Chairs by Brown Saltman

$2,500 / set

H 38.25 in W 17.5 in D 20.75 in

1960s Mid Century Walnut and Vinyl Dining Chairs by Brown Saltman

By Brown Saltman

Located in North Hollywood, CA

This refined set of six Danish Modern dining chairs, designed Attributed to Brown Saltman, is a beautiful representation of mid-century American craftsmanship and timeless modern des...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Armchairs

Materials

Faux Leather, Walnut

Pair of Mid Century White and Mustard Boucle Club Armchairs, Europe, 1960s

$4,326 / set

H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in

Pair of Mid Century White and Mustard Boucle Club Armchairs, Europe, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Springy, very comfortable and stabile German club seat. Produced in the 1960s at the Karl Lindner factory in Germany. The whole armchair is covered with high-quality boucle (color 04...

Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Brown Saltman Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Beech

1950's Mid-Century Modern Walnut Side Armchairs, a Pair

$2,319Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 32.25 in W 24.25 in D 25.5 in

1950's Mid-Century Modern Walnut Side Armchairs, a Pair

By Monteverdi-Young

Located in Burbank, CA

Vintage Mid-Century Modern pair of arm chairs for sale. From the 1950's, and have been professionally restored. They solid walnut frames have been refinished in natural walnut, and h...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Armchairs

Materials

Walnut

Previously Available Items

Pair of John Keal for Brown Saltman Sculptural Lounge Chairs, circa 1954

Sold

H 28.25 in W 22.75 in D 23 in

Pair of John Keal for Brown Saltman Sculptural Lounge Chairs, circa 1954

By Brown Saltman, John Keal

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This stylish pair of sculptural lounge armchairs by John Keal for Brown Saltman, circa 1954, was previously restored and has only had light showroom use since its restoration making ...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Armchairs

Materials

Canvas, Oak

Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman Dining Chair, Set of Seven

Sold

H 33 in W 18 in D 21 in

Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman Dining Chair, Set of Seven

By Brown Saltman, Paul Frankl

Located in Van Nuys, CA

Set of lattice-back dining chairs by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman group. The chairs upholstered in high-quality blue cotton fabric. The set includes seven captain's chairs. North...

Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Paul Laszlo (Attr.) Brown Saltman Mahogany Armchair Restored in Grey Knoll Wool

Sold

H 27.5 in W 28.5 in D 23.5 in

Paul Laszlo (Attr.) Brown Saltman Mahogany Armchair Restored in Grey Knoll Wool

By Paul Laszlo, Brown Saltman, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings

Located in Chattanooga, TN

Sculpted form and graceful curves from top to bottom. The subtle Eastern inspiration adds just enough flair without crossing over to full on Asian-Modern. Subtlety is the clear philo...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of John Keal for Brown Saltman Sculptural Lounge Chairs, circa 1954

Sold

H 28 in W 22 in D 22 in

Pair of John Keal for Brown Saltman Sculptural Lounge Chairs, circa 1954

By Brown Saltman, John Keal

Located in Los Angeles, CA

We have a set of ten of these fantastic lounge chairs by John Keal for Brown Saltman, this listing is for a pair. The newly upholstered seats of these armchairs are fabricated fr...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Armchairs

Materials

Canvas, Oak

Paul Laszlo Armchair and Ottoman for Brown Saltman, circa 1970

Sold

H 35 in W 30 in D 29 in

Paul Laszlo Armchair and Ottoman for Brown Saltman, circa 1970

By Paul Laszlo, Brown Saltman

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Lounge chair with matching ottoman by Paul Laszlo, manufactured by Brown Saltman. An Art Deco gem with geometric upholstery, this is one comfortable chair. Three rolling cushions Cas...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery

Brown Saltman armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Brown Saltman armchairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. Many of the original armchairs by Brown Saltman were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 1950s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider armchairs by Warren Platner, Mel Smilow, and George Nakashima. Prices for Brown Saltman armchairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $18,000 and can go as high as $18,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $18,000.