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.
Van Keppel Green, Cabinet, Solid Maple, Brown Saltman, USA, 1950s
By Brown Saltman
Located in High Point, NC
A solid maple cabinet designed by Van Keppel Green and produced by Brown Saltman, USA, 1950s.
Maple
$5,550Sale Price|40% Off
MCM Bleached Oak Basket Weave China Cabinet by Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, Paul Laszlo
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Restored Mid-century bleached oak "Basket Weave" china cabinet designed by Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman. This classic California Modern cabinet features breakfront along the base an...
Oak
$1,920Sale Price|40% Off
Restored Paul Frankl Combed Wood Sliding Glass Display Cabinet for Brown Saltman
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Original circa 1940 early midcentury display cabinet featuring 3 glass self/glass door cabinet which rests on a single drawer cabinet. This cabinet is Designed by Paul Frankl and fea...
Wood
19th Century French Provencal Bleached Oak Buffet Cabinet
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
French Provincial Painted Oak Buffet, France, 19th Century Folk ornament and gentle patina — a poetic fragment of rural French life. This charming painted oak buffet captures the sp...
Oak
Art Deco Sliding Door Display Cabinet, Czechoslovakia, 1940s
Located in Praha, CZ
This small Art Deco display cabinet was produced in Czechoslovakia during the 1940s. Constructed from beech plywood and spruce core board with a glass front door, the piece showcases...
Glass, Spruce, Plywood
19th Century French Provencal Bleached Oak Buffet Cabinet
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Folk ornament and gentle patina — a poetic fragment of rural French life. This charming painted oak buffet captures the spirit of French provincial craftsmanship, where everyday fur...
Oak
Paul Laszlo, Dresser, Oak, USA, 1950s
By Paul Laszlo
Located in High Point, NC
An oak dresser designed by Paul Laszlo and produced by Brown Saltman, USA, 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 33.25"H x 62.0"W x 18.5"D All items ship from High Point, North Carol...
Wood, Oak
19th Century French Provencal Bleached Oak Buffet Cabinet
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
French Provincial Painted Oak Buffet, France, 19th Century Folk ornament and gentle patina — a poetic fragment of rural French life. This charming painted oak buffet captures the sp...
Oak
Midcentury French Modernist Cabinet Vaisselier, 1950s
Located in Paris, IDF
Warm light brown oak and rich copper form a beautiful color palette in this cabinet vaisselier from the 1950s. On the front and top of the cabinet, the oak displays a striped lightwood/dark wood pattern that feels fun and very much of the era, while the recessed portions of the oak appear to shift into burnt orange for a subtle injection of natural color. Opening the door at the front of the cabinet, a series of small drawers are revealed for hidden storage and organization; the left side of the cabinet is formed by transparent glass, ideal for stowing decorative items or glassware, as well as giving the piece a sense of being filled with light. Though it was created by an unknown French craftsman, this piece is reminiscent of avant-garde designer Jean Royere’s work. Place it in your living room for a unique midcentury French modernist...
Copper
$14,895
H 33.25 in W 62 in D 18.5 in
Expertly Restored - California Modernist "Basket Weave" Dresser by Paul Laszlo
By Brown Saltman, Paul Laszlo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare Paul László “Basket Weave” dresser for Brown Saltman is a remarkable example of California modern design, combining architectural structure wit...
Wood, Oak
Paul Laszlo, Dresser, Oak, USA, 1950s
By Brown Saltman, Paul Laszlo
Located in High Point, NC
An oak dresser designed designed by Paul Laszlo and produced by Brown Saltman, USA, 1950s.
Oak
$10,959
H 59.85 in W 48.43 in D 13.39 in
Two-Door Solid Oak Cabinet with Scalloped Panels, France, 1950s
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
In the style of Guillerme et Chambron, two-door display cabinet, solid oak, France, 1950s. This display cabinet stands on two substantial cylindrical drum feet set on a low, stepped...
Oak
Mid Century Nightstand in the Manner of Paul Frankl (2 available)
By Paul Frankl
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a mid century nightstand featuring cork fronts Pair of walnut vintage nightstands or side tables with metal hairpin legs in the style of Paul Frankl. Featuring circular recessed bakelite pulls and cork facings. One with three drawers and the other features one top drawer and a pull down cabinet...
Steel
Paul Frankl Classic Nightstand with X Handles
By Paul Frankl
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic nightstand designed by Paul Frankl for John Stuart, ca' 1950s. Nickeled X handles, drop down front with 2 drawers below. Original finish ...
Maple
$15,500
H 33.25 in W 62 in D 18.5 in
Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman Basket woven Chest of Drawers cabinet
By Paul Laszlo, Brown Saltman
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A six drawer chest by Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman. Oak veneer with 100’s of individual tiles laid in an an interwoven basket weave pattern. Great texture and warmth. This exceedin...
Oak
Sold
H 71 in W 24 in D 19 in
Expertly Restored-Jack Cartwright Gentlemen's Wardrobe Dressing Cabinet w/Mirror
By Brown Saltman, Jack Cartwright
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 precis...
Wood, Walnut
Paul Laszlo "Basket Weave" Highboy Dresser for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, Paul Laszlo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stunning tall oak dresser designed by Paul Lazlo for Brown Saltman c.1950s, USA as part of the "Basket Weave" collection. This classic California Modern design features two cabinet...
Oak
Paul Laszlo "Basket Weave" Highboy Dresser for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, Paul Laszlo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stunning tall oak dresser designed by Paul Lazlo for Brown Saltman c.1950s, USA as part of the "Basket Weave" collection. This classic California Modern design features two cabinet...
Oak
Sold
H 33.5 in W 37.75 in D 18.5 in
Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman Pair of Nightstands or Chest of Drawers
By Brown Saltman, Paul Laszlo
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of nightstands or chest of drawers in oak by Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman. Wonderful Basketweave design on drawer fronts. Three generous sized drawers.
Oak
Van Keppel Green, Cabinet, Solid Maple, Brown Saltman, USA, 1950s
By Brown Saltman
Located in High Point, NC
A maple cabined designed by Van Keppel Green and produced by Brown Saltman, USA, 1950s.
Maple
Paul Laszlo Bar Cabinet for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, Paul Laszlo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bar cabinet by Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman, c.1957. This cabinet features a mahogany body and X-shaped legs with a pull down front. The top portion features vertical separation and...
Mahogany
John Keal Cabinet with Cane Doors for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Keal Cabinet with Cane Doors for Brown Saltman
Cane, Mahogany
Sold
H 58 in W 40 in D 20 in
Rare John Keal for Brown Saltman Midcentury Vitrine Wall Unit Display Case
By Paul Laszlo, John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Decatur, GA
Scarce Mid-Century Modern vitrine display cabinet designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman, circa 1952. Mahogany and micro-screen textured glass. This unit consists of two pieces - the lower base, consisting of one large drawer integrated with the sculptural legs and the upper display case with glass...
Glass, Mahogany
Classic Modernist Wall Unit by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning Mid-Century Modern wall unit / room divider designed by John Keal manufactured by Brown Saltman, two piece, top featuring 2 storage cubbies with sliding doors, a-top stylize...
Birch, Mahogany, Burl
John Keal for Brown Saltman Twelve-Drawer Dresser
By Brown Saltman
Located in Denton, TX
John Keal for Brown Saltman 12-drawer dresser with black laminate front plinth.
Walnut, Masonite
John Keal Credenza or Storage Cabinet
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Fulton, CA
A two piece storage cabinet designed by John Keal for Brown-Saltman of California. Features two sliding doors opening to storage with adjustable shelf interior and three center drawe...
Oak, Walnut
Paul Laszlo Basketweave Chest of Drawers for Brown Saltman, Oak
By Brown Saltman, Paul Laszlo
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Chest of drawers in oak by Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman. Wonderful Basketweave design on drawer fronts. Three generous sized drawers. Restored.
Oak