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.
Black and White Checker Coffee Table w/ Storage in Walnut by John Keal 1950s
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Troy, MI
Geometric coffee table designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman USA circa 1950's Walnut base with two extending sides slanted for book display Black and white checkerboard surface in...
Laminate, Walnut
Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Side Table by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage designs that can seamlessly be incorpo...
Mahogany
California Modern Slatted Bench / Coffee Table by John Keal
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
California Modern Slatted Bench / Coffee Table by John Keal
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Walnut
$2,485Sale Price|30% Off
Mid Century Modern Expandable Slatted Coffee Table/Bench by John Keal
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Soquel, CA
Beautiful and versatile expandable mid century minimalist walnut slat bench designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman, circa 1960. This California modern piece features an expandable s...
Walnut
$2,304Sale Price / item|40% Off
Two-Tone Geometric Art Deco Side Table by Gilbert Rohde for Brown Saltman
By Gilbert Rohde, Brown Saltman
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Two-tone, two-tier Art Deco side table made of Pearwood. Fantastic side profile with a great geometric round Cantaleviered Stacking table, and curio display for any small decorative ...
Wood
Paul Laszlo, Coffee Table, Wood, United States, 1950s
By Paul Laszlo, Brown Saltman
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden coffee table designed by Paul Laszlo and produced by Brown Saltman, America, 1950s.
Wood
Mid 20th Century John Keal for Brown Saltman Hexagonal Side Tables, Set of 2
By Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of John Keal for Brown Saltman burl wood hexagon side tables. Also great together as a small coffee tables. Angled corners, lower shelves, black platforms, beautiful wood grain,...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Constellation Side Table John Keal Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Mid-Century Modern "Constellation" side table designed by John Keal for the Californian furniture manufacturer Brown Saltman. It features an enameled copper...
Enamel
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.
Walnut
$4,200 / set
Pair of Espresso Paul Frankl Occasional Tables
By Brown Saltman, Paul Frankl
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful pair of Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman two-tier occasional tables with splayed and tapered legs and espresso finish.
Wood
Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman Expandable Dining Table
By Brown Saltman, Paul Frankl
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman expandable dining table. The rectangular top having (2) 15" wide leaves, above two supports having ribbed details, with branded mark to underside. Table...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern John Keal Brown Saltman Hexagonal Side Table
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a mid-century modern classic, John Keal for Brown Saltman hexagonal side table. Walnut wood and enamel copper & Glass tabletop. Insert appears as pebble comp...
Copper, Enamel
$3,000 / set
John Keal for Brown Saltman Wedge End Tables
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Denton, TX
John Keal for brown Saltman walnut wedge end tables/ magazine rack with brass capped feet. Hard to find in this good of original condition. Please see ...
Brass
Paul Frankl Black Cerused Dining Set Brown Saltman California Mid Century
By Brown Saltman, Paul Frankl
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a dining set designed by Paul Frankl in black cerused oak wood for Brown Saltman CA, USA circa the 1950s. Dining table and six dining chairs. Dining set: 4 c...
Fabric, Oak
John Keal Nesting Tables for Brown Saltman manner of Robsjohn Gibbings
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Chicago, IL
John Keal nesting tables for Brown Saltman. Manner of Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb
Wood
Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Travertine Stone Side Table by John Keal
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Expertly Refinished With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage desi...
Travertine
John Keal Side Table with Travertine Stone Top for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stylish side table designed by John Keal and manufactured by brown Saltman in the United States circa 1950’s. This unique design has been recently refinished by our skilled team of c...
Travertine
$3,840Sale Price / set|40% Off
Art Deco Two-Tone Geometric Side Tables by Gilbert Rohde for Brown Saltman, Pair
By Gilbert Rohde, Brown Saltman
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Two-tone Gilbert Rohde Side table for Brown Saltman 1940s made of Pearwood. Fantastic Side Profile with a great geometric round cantalevered stacking table and curio display for any ...
Wood
$1,725Sale Price|50% Off
John Keal Expanding Coffee Table by Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
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...
Formica, Walnut
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...
Oak, Lacquer
Pair of Hexagonal 'Domino' Side Tables by John Keal for Brown-Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Occasional hexagonal tables by John Keal for Brown-Saltman. Stamped and labeled. Practical and versatile.
Glass, Wood
$1,179Sale Price / set|30% Off
John Keal for Brown Saltman Constellation End Tables
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
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...
Ceramic, Walnut
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Magazine Side Table
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Franklin Park, IL
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Magazine Side Table This side table measures: 23.75 wide x 29 deep x 19.25 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to...
Wood
Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Side Table by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Newly Refinished With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage designs ...
Walnut
Mid Century Modern Extendable Coffee Table by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Southampton, NY
Mid Century Modern Extendable Coffee Table by John Keal for Brown Saltman. Sleek Original Mid-Century Modern Walnut Veneer Coffee Table with Two 12” Square Walnut Plinth Bases. The T...
Laminate, Formica
Hendrik Van Keppel and Taylor Green for Brown Saltman Mahogany "Camel" Coffee
By Brown Saltman
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century (1950s) rectangular mahogany "Camel" coffee table with two double bracket-shaped legs. (VKG, HENDRIK VAN KEPPEL AND TAYLOR GREEN...
Wood, Mahogany
John Keal Walnut Coffee Table with Three Folding Side Tables
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare coffee table with internal folding snack tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman. Bleached walnut wood square top coffee table with three intern...
Laminate, Walnut
$2,575Sale Price|28% Off
John Keal Sculpted Walnut Dining Table for Brown Saltman c.1960
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT This original John Keal designed dining table for Brown Saltman is a prime example of California Modernism, noted for its sculpted walnut tabletop and functional design suitab...
Walnut
Ebonized Oak Extension Dining Table By Paul Laszlo For Brown Saltman
By Paul Laszlo, Brown Saltman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Mid-Century Modern ebonized oak extension dining table was designed by the Hungarian born architect and interior designer Paul Laszlo, manufactured by Brown Saltman circa 1950. ...
Oak
$1,890Sale Price|40% Off
Stepped Art Deco Blond Oak & Glass Coffee Table By Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Art Deco coffee table with stepped center and glass top. Crafted from solid blond finished oak with an integrated glass top designed by Paul T Frankl for the Brown & Saltman company....
Oak
John Keal for Brown Saltman Set of 3 Cube Side Tables
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to reach out for efficient shipping quote to your location. Set of 3 cube side tables. Designed by John Keal for Brown-Saltman. Solid walnut frames. Factory cast st...
Cast Stone
Rare Carved Walnut Cabinet by Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare carved walnut cabinet by Brown Saltman. Original Brown Saltman sticker. This Piece has a seldom seen finished backing. Can be used floating in an open...
Driftwood
Pair of Mahogany Nightstands by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of mahogany nightstands by John Keal for Brown Saltman, c.1950s, USA. This minimal design features an upper drawer with a wood and nickel plated drawer pull. Below is an open sh...
Nickel
Paul Laszlo, Coffee Table, Walnut, Brown Saltman, United States, 1950s
By Brown Saltman, Paul Laszlo
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut coffee table designed by Paul Laszlo and produced by Brown Saltman, America, 1950s.
Walnut
John Keal Slatted Bench for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Low profile bench by John Keal for Brown Saltman, circa 1950s, USA. The bench features mahogany wood slats and tapered dowel legs. Perfect as a low profile coffee table, entryway ben...
Mahogany
$2,173Sale Price|40% Off
Paul Frankl Oak Stepped Cerused Coffee Table for Brown Saltman
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Paul Frankl, renowned for his 1930s "skyscraper" furniture designs, took a distinct approach with this elegant round table for the Brown Saltman Company. Featuring an inverted design...
Glass, Oak
Paul Laszlo Cocktail Table
By Brown Saltman, Paul Laszlo
Located in New York, NY
Architectural cocktail table by Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman. Dark stained mahogany top floating on two rectangular side supports. Recently refinished and signed on underside.
Mahogany
John Keal Mid-Century Hexagonal Black Glass and Walnut Occasional / End Table
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century walnut occasional / end tabls with hexagonal base and tops with an open center structure and black glass table top. (JOHN KEAL FOR BROWN SALTMAN) Replaced glass...
Glass
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid-Century American Wooden Expandable Coffee Table
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century American wooden coffee table with a smooth veneer in rectangular expandable form revealing a black formica topped center, sitting on two square block supports. (JOHN KEAL...
Wood
John Keal for Brown Saltman Snowbell Tree Tile Top Design, Walnut Side Tables
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of Mid-Century Modern John Keal for Brown Saltman walnut side tables with colorful ceramic art tiles in an abstract of a Japanese Snowbell Tree. Newly refinished and reglued. No...
Ceramic, Walnut
$1,470Sale Price|40% Off
Paul Frankl Black Stepped Side Table for Brown Saltman
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This museum-quality table designed by Paul Frankl for Brown-Saltman represents a departure from Paul Frankl's previously established "skyscraper" design. This elegant glass-top side ...
Glass, Oak
Brown and Saltman Set of Three End Side Tables in Dark Oiled Walnut Art Tile Top
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Set of 3 Brown and Saltman end coffee side occasional tables stands in dark oiled walnut with art tile top.
Art Glass, Walnut
Brown Saltman Walnut Coffee Table
By Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brown Saltman rectangular coffee table, c.1950s, USA. The table features a knife edge walnut table top with beautiful exposed joinery work where the legs meet the top. The legs are c...
Walnut
Vkg: Hendrik Van Keppel and Taylor Green Coffee Table for Brown Saltman 1954
By Brown Saltman
Located in Chicago, IL
VKG: Hendrik Van Keppel and Taylor Green Coffee Table for Brown Saltman 1954, Rare table, Oiled walnut with plastic laminated top. Features two pull-out drawers on each side measuring 18" wide with a drawer depth of 21" Featured in 1950's Exhibition; "California Designed" by The Municipal Art Center Long Beach C.A. and The Oakland Art...
Laminate, Walnut
John Keal Mid-Century Square Reverse Painted Glass and Walnut End / Side Tables
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of American mid-century square end / side tables with reverse painted glass tops mounted in a walnut frame, supported by a smaller square walnut pedestal base. (John Keal for Br...
Walnut
Mid Century Brown - Saltman Burl Wood Hexagon Side Table by John Kea 1950s 1960s
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Monrovia, CA
Mid Century Modern Brown-Saltman Of California Walnut And Burl Wood Or Burlwood Hexagon Side Table by John Keal. This Vintage John Keal Walnut And Burl Wood Angled Corner Side Table ...
Wood, Walnut, Burl
1950s Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman Combed Dining Set Modernism, 9 Piece Set
By Brown Saltman, Paul Frankl
Located in Monrovia, CA
Vintage Paul Frankl dining room set by Brown - Saltman. 9 piece dining table one leaf six chairs with matching buffet all with honey combed design ico...
Wood
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Tray Side Table Designed by John Keal
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Tray side table with hairpin style and a pullout, manufactured by Brown Saltman, and designed By John Keal.
Wood, Hardwood
Pair of End Tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman of California
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of early Brown Saltman of California teak end tables with brass details designed by John Keal, circa 1950s. These tables can be used as side tabl...
Brass
Set of 3 John Keal Brown Saltman Burl Wood Hexagon Mid-Century Modern Side Table
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Set of 3 John Keal for Brown Saltman burl wood hexagon side tables. Listing includes, 3 side tables with nicely joined and angled corners, lower shelves, black platforms, beautiful w...
Walnut, Burl
Brown Saltman Hexagonal End Coffee Table with Sunburst Inlay
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Oiled walnut hexagonal centre side table by John Keal for Brown Saltman. High quality walnut wood in combination with high quality Mid-Century Modern craftsmanship accent table. Nat...
Walnut
Paul Frankl Two-Tier Side Table for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, Paul Frankl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
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...
Maple
Mid-Century Modern Dining Table by Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman
By Paul Laszlo, Brown Saltman
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This exceptional vintage dining table represents California Modern Design, masterfully crafted by architect and furniture designer Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman. The piece showcases ...
Oak
Side Table Gilbert Rohde for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gilbert Rohde Side Table for Brown Saltman 1940s made of birch wood. Geometric round cantilevered table and curio display for small decorative items.
Birch
Pair of John Keal Magazine Side Tables for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition, Formica Tops Show Wear Materials: Ebonized Wood, Formica Tops
Formica, Wood
Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman Mid-Century Wooden Trapezoidal Nightstands
By Paul Laszlo, Brown Saltman
Located in Queens, NY
2 American Mid-Century wooden nightstands with a slightly cerused finish, tapered trapezoidal cabinets containing a single drawer, resting on two bracket-shaped legs. (PAUL LASZLO FO...
Brown Saltman Solid Walnut End Table with Burl Walnut Inset
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Soquel, CA
Brown Saltman Solid Walnut End Table with Burl Walnut Inset Elegant end table designed by John Keal and manufactured by Brown Saltman. This piece is clean and modern, which highlights the gorgeous burl of the top. It will fit well with a variety of decor and design choices. 15"H x 18"D x 18"W 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. 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...
Walnut
3 John Keal Hexagonal Reverse Painted Glass and Oak Occasional / End Tables
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Queens, NY
2 American Mid-Century walnut occasional / end tables with hexagonal bases and tops with an open center structure and reverse painted glass table tops...
Glass
MCM John Keal for Brown Saltman Mahogany Occasional Tables with Travertine Tops
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern John Keal for Brown Saltman mahogany occasional or end tables with travertine tops on colosseum form base. Original condition, no labels.
Travertine
Paul Laszlo, Coffee Table, Wood, United States, 1950s
By Paul Laszlo, Brown Saltman
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden coffee table designed by Paul Laszlo and produced by Brown Saltman, America, 1950s.
Wood