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.
Mid Century Modern Extendable Coffee Table by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
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
$16,640Sale Price / set|20% Off
Modular 5-Piece Sectional of 3 Chairs and 2 Tables for Brown Saltman in Walnut
By John Keal
Located in Deland, FL
This is an ultra-rare set of 3-legged lounge chairs and two end tables designed by the legendary John Keal for Brown Saltman. All three chairs and two tables still feature their orig...
Walnut
John Keal, Side Tables, Walnut, Stone, Glass, USA, 1960s
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of walnut, stone composite and glass side tables designed by John Keal and produced by Brown Saltman, USA, c. 1960s. Dimensions: 15.625” H 18.125” W x 20.875” D
Stone
Group of Three Side Tables or Coffee Table by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Group of three hexagonal side tables or coffee table by John Keal for Brown Saltman. Carved walnut bases with reverse painted art glass. Two brownish tops and one more goldish top (s...
Art Glass, Walnut
Pair of John Keal Magazine Side Tables for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition, Formica Tops Show Wear Materials: Ebonized Wood, Formica Tops
Formica, Wood
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid-Century American Wooden Expandable Coffee Table
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
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
Walnut with Copper Tile Top Tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal
Located in Denton, TX
Set of three solid walnut with copper tile top tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman.
Copper
John Keal, Side Tables, Walnut, Stone, Glass, USA, 1960s
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in High Point, NC
A set of three walnut, stone composite and glass side tables designed by John Keal and produced by Brown Saltman, USA, c. 1960s. Dimensions: 15.625” H 18.125” W x 20.875” D
Stone
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Nightstands - Pair
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Franklin Park, IL
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Nightstands - Pair This nightstand measures: 22 wide x 16 deep x 21.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in w...
Mahogany
Rare John Keal Buffet or Credenza for Brown Saltman
By John Keal
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This Mid-Century Modern buffet or credenza by John Keal for Brown Saltman features three storage drawers and a cabinet behind a pair of double doors. The unit rests on a sculptured l...
Brass
John Keal Brown Saltman Occasional Table
By John Keal
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An unusual John Keal for Brown Saltman side table, with a beautiful travertine top and walnut asian inspired, base. Measuring 18x18"15.5"h.
Travertine
Brown-Saltman Magazine Tray Side Table by John Keal, Pair
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Fully restored original pair of Mid-century side tables with hairpin styles and a pullout / pull-out magazine shelf designed by designer John Keal for Brown-Saltman. Dimensions: 20"...
Teak
John Keal for Brown Saltman Set of Three Walnut and Burl Cocktail Tables, 1970s
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of three hexagonal shape side tables design by John Keal for Brown Saltman in the 1970’s. Constructed of walnut with a burl wood circle on the top. In beautiful vintage conditi...
Wood
Set of 4 John Keal for Brown Saltman Modern Upholstered Armchairs
By John Keal
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 4 Mid-Century American Modern (1950s) armchairs with stylized low arms with the back and seat upholstered in a beige / taupe circular patterned fabric and standing on 4 tapere...
Fabric
MCM John Keal for Brown Saltman Mahogany Occasional Tables with Travertine Tops
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
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
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Beached Mahogany Dining Chairs - Pair
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Franklin Park, IL
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Beached Mahogany Dining Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 22.5 wide x 21.5 deep x 30 inches high, with a seat height/chair clearance of 17 i...
Upholstery, Mahogany
John Keal Wall Unit / Vitrine with Drawers for Brown Saltman
By John Keal
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This versatile Mid-Century Modern vitrine / wall unit designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman features four shelves behind original sliding glass doors atop a sculptural rendered two...
Glass, Mahogany
Set of 3 John Keal Brown Saltman Burl Wood Hexagon Mid-Century Modern Side Table
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
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
Mid 20th Century Mid Century Dining Chairs by John Keal, Set of 4
By John Keal
Located in Wheat Ridge, CO
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Cerused Mahogany Dining Chairs - Set of 4 A stunning set of four mid-mod Danish style dining chairs attributed to John Keal for Brown Saltman...
Fabric, Mahogany
Set of Two ( 2 ) Triangular Low Profile Chairs in Walnut by John Keal for Brown
By John Keal
Located in Deland, FL
This is an ultra-rare set of 3-legged lounge chairs designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman. The chairs feature their original hardware and can be hinged together for tandem seating in a myriad of combinations and shapes if desired. The solid walnut frames are exquisitely shaped and the stunning wood grain is offset perfectly by the newly re-upholstered seats (redone in a fabulous burnt orange with hints of violet knit fabric). If desired we have additional pieces from this series sold seperately; at the time of publishing this larger set is the largest intact original set available for sale in the North America. Whether you want the two exceptional low profile side side chairs...
Walnut
Pair of End Tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman of California
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
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
Price Upon Request
Mahogany End Tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in San Francisco, CA
A beautifully restored pair of mahogany end tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman. Each features a single drawer and four tapered legs with round resin feet on patinated brass posts....
Brass