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.
Brown and Saltman Set of Three End Side Tables in Dark Oiled Walnut Art Tile Top
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
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
$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
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
1950s John Keal for Brown Saltman Nightstands in Blonde Mahogany & Formica Top
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Germantown, MD
A pair of clean midcentury Brown Saltman blonde mahogany modern nightstands 1950s USA. Blonde mahogany body and very clean formica top. Exce...
Abalone, Formica, Hardwood, Mahogany
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
$3,040Sale Price / set|20% Off
Brown-Saltman Magazine Tray Side Table by John Keal, Pair
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
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
$1,921Sale Price / set|30% Off
John Keal for Brown Saltman Set of 3 Cube Side Tables
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
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
$6,992Sale Price|20% Off
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
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Magazine Side Table
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
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
John Keal, Bleached Mahogany, Open Nightstands, USA, 1960s
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Stamford, CT
John Keal, American Mid-Century Modern, Bleached Mahogany, Open Nightstands, USA, 1960s Pair of bleached mahogany nightstands designed by John Keal and produced by Brown Saltman in ...
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
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
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
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Nightstands - Pair
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
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
"Pair of Mid-Century Modern Tray Side Tables by John Keal, Hairpin Legs, 1950s"
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
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
John Keal for Brown Saltman Set of Three Walnut and Burl Cocktail Tables, 1970s
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
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
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
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
John Keal Nesting Tables for Brown Saltman manner of Robsjohn Gibbings
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Chicago, IL
John Keal nesting tables for Brown Saltman. Manner of Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb
Wood
Price Upon Request
Mahogany End Tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
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