John Keal Furniture

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.

Creator: John Keal

Mid Century Modern Extendable Coffee Table by John Keal for Brown Saltman

$2,400

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Furniture

Materials

Laminate, Formica

John Keal for Brown Saltman Snowbell Tree Tile Top Design, Walnut Side Tables

$1,650 / set

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...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Walnut

1950s John Keal for Brown Saltman Nightstands in Blonde Mahogany & Formica Top

$2,450Sale Price|30% Off

1950s John Keal for Brown Saltman Nightstands in Blonde Mahogany & Formica Top

By Brown Saltman, John Keal

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Furniture

Materials

Abalone, Formica, Hardwood, Mahogany

John Keal, Side Tables, Walnut, Stone, Glass, USA, 1960s

$3,900 / set

John Keal, Side Tables, Walnut, Stone, Glass, USA, 1960s

By John Keal, Brown Saltman

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

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture

Materials

Stone

Brown-Saltman Magazine Tray Side Table by John Keal, Pair

$3,800 / set

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"...

Category

1950s American Vintage John Keal Furniture

Materials

Teak

John Keal Side Table with Travertine Stone Top for Brown Saltman

$1,450

John Keal Side Table with Travertine Stone Top for Brown Saltman

By Brown Saltman, John Keal

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...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture

Materials

Travertine

MCM John Keal for Brown Saltman Mahogany Occasional Tables with Travertine Tops

$3,000 / set

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.

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture

Materials

Travertine

Set of 3 John Keal Brown Saltman Burl Wood Hexagon Mid-Century Modern Side Table

$3,600 / set

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Burl

Rare John Keal Buffet or Credenza for Brown Saltman

$3,910

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...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Brown Saltman Hexagonal End Coffee Table with Sunburst Inlay

$3,200

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...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Furniture

Materials

Walnut

"Pair of Mid-Century Modern Tray Side Tables by John Keal, Hairpin Legs, 1950s"

$5,564 / set

"Pair of Mid-Century Modern Tray Side Tables by John Keal, Hairpin Legs, 1950s"

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.

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture

Materials

Wood, Hardwood

John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Dining Table

$1,995

John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Dining Table

By Brown Saltman, John Keal

Located in Franklin Park, IL

John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Dining Table This dining table measures: 64 wide x 44.5 deep x 29 inches high, with a chair clearance of 28 inches Fair Vi...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

John Keal Wall Unit / Vitrine with Drawers for Brown Saltman

$8,740

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...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

John Keal Brown Saltman Occasional Table

$1,500

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.

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture

Materials

Travertine

Set of 4 Mid-Century Modern Armchairs by John Keal, Upholstered, 1950s

$4,610 / set

Set of 4 Mid-Century Modern Armchairs by John Keal, Upholstered, 1950s

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Furniture

Materials

Fabric

Mid-Century Walnut & Glass End Tables by John Keal, Circa 1960s

$2,770 / set

Mid-Century Walnut & Glass End Tables by John Keal, Circa 1960s

By John Keal, Brown Saltman

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern John Keal Furniture

Materials

Walnut

John Keal, Bleached Mahogany, Open Nightstands, USA, 1960s

$2,950 / set

John Keal, Bleached Mahogany, Open Nightstands, USA, 1960s

By John Keal, Brown Saltman

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 ...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Nightstands - Pair

$3,847 / set

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...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Modular 5-Piece Sectional of 3 Chairs and 2 Tables for Brown Saltman in Walnut

$12,800Sale Price / set|38% 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...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Mid 20th Century Mid Century Dining Chairs by John Keal, Set of 4

$2,925 / set

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

John Keal for Brown Saltman Set of Three Walnut and Burl Cocktail Tables, 1970s

$3,750

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of End Tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman of California

$3,200 / set

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...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mahogany End Tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman

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....

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Furniture

Materials

Brass

John Keal furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

John Keal furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of John Keal furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by John Keal were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Richard Schultz, Tomlinson, and Paul Mayen. Prices for John Keal furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $425 and can go as high as $28,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,650.