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

Dealer: Mid Century Jewell's

Pair of John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Walnut Nightstands

By John Keal

Located in Las Vegas, NV

Pair of John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Walnut Nightstands We are very pleased to offer a pair of mid-century nightstands by John Keal for Brown Saltman Features one drawer...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Pair of John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Walnut Nightstands

Mid-Century Modern John Keal for Brown Saltman End Table

By John Keal

Located in Las Vegas, NV

Mid-Century Modern John Keal for Brown Saltman end table Mid-Century Modern square end tables designed by John Keal for Brown-S...

Category

1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern John Keal for Brown Saltman End Table

Category

Mid-20th Century American Louis XVI John Keal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mid 20th Century John Widdicomb Bombe Style Walnut Nightstands, a Pair

H 24 in W 25 in D 17 in

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...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Walnut

John Keal for Brown Saltman Constellation End Tables

H 15 in W 18 in D 18 in

Pair of 1960s Mid-Century Modern Walnut Nightstands

By Broyhill

Located in Burbank, CA

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern pair of night stands for sale. Made of walnut, and have been professionally refinished. They're in excellent condition, and are really well made. The...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Pair of 1960s Mid-Century Modern Walnut Nightstands

H 24.25 in W 23 in D 16 in

Pair of Mid century Paul Mccobb for Lane walnut rosewood nightstands

By Paul McCobb, Lane Furniture

Located in BROOKLYN, NY

Pair Mid century Paul Mccobb for Lane walnut rosewood and cane nightstands. Designed by Paul Mccobb and manufactured by Lane in Alta Vista VA. Walnut with rosewood sections and solid...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture

Materials

Nickel

Pair of Mid century Paul Mccobb for Lane walnut rosewood nightstands

H 24 in W 24 in D 21 in

John Keal Mid-Century Modern Walnut Expanding Coffee Table by Brown Saltman

By John Keal, Brown Saltman

Located in St. Louis, MO

John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid-Century Modern rectangular walnut expanding cocktail table, with vinyl laminate center on block pedestals expands from 66" to 95" long. Top to be refi...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture

Materials

Walnut

John Keal Mid-Century Modern Walnut Expanding Coffee Table by Brown Saltman

H 15 in W 66 in D 24 in

John Widdicomb Mid Century Modern Walnut Nightstand or End Table, a Pair

By John Widdicomb

Located in Plainview, NY

A pair of Mid Century Modern nightstands or end tables crafted with impeccable quality by the renowned John Widdicomb. These solid nightstands showcas...

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

John Widdicomb Mid Century Modern Walnut Nightstand or End Table, a Pair

H 23.5 in W 26 in D 16 in

Brown Saltman Mid Century Storage Headboard

By Brown Saltman

Located in Countryside, IL

Brown Saltman mid century storage headboard This headboard measures: 80 wide x 8.25 deep x 36.5 inches high All pieces of furniture ...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture

Materials

Wood

Brown Saltman Mid Century Storage Headboard

H 36.5 in W 80 in D 8.25 in

Pair Mid-Century Modern John Stuart Widdicomb Walnut 2 Drawer nightstands Brass

By John Stuart, Widdicomb Furniture Co.

Located in BROOKLYN, NY

Stunning pair of Mid-Century Modern John Stuart Widdicomb walnut 2 drawer nightstands Brass Knobs and Pull Handles. Walnut wood. Very clean set o...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair Mid-Century Modern John Stuart Widdicomb Walnut 2 Drawer nightstands Brass

H 28 in W 19 in D 14 in

California Modern Smoked Glass Walnut End Table by John Keal for Brown Saltman

By John Keal, Brown Saltman

Located in San Diego, CA

Single smoked glass end / accent table with walnut frame designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman, circa 1970s. The table is in very good vintage condition, measures 18" x 18" x 15.5"...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Furniture

Materials

Smoked Glass, Walnut

California Modern Smoked Glass Walnut End Table by John Keal for Brown Saltman

H 15.5 in W 18 in D 18 in

John Widdicomb Mid Century Walnut and Brass Nightstand

By John Widdicomb

Located in Southampton, NJ

John Widdicomb Mid Century walnut and brass two drawer nightstand with shelf, refinished & ready for use. Gorgeous grains & brass capped feet. Original tag is in tact. Dimensions: 24...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Furniture

Materials

Brass

John Widdicomb Mid Century Walnut and Brass Nightstand

H 24.75 in W 24 in D 18 in

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Walnut Nightstands

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This stunning pair of vintage modern end tables boast unusual drawer fronts with recessed pulls. Quality construction with curved front tops, stubby tapered legs, and a vintage walnu...

Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Walnut Nightstands

H 24.5 in W 22.25 in D 20.5 in

Pair of Merton Gershun for Cavalier Mid-Century Modern Walnut Brass Nightstands

By Merton Gershun, Cavalier

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Designed by Merton Gershun in the late 1960s for Cavalier, these nightstands or end tables feature a super refined design and great construction quality. Well built, they are constru...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Merton Gershun for Cavalier Mid-Century Modern Walnut Brass Nightstands

H 24 in W 21 in D 16 in

Previously Available Items

John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid-Century Modern Gentlemen's Chest Highboy

By Brown Saltman, John Keal

Located in Las Vegas, NV

John Keal for brown saltman Mid Century Modern gentlemen's chest highboy. Rat pack cool Mid-Century Modern gentlemen's chest by John Keal for Brown Saltman Look at thoughs rocket handles/pulls . Tons of storage with 11 drawers. Bleached ribbon mahogany gentleman's chest or high boy dresser with drop down upper door over shallow divided drawer set and deep pocket lower doors over a set of pull out drawers inside. Age: 1950s-60s : opening the lower doors requires 47" wide space John Keal was a member of the gang of talented designers (Paul Frankl, Paul Lazlo, and Gilbert Rhode included) who worked for LA furniture manufacturer Brown-Saltman in the fifties. The company’s tagline: “Live in the Modern Mode...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid-Century Modern Gentlemen's Chest Highboy

H 48 in W 40 in D 21.5 in

John Keal Brown-Saltman Mid-Century Modern Low Credenza, Record, Stereo Cabinet

By John Keal

Located in Las Vegas, NV

Mid-Century Modern cabinet designed by John Keal for Brown-Saltman. This cabinet can meet lots of needs from a rocking stereo stand with lots of room f...

Category

1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture

Materials

Walnut

John Keal Brown-Saltman Mid-Century Modern Low Credenza, Record, Stereo Cabinet

H 18 in W 54 in D 16 in

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.