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.
Expertly Restored - John Keal Wall-Hanging Sculpted Mirror for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Keal wall-hanging sculpted mirror for Brown Saltman. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history bac...
Mirror, Walnut
$650
H 33 in W 48.5 in D 1 in
Vintage Mid Century Sculpted Walnut Wooden Rectangular Large Wall Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid Century Sculpted Walnut Wooden Rectangular Large Wall Mirror. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 33" H x 48.5" W x 1" D.
Glass, Walnut
Italian Round Wooden Hanging Wall Mirror, 1960s, Italy
Located in Hagenbach, DE
A round Italian hanging wall mirror. 3 wooden frame parts. Leather frame and hanging rope. Beautiful with its amazing design.
Leather, Wood
Vintage Large Carved Mahogany Hanging Wall Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
Vintage solid Mahogany wall mirror. Clean carvings on top frame. Lean mahogany frame. Vintage mirror show some signs of aging. Measures 49.5 W x 1.5 D x 37.5 H.
Mirror, Mahogany
Large Round Maple Hanging Sophia Wall Mirror
By Lostine
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Sophia mirror is framed in wooden maple with a long neck resembling an oversized hand mirror. Handcrafted in Pennsylvania, the Sophia comes with a hand-hammered iron peg for hanging. The medium is a lovely size above a dresser or in a hallway. The large is a great scale for over a single sink...
Mirror, Maple
Dutch antique tortoiseshell hanging wall mirror
Located in Castle Douglas, GB
Dutch tortoiseshell mirror Ebonised ripple moulded frame of concave form, the old mirror plate with blemishes. Dutch, late 19th Century 56.5cm H, 48.5cm W, 6cm D.
Tortoise Shell
Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Framed Wall Mirror
Located in South Bend, IN
A stylish Mid-Century Modern sculpted walnut framed wall mirror. USA, 1960s Measures: 46.63"W x 1.88"D x 38.75"H. Very good original vintage condition.
Mirror, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern wall Mirror with Sculpted Wood Frame
Located in Seattle, WA
This mid-century modern wall mirror features a sculpted wood frame with clean lines and gently curved lower and upper rails. The frame showcases a warm wood tone and tapered vertical...
Wood
Round Maple Hanging Sophia Wall Mirror Medium
By Lostine
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Sophia mirror is framed in wooden maple with a long neck resembling an oversized hand mirror. Handcrafted in Pennsylvania, the Sophia comes with a hand-hammered iron peg for hanging. The medium is a lovely size above a dresser or in a hallway. The large is a great scale for over a single sink...
Mirror, Maple
Antique Arts & Crafts Trifold Wall Hanging Vanity Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition Materials: Oak, Original Distress Mirrors
Mirror, Oak
$1,312Sale Price|20% Off
H 37 in W 23 in D 12 in
Wall Hanging Arts and Crafts Chestnut Cloakroom Mirror
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Wall Hanging Arts and Crafts Chestnut Cloakroom Mirror Wall Hanging Arts and Crafts Chestnut Cloakroom Mirror with Shelf, Cloakroom or Bathroom A very attractive and useful piece ...
Chestnut
Danish Modern Solid Teak Round Wall Hanging Mirror
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid Century Modern round wall hanging mirror in solid teak circa 1960's, made in Denmark. This decorative accent piece features a natural teak wood frame and fits perfectly in an ent...
Mirror, Teak
Giltwood Framed / Decorated Top Hanging Wall Mirror
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Giltwood framed with nicely decorated top with ebonized classical crown & chariot hanging wall mirror. The mirror is in good antique condition with appropriate wear consistent with a...
Mirror, Giltwood