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.
Expandable Slat Bench by John Keal
By John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Midcentury Brown Saltman expandable slat bench designed by John Keal. This bench has two ends that pull-out extending to almost 94” long creating a versatile solid oak walnut stained...
Oak
"Mid Century Expandable Solid Walnut Slatted Bench by John Keal, 1950s"
By John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid Century Large Expandable Solid Walnut Wood Slatted Bench, Coffee Table, featuring a Slat Top and Tapered Legs, Joinery detail and Standing on Classic Mid Century Tapered Legs
Wood, Hardwood, Walnut
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.5 in W 72 in D 18.5 in
Mid-Century Slat Bench by Harry Bertoia for Knoll
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Wonderful mid-century slat bench or coffee table by Harry Bertoia for Knoll, 1950s. Stained ash. Early original Bowtie Label (Knoll Associates) that predates Knoll International. Has...
Steel
$2,800
H 17 in W 48 in D 17 in
Mel Smilow Slatted Solid Walnut Mid-Century Modern Bench on Tapered Dowel Legs
By Mel Smilow
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mel Smilow Slatted solid walnut Mid-Century Modern bench on tapered dowel legs.
Walnut
John Keal for Brown Saltman Two-Tone Slat Bench
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Low profile bench by John Keal for Brown Saltman, circa 1950s, USA. The bench features a mix of mahogany and beech wood that offers texture and depth with varying wood tones. Perfect...
Beech, Mahogany
Hypnotizm Solid Hardwood Slatted Bench by Izm Design
By Izm Design
Located in Edmonton, Alberta
Hypnotizm is the perfect bench for entryway, foot of your bed, additional dining room seating, or as a hall table. With an obvious nod to George N...
Wood
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 19 in W 77 in D 28 in
Mid Century Dutch Modern Solid Large Teak Brutalist Slatted bench
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare Dutch Modern Solid Large teak Brutalist Slatted bench. Nice solid wood Bench great Dutch woodworking. Great for entryway hallway or bedroom. Shows normal wear from use and age. ...
Teak
Mid Century Slat Bench Coffee Table Made in Yugoslavia C 1950s
By George Nelson
Located in New York, NY
Iconic slat bench coffee table, bench made in Yugoslavia, after George Nelson, circa 1950/1960's. Constructed of solid wood, in very good, original, clean and ready to use condition,...
Wood
$1,750
H 14 in W 60 in D 17.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Slatted Bench in Solid Beech, Yugoslavia, Circa 1960s
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautifully crafted mid-century modern slatted bench produced in Yugoslavia during the 1960s. The bench features a long rectangular seat constructed of solid European beech wood sl...
Beech
$6,800
H 19.89 in W 47.05 in D 17.72 in
Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Slatted Luggage Bench, Sergio Rodrigues, Oca, 1950s
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Saudade, MG
Slatted luggage bench designed by Sergio Rodrigues for Oca in the 1950s. Crafted from Bahia rosewood, its structure is composed of solid wood slats that combine formal simplicity wit...
Rosewood
Chrome Slat Bench by Milo Baughman, 1970s
By Design Institute America, Milo Baughman
Located in New York, NY
Chrome Slat Bench by Milo Baughman for the Design Institute of America Chrome Bench, 1970s.
Metal, Chrome
Mid-Century Extending Slat Bench
Located in Brooklyn, NY
American made mid-century slatted bench or table that extends from 55" to 95.5". Great option for additional seating or as a coffee table. Please confirm location with vendor NY or NJ
Walnut
$3,800
H 15.5 in W 48 in D 19 in
Unusual Edward Wormley Long John Bench Walnut Mid-Century Modern 1950s
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Unusual Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Long John" short bench or coffee table with custom ordered (original from Dunbar) walnut "adjusto" legs and drawer underneath. Measuring 48"l, 19"d...
Walnut
Craft Associates Slatted J Bench 1602
By Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Craft Associates. Manufacturer: Craft Associates Furniture. Period/Model: Mid-Century Modern. Specs: Solid ziricote. Condition: T...
Walnut
John Keal for Brown Saltman Two-Tone Slat Bench
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Low profile bench by John Keal for Brown Saltman, circa 1950s, USA. The bench features a mix of mahogany and beech wood that offers texture and depth with varying wood tones. Perfect...
Beech, Mahogany
John Keal for Brown Saltman Two-Tone Slat Bench
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Low profile bench by John Keal for Brown Saltman, circa 1950s, USA. The bench features a mix of mahogany and beech wood that offers texture and depth with varying wood tones. Perfect...
Mahogany, Beech
John Keal Slatted Bench for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Low profile bench by John Keal for Brown Saltman, circa 1950s, USA. The bench features mahogany wood slats and tapered dowel legs. Perfect as a low profile coffee table, entryway ben...
Mahogany
Mid Century Modern Expandable Slatted Wood Bench by John Keal
By John Keal
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Exuding timeless appeal, this slatted wood bench by renowned mid-century modern designer John Keal embodies both functionality and clean-lined aesthetic. Crafted with meticulous atte...
Walnut
Extendable Bench in Mahogany by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in San Diego, CA
John Keal designed this extendable bench in mahogany for Brown Saltman. We have restored it to excellent vintage condition. This ingenious design has two ends that pull-out extending...
Walnut
Brown Saltman Expandable Slat Bench by John Keal
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Miami, FL
Midcentury Brown Saltman expandable slat bench designed by John Keal. This ingenious design has two ends that pull-out extending to almost 94” long. A ...
Walnut
Upholstered Bench by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal
Located in Dallas, TX
A sculpted mahogany bench with upholstered top. Designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman.
Mahogany
Midcentury Two-Tone Bench / Table by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Wood, Beech, Mahogany, Walnut
John Keal Slatted Bench for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Low profile bench by John Keal for Brown Saltman, circa1950s, USA. The bench features a mix of mahogany and beech wood that offers texture and depth ...
Beech, Mahogany
John Keal, Bench, Mahogany, Johnson Furniture Co., USA, 1950s
By John Keal
Located in High Point, NC
A stained and bleach mahogany bench designed by John Keal and produced by Johnson Furniture Co., USA, 1950s.
Mahogany
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Ebonized Expandable Bench
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Franklin Park, IL
John Keal for brown saltman mid century Ebonized expandable bench This bench measures: 55.5 wide x 18 deep x 12 inches high ...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern John Keal for Brown Saltman Expandable Slat Bench
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
This sophisticated, slat walnut bench is an iconic addition to any Mid-Century Modern home and fully extends from 55.75" to 94.5", making this a versatile piece in any space. In very...
Wood