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
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
Vintage Expandable Solid Walnut Slatted Bench, Coffee Table by John Keal
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
John Keal Slatted Bench for Brown Saltman
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 mahogany wood slats and tapered dowel legs. Perfect as a low profile coffee table, entryway ben...
Mahogany
H 16.54 in W 52.37 in D 17.72 in
Civil Bench 057 by Pierre Jeanneret for Cassina, Mid-Century Modern
By Cassina, Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Berlin, DE
Civil bench 057 by Pierre Jeanneret for Cassina. Prices vary dependent on the chosen material. Available in teak, oak or black stained oak. Assembly, con...
Rattan, Wood, Oak, Teak
H 16 in W 48 in D 18 in
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
H 14.25 in W 60 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Slatted Bench or Coffee Table, 1960s, Refinished
By George Nelson, Herman Miller, Maruni
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautifully refinished Mid-Century Modern slatted wood bench in richly toned walnut, offering the perfect combination of clean architectural lines and functional versatility. Craft...
Wood
H 13.5 in W 60 in D 17.5 in
Mid Century Modern Walnut Slat Bench Coffee Table
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century modern slat bench / coffee table features hardwood construction, original walnut finish, and tall tapered legs. Unlike many of these slat benches on the market this ...
Walnut
H 14 in W 102.38 in D 18.5 in
George Nelson Long Slat Bench Black Finish Herman Miller Mid-Century Modern 1950
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Miami, FL
Original George Nelson early long slat bench in ebonized Birch Wood designed in the 1950s and manufactured by Herman Miller. Great for a Hallway Bench where Kids can change Shoes an...
Wood, Birch
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
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
H 15 in W 60 in D 19 in
Lawrence Peabody Long Walnut Bench / Coffee Table For Richardson-Nemschoff
By Lawrence Peabody
Located in Chicago, IL
Lawrence Peabody Long Walnut Bench / Coffee Table For Richardson-Nemschoff. This bench should be purchased with the intent to completely refinish and possibly lacquer a color. Looks ...
Wood
H 14 in W 68 in D 18.75 in
George Nelson Classic Slat Bench 1950's Original Signed!
By George Nelson
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic, original 1950's vintage George Nelson for Herman Miller slat bench. Original ebonised finish with warm patina. This is a hard to find original bench, retaining its foil la...
Maple
H 14 in W 56.5 in D 18.5 in
Six Foot George Nelson Classic Slat Bench 1950's Original Signed!
By George Nelson
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic, original 1950's vintage George Nelson for Herman Miller slat bench. Natural finish with warm patina and ebonized legs. This is a hard to find original, retaining its foil...
Maple
H 8.08 in W 45.28 in D 10.04 in
Contemporary Ceramic Coffeetable modern Bench Glazed Stoneware Dark Green Brown
By Apparatu, Xavier Mañosa
Located in Rubi, Catalunya
Handmade stoneware coffee table manufactured at the workshop of Apparatu in Barcelona. Different clay bodys are mixed with natural fibers like corn, straw, or heather straw. The piec...
Ceramic, Earthenware, Stoneware
H 15 in W 62 in D 18 in
Henredon Solid Walnut Bench Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley, Heritage-Henredon
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern stunning solid walnut grain long bench coffee table with rolled edges and one drawer similar to Edward Wormley for Dunbar bench.
Walnut
H 9.25 in W 60 in D 15.75 in
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
H 12 in W 54 in D 18 in
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
H 12 in W 18 in D 55.5 in
Extendable Bench in Mahogany by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
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
H 16 in W 72 in D 25 in
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
H 14.5 in W 66 in D 29 in
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
H 10 in W 60 in D 16 in
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
H 9.25 in W 59.68 in D 16 in
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
H 12 in W 55.5 in D 18 in
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
H 12 in W 55.75 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Modern John Keal for Brown Saltman Expandable Slat Bench
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
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
H 12 in W 96 in D 18 in
Large Mid-Century Modern Extending Slat Bench on Tapered Dowel Cone Legs
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Large Mid-Century Modern expandable slat bench on tapered dowel cone legs.
Walnut
H 12 in W 55.75 in D 18 in
Vintage John Keal Expandable Slat Bench Coffee Table for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid century minimalist slat bench designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman. This versatile California modern piece features an expandable sliding top with eight support legs. Perfect ...
Wood
H 9.25 in W 59.75 in D 16 in
John Keal Slatted Bench for Brown Saltman circa 1955
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
John Keal Slatted low bench for Brown Saltman, circa 1955.
Birch, Walnut