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.
$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...
Walnut
Set of Two ( 2 ) Triangular Low Profile Chairs in Walnut by John Keal for Brown
By John Keal
Located in Deland, FL
This is an ultra-rare set of 3-legged lounge chairs designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman. The chairs feature their original hardware and can be hinged together for tandem seating in a myriad of combinations and shapes if desired. The solid walnut frames are exquisitely shaped and the stunning wood grain is offset perfectly by the newly re-upholstered seats (redone in a fabulous burnt orange with hints of violet knit fabric). If desired we have additional pieces from this series sold seperately; at the time of publishing this larger set is the largest intact original set available for sale in the North America. Whether you want the two exceptional low profile side side chairs...
Walnut
$7,500
H 28 in W 131.5 in D 33 in
Adrian Pearsall 6-Piece Modular Sectional for Craft Associates, 1970
By Adrian Pearsall, Comfort Designs, Inc.
Located in Chicago, IL
Adrian Pearsall 6-piece modular sectional designed for Craft Associates, 1970’s. Original upholstery in good condition. There are no rips or tears. Sun fading on some pieces as sh...
Velvet
Set Of Two Cesca Chair For Bene Austria 1980s
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Čelinac, BA
Set of Two Cesca Chair By Bene Austria 1980s
Chrome
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
Vintage 1970s 9-Piece Curved Modular Sofa Sectional
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Remarkably well preserved nine‑piece modular sofa sectional from the late 1960s–1970s. The set includes seven standard modular chairs and two wedge‑shaped corner modules, offering a ...
Velvet
$25,181 / set
H 30.71 in W 21.66 in D 17.72 in
Pair of 2 Africa dining chairs in walnut and leather by Scarpa for Maxalto, Italy, 1980s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Set of 2 chairs mod. Africa designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto in 1974. Walnut wood frame, brass, wood of different woods, bent plywood seat, leather, excellent condition....
Brass
$32,000 / set
H 30.5 in W 19.5 in D 24 in
Chic Restored Set of 8 Vintage Danish Style Dining Chairs by John Keal
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent set of dining chairs is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored, newly upholstered and co...
Mahogany
$8,750 / set
H 27.56 in W 19.69 in D 22.45 in
Ernesto Valabrega for Vittorio Valabrega Pair of Chairs in Walnut
By Vittorio Valabrega
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernesto Valabrega for Vittorio Valabrega, pair of chairs, walnut, fabric, 1930s These chairs are a beautiful example of Italian Art Deco design, designed by Ernesto Valabrega circa...
Fabric, Walnut
$16,024 / set
H 29.14 in W 20.48 in D 18.12 in
Set of 4 Monk dining chairs in leather and walnut by A&T Scarpa for Molteni 1974
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Set of 4 chairs mod. Monk designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni in 1974. Stained walnut wood frame, natural leather seats. Excellent condition, restored. The whole set has be...
Animal Skin, Wood
$1,007 / set
H 31.11 in W 18.12 in D 17.72 in
Dining Chairs by Antonin Suman for Tatra, 1960s, Set of Two
By Antonín Šuman
Located in Żory, PL
Set of two chairs produced circa 1960 in former Czechoslovakia and designed by Antonin Suman for Tatra. Upholstered with new grey fabric uphols...
Fabric, Wood
$3,750Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 36 in W 24.5 in D 35 in
Pair of John Mascheroni Scissor Pillow Low Profile Highback Chairs
By Ward Bennett
Located in Wayne, NJ
Pair of scissor pillow highback low chairs in the manner of Ward Bennett . If you are in the New Jersey , New York City Metro Area , please contact us with your delivery zip code, as...
Metal
$2,047 / set
H 33.47 in W 17.92 in D 20.08 in
Suite of Six Antique Brown Leather & Walnut Dining Chairs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this vintage suite of six brown leather and walnut dining chairs. These chairs are in very good condition, the backs and seats are comfortable and ...
Leather, Walnut
$8,180 / item
H 32 in W 45 in D 40 in
ASYM CHAIR - Modern Asymmetrical Sectional Chair in Black Boucle
By Susan Hornbeak-Ortiz
Located in Laguna Niguel, CA
ASYM CHAIR - Modern Asymmetrical Sectional Chair in Black Boucle The Asym chair is a stunning piece of furniture that features asymmetrical design elements that create a unique and ...
Upholstery
John Keal Low Arm Chairs
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in New York, NY
John Keal low arm chairs. John Keal low arm chairs in Mahogany. One of John Keal's most coveted and sought after designs are these low arm chairs. Many times used in dining chair set...
Mahogany
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mahogony Chairs by Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Chino Hills, CA
A classic American design; John Keal for Brown Saltman dining chairs x4. They feature a beautiful glossed solid mahogany finish with...
Mahogany
John Keal for Brown Saltman Style MCM Mahogany Dining Chairs, Set of 6
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Franklin Park, IL
John Keal for Brown Saltman style mid century mahogany dining chairs - set of 6 Each chair measures: 20 wide x 18 deep x 32.5 high, with a seat height of 18 inches All pieces of ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Outdoor Patio Dining Chairs by John Keal
By Pacific Iron, John Keal
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Incredible iron chairs designed by John Keal for Pacific Iron of Los Angeles, California. Fresh new white powder coat finish.
Steel
Vintage Seating Group by John Keal
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage seating group designed by John Keal for Brown and Saltman.
Fabric, Walnut
Set of Four Iron Chairs by John Keal for Pacific Iron
By Pacific Iron, John Keal
Located in Denton, TX
Set of four iron chairs by John Keal for Pacific Iron.
Iron
Iron Chair by John Keal for Pacific Iron
By Pacific Iron, John Keal
Located in Denton, TX
Iron Chair by John Keal for Pacific Iron.
Steel
Set of Four Dining Chairs By John Keal for Pacific Iron Products
By Pacific Iron, John Keal
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Set of four dining chairs by John Keal for Pacific Iron Products.
Iron