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.
$5,665
John keal chairs
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, John Keal
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Jolie chauffeuse par John Keal, attribuée parfois à Gibbings.
Velvet, Wood
$2,850 / set
H 32.75 in W 22.5 in D 31 in
Donghia Pair of Slipper Lounge Chairs designed by John Hutton Mid Century Style
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Low Slung Slipper Lounge Chairs, designed by John Hutton for Donghia, American, circa 2000s.
Upholstery, Wood
$3,750 / set
H 34.5 in W 23.5 in D 28.5 in
Mid Century Ebonized Slipper Chairs in the Style of Robsjohn-Gibbings
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These Mid Century Ebonized Slipper Chairs are crafted in the iconic style of Robsjohn-Gibbings. The ebonized finish adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to any space. Its slee...
Wood
$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
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
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Slipper Lounge Chair for Widdicomb (UK / U.S.A)
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Slipper Lounge Chair for Widdicomb (UK/U.S.A)This exquisite slipper lounge chair, designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, embodies mid-century elegan...
Fabric, Mahogany
$3,750
H 28.5 in W 28 in D 24 in
Tomlinson Sophisticates Slipper Chair by John Lubberts and Lambert Muller
By Tomlinson, John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder
Located in Chicago, IL
A beautiful and rare Tomlinson slipper chair from the Sophisticates line circa 1950's. The model 650 chair was designed by John Lubberts & Lambert Mulder. This chair have a walnut ...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
$4,875 / set
H 39 in W 26 in D 25 in
Mid Century Modern Harvey Probber Spoon-back Slipper Chairs, 1960s, Pair
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Harvey Probber, Edward Wormley
Located in Raleigh, NC
Beautiful sculptural pair of mahogany slipper chairs from Harvey Probber. A wonderful combination of traditional elegance and modernism. Walnut stained frames with mohair upholstery.
Mohair, Mahogany
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Slipper Chair
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Timeless elegant design by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings in original finish. Believed to be original upholstery but could have been redone in its lifetime. Some stains to the upholstery cou...
Upholstery, Wood
$7,500 / set
H 28.5 in W 28 in D 24 in
Pair of Tomlinson Bullhorn Slipper Chairs by John Lubberts and Lambert Muller
By John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder, Tomlinson
Located in Chicago, IL
A beautiful and rare set of Tomlinson slipper chairs from the Sophisticates line circa 1950's. The model 650 chair was designed by John Lubberts & Lambert Mulder. These chairs have...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
$6,495
H 28.25 in W 27 in D 24 in
John Lubberts - Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson Cane, Walnut Slipper Chairs - Pair
By Tomlinson, John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder
Located in Franklin Park, IL
John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson Mid Century Walnut and Cane Slipper Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 27 wide x 24 deep x 28.25 high, with a seat height of 13.5 inch...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
$2,200
H 45 in W 27.75 in D 34.25 in
John Widdicomb Modern Art Deco Cherry Wood Tub Chair or Slipper Chair
By John Widdicomb
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Modern Regency or Art Deco style tub chair or slipper chairs By John Widdicomb USA, Circa Late 20th Century Carved cherry wood frame, with terra cotta upholstered seat ...
Upholstery, Cherry
$8,500
H 31 in W 25.5 in D 33.75 in
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Slipper Lounge Chair for Widdicomb (UK / U.S.A)
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Dallas, TX
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Slipper Lounge Chair for Widdicomb (UK/U.S.A)This exquisite slipper lounge chair, designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, embodies mid-century elegan...
Alpaca, Mahogany