Skip to main content

John Keal Slipper Chairs

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.

to
1
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
69
38
23
12
12
Creator: John Keal
John keal chairs
By John Keal, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Jolie chauffeuse par John Keal, attribuée parfois à Gibbings.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Slipper Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Related Items
Slipper Chair by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, C. 1950s
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Westport, CT
Vintage slipper chair designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, circa 1950s. Expertly restored by Stamford Modern, this timeless piece features a sleek walnut frame, refinish...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Slipper Chairs

Materials

Twill, Walnut

Chic Restored Set of 8 Cerused Mahogany Dining Chairs by John Keal, circa 1955
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...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Slipper Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Brown Saltman Expandable Slat Bench by John Keal
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
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 ...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Slipper Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Brown Saltman Expandable Slat Bench by John Keal
Brown Saltman Expandable Slat Bench by John Keal
$3,800
H 11.75 in W 56.13 in D 18 in
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...
Category

1950s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Slipper Chairs

Materials

Fabric, 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 walnut bench, coff...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Slipper Chairs

Materials

Oak

Expandable Slat Bench by John Keal
Expandable Slat Bench by John Keal
$3,600
H 11.75 in W 56 in D 18 in
Mid Century Modern Harvey Probber Spoon-back Slipper Chairs, 1960s, Pair
By Edward Wormley, Harvey Probber, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
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.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern John Keal Slipper Chairs

Materials

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Slipper Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Slipper Chair
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Slipper Chair
$5,000
H 31.5 in W 26.5 in D 28.5 in
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Slipper Chair, Walnut, Brass, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in High Point, NC
A brass, walnut and beige fabric slipper chair designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings and produced by Widdicomb, USA, 1950s. 16” seat height
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Slipper Chairs

Materials

Brass

Pair of Unusual Slipper Chairs by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Widdicomb, circa 1950s
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of rare and unusual French style slipper chairs by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, circa 1950s.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Slipper Chairs

Materials

Walnut

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern John Keal Slipper Chairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of Slipper Chairs by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb c. 1960's
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Greenwich, CT
Pair of Slipper Chairs designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, circa 1960s. These chairs are great examples of Robsjohn’s timeless design which combines modern comfort wit...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern John Keal Slipper Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Elegant T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Slipper Chair with an Ottoman
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic French style slipper chair by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, with a large ottoman. The chair measures 28" D, 27.5" W, 31" H, 15"(seat height). The ottoman measures 2...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Slipper Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Recently Viewed

View All