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John Keal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

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.

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Creator: John Keal
1950's John Keal design for Brown-Saltman Low Credenza Cabinet
1950's John Keal design for Brown-Saltman Low Credenza Cabinet

1950's John Keal design for Brown-Saltman Low Credenza Cabinet

By John Keal

Located in Las Vegas, NV

Mid-century four-door very low cabinet designed by John Keal for Brown-Saltman. Gorgeous walnut grain throughout. Nickel-plated pulls and back plate. Exceptionally versatile piece of furniture which could be used as a bench, entry way cabinet...

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern John Keal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

John Keal Walnut Dresser with Metal Accent Pulls for Brown Saltman
John Keal Walnut Dresser with Metal Accent Pulls for Brown Saltman

John Keal Walnut Dresser with Metal Accent Pulls for Brown Saltman

By John Keal, Brown Saltman

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 precis...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Mid-century 6057 Server Mahogany Sideboard Cabinet, John Keal for Brown Saltman
Mid-century 6057 Server Mahogany Sideboard Cabinet, John Keal for Brown Saltman

Mid-century 6057 Server Mahogany Sideboard Cabinet, John Keal for Brown Saltman

By Brown Saltman, John Keal

Located in Van Nuys, CA

Rare Brown Saltman "6057 Server " mahogany cabinet/buffet designed by John Keal. The cabinet contains a fixed shelf with a slide-out wine glass rack and pivoting hardware for holding...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

John Keal, Dresser, Wood, Brass, USA, 1950s
John Keal, Dresser, Wood, Brass, USA, 1950s

John Keal, Dresser, Wood, Brass, USA, 1950s

By John Keal, Brown Saltman

Located in High Point, NC

A wood and brass dresser designed by John Keal and produced by Brown Saltman, USA, 1950s.

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Credenza
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Credenza

John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Credenza

By Brown Saltman, John Keal

Located in Franklin Park, IL

John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Credenza This credenza measures: 66 wide x 20 deep x 33 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call res...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Chrome

Newly Refinished - John Keal Walnut Highboy Dresser for Brown Saltman
Newly Refinished - John Keal Walnut Highboy Dresser for Brown Saltman

Newly Refinished - John Keal Walnut Highboy Dresser for Brown Saltman

By Brown Saltman, John Keal

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Condition: Expertly Refinished Expertly Refinished: With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativi...

Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Walnut Credenza
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Walnut Credenza

John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Walnut Credenza

By Brown Saltman, John Keal

Located in Franklin Park, IL

John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Walnut Credenza This highboy measures: 38 wide x 19 deep x 64.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vin...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

1950s John Keal for Brown Saltman Dresser in Blonde Mahogany & Formica Top
1950s John Keal for Brown Saltman Dresser in Blonde Mahogany & Formica Top

1950s John Keal for Brown Saltman Dresser in Blonde Mahogany & Formica Top

By John Keal, Brown Saltman

Located in Germantown, MD

A clean midcentury Brown Saltman blonde mahogany modern double dresser 1950s USA. Blonde mahogany body and very clean formica top. Exception...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Abalone, Formica, Hardwood, Mahogany

Rare John Keal Buffet or Credenza for Brown Saltman
Rare John Keal Buffet or Credenza for Brown Saltman

Rare John Keal Buffet or Credenza for Brown Saltman

By John Keal

Located in Van Nuys, CA

This Mid-Century Modern buffet or credenza by John Keal for Brown Saltman features three storage drawers and a cabinet behind a pair of double doors. The unit rests on a sculptured l...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

John Keal Wall Unit / Vitrine with Drawers for Brown Saltman
John Keal Wall Unit / Vitrine with Drawers for Brown Saltman

John Keal Wall Unit / Vitrine with Drawers for Brown Saltman

By John Keal

Located in Van Nuys, CA

This versatile Mid-Century Modern vitrine / wall unit designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman features four shelves behind original sliding glass doors atop a sculptural rendered two...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

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Mid Century Modern Serving Bar Cart with Hot Plate by Brown Saltman, c1960s

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Located in Chino Hills, CA

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Mid Century Modern Walnut Credenza by John Keal for Brown Saltman

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Located in North Hollywood, CA

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Newly Refinished -Mid-Century Modern Writing Desk by John Keal for Brown Saltman

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Located in Los Angeles, CA

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Vintage John Keal Brown-Saltman Mid Century Modern Low Credenza, Record, Stereo

By John Keal, Brown Saltman

Located in Los Angeles, CA

1960’s four-door low cabinet designed by John Keal for Brown-Saltman. Exceptionally versatile piece of furniture to be used as stereo stand with room for ...

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John Keal, Dresser, Wood, Brass, Brown Saltman, USA, 1950s
John Keal, Dresser, Wood, Brass, Brown Saltman, USA, 1950s

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Located in High Point, NC

A wood and brass dresser designed by John Keal and produced by Brown Saltman, USA, 1950s.

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John Keal case pieces and storage cabinets for sale on 1stDibs.

John Keal case pieces and storage cabinets are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of John Keal case pieces and storage cabinets, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original case pieces and storage cabinets by John Keal were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider case pieces and storage cabinets by Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall, Mengel Furniture Co., and Heritage Furniture. Prices for John Keal case pieces and storage cabinets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,295 and can go as high as $6,550, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,425.