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.
Expertly Restored - Californian Modern Dresser 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 precis...
Wood, Walnut
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...
Aluminum, Brass
$2,280Sale Price|40% Off
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...
Wood
$5,240Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage MC Rare Bar Cabinet Station by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible and intelligent design by John Keal for Brown Saltman. This incredible vintage cabinet from the late 1950s transcends decades to amaze with intelligent design and purpose. On the outside, the cabinet is minimal and clean lined with two long sculpted decorative wood bars. Pull the decorative bars up until they lock, carefully let them fall forward and voila! It’s a table and built in bar...
Composition
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...
Chrome
$3,015Sale Price|40% Off
Mid-century 6057 Server Mahogany Sideboard Cabinet, John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
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...
Mahogany
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...
Walnut
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Tambour Door Credenza
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Franklin Park, IL
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Tambour Door Credenza This credenza measures: 44.25 wide x 18.25 deep x 32.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be h...
Mahogany
John Keal, Dresser, Wood, Brass, USA, 1950s
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and brass dresser designed by John Keal and produced by Brown Saltman, USA, 1950s.
Brass
1950s John Keal for Brown Saltman Dresser in Blonde Mahogany & Formica Top
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
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...
Abalone, Formica, Hardwood, Mahogany
$2,346Sale Price|31% Off
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...
Brass
$5,244Sale Price|31% Off
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...
Glass, Mahogany
Robert John Credenza
By Robert John
Located in Chicago, IL
Robert John Credenza, five drawers 2 pencil drawers with locks, one file drawer with notch pulls, sliding doors with removable adjustable shelf. ...
Steel
Shale Low Credenza (84") by Simon Johns
By Simon Johns
Located in East-Bolton, Quebec
Both monumental and subtle, the Shale Credenza brings the intricacies of nature’s geology indoors. The wood doors are scored vertically across the grain...
Brass
George III Sideboard Mahogany Server Sheraton
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a gorgeous George III sideboard in mahogany with Sheraton influences Crafted in fine figured mahogany with elegant neoclassical detailing and inlay Configured with fi...
Mahogany
$5,195
H 29.75 in W 56.5 in D 18 in
Credenza / Cabinet in Oak by George Nelson for Herman Miller, USA, c. 1950's
By George Nelson
Located in Deland, FL
Embrace the iconic mid-century modern style with this exquisite credenza designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, part of the esteemed Basic Cabinet Series, crafted in the USA circa 1950s. Constructed from comb grain oak, this piece stands out with its original black painted tapered legs, a unique feature of Nelson's designs. The front-facing cabinet boasts two doors with curved steel cabinet...
Steel
Sheraton Sideboard Antique Mahogany Server 1880
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Sheraton Revival mahogany server This server stands upon elegant tapered legs Circa 1880 The server features 3 mahogany lined drawers with decorative oval pierced handles The whole o...
Mahogany
John Kapel Mid Century Modern Walnut Dresser Glenn of California
By John Kapel
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This distinguished by John Kapel for Glenn of California dresser features a streamlined design with exceptional craftsmanship and premium materials. Notable elements include elegantl...
Walnut
$3,000
H 30.5 in W 74 in D 19 in
Expertly Restored United Furniture Walnut Diamond Triple Dresser 9 Drawers 1960s
By United Furniture Corporation
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Mid-Century Modern united furniture company vintage circa 1950s nine-drawer triple dresser would work well in the bedroom as originally intended or in the living room re-purposed as ...
Aluminum
Shale Low Credenza (96") by Simon Johns
Located in East-Bolton, Quebec
Both monumental and subtle, the Shale Credenza brings the intricacies of nature’s geology indoors. The wood doors are scored vertically across the grain...
Brass
Van Keppel for Brown Saltman Mid Century Credenza
By Brown Saltman
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Van Keppel for Brown Saltman Mid Century Credenza This credenza measures: 60 wide x 19 deep x 35.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintage ...
Wood
$4,295
H 33.25 in W 72 in D 20.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Credenza Dresser by Bert England for John Stuart
By John Stuart
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous brutalist credenza or long dresser by Bert England for John Stuart. Bi fold doors open to reveal 8 total drawers and a shelf. Walnut mosaic panels which are framed. Marble top on 90 % front edge is walnut. Brass tubular base with walnut sabots. A true quality piece. Signed John Stuart. Has been refinished. All doors...
Carrara Marble, Brass
$4,500
H 30.25 in W 56.25 in D 18.95 in
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller Basic Cabinet Series (BSC) Credenza
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a credenza / dresser, originally designed by George Nelson in 1946 as part of the Basic Cabinet Series. This particular example was produced by Herman Miller in the 1950s. Th...
Aluminum
$2,200
H 27.75 in W 45.5 in D 20.25 in
John Kapel for Glenn of California Drop Leaf Expandable Bar Cart Cabinet Walnut
By John Kapel, Glenn of California
Located in Miami, FL
John Kapel for Glenn of California Drop Leaf Expandable Bar Cart sold through John Stuart. Walnut with black mica. The cart has two doors, one drawer and one shelf. The leaf can be l...
Walnut, Formica
Vintage Walnut Credenza by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in North Hollywood, CA
An exquisite mid-century modern walnut credenza, expertly designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman in the United States during the iconic 1950s. This piece combines form and function ...
Walnut
Newly Refinished - Mid-Century California Modern Desk by John Keal
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage designs that can seamlessly be incorpo...
Mahogany
John Keal Six Drawer Dresser for Brown Saltman
By John Keal
Located in San Diego, CA
This John Keal dresser has it all: amazing construction, clean lines, and rich walnut woodgrain. This 6-drawer dresser is the perfect dresser: it features beautiful book-matched waln...
Walnut
Sold
H 50.25 in W 36 in D 19 in
Mid Century Modern Walnut Tallboy Dresser By John Keal for Brown Saltman, c1960s
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Introducing a distinguished piece of mid-century modern artistry, this vintage tallboy dresser by John Keal for Brown Saltman defines the iconi...
Walnut
Sold
H 31.5 in W 38.25 in D 20 in
Mid Century Modern Serving Bar Cart with Hot Plate by Brown Saltman, c1960s
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Chino Hills, CA
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning, authentic mid-century modern serving cart, designed by the esteemed John Keal for Brown Saltman in the 1960s. A perfect blend of fun...
Metal, Brass
Mid Century Modern Walnut Credenza by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Stunning mid-century modern walnut credenza designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman in the United States, circa 1950s. Features a beautiful and sculptural walnut base lending an air ...
Walnut
Sold
H 28.75 in W 52.25 in D 23.75 in
Newly Refinished -Mid-Century Modern Writing Desk by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Writing Desk by John Keal for Brown Saltman Materials: Walnut-Stained Mahogany With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a ...
Walnut
Sold
H 31 in W 19 in D 72 in
Mid Century Modern Walnut Credenza by John Keal for Brown Saltman, c1960s
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Introducing the epitome of mid-century modern elegance! This exquisite tambour door credenza, designed by John Keal & expertly manufactured by the renowned furniture brand Brown Salt...
Walnut
Sold
H 18.25 in W 54 in D 16 in
Vintage John Keal Brown-Saltman Mid Century Modern Low Credenza, Record, Stereo
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
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 ...
Brass
John Keal, Dresser, Wood, Brass, Brown Saltman, 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.
Brass
John Keal 12-Drawers Walnut Dresser for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern dresser designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman in the California circa 1950’s. This minimalist dresser features a walnut wood case with twelve drawers and sits on...
Walnut
California Modern Dresser by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
California Modern Dresser by John Keal for Brown Saltman
Brass