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.
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Walnut Credenza
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
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, 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 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...
Abalone, Formica, Hardwood, Mahogany
$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 Bleached Mahogany Credenza
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
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
$1,122Sale Price|44% 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
Newly Refinished - John Keal Walnut Highboy Dresser for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
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...
Walnut
John Keal Walnut Dresser with Metal Accent Pulls for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Walnut Wood, Aluminum Pulls, Brass Sabots ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to l...
Aluminum, Brass
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Credenza
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Franklin Park, IL
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Credenza This credenza measures: 66 wide x 20.25 deep x 33 inches high Good Vintage Condition - Areas of Stain Wear and Mi...
Mahogany
$5,244Sale Price|40% 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
Stellar Bamboo Buffet or Credenza in the Style of Milo Baughman
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent chest is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Completely installation ready. A fabulous meticulously restored four-door ca...
Bamboo, Hardwood
$5,500
H 30 in W 96.5 in D 21.5 in
Californian Modern Modular Dresser by Martin Borenstein for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, Martin Borenstein
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Walnut Wood, Original White Formica Top ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life...
Formica, Wood, Walnut
Dresser from S.A.F.F.A, 1950s
By Saffa
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Set of maple and myrtle briar dressers and nightstands. Brass tips and handles. Retro-treated glass top from the Gris company of Varedo. Very interesting; under the top there are mar...
Brass
$24,000
H 30.25 in W 40.75 in D 20.5 in
Max Kuehne, Silver Leaf, Painted Wood, Rare Commode, USA, 1950s
By Max Kuehne
Located in Stamford, CT
Max Kuehne, Silver Leaf, Painted Wood, Rare Dresser or Chest of Drawers, USA, 1950s Rare and important cabinet designed by Max Kuehne (German/American, 1880-1968) in the United Stat...
Silver Leaf
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Walnut Credenza / Dresser
Located in Wilmington, DE
A handsome vintage Mid-Century Modern walnut credenza / dresser featuring warm wood tones, clean architectural lines, and beautifully figured grain. At 71 inches wide, the substantia...
Walnut
$2,950
H 32.25 in W 70 in D 21 in
John Widdicomb, American Modern, Nine-Drawer Dresser, Walnut, Brass, USA, 1960s
By John Widdicomb
Located in Stamford, CT
John Widdicomb, American Mid-Century Modern, Nine-Drawer Dresser, Walnut, Brass, USA, 1960s A modernist nine-drawer dresser designed and produced by John Widdicomb in the United Sta...
Brass
Paul Laszlo, Dresser, Oak, USA, 1950s
By Paul Laszlo, Brown Saltman
Located in High Point, NC
An oak dresser designed designed by Paul Laszlo and produced by Brown Saltman, USA, 1950s.
Oak
Mid-Century Walnut Credenza by Cavalier Furniture
By Cavalier
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This attractive vintage modern walnut credenza features nine hefty drawers hidden by unique sliding doors. Sleek design with recessed drawer pulls, dovetail joints, and a sculpted st...
Walnut
$7,500
H 31.25 in W 72 in D 20 in
Restored 1950s Mount Airy Walnut & Brass Sculptural Mid Century Lowboy Dresser
By Mount Airy Furniture Company
Located in Toluca Ter, CA
A newly refinished 1950s mid century modern exoskeletal twelve drawer walnut chest of drawers with brass hardware by Mount Airy Furniture Company. The case is suspended within a fra...
Brass
Scandinavian Modern Low Teak Storage Cabinet Small Buffet or Credenza
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome vintage Scandinavian Modern low profile teak storage cabinet or small buffet or credenza. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have ...
Teak
1950s, Scandinavian design, seat dresser, oak wood, sheepskin.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950-60, Scandinavian design, seater dresser. Oak wood, new seat cushion of quality New Zeland genuine sheepskin. Wood renewed.
Sheepskin, Oak
$3,595
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
John Kapel for Glenn of California Credenza
By John Kapel, Glenn of California
Located in Denton, TX
Four door credenza with sculpted walnut handles that open to shelves and drawers. Beautiful black accents on the doors and base make the walnut pop. Designed by John Kapel for Glenn of California...
Plastic, Walnut
$2,995
H 46.75 in W 34.75 in D 20 in
Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman Mid Century Oak and Brass Highboy Dresser
By Brown Saltman, Paul Frankl
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman Mid Century Oak and Brass Highboy Dresser This highboy measures: 34.75 wide x 20 deep x 46.75 inches high Good Vintage Condition - Minor Areas of Stai...
Brass
Sold
H 30 in W 72 in D 19 in
Expertly Restored - Californian Modern Credenza 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
Sold
H 32.25 in W 72 in D 19 in
Expertly Restored - Californian Modernist Dresser by John Keal 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...
Wood, Walnut
Vintage Mid Century "Double Dresser" by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Oxnard, CA
Here is a large mahogany dresser by John Keal for Brown Saltman. The unique stacked design is designated as a "double dresser" and features nine nicely sized drawers. There are man...
Brass
Sold
H 32 in W 72 in D 19 in
Expertly Restored - Californian Modern Dresser by John Keal 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...
Wood, Walnut
Vintage Walnut Credenza by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
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 Brown Saltman, John Keal
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