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.
$2,346Sale Price|40% 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
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
$840Sale Price|40% Off
H 18.25 in W 54 in D 16 in
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
$2,850
H 54.25 in W 36 in D 19 in
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...
Walnut
$3,895
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
$3,450
H 43.5 in W 30 in D 18 in
Attributed to John Keal for Brown Saltman Walnut Tambour Roll Top Desk
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in San Diego, CA
Elegant California modern roll-top secretary desk manufactured by Brown Saltman and attributed to designer John Keal, circa late 1950s. Executed in richly grained walnut, the desk fe...
Laminate, Walnut
Antique French, Louis XVI Chest of Drawers Commode Buffet Bar
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
Antique French Louis XVI style bar buffet topped with a white Carrara marble, fluted legs finished with golden bronze clogs. One dovetailed drawer, two doors and a practical storage ...
Carrara Marble
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
Stunning Edward Wormely Credenza in Black Lacquer
By Edward Wormley
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Beautiful multi-purpose case piece by Edward Wormley for Drexel, circa 1947. Wonderful design allows for use as a chest, buffet or credenza. Restored in black lacquer to provide co...
Brass
$3,650
H 32.25 in W 54 in D 18 in
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
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
$1,721Sale Price|25% Off
H 27 in W 48 in D 22 in
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
$9,950
H 32 in W 70 in D 21 in
Remarkable Chest or Buffet by American of Martinsville in Cream Lacquer
By American of Martinsville
Located in Atlanta, GA
An absolutely jaw-dropping chest/buffet from a rare series by American of Martinsville, circa 1960. Beautiful, stout hardwood case construction, with brass and leather accents. Fabul...
Brass
Sold
H 28.5 in W 54 in D 18 in
1950s John Keal Petite Buffet for Brown Saltman Philippine Mahogany Credenza
By John Keal
Located in Monrovia, CA
1950s John Keal petite buffet for brown Saltman Philippine mahogany credenza john Keal Philippine mahogany wooden petite buffet. This rarely seen...
Mahogany
John Keal for Brown Saltman Credenza
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Fulton, CA
Mid-Century Modern credenza designed by John Keal for Brown-Saltman, circa 1950s. Beautiful golden mahogany wood grain with original bent wire hardware. ...
Metal
Modernist Walnut Buffet/Credenza by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Modernist walnut buffet/credenza by John Keal for Brown Saltman. The buffet features two single door cubby spaces on each side of a four-drawer cluster all with custom made brass and...
Walnut
Unique John Keal Server with Six Folding Tables
By John Keal
Located in Culver City, CA
An interesting and super functional rolling buffet or server by John Keal. The server is walnut on brass casters with brass accents. Each side of the server features three nesting/fo...
Brass
Bleached walnut credenza by John Keal
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Bleached walnut credenza by John Keal.
Walnut