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.
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...
Mahogany
$3,895
H 32.25 in W 72 in D 19 in
Expertly Restored - Californian Modernist 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
$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
$2,280Sale 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
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
Period Georgian Sideboard Mahogany Server
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Georgian mahogany inlaid sideboard Period Georgian antique Raised upon square tapered legs with spade feet This sideboard has 2 oak lined drawers and 1 cupboard The sideboard feature...
Mahogany
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
$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
Hepplewhite Style Mahogany Sideboard / Server
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Late 19th century mahogany wood Williamsburg Classical Inlay Hepplewhite style server / sideboard with front pull drawer design details. The server is very sturdy and in great condition with wear consistent with age / use. The server stands...
Brass
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
Super Georgian Mahogany Sideboard Server
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A very nice quality Georgian mahogany two drawer inlaid sideboard or server, original excellent condition, with original Georgian key, square tapered legs. 35" high 56" length 24" d...
Abalone, Mahogany
$5,195
H 72.5 in W 84 in D 20 in
John Keal for Brown Saltman Style Mid Century Tambour Door Credenza and Hutch
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Franklin Park, IL
John Keal for Brown Saltman Style Mid Century Walnut Tambour Door Credenza and Hutch The credenza measures: 84 wide x 20 deep x 28 inches high The hutch measures: 66 wide x 14.5 dee...
Walnut
Georgian Sideboard Mahogany Server Buffet
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Here We Have a Georgian Revival Mahogany Sideboard of Small Proportions. Standing Upon Tapered legs With Spade Feet. Circa 1900 Featuring a Central Drawer Flanked By Cupboards. The D...
Mahogany
Sold
H 18.25 in W 54 in D 16 in
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 ...
Brass
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mahogany Mid Century Credenza
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Franklin Park, IL
John Keal for Brown Saltman mahogany mid century credenza. Credenza measures: 66 wide x 20 deep x 33 high All pieces of furnitu...
Mahogany
John Keal for Brown Saltman Brass and Mahogany Sideboard / Dresser
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Houston, TX
Mid-Century Modern mahogany sideboard/dresser by John Keal for Brown Saltman. There are six drawers accented with beautiful sculptural brass pulls. The piece has interesting line mot...
Brass
John Keal for Brown Saltman Credenza
By John Keal
Located in Denton, TX
Stunning walnut with black accents two drawers over four doors with seven ring linked drawer pulls and adjustable shelves.
Metal
Ebonized Credenza by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal
Located in Denton, TX
Very functional credenza with two sliding doors to reveal a adjustable shelf and centred with a drawer section in a ebony satin finish.
Wood
Vintage Walnut Credenza by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage walnut credenza designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman.
Walnut
John Keal Vintage Walnut Credenza by Brown & Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Keal Vintage Walnut Credenza by Brown & Saltman
Brass