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John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

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
Brown and Saltman Set of Three End Side Tables in Dark Oiled Walnut Art Tile Top
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Set of 3 Brown and Saltman end coffee side occasional tables stands in dark oiled walnut with art tile top.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Art Glass, Walnut

John Keal Expanding Coffee Table by Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This expanding coffee table by John Keal is both handsome and versatile. When closed the rectilinear top sits on a pair of cube bases for a sim...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut, Formica

John Keal Expanding Coffee Table for Brown Saltman, 1970
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage expandable walnut coffee table. Designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman. Original black poufs included for seating. Signed with the original tags on the poufs. Killer design where coffee table literally expands so that walnut reveals a black formica center when pulled apart for extra surface space. Very good vintage condition for the table. Minor wear consistent with age. Some small areas of wear on the poufs where black vinyl has minor tears. Price is for coffee table and four poufs. Coffee table is 60 inches and expands to 75 inches. We currently have this paired with Milo Baughman ChromeChairs, a Stunning Burl Wood Armoire and Warren Bacon Bar Stools.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Coffee Table
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Countryside, IL
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Coffee Table This coffee table measures: 46.25 wide x 41.5 deep x 15.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Mahogany

John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid-Century American Wooden Expandable Coffee Table
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century American wooden coffee table with a smooth veneer in rectangular expandable form revealing a black formica topped center, sitting on two square block supports. (JOHN KEAL...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

John Keal Coffee Table with Glass Top for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rectangular coffee table by John Keal for Brown Saltman, c.1950s, USA. The table features a mix of textured glass and mahogany. The mahogany side of the table slides open to reveal h...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Expertly Restored - John Keal Mahogany Round Coffee Table 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 precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

Mid Century Modern Expandable Slatted Coffee Table/Bench by John Keal
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Soquel, CA
Beautiful and versatile expandable mid century minimalist walnut slat bench designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman, circa 1960. This California modern piece features an expandable s...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

Expanding Coffee Table in Walnut & Formica by John Keal for Brown Saltman, 1960s
By John Keal
Located in Deland, FL
An exquisite design by John Keal for Brown Saltman. The expanding table design allows for additional surface use and storage. This design element is great for when you have drinks or...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

John Keal Mid-Century Modern Walnut Expanding Coffee Table by Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in St. Louis, MO
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid-Century Modern rectangular walnut expanding cocktail table, with vinyl laminate center on block pedestals expands from 66" to 95" long. Top to be refi...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

Mid Century Modern Brown Saltman Extendable Coffee Table by John Keal
By John Keal
Located in Tulsa, OK
Mid Century Modern Brown Saltman Extendable Coffee Table by John Keal Above average vintage condition and structurally sound. Very little scratching or finish wear. Outdoor listing...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

John Keal Walnut Coffee Table with Three Folding Side Tables
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare coffee table with internal folding snack tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman. Bleached walnut wood square top coffee table with three intern...
Category

1950s American Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Laminate, Walnut

John Keal for Brown Saltman Set of Three Walnut and Burl Cocktail Tables, 1970s
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of three hexagonal shape side tables design by John Keal for Brown Saltman in the 1970’s. Constructed of walnut with a burl wood circle on the top. In beautiful vintage conditi...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Related Items
Magazine Wedge Table by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Hanover, MA
John Keal for Brown Saltman mahogany side table with trapezoid wedge-shaped top flanking a magazine rack, on tapering dowel leg frame with brass-capped feet. Brown-Saltman decal on u...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

1960s John Keal Brown Saltman Hexagonal Side Table
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s John Keal for Brown Saltman Hexagonal Side Table Walnut Wood and Enamel Copper Glass Tabletop Insert appears as pebble composite under glass 16 h x 18 d Maker Label Preowned U...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Set of Three Vintage Modern Marble-Top Tables
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A beautiful midcentury set of three marble tables with a pedestal base. This stunning living room set includes a coffee table and two end ta...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble

Three-in-One by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Hanover, MA
Beautiful long solid walnut coffee table with slide-out folding side tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman. The pair of side tables on their own are very chic and have the tapered fo...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Nesting Tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage set of three nesting side tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman in mahogany, circa 1950s. This versatile set features a rounded edge detail that taper into the legs complete ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Mahogany

American Mid Century Nesting Tables Designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in San Diego, CA
**Stunning Set of John Keal Nesting Tables for Brown Saltman - Mid-Century Modern Elegance** Enhance your living space with this exquisite set of three nesting tables, a quintessent...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

John Keal for Brown Saltman Constellation End Tables
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of walnut with enamel copper tile tables titled ‘Constellation’ produced by high-end Californian furniture manufacturer, Brown Saltman. These two solid walnut wood tables each fe...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Ceramic, Walnut

Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Side Table by John Keal for Brown Saltman
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...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

Wood and Brass Nightstand by John Keal for Brown-Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Pasadena, CA
Precious night stand by John Keal for Brown-Saltman. Drawers are made of particleboard looking very much like cork, accented with a sculptural brass pull. Retains original labels.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Plinth Base 2 Door Cabinet
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Countryside, IL
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Plinth Base 2 door cabinet This cabinet measures: 22 wide x 16 deep x 19.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we ca...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Pair of John Keal Magazine Side Tables for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition, Formica Tops Show Wear
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Formica, Wood

John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Magazine Side Table
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Countryside, IL
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Magazine Side Table This side table measures: 23.75 wide x 29 deep x 19.25 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Previously Available Items
John Keal For Brown-Saltman Square Walnut And Laminate Checkered Coffee Table
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gorgeous, mid-century modern, square walnut coffee table by John Keal for Brown Saltman features a top of checkered black and white laminate inlays with alternating walnut panels. T...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Laminate, Walnut

John Keal for Brown Saltman Walnut and Smoke Glass Coffee Table
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful and elegant one drawer coffee table designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman. Crafted out of walnut the piece has a smoked glass top. The dimensions are 60x24 inches and ...
Category

20th Century American John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

Newly Refinished- Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Expertly Refinished, New Smoke Glass Top With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vint...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Smoked Glass, Walnut

Mid Century Modern Expandable Slatted Coffee Table/Bench by John Keal
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Soquel, CA
Beautiful and versatile expandable mid century minimalist walnut slat bench designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman, circa 1960. This California modern piece features an expandable sliding top with eight support legs. Perfect to use as a living room coffee table, entryway or bedroom seating bench. Size: 55.5" expands to 98" long, 18"W x 12"H. John Keal: 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...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

John Keal for Brown-Saltman Expanding Coffee Table
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Fulton, CA
A Mid-Century Modern expanding coffee table designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman of California. Table adjusts between 66 inches to 95 inches...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

Newly Refinished Mid-Century Modern Walnut Coffee Table John Keal, Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Newly Refinished Mid-Century Modern Walnut Coffee Table John Keal, Brown Saltman Year: c.1950’s With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of res...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

1950s Mid Century Walnut & Glass Coffee Table Designed John Keal for Brown Saltm
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-century walnut & glass coffee table designed by John Keal and manufactured by Brown Saltman in the United States circa 1950s. This stunning coffee table features a smoke glass to...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass, Walnut

John Keal Cork Top Coffee Table for Brown Saltman
By John Keal
Located in Dallas, TX
A boomerang shaped mahogany coffee table with lacquered cork / particle board top. Model 92 designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman.
Category

1950s Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Cork

Expertly Restored -John Keal "Outrigger" Two-Tone Coffee Table 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 precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood, Mahogany, Walnut

John Keal Mahogany Biomorphic Outrigger Coffee Table for Brown Saltman, ca 1950s
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Large and unique biomorphic coffee table designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman of California in the 1950s. This is one of those iconic tables that many people consider among their ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Biomorphic Floating Coffee Table, John Keal for Brown Saltman, Mahogany, 1950s
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Round Rock, TX
Offered is a unique coffee or cocktail table designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman. Dubbed the "Outrigger" table. Signed to underside. The top is made from beautiful ribbon maho...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Mahogany

John Keal for Brown Saltman Coffee Table with Glass Top
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rectangular coffee table by John Keal for Brown Saltman, c.1950s, USA. The table features a mix of textured glass and mahogany. The mahogany side of the table slides open to reveal h...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

John Keal coffee and cocktail tables for sale on 1stDibs.

John Keal coffee and cocktail tables 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 coffee and cocktail tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original coffee and cocktail tables 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 coffee and cocktail tables by Michael Taylor, Heywood-Wakefield Co., and Tomlinson. Prices for John Keal coffee and cocktail tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,590 and can go as high as $4,600, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,048.

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