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.
Pair Mid Century John Keal Brown Saltman Walnut & Glass End Side Tables 1950s
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Troy, MI
Unique pair of side tables designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman circa 1950s Square walnut pedestal bases with decorative reverse painted glass surfaces in mottled gold tones Both...
Glass, Walnut
$710Sale Price|50% Off
End Table by John Keal for Brown Saltman of California
By John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice end table/nightstand by John Keal for Brown Saltman of California. The piece features two large drawers with spade shaped pulls and dovetailed construction. The Brown Saltman lo...
Walnut
John Keal Square Reverse Painted Glass and Walnut End / Side Tables
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of American Mid-Century square end / side tables with reverse painted glass tops mounted in a walnut frame, supported by a smaller square walnut pedestal base. (JOHN KEAL FOR BR...
Wood, Walnut
$1,179Sale Price / set|30% Off
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...
Ceramic, Walnut
Walnut with Copper Tile Top Tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal
Located in Denton, TX
Set of three solid walnut with copper tile top tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman.
Copper
John Keal for Brown Saltman Snowbell Tree Tile Top Design, Walnut Side Tables
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of Mid-Century Modern John Keal for Brown Saltman walnut side tables with colorful ceramic art tiles in an abstract of a Japanese Snowbell Tree. Newly refinished and reglued. No...
Ceramic, Walnut
Pair of Hexagonal 'Domino' Side Tables by John Keal for Brown-Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Occasional hexagonal tables by John Keal for Brown-Saltman. Stamped and labeled. Practical and versatile.
Glass, Wood
$2,280Sale Price / set|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern John Keal for Brown Saltman End Table
By John Keal
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Mid-Century Modern John Keal for Brown Saltman end table Mid-Century Modern square end tables designed by John Keal for Brown-S...
Walnut
John Keal Mid-Century Square Reverse Painted Glass and Walnut End / Side Tables
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of American mid-century square end / side tables with reverse painted glass tops mounted in a walnut frame, supported by a smaller square walnut pedestal base. (John Keal for Br...
Walnut
Pair of End Tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman of California
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of early Brown Saltman of California teak end tables with brass details designed by John Keal, circa 1950s. These tables can be used as side tabl...
Brass
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.
Art Glass, Walnut
Pair of Mahogany Nightstands by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of mahogany nightstands by John Keal for Brown Saltman, c.1950s, USA. This minimal design features an upper drawer with a wood and nickel plated drawer pull. Below is an open sh...
Nickel
Brown Saltman Hexagonal End Coffee Table with Sunburst Inlay
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Oiled walnut hexagonal centre side table by John Keal for Brown Saltman. High quality walnut wood in combination with high quality Mid-Century Modern craftsmanship accent table. Nat...
Walnut
Brown Saltman Solid Walnut End Table with Burl Walnut Inset
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Soquel, CA
Brown Saltman Solid Walnut End Table with Burl Walnut Inset Elegant end table designed by John Keal and manufactured by Brown Saltman. This piece is clean and modern, which highlights the gorgeous burl of the top. It will fit well with a variety of decor and design choices. 15"H x 18"D x 18"W 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. 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...
Walnut
MCM John Keal for Brown Saltman Mahogany Occasional Tables with Travertine Tops
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern John Keal for Brown Saltman mahogany occasional or end tables with travertine tops on colosseum form base. Original condition, no labels.
Travertine
3 John Keal Hexagonal Reverse Painted Glass and Oak Occasional / End Tables
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Queens, NY
2 American Mid-Century walnut occasional / end tables with hexagonal bases and tops with an open center structure and reverse painted glass table tops...
Glass
$1,040Sale Price|35% Off
Wood and Brass Nightstand by John Keal for Brown-Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
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.
Brass
Price Upon Request
Mahogany End Tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in San Francisco, CA
A beautifully restored pair of mahogany end tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman. Each features a single drawer and four tapered legs with round resin feet on patinated brass posts....
Brass
$3,500 / set
H 19 in W 25 in D 16 in
John Keal Nesting Tables for Brown Saltman manner of Robsjohn Gibbings
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Chicago, IL
John Keal nesting tables for Brown Saltman. Manner of Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb
Wood
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...
Formica, Walnut
$495
H 17.5 in W 28 in D 20 in
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...
Mahogany
Lane Rhythm Mid Century Square Walnut Side End Table
By Lane Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Lane Rhythm Mid Century Square Walnut Side End Table This side table measures: 23.5 wide x 23.5 deep x 20.25 inches high Restored - Mint Condit...
Walnut
Metamorphic 3-in-1 by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
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...
Walnut
Bamboo and Glass Side, End Table
By McGuire, Henry Olko
Located in New York, NY
High quality and well made bamboo end, or side, table having woven wicker trim, bamboo legs, and a glass top. In the style of Olko, Link, McGuire -Ficks Reed etc. unsigned. Please vi...
Bamboo, Glass
$2,157
H 16.54 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
John Keal Midcentury Walnut Magazine Rack Coffee Table for Brown Saltman, 1960s
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Roma, IT
This mid-century walnut coffee table can be used as a magazine rack. This fantastic item is attributed to John Keal and was produced in 1960s. An astonishing piece that has a Clas...
Walnut
$850
H 15.75 in W 18.5 in D 18.5 in
Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Travertine Stone Side Table by John Keal
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Expertly Refinished With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage desi...
Travertine
Mid-Century Modern John Keal Brown Saltman Hexagonal Side Table
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a mid-century modern classic, John Keal for Brown Saltman hexagonal side table. Walnut wood and enamel copper & Glass tabletop. Insert appears as pebble comp...
Copper, Enamel
$4,500 / set
H 20.25 in W 17.75 in D 17.75 in
Pair of Mahogany Nightstands by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of mahogany nightstands by John Keal for Brown Saltman, c.1950s, USA. This minimal design features an upper drawer with a wood and nickel plated drawer pull. Below is an open sh...
Nickel
$3,600 / set
H 15.5 in W 17.25 in D 17.25 in
John Keal Mid-Century Square Reverse Painted Glass and Walnut End / Side Tables
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of American mid-century square end / side tables with reverse painted glass tops mounted in a walnut frame, supported by a smaller square walnut pedestal base. (John Keal for Br...
Walnut
$1,295
H 16.5 in W 18.75 in D 18.75 in
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Black Marble Square End or Side Table
Located in Topeka, KS
Lovely vintage square walnut frame mid-century modern end table or side table with gorgeous black marble insert top. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not...
Marble
1960s John Keal For Brown Saltman Gold Constellation Tile Side Table
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in San Gabriel, CA
1960s Square walnut tile table with unique enameled copper or blue insets called the ‘Constellation’ table designed by John Keal and produced by Californian furniture manufacturer Br...
Copper
1960s John Keal For Brown Saltman Blue Constellation Tile Side Tables
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in San Gabriel, CA
1960s Square walnut tile table with unique enameled copper or blue insets called the ‘Constellation’ table designed by John Keal and produced by Californian furniture manufacturer Br...
Copper
Pair of Nightstands by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of walnut nightstands by John Keal for Brown Saltman, c.1960s, USA. This minimal design features an upper drawer with two hinged cabinet doors below for additional bedside stora...
Walnut
Pair of John Keal for Brown Saltman 'Constellation' End Tables
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of solid walnut and enamel copper tile tables titled ‘Constellation’ produced by high-end Californian furniture manufacturer, Brown Saltman for Designer John Keal. These unique ...
Copper, Enamel
Sold
H 19.5 in W 23.5 in D 29 in
John Keal for Brown Saltman Wedge Table with Magazine Rack mid century modern
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A mahogany wedge shaped table designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman. The wedge shape allows it to nest between a pair of chairs. Tapered stiletto brass capped legs A sleek floati...
Brass
John Keal for Brown Saltman Glass Top End Table Solid Walnut
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Fulton, CA
A Mid-Century Modern end or side table crafted in solid walnut with a smoked glass top. Designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman of California, circa. 1960's. Features storage or disp...
Smoked Glass, Walnut
Sold
H 15.5 in W 20.75 in D 18.25 in
Mid-century John Keal for Brown Saltman Hexagonal Walnut End Tables
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Oakland, CA
Walnut side tables designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman, circa 1960, United States. Crafted from solid walnut, these tables feature a hexagonal shape with glass surfaces. Fully re...
Marble
John Keal for Brown Saltman Hexagonal End Tables
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of two hexagonal John Keal for Brown Saltman tables. Frames are walnut with enameled textured design under glass tops. Price per table, 4 available
Enamel
Sold
H 15 in W 18 in D 18 in
John Keal for Brown Saltman "Constellation" Copper Enamel End Tables - Pair
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of Mid Century Modern square end or side cocktail "Constellation" tables designed by John Keal for Brown & Saltman. The tables feature walnut with enameled copper insets. The...
Copper, Enamel
Sold
H 15.25 in W 18 in D 18 in
Mid Century Brown Saltman Walnut and Copper Enamel End Table by John Keal
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage walnut side table designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman of California. This piece showcases an enameled glazed orange tile insert made out of copper. Perfect to use as a dr...
Copper
Sold
H 15.5 in W 18 in D 18 in
California Modern Smoked Glass Walnut End Table by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in San Diego, CA
Single smoked glass end / accent table with walnut frame designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman, circa 1970s. The table is in very good vintage condition, measures 18" x 18" x 15.5"...
Smoked Glass, Walnut
Mid-century Walnut Nightstands by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Fabulous mid-century walnut nightstands designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman in the United States, circa 1950s. These nightstands have a very particular and avant-garde geometric ...
Brass