Architect and designer Kem Weber arrived in the United States in the vanguard of a wave of progressive Central European talents — among them, Rudolph Schindler, Richard Neutra, Paul T. Frankl and Ilonka Karascz — who would profoundly affect the course of modernism in the United States. In his new home, Weber created a wholly American form of modern design that is sleek and stylish, yet comfortable and practical.
Karl Emanuel Martin Weber — “Kem” was his self-styled nom d’usage — was born and trained in Berlin. In 1914, he became an accidental immigrant to the U.S.. Sent to San Francisco by his teacher-turned-employer, architect Bruno Paul, to oversee an installation at a global design expo, Weber was marooned by the outbreak of World War I. But he quickly grew to love California, even if his early years there were difficult. When design commissions were hard to find, he took jobs as a lumberjack, chicken farmer and art school teacher. (He gained U.S. citizenship in 1924.)
In the mid-1920s, while working for the Los Angeles–based Barker Bros. department store — the largest furniture retailer in the country at the time — Weber regularly traveled around the nation to deliver lectures on modernism. His reputation as a champion of a new, clean and elegant style earned him architectural commissions and contracts to design furniture and items such silverware, coffee services and cocktail shakers. His masterpiece is the Airline lounge chair, designed 1934-1935. With its raked, gently angular frame and cantilevered seat, the chair suggests movement, speed and forward progress. Though it seemed perfect for mass production, Weber was never able to convince a major manufacturer to take it on. In the end, fewer than 300 Airline chairs were made. Today, those may be the rarest examples of Weber’s work, but are always worth looking out for. As you will see on these pages, his designs are both intelligent and stylish. They deserve to be a part of any serious collection of American modernism.
1940s Kem Weber for Lloyd SD-17-C Three Seat Tubular Steel Sofa in Fabric
By Kem Weber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Deco Streamline three-seater sofa, designed by Kem weber for Lloyd masnufacturing in 1935. This example dates to the 1940s. It has a tubular chromed-steel frame, and has fo...
Steel, Chrome
$1,850
H 17 in W 30 in D 74 in
Art Deco "Steamer" Chromed Steel & Velvet Lounge/Daybed by Kem Weber for Lloyd
By lloyd manufacturing co., Kem Weber
Located in Van Nuys, CA
All original "steamer" chaise lounge or daybed by the well known Lloyd Manufacturing Co and often attributed to Kem Weber. This Chase Lounge/Daybed features a streamlined styled bent...
Steel, Chrome
$2,700Sale Price|35% Off
H 35.04 in W 78.75 in D 30.32 in
1940s Kaare Klint Three Seater Sofa, Hardwood Legs & Striped Wool Upholstery
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in London, GB
1940s Kaare Klint Three Seater Sofa, with Mahogany Legs & Striped Wool Upholstery with Leather Trim. Usable condition. Bespoke quote can be...
Leather, Wool, Hardwood
Three-Seat Sofa Attributed to Franco Albini, 1940s
By Franco Albini
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful three-seat sofa from 1940 attributed to Franco Albini in rosewood. The fabric used for the padding of the sofa Franco Albini is original of t...
Fabric, Walnut
$2,199
H 22 in W 26.5 in D 73 in
Art Deco Daybed, KEM Weber for Lloyd, 1930s Streamline Industrial Design
By Kem Weber
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Art Deco Daybed, KEM Weber for Lloyd, 1930s Streamline Industrial Design Original "steamer" chaise lounge or daybed by Lloyd Manufacturing Co, features stunning tubular bent chrome l...
Steel
1940s Kaare Klint 3-Seat Sofa for Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Praha, CZ
This rare three-seater sofa is a masterpiece of Danish Modern design by the legendary architect Kaare Klint. Produced by the prestigious furniture maker Rud. Rasmussen, this sofa is ...
Fabric, Wood, Textile, Upholstery
3 Seater Sofa 1940s
Located in Manzano, IT
Authentic three-seater sofa from the 1940s, a perfect blend of revisited Biedermeier style. The cabinet, characterized by soft, curvy lines, is an ideal piece of history for collecto...
Wicker, Beech
KEM Weber Springer Armchair for Lloyd
By Kem Weber, lloyd manufacturing co.
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Known as the “Springer” chair, the chairs sit on flat band chrome iron springs and function as rocking chairs. The chair retains its original chrome and with newly made cushions. ...
Metal
Danish Cabinetmaker Three-Seater Banana Sofa, Denmark 1940s
Located in Utrecht, NL
This beautiful Danish three-seater sofa recalls the Art Deco style of the 1930s with the recognizable touch of Danish Modernism. Thanks to its elegantly curved shape, this type of so...
Fabric, Wood
$7,059
H 29.14 in W 59.85 in D 35.44 in
Danish Two Seater Sofa Upholstered in 'Casentino' Tuscan Fabric, Denmark, 1940s
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
Part of a living room set comprehensive of a three seater sofa and a large stool, this beautiful and stylish two seater sofa has been designed and manufactured in Denmark in the 1940...
Fabric, Wood
$4,900
H 27 in W 28.5 in D 33 in
Seldom seen Kem Weber / Lloyds, Chromed Steel Art Deco Lounge Chair c 1934
By Kem Weber, Lloyds
Located in Buffalo, NY
Streamline Moderne iconic design by Karl Emanuel Martin (K.E.M.) Weber designed in 1934 and manufactured '35-37 by Lloyd Manufacturing. Uncommon and most sought after form of seating...
Chrome
Kem Weber Tubular Chrome Lounge Chair for Lloyd Manufacturing
By lloyd manufacturing co., Kem Weber
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A masterclass in American Streamline Moderne design, this rare lounge chair by Kem Weber for Lloyd Manufacturing captures the spirit of 1930s industrial innovation. Designed with Web...
Chrome
1940s Frits Henningsen Mahogany Three-Seat Sofa, Denmark
By Fritz Heningsen
Located in Praha, CZ
- Sturdy and stable - Upholstery in good original condition with minor signs of use - Measures: High of seat 43cm.
Fabric, Mahogany
Sofa and Chair by KEM Weber
By lloyd manufacturing co., Kem Weber
Located in South Charleston, WV
Streamline Moderne iconic design by Karl Emanuel Martin (K.E.M.) Weber designed in 1935 and manufactured '35-37 by Lloyd Manufacturing. Uncommon and most sought after form of seating suite in original fabric. Comes with rare provenance - a copy of original receipt from July 1935. Measures: Sofa 33" deep, 65" wide, 27" tall. Seat height about 15.5" (curved). Arm height graduates from 16" to 20.5" at the front. Arm chair 33" deep, 28.5" wide, 27" tall. Seat height about 14.5" (curved). Arm height graduates from 16" to 20.5" at the front. Tubular steel with chrome plating. All original upholstery with almost no marks to either example. Incredible condition for 86 years of age. Walnut arm rests have had the lacquer buffed and a seal coat...
Steel, Chrome
KEM Weber Triple Band Machine Age Sofa
By lloyd manufacturing co., Kem Weber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
KEM Weber for Lloyd Chrome triple band Machine Age sofa. One of the most iconic streamline modern pieces out there! The promise of speed! Newly reupholster...
Chrome
Kem Weber Chrome Tubular Sofa by Lloyd Manufacturing
By lloyd manufacturing co., Kem Weber
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A Kem Weber designed chrome flat iron sofa, featuring a bent spring-like base with the iconic rolled Weber arms. The arms are topped with red padded vinyl armrests that follow the cu...
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 29.5 in W 72.5 in L 29.5 in
Recently upholstered KEM Weber for Lloyd Art Deco Machine Age Chrome Sofa
By lloyd manufacturing co., Kem Weber
Located in Ferndale, MI
Sexy art deco machine age moderne chrome frame tear drop arm loose cushion sofa. Designed by KEM Weber for Lloyd in the 1930s. Cushions shown in original viny...
Chrome
Kem Weber for Lloyd Art Deco love seat
By Kem Weber
Located in Westport, CT
Kem Weber For LLoyd Art deco love seat Tubular Chrome petite two seat Cushion Black lacquer Arms.all original condition,
Chrome
K.E.M Weber Sofa
By Kem Weber
Located in Los Angeles, CA
K.E.M WEBER Sofa Lloyd Manufacturing designed Circa 1936
Steel