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.
Kem Weber, Sofa, Chrome, Vinyl, Walnut, USA, 1930s
By Kem Weber
Located in High Point, NC
A brown vinyl, walnut and chrome-plated sofa, model SD-17-C, designed by Kem Weber and produced by Lloyd Manufacturing Company, USA, c. 1930s. Wear consistent with age and use. Ove...
Faux Leather, Walnut
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
$4,041
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 ca...
Leather, Wool, Hardwood
$3,230
H 25.6 in W 74.81 in D 31.5 in
Bauhaus Chrome Sofa with Original Upholstery by Hynek Gottwald, Prague 1930s
Located in Almelo, NL
Bauhaus Chrome Sofa with Original Upholstery by Hynek Gottwald, Prague 1930s This is a Bauhaus chrome sofa designed by Hynek Gottwald, crafted in Prague during the 1930s. It feature...
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
$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
$4,074
H 29.53 in W 76.78 in D 33.47 in
Restored Bauhaus Sofa, by Hynek Gottwald, Chromed Steel, Czech, 1930s
By Hynek Gottwald
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This iconic and cleanly shaped tubular sofa in the spirit of Bauhaus functionalism dates from the 1930s in Czechoslovakia and bears the signature of the prestigious manufacturer Hyne...
Chrome, Steel
1930s Swedish Sofa by G. H. Wrange
Located in Turners Falls, MA
Swedish Sofa by G. H. Wrange. 1930’s. Carved Mahogany. Original condition.
Mahogany
KEM Weber Daybed
By Kem Weber
Located in New York, NY
Daybed upholstered in embossed vinyl with black trim. Have tubular chrome legs. Mid-Century Modern.
Chrome
$1,496Sale Price|25% Off
H 31 in W 20.75 in D 22 in
Modern Bauhaus Accent Chair Cantilever Chrome & Red Vinyl Attr to Kem Weber
By lloyd manufacturing co., Kem Weber
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous streamline modern cantilever chair comprised of chrome frame and tomato red vinyl faux leather upholstery attributed to KEM Weber for Lloyd’s Manufacturing. Beautiful condition with wear as you would expect with a vintage piece. This one looks like it was seldom used! Please see photos, Circa Mid Century. WOW!!!! What a gorgeous tomato red streamline modern cantilever chair!!!! Attributed to KEM Weber for Lloyd’s Manufacturing and categorized in many design styles; Art Deco, Machine Age, Streamline Modern, Art Moderne, and Bauhaus. Too many awesome styles to choose just one… So, you pick!! This chair is comprised of a tubular chrome cantilever frame and is upholstered in a bright and beautiful red vinyl faux leather that demands attention. This piece has no tag or markings but is done in the style of the era’s greats: Gilbert Rohde, Wolfgang Hoffman, Warren McArthur, Donald Desky, Alfons Bach, Gilbert Rhode, Marcel Breuer, and from online searches attributed to KEM Weber for Lloyd’s Manufacturing. It doesn’t get much better than that!! You could use this fabulous chair in your living room, bedroom, sitting room, or kitchen. It would be a wonderful chair at a vanity or a stylish place to sit to take off your shoes in the entry way. The possibilities are truly endless. KEM Weber (1889-1963) was a German-born architect and furniture designer. His birth name was Karl Emanuel Martin Weber but in 1914, he changed his first name to a less German sounding, 'Kem' when he became stranded in the USA after the outbreak of the First World War. Kem Architecture was part of the West Coast Modernist movement in America. His designs included many projects and products in Streamline Modern, a form of Art Deco design and architecture that was extremely popular in the USA and Europe in the 1930s. This style emphasized curved forms and long horizontal lines; it was the epitome of sophistication and modernity in that era. Streamline Modern was used for everything from stainless steel cocktail shakers...
Chrome
$3,850
H 30.63 in W 67 in D 23 in
Kem Weber Style 1930s Art Deco Chrome Tubular Frame Tandem 3-Seater Arm Chairs
By Kem Weber, Howell Mfg.
Located in St. Louis, MO
Unique streamline tubular chrome Art Deco tandem 3-seater with arms and upholstered seats and backs, in the style of Kem Weber or Wolfgang Hoffmann for Howell Manufacturing. Older up...
Steel
Danish 1940s Sheepskin Love Seat Sofa
Located in London, England
Danish Cabinetmaker Love Seat Scallop Sofa, c1940s A uniquely shaped love-seat sofa designed and made in Denmark in the 1940s. This example has been reupholstered in luxurious choco...
Sheepskin, Beech
$4,016
H 32.29 in W 75.6 in D 35.44 in
Restored Bauhaus Walnut Sofa, Tubular Steel Frame, Czechoslovakia, 1940s
Located in Żory, PL
A rare Bauhaus-style sofa from Czechoslovakia, dating from the 1940s. Carefully restored with respect for its original design, it combines refined materials with the functional simpl...
Steel, Chrome
1930s Art Deco Sofa
Located in New York, NY
An exquisitely crafted Art Deco sofa from the 1930s. The woven fabric, in a dark green shade, is the original upholstery. Sleek lines and full, rounded forms characterize the sofa's ...
Upholstery, Walnut
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 Kem Weber, lloyd manufacturing co.
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