KEM Weber Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

American, German, 1889-1963

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.

Creator: Kem Weber

Mid-Century Modern Desk by Kem Weber for Heywood Wakefield 1950's

$2,600

Mid-Century Modern Desk by Kem Weber for Heywood Wakefield 1950's

By Heywood-Wakefield Co., Kem Weber

Located in Fulton, CA

Mid-Century Modern "Trimline" desk by Kem Weber for Heywood Wakefiel. Circa. 1950's. Made of birch and polished chrome with turquoise accent color. Bold, exoskeleton design. Good ori...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage KEM Weber Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Chrome

Mid Century Heywood Wakefield Prophecy Desk and Chair c. 1960's

$1,400 / set

H 29 in W 54 in D 24 in

Mid Century Heywood Wakefield Prophecy Desk and Chair c. 1960's

By Heywood-Wakefield Co.

Located in New York, NY

Rare Heywood Wakefield Prophecy desk and chair. This stylish desk features a white Formica asymmetrical top, with a solid wood base. The desk has three deep storage drawers, each wit...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage KEM Weber Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Formica, Wood

Mid century Solid Maple Vanity with Stool and Mirror by Heywood Wakefield

$3,400Sale Price|20% Off

H 62 in W 50 in D 20 in

Mid century Solid Maple Vanity with Stool and Mirror by Heywood Wakefield

By Heywood-Wakefield Co.

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Beautiful Mid Century Heywood Wakefield M-776 Solid Birch vanity and mirror. Part of the Sculptura line with stool in Champagne finish. Made in American Circa 1950. Three drawers at ...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage KEM Weber Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mirror, Maple, Upholstery, Glass, Birch

Kem Weber Trimline Desk by Heywood Wakefield

$1,200

H 29.5 in W 47.5 in D 29.5 in

Kem Weber Trimline Desk by Heywood Wakefield

Located in Oakville, CT

Vintage Kem Weber Mid-Century Modern Desk Overall Dimensions: 29 1/2″ deep x 47 1/2″ wide x 29 1/2″ high Pencil Drawer: 22" deep x 17 1/2″ wide x 2" high Upper Drawer: 24 1/2" dee...

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Mid-20th Century American KEM Weber Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Steel

Italian Mid-Century Modern PetiteTable Desk Designed by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s

$3,780

H 26.78 in W 35.44 in D 17.72 in

Italian Mid-Century Modern PetiteTable Desk Designed by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s

By Vittorio Dassi

Located in Traversetolo, IT

Stylish Italian Mid-Century Modern petite desk elegantly named "Dattilo" in wood teak designed by Vittorio Dassi, from the 1950s. The drawer front is very elegant, inspired by the co...

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1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage KEM Weber Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Secretary Desk by Svenska Möbler, Circa 1950

$17,900

H 41.5 in W 41 in D 16 in

Mid-Century Modern Secretary Desk by Svenska Möbler, Circa 1950

By SMF Svenska Möbelfabriken Bodafors

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish secretary desk signed by the A.B. Svenska Moebel Fabrikerna (SMF), one of the largest furniture manufacture...

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Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern KEM Weber Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Birch, Jacaranda

1950s Mid-Century Modern Writing Desk in Beech and Brass

$4,559

H 31.11 in W 47.25 in D 31.5 in

1950s Mid-Century Modern Writing Desk in Beech and Brass

Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio

This writing desk, proudly crafted in Italy, embodies the timeless aesthetics of the Mid-Century design movement prevalent during the 1950s. Its exquisite design showcases the design...

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Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern KEM Weber Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Antique Heywood Wakefield Wicker Rattan Bookcase Writing Desk & Chair

$1,100

H 34.5 in W 36.5 in D 22.5 in

Antique Heywood Wakefield Wicker Rattan Bookcase Writing Desk & Chair

By Heywood-Wakefield Co.

Located in Dayton, OH

Antique Heywood Wakefield wicker and rattan writing desk and chair. The desk features rectangular form with one drawer and two bookcases on e...

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Early 20th Century Mission KEM Weber Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wicker

Heywood Wakefield Contessa Mid Century Armoire

$3,895

H 68 in W 30 in D 18 in

Heywood Wakefield Contessa Mid Century Armoire

By Heywood-Wakefield Co.

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Heywood Wakefield Contessa Mid Century Armoire This armoire measures: 30 wide x 18 deep x 68 inches high Good Vintage Condition - Areas of Minor Stain Wear on Sides and Corners. Do...

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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern KEM Weber Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

1960s Heywood Wakefield Laminate Top Student Desk w/ Chair

$1,550 / set

H 29.5 in W 50 in D 22 in

1960s Heywood Wakefield Laminate Top Student Desk w/ Chair

By Heywood-Wakefield Co.

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Bring timeless Mid-Century Modern style to your home, office, or study with this authentic 1960s Heywood-Wakefield student desk and matching chair. Featuring the clean lines and qual...

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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern KEM Weber Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Formica, Wood, Teak

Mid Century Modern Four Drawer Highboy Dresser by Heywood Wakefield

$1,995

H 45.75 in W 32 in D 19.25 in

Mid Century Modern Four Drawer Highboy Dresser by Heywood Wakefield

By Heywood-Wakefield Co.

Located in Freehold, NJ

This mid century modern highboy dresser by Heywood Wakefield features hardwood construction, original Amber finish, and four dovetailed drawers with unique caned pulls.  Matching low...

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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage KEM Weber Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Cane, Maple

Mid-Century Modern Desk by Erich Stratmann, Germany, 1950

$5,498

H 29.93 in W 75.2 in D 31.5 in

Mid-Century Modern Desk by Erich Stratmann, Germany, 1950

By Erich Stratmann

Located in Brussels, BE

Mid-Century Modern Desk by Erich Stratmann, Germany, 1950

Category

1950s Vintage KEM Weber Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Desk Designed by Cees Braakman for USM Pastoe

$2,233

H 29.34 in W 49.61 in D 24.22 in

Mid-Century Modern Desk Designed by Cees Braakman for USM Pastoe

By Cees Braakman

Located in Doornspijk, NL

Very elegant desk made by USM Pastoe. This desk was designed in the early fifties by Cees Braakman and is part of the oak series.

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1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage KEM Weber Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Oak

Previously Available Items

Writing Desk and Chair by KEM Weber

Sold

H 32.5 in W 33.5 in D 20.5 in

Writing Desk and Chair by KEM Weber

By Kem Weber, lloyd manufacturing co.

Located in South Charleston, WV

Desk, model WD-51-A and chair, model WDC-51-C Lloyd Manufacturing Company USA 1935. chrome-plated steel, Birch plywood, desk measures 30 tall × 33½ W × 20½ D. Chair 16 W x 24 D x 32.5 tall seat height 17.5". Streamline Moderne iconic design by Karl Emanuel Martin (K.E.M.) Weber designed in 1935 and manufactured '35-37 by Lloyd Manufacturing. This is a first year production suite and comes with rare provenance - a copy of original receipt from July 1935. See attached image from Lloyd's Chromium Catalog showing this desk and chair together. An uncommon and sought after desk by KEM Weber with double stretchers and intricate ribbons and design elements throughout including chrome balls that the top rests upon. A rectangular knob to the drawer. The chair is very uncommon and equal to the task of complimenting this piece. This set is completely original with no modifications or update to upholstery. Tubular steel with chrome plating. Entirely intact with no marks, tears or abrasions to the original fabric. This desk is uncommon; with the chair being quite rare in this form and clearly a compliment to the LC-52 lounge chair. Probably has multiple uses as a vanity table or writing desk given the dimensions. Table top and drawer to desk has had the lacquer buffed and a seal coat...

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1930s American Streamlined Moderne Vintage KEM Weber Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Steel, Chrome

KEM Weber, Walt Disney Studio Music Cabinet

Sold

H 29.5 in W 36 in D 16.5 in

KEM Weber, Walt Disney Studio Music Cabinet

By Kem Weber

Located in LAGUNA BEACH, CA

Custom designed in 1938 for the Animation offices at Walt Disney Studios, Burbank, California. Retains original Walt Disney Productions identification l...

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1930s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage KEM Weber Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Plywood

Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Industrial Trimline Executive Desk by KEM Weber

Sold

H 30 in W 60 in D 30 in

Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Industrial Trimline Executive Desk by KEM Weber

By Kem Weber, Heywood-Wakefield Co.

Located in Lafayette, IN

This is a wonderful example of KEM Weber's classic Trimline desk design for Heywood Wakefield. This desk is fresh off a full restoration and has been tas...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage KEM Weber Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Chrome

KEM Weber Heywood Wakefield Trimline Desk

Sold

H 29.5 in W 60 in D 30 in

KEM Weber Heywood Wakefield Trimline Desk

By Kem Weber

Located in Pasadena, TX

A mid century modern desk designed by KEM Weber and made by Heywood Wakefield. A chrome tubular frame with birch drawers, laminate top, and red metal modesty panel.

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage KEM Weber Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Chrome

Rare Art Deco Kem Weber Group Sideboard

Sold

H 34 in W 72 in D 20 in

Rare Art Deco Kem Weber Group Sideboard

By Kem Weber

Located in Astoria, NY

An art deco buffet or sideboard from the "Kem Weber Group" dining suite by Kem Weber for Grand Rapids Chair Company. One of the rarer components of the dining suite, this piece has e...

Category

Early 20th Century American KEM Weber Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Kem Weber case pieces and storage cabinets for sale on 1stDibs.

Kem Weber case pieces and storage cabinets 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 Kem Weber case pieces and storage cabinets, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original case pieces and storage cabinets by Kem Weber were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 1950s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider case pieces and storage cabinets by Vladimir Kagan, Sligh Furniture, and Karl Springer. Prices for Kem Weber case pieces and storage cabinets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $7,273 and can go as high as $7,273, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $7,273.