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 Desk for Heywood Wakefield, Mid Century Modern Office Desk, 1950s
By Kem Weber, Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage mid century modern Trimline desk was designed by Kem Weber for Heywood Wakefield circa 1950. With clean lines and minimalist appeal the design of the Trimline desk bridg...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
Kem Weber Trimline for Heywood Wakefield Desk and Chair
By Heywood-Wakefield Co., Kem Weber
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A very cool looking desk and matching chair designed by Kem Weber for Heywood Wakefield’s Trimline group. The desk has a great green laminate top. The matching chair is wood and stee...
Steel
Rare Lloyd Chromium Writing Desk by Kem Weber
By Kem Weber
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lloyd Chromium Writing Desk by Kem Weber https://www.themagazineantiques. com/article/kem-weber-southern-california/
Chrome, Steel
Rare 1930s Art Deco/Machine Age, Streamline Black and Chrome Table, Kem Weber
By Kem Weber
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare 1930s Art Deco/Machine Age, streamline black and chrome table, KEM Weber, have never seen in person, only in 1930s KEM Weber catalog, stunn...
Chrome
Vintage Art Deco Kem Weber Petite Desk for Lloyd / Gilbert Rohde Troy
By Kem Weber
Located in Chicago, IL
Early Rare Kem Weber Petite desk for Lloyd early Label attached. Gilbert Rohde style
Chrome
Single Tier Table by KEM Weber
By Kem Weber, lloyd manufacturing co.
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. Comes with rare provenance - a copy of original receipt from July 1935. Measures: 28.75" wide, 16.5" deep and 19.75" tall. Tubular steel with chrome plating. Table top has had the lacquer buffed and a seal coat...
Steel, Chrome
Kem Weber, Console Table, Wood, Chrome Metal, USA, 1930s
By lloyd manufacturing co., Kem Weber
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and chrome plated metal console table designed by KEM Weber and produced by Lloyd Manufacturing Co. USA, 1930s. With manufacturers label to underside.
Chrome
Walnut Art Deco Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Outlined in a sleek, stepped motif, this exquisite piece is finished in a rich figured walnut, exuding warmth and sophistication. The streamlined form, tapered legs, and metal-capped...
Wood
$480Sale Price|52% Off
H 33.75 in W 16.88 in D 14 in
Louis XVI Style Three-Tiered Table by F. Blondeau
Located in Denton, TX
This antique table could be used as a nightstand or plant stand Solid mahogany with bronze ormolu mounts and white marble top.
Bronze
Kem Weber, Console Table, Wood, Chrome Metal, USA, 1930s
By lloyd manufacturing co., Kem Weber
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and chrome plated metal console table designed by KEM Weber and produced by Lloyd Manufacturing Co. USA, 1930s. With manufacturers label to underside.
Chrome
$2,862
H 26.38 in W 26.19 in D 25.79 in
Antique French Art Deco Octagonal Side Table Geometric Oriental scene 1930 inlay
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Marvelous French Art Deco octagonal table with superb Inlay 1930. This rare Art Deco piece is a stunning display of craftsmanship with numerou...
Wood
$4,535
H 26.38 in W 25.6 in D 25.6 in
1930s Italian Art Deco Brutalist Rational Bookmatched Burl Walnut Table, Pagano
By Osvaldo Borsani, Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig, Gino Maggioni, Gio Ponti, Paolo Buffa
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
A refined Italian Art Deco occasional table, side table or end table. Circa 1930s, it is veneered in richly figured book matched burl walnut. The piece reflects the transition betw...
Hardwood, Walnut, Burl
$7,200
H 56 in W 26 in D 28 in
Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Amorphous Kidney Paldao Desk..Art Deco/Modernist
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Buffalo, NY
Important American desk manufactured by Herman Miller, a kidney shaped desk designed by Gilbert Rohde circa 1941 for his Paldao line. This desk pack everything you need. Exotic pal...
Brass
$4,850 / set
H 26.25 in W 19.75 in D 19.75 in
Pair of French Style Streamline Art Deco Glass Top Side Tables
Located in Bernville, PA
Pair of Art Deco streamline tulip shaped glass top side tables. This simple and elegant design from the period has frosted edge glass tops that are supported by gentle curving legs o...
Glass, Maple
Art Deco American Streamline Glass Top Side Table, circa 1930
Located in Bernville, PA
Streamline glass top American Art Deco side table. Beautifully restored in a rich mahogany finish with a frosted edge glass top. An excellent example of American Art Deco with its so...
Glass, Maple
$316Sale Price|20% Off
H 19.5 in W 27.5 in D 21.5 in
Danish Modern 2-Tier Teak Side Table by Toften Mobelfabrik
By Mobelfabrikken Toften
Located in Wilmington, DE
What a find. Offered is a vintage Danish modern end/side table made by Toften Mobelfabrik. It is made of teak and has a bottom rack/shelf. It is in good condition with some age wear ...
Teak
$5,850 / set
H 26 in W 12 in D 27 in
Pair Of Machine Age Art Deco Tables by Modernage Furniture Company C. 1930's
By Modernage Furniture Company
Located in Bernville, PA
Pair of American Art Deco side tables retailed and made by the Modernage Furniture Company. A three-quarter circle holds a long shelf with a smaller shelf at the apex. They are known...
Maple
$3,847
H 31.89 in W 54.73 in D 29.14 in
Mid-Century Modern Desk, Beech & Walnut with Yellow Glass Top, 1950s
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A beautifully restored mid-century modern desk that combines timeless charm with everyday functionality. The original high-gloss piano black top contrasts elegantly with the oiled ma...
Brass
Danish Mid-Century Modern Asymmetrical Teak Desk, 1950s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Mid-Century Modern Asymmetrical Teak Desk, 1950s. Rare and early freestanding Scandinavian Modern boomerang teak writing desk made in Denmark in the early 1950s. Asymmetrical...
Oak, Teak
Sold
H 29 in W 60 in D 20 in
Art Deco Machine Age Console Table by KEM Weber for Lloyd Furniture c. 1930's
By Kem Weber, lloyd manufacturing co.
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Art Deco, Machine Age console table designed by KEM Weber for Lloyd Furniture Company circa 1930's. The table features a stylized tubular chrome...
Chrome
KEM Weber for Heywood Wakefield Trimline Desk
By Kem Weber, Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Fulton, CA
An exceptional collaboration between Kem Weber and Heywood Wakefield created this amazing industrial Modern / Mid-Century Modern desk. A combination of steel, maple and laminate. Vib...
Steel
Triple Band Table by KEM Weber
By Kem Weber, lloyd manufacturing co.
Located in South Charleston, WV
Model # T - 255, triple flat-band, Lloyd Manufacturing Company USA 1935. Chrome-plated steel, Birch plywood, Measures 16" deep, 27" wide and 18" tall. Streamline Moderne iconic design by Karl Emanuel Martin (K.E.M.) Weber by Lloyd Manufacturing. Purchase comes with rare provenance - copy of original receipt from July 1935. A highly desirable model. This table is completely original with no modifications. Steel bands with chrome plating. The table top has had the lacquer buffed and a seal coat...
Steel, Chrome
Triple Tier Table by KEM Weber
By Kem Weber, lloyd manufacturing co.
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. Comes with rare provenance - a copy of original receipt from July 1935. 20" wide, 22.5" deep and 20" tall. Tubular steel with chrome plating. Table tops have had the lacquer buffed and a seal coat...
Steel, Chrome
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...
Steel, Chrome
Art Deco Kem Weber Dining Table from "Weber Group" Dining Suite
By Kem Weber
Located in Astoria, NY
A vintage dining table from the "Kem Weber Group" dining suite by Kem Weber for Grand Rapids Chair Company. This table is in Weber's signature "streamlined" style. Pieces of this gro...
Wood
KEM Weber for Lloyd T-84-D Cocktail Table
By Kem Weber
Located in Hanover, MA
Small rectangular cocktail table with black laminate top, chrome banding and arched tubular chromed steel legs by K.E.M. Weber, the father of California Modernism.
Chrome, Steel