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.
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
Kem Weber, Console Table, Wood, Chrome Metal, USA, 1930s
By Kem Weber, lloyd manufacturing co.
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
"Utö" Console Table, Axel Einar Hjorth, NK, Sweden, 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
“Utö” console table, made in pine by Axel Einar Hjorth. An iconic early modernist design. “Utö” is one of the series of furniture included in NK:s “Sporstugemöbler”, “sports cabin’s...
Pine
$3,500
H 31 in W 50 in D 20 in
21st Century Two-Drawer Mirrored Glass and Brass Writing Desk or Console
Located in Miami, FL
This is one of five exclusive pieces. Two-drawer mirrored glass and brass writing desk Beautiful and elegant design Perfect finished. Overall dimensions: 127 cm W x 51 cm D x 8...
Brass
Period Art Deco Console Table 1930s Furniture
Located in Potters Bar, GB
An elegant Art Deco console table of striking architectural form, beautifully crafted and raised upon bold ebonised plinth bases Circa 1930s The table is veneered in exceptionally at...
Wood
Art Deco Burl Wood Console Table, France, 1930s
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
A French modernist Art Deco console table from the 1930s, executed in figured wood veneer with a high-gloss finish that highlights the natural grain. The design is built around a cen...
Burl
$2,900
H 29.25 in W 47.625 in D 29.75 in
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
$3,500
H 29.75 in W 33.5 in D 20.5 in
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
$6,000 / set
H 36 in W 32 in D 14.5 in
Hollywood Regency, Ebony Painted Wood, Onyx, Demilune Console Tables, 1930s
By Maison Jansen
Located in Stamford, CT
Jansen Style, Hollywood Regency, Ebony Painted Wood, Demilune Console Tables, Desert Stands, France, 1930s Hollywood Regency compatible pair of Maison Jansen three-tier desert stand...
Onyx, Bronze
Vintage Laminate Burl Wood and Chrome Console Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage console table is a refined expression of mid-century modern design, pairing organic warmth with sleek industrial elegance. The tabletop is finished in richly patterned b...
Chrome
$4,342
H 30.32 in W 39.77 in D 19.69 in
Ico Parisi Rectangular Midcentury Italian Writing Table Desk, 1950
By Ico Parisi
Located in Roma, Lazio
Charming desk from the characteristic Italian style of Ico Parisi. The table has a very clean line and architecturally a beautiful design. The wooden structure of the desk is comple...
Brass
Writing Desk in High Gloss Lacquer
Located in Norwalk, CT
This is a wonderfully versatile and useful piece of furniture. I personally used it as a desk in our showroom for several years. It is now newly lacquered in high gloss dove white. S...
Wood
Mid Century Heywood Wakefield Trimline Desk by Kem Weber Design
Located in Asheville, NC
A vintage Mid Century desk designed by Kem Weber and made by Heywood Wakefield. A chrome tubular frame with solid birch drawers, and gray modesty panel. 59.5”W x 29.5”D x 28 3/4”H
Chrome
$4,900
H 20.7 in W 20 in D 22 in
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
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
$4,670
H 30.71 in W 61.42 in D 26.97 in
19th Century Solid Oak Baroque Fluted Legs Desk Writing Table or Console
Located in Miami, FL
Height from the floor to the bottom drawer: 23.42in An 19th century Spanish baroque desk, or writing table made of solid oak with fluted shaped legs joined by solid wood stretched. ...
Iron
$1,300
H 28.5 in W 48 in D 18 in
Constructivist Style, Console Table, Chromed Steel, Beveled Glass, USA, 1980s
Located in Stamford, CT
American Mid-Century Modern, Console Table, Constructivist Style, Chromed Steel, Beveled Glass, USA, 1980s An interesting console table having strong lines and a beveled glass top, ...
Metal
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