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
Kem Weber Trimline for Heywood Wakefield Desk and Chair
By Kem Weber, Heywood-Wakefield Co.
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
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
Elegant French Art Deco console in wood from the 1930s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1930s / console / wood / Art Deco French Art Deco console in smooth dark wood with beautiful geometric lined legs. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this stunnin...
Wood
Spanish Console Table with Four Carved Drawers, 1930s
Located in Miami, FL
This large Spanish piece of furniture from the early 20th century features a beautiful rectangular one-slat countertop on four large carved drawers. Each drawer, with slightly differ...
Walnut
$14,190
H 31.25 in W 72 in D 15 in
AKMD Thicket Console Table, Solid Hardwood & Metal, Modern USA Design
By AKMD
Located in Chicago, IL
The Thicket Console is an elegant design that pairs fully customizable solid wood tabletops with slender cast metal legs. The tabletops are made to order at our studio in Chicago and are available in an extensive range of species and finishes, including whole-log slabs. The legs can be finished in an array of powder coats or can be plated in nickel or brass, with hand-applied patinas. Please contact AKMD for trade pricing. Designed by Michael W...
Aluminum, Brass
"Utö" Console Table, Axel Einar Hjorth, NK, Sweden, 1930s
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
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
$4,800
H 30 in W 60 in D 34 in
Art Deco / Machine Age eXEcutive Desk, Chrysler Presentation attr, Kem Weber
By Kem Weber
Located in Buffalo, NY
Very unusual Art Deco / Machine AGE dESK, Retains original metal badge/plaque which reads "Presented to A .P. Bergeron for outstanding Chrysler Sales". dated c.1940, but I believe th...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
$1,171
H 33.47 in W 44.1 in D 11.82 in
Italian Neoclassical Console in Lacquered Wood With Marble Top, 1930s
Located in Palermo, IT
Italian neoclassical console in lacquered wood with marble top, 1930s Intact and in good condition, small signs of aging.
Wood
$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
$38,000 / set
H 31.7 in W 28.94 in D 15.36 in
Pair of rare 1930s Illuminated Glass and Chrome Consoles by Jean Perzel
By Atelier Jean Perzel
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jean Perzel (1892 - 1986) - A pair of fine French Art Deco illuminated glass and chrome demi-lune consoles with their original Saint Gobain glass tops.
Chrome
Richard Watson Writing Desk in Walnut
By Richard Watson
Located in Brookline, MA
The writing desk is inspired by a classic writing table originally intended for writing letters by hand. As in the traditional table, there are disc...
Wood
$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
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 lloyd manufacturing co., Kem Weber
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