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 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 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. 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
Biedermeier Style Single Drawer Table
Located in Hudson, NY
This table is very nicely shaped and has a great profile. The choice of veneers for the sides and top reinforce the rectilinear form of the table as does the string inlay on the top....
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
$562Sale Price|26% Off
H 26.78 in W 20.48 in D 14.97 in
French Poplar Side Table Sellette or Nightstand Art Deco, circa 1930
Located in Labrit, Landes
Side, end table, selette or nightstand. The size of this little table with a drawer allows to use it for different functions. Made circa 1930, with the art déco characteristics: sty...
Poplar
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
$1,600 / set
H 18.25 in W 14 in D 14 in
Art Deco Style Black and White Resin Sculptural Side, End Table or Stool, a Pair
Located in Plainview, NY
The pair of Art Deco style sculptural side, end tables or stools features a triangle / diamond design narrowing in the middle which creates an amazing pyramid shape. The sculptural s...
Resin
$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
$2,883
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
$4,850 / 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
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
$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
$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
Mahogany Single Drawer End Table by Bombay Furniture
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a mahogany single drawer end table by Bombay Furniture.
Brass
Triple Tier Table 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. 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