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
$565Sale 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 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
$2,897
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
Art Deco Machine Age 3-Tier Walnut Occasional Table with Chrome Rod Supports
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Art Deco Machine Age occasional table, crafted in America circa 1935, showcases the sophisticated blend of materials and meticulous craftsmanship that defined the era. ...
Chrome
$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
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
$1,280Sale Price / set|56% Off
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
$990Sale Price|40% Off
H 21 in W 16 in D 24 in
Wolfgang Hoffmann Style Art Deco Chrome Tubular & Lacquer Micarta Side Table
By Wolfgang Hoffmann
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Art Deco side lamp table inspired by Wolfgang Hoffmann featuring a chromed round metal tubular frame in the "P" shaped legs that meet at the floor with two-tier black Lacquer style l...
Steel, Chrome
$2,080Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 20 in W 16 in D 16 in
Art Deco Style Black and White Resin Side, End Table or Stool, a Pair
Located in Plainview, NY
A one of kind pair of Art Deco style black and white side tables or stools featuring a striped design. The tables are made of quality resin and have a solid and sturdy structure. The...
Resin
$2,450
H 25 in W 24 in D 12 in
Machine Age Half Circle Art Deco Chrome and Black Side Table, Royalchrome, 1937
By Royal Chrome
Located in Bernville, PA
Streamline half circle Machine Age Art Deco chrome side table by Royalchrome. The table was from Royal Metal 1937 catalog, model #340. Beaut...
Chrome
$4,975
H 24.75 in Dm 32 in
Art Deco Machine Age Bookmatched Walnut Gueridon Table w/ Black Lacquer Supports
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Art Deco Machine Age gueridon table, crafted in France circa 1935, is an exquisite blend of bold geometry and refined materials. The table’s bookmatched walnut top show...
Nickel
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