John Keal Cabinets
At a time when many furniture makers were turning to cheaper materials for mass production, mid-century modern designer John Keal didn't shy away from utilizing quality woods in his work, like mahogany and walnut to create his coffee tables, cabinets and benches.
While little is known about Keal, he was part of a powerhouse group that collaborated with Los Angeles furniture manufacturer Brown-Saltman in the 1940s and ‘50s. Other designers who had partnered with the firm during the mid-20th century included Greta Magnusson Grossman, Paul Frankl, Paul Laszlo, and Gilbert Rohde, a New York City-born designer who would help legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer Herman Miller avert financial disaster during the Great Depression.
Brown-Saltman was established in 1923 and initially specialized in reproductions of furniture in period styles. When cofounder David Saltman met Frankl, the firm had discontinued its Early California collection and was producing modern furniture.
The Austrian-born Frankl was already a big name in decorating in California in the late 1930s — his clients were Hollywood movie stars who were drawn to pieces such as his Art Deco-style Skyscraper series and other biomorphically shaped designs that showed the influence of Chinese and Japanese forms (Brown-Saltman’s offerings were frequently demonstrative of Asian influences). Frankl had become interested in producing inexpensive furniture for middle-class consumers, and his 1940s-era collaboration with Brown-Saltman was a success — print advertisements touted his name as well as the fact that these furnishings, which drew on the clean lines of chrome-framed Bauhaus pieces but instead integrated organic materials, were intended for modern homes.
Keal’s work also fit snugly into what we now call California modernism, which derived from the Bauhaus and International Style movements, and revolutionized the way we build homes today, not only in the Golden State but across the globe. Keal created sleek end tables in walnut and topped with enameled copper and upholstered low-profile dining chairs framed in bleached mahogany for Brown-Saltman as well as other West Coast mid-century brands such as Glenn of California and Modeline.
Find vintage John Keal seating, storage pieces and tables on 1stDibs.
1
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1
1
1
75
80
74
68
68
Creator: John Keal
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Plinth Base 2 Door Cabinet
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Countryside, IL
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Plinth Base 2 door cabinet
This cabinet measures: 22 wide x 16 deep x 19.25 inches high
All pieces of furniture can be had in what we ca...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Cabinets
Materials
Wood
Related Items
John Keal for Brown Saltman Constellation End Tables
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of walnut with enamel copper tile tables titled ‘Constellation’ produced by high-end Californian furniture manufacturer, Brown Saltman. These two solid walnut wood tables each fe...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Cabinets
Materials
Ceramic, Walnut
California Modern Smoked Glass Walnut End Table by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in San Diego, CA
Single smoked glass end / accent table with walnut frame designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman, circa 1970s. The table is in very good vintage condition, measures 18" x 18" x 15.5"...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Cabinets
Materials
Smoked Glass, Walnut
H 15.5 in W 18 in D 18 in
John Keal for Brown Saltman End Tables
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of square walnut tables with a tile top on a square pedestal base, by John Keal for Brown Saltman. American, circa 1950.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Cabinets
Materials
Art Glass, Walnut
John Keal for Brown Saltman Hexagonal End Tables
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of two hexagonal John Keal for Brown Saltman tables. Frames are walnut with enameled textured design under glass tops. Price per table.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Cabinets
Materials
Enamel
Pair of End Tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman of California
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of early Brown Saltman of California teak end tables with brass details designed by John Keal, circa 1950s.
These tables can be used as side tabl...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Cabinets
Materials
Brass
Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Side Table by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage designs that can seamlessly be incorpo...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
H 17.5 in W 28 in D 20 in
Walnut with Copper Tile Top Tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal
Located in Denton, TX
Set of three solid walnut with copper tile top tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman.
Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Cabinets
Materials
Copper
Magazine Wedge Table by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Hanover, MA
John Keal for Brown Saltman mahogany side table with trapezoid wedge-shaped top flanking a magazine rack, on tapering dowel leg frame with brass-capped feet. Brown-Saltman decal on u...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Cabinets
Materials
Brass
John Keal Expanding Coffee Table for Brown Saltman, 1970
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage expandable walnut coffee table. Designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman. Original black poufs included for seating. Signed with the original tags on the poufs.
Killer design...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
American Mid Century Nesting Tables Designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful set of three nesting tables designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman Solid mahogany, with solid polished brass tips freshly refinished in chocolate finish. Beautiful and rar...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Cabinets
Materials
Brass
John Keal Midcentury Walnut Magazine Rack Coffee Table for Brown Saltman, 1960s
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Roma, IT
This mid-century walnut coffee table can be used as a magazine rack. This fantastic item is attributed to John Keal and was produced in 1960s.
An astonishing piece that has a Clas...
Category
1960s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
H 16.54 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
Expertly Restored - John Keal Side Table with Magazine Holder for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stylish Mid-Century Modern side table designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman in the United States circa 1960s. This modern side table is crafted in sturdy walnut-stained mahogany wi...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Cabinets
Materials
Brass
H 19 in W 23.5 in D 30 in
Previously Available Items
1960s John Keal for Brown Saltman Mahogany Wood Credenza
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Hawthorne, CA
Completely restored 1960s mahogany wood credenza designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman. Stunning wood grain throughout complimented by bronze squiggle pulls. The piece features a c...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Cabinets
Materials
Bronze
John Keal Cabinet with Cane Doors for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Keal Cabinet with Cane Doors for Brown Saltman
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Cabinets
Materials
Cane, Mahogany
Rare John Keal for Brown Saltman Midcentury Vitrine Wall Unit Display Case
By John Keal, Paul Laszlo, Brown Saltman
Located in Decatur, GA
Scarce Mid-Century Modern vitrine display cabinet designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman, circa 1952. Mahogany and micro-screen textured glass. This unit consists of two pieces - the lower base, consisting of one large drawer integrated with the sculptural legs and the upper display case with glass...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Cabinets
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
John Keal Brown-Saltman Mid-Century Modern Low Credenza, Record, Stereo Cabinet
By John Keal
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Mid-Century Modern cabinet designed by John Keal for Brown-Saltman.
This cabinet can meet lots of needs from a rocking stereo stand with lots of room f...
Category
1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
H 18 in W 54 in D 16 in
Classic Modernist Wall Unit by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning Mid-Century Modern wall unit / room divider designed by John Keal manufactured by Brown Saltman, two piece, top featuring 2 storage cubbies with sliding doors, a-top stylize...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Cabinets
Materials
Birch, Mahogany, Burl
John Keal Credenza or Storage Cabinet
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Fulton, CA
A two piece storage cabinet designed by John Keal for Brown-Saltman of California. Features two sliding doors opening to storage with adjustable shelf interior and three center drawe...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Cabinets
Materials
Oak, Walnut
John Keal Mr. & Mrs. Chest of Drawers in Walnut with Brass Sabots, 1950s
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautifully restored chest of drawers by John Keal. Walnut 12-drawer dresser with sculptural pulls terminating in polished metal tips by John Keal for Brown-Saltman, 1950s. Back stam...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
John Keal for Brown-Saltman Mahogany Bar Cabinet Server, 1950s
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Chattanooga, TN
We purchased this John Keal server / bar from the original estate and can say without hesitation that you won't find a more pristine set anywhere. The Florida waterfront home was a veritable living catalog for Brown-Saltman. Please look close at our photos when comparing your options. The cerused mahogany looks outstanding and has been masterfully and subtly restored. The key to any restoration is making improvements without making it look as though anything has been done. This cabinet now looks like a museum installation, but yet our price is in-step with similar offerings in lower grade conditions.
This John Keal for Brown Saltman bar is made of mahogany wood and features a spacious interior. Grasp the gracefully sculpted solid wood pulls to reveal the ample interior. Look to the upper left corner and see a column of three articulating rings...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Cabinets
Materials
Brass
Two-Piece Teak China Cabinet Designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal
Located in Toledo, OH
A great teak two-piece China cabinet designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman. The top piece has two bifold doors; each opens to a display area with two adjustable shelves. The top pi...
Category
Mid-20th Century John Keal Cabinets
Materials
Teak
Walnut Cabinet by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in North Miami, FL
Beautifully grained, fully restored California Modern walnut cabinet designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman. Two doors with sculptural integrated handles open to three interior draw...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
John Keal for Brown Saltman Credenza
By John Keal
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A dark Indonesian mahogany credenza with two doors and three drawers complemented by sculptural brass pulls. Manufactured by the Brown Saltman Furn...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Brown & Saltman Walnut China Cabinet by John Keal
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brown & Saltman Walnut China Cabinet by John Keal
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
John Keal cabinets for sale on 1stDibs.
John Keal cabinets are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of John Keal cabinets, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original cabinets by John Keal were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider cabinets by Pulaski Furniture Corporation, Founders Furniture Company, and Broyhill. Prices for John Keal cabinets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,295 and can go as high as $2,280, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,788.