Two-Piece Teak China Cabinet Designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman
View Similar Items
Two-Piece Teak China Cabinet Designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman
About the Item
- Creator:John Keal (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 69 in (175.26 cm)Width: 48 in (121.92 cm)Depth: 19 in (48.26 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very good condition, some minor wear appropriate to age and use, some marks on very top of china cabinet.
- Seller Location:Toledo, OH
- Reference Number:Seller: 12292016531stDibs: LU165826299483
John Keal
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.
- Two Door Teak Cabinet Hans Wegner for Ry MoblerLocated in Toledo, OHTeak two door cabinet with four adjustable inner shelves. Unusual circular brass pull with latch. Book matched veneer. Very nice original finish....Category
Mid-20th Century European Modern Cabinets
MaterialsTeak
- Thomasville Bogart Collection "Bel Air" Mahogany Curio China Display CabinetBy ThomasvilleLocated in Toledo, OHA stunning mahogany curio cabinet by Thomasville from the Bogart Collection, "Bel Air". This beautiful cabinet features heavy serpentine plate glass ...Category
20th Century American American Classical Cabinets
MaterialsMahogany
- Drexel Heritage Limited Ed Heirloom Federal Style Breakfront China CabinetBy DrexelLocated in Toledo, OHAn unusual knotty cherry china display cabinet made by Drexel Heritage Furniture as part of their Heirloom Collection. The heirloom collection provided li...Category
Late 20th Century Cabinets
MaterialsCherry
$2,900 Sale Price50% Off - German Silver Covering Cabinet/Credenza by Bernhardt InteriorsBy Bernhardt DesignLocated in Toledo, OHGerman Silver Covering cabinet/credenza by Bernhardt Interiors. Circa 20th Century. Two door German Silver wrapped credenza/cabinet over wood. Great condition, wear is consistent wit...Category
20th Century Cabinets
MaterialsMetal
- Dyrlund Rosewood Entertainment Cabinet with Tambour DoorsBy DyrlundLocated in Toledo, OHBeautiful Drylund rosewood entertainment cabinet with tambour doors. Features 1 adjustable shelf, 1 pull out shelf, and 2 holes for electronics cables...Category
20th Century Cabinets
MaterialsRosewood
- Asian Style Deep Black Lacquer Lighted Curio Display CabinetLocated in Toledo, OHAsian style bamboo design black lacquer lighted display / curio cabinet. Shelves have plate rails. Two doors with glass fronts and green silk back. Very nice condition. Dimensions: 8...Category
20th Century Unknown Modern Lacquer
MaterialsLacquer
- John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Plinth Base 2 Door CabinetBy Brown Saltman, John KealLocated in Countryside, ILJohn 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
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsWood
- 1950's John Keal design for Brown-Saltman Low Credenza CabinetBy John KealLocated in Las Vegas, NVMid-century four-door very low cabinet designed by John Keal for Brown-Saltman. Gorgeous walnut grain throughout. Nickel-plated pulls and back plate. Exceptionally versatile piece of furniture which could be used as a bench, entry way cabinet...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWood
- John Keal for Brown Saltman Highboy DresserBy Brown Saltman, John KealLocated in Los Angeles, CAJohn Keal for Brown Saltman Mid-Century Modern mahogany highboy dresser with four drawers and maker's mark.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMahogany
- Vintage MC Rare Bar Cabinet Station by John Keal for Brown SaltmanBy Brown Saltman, John KealLocated in San Diego, CAIncredible and intelligent design by John Keal for Brown Saltman. This incredible vintage cabinet from the late 1950s transcends decades to amaze with intelligent design and purpose. On the outside, the cabinet is minimal and clean lined with two long sculpted decorative wood bars. Pull the decorative bars up until they lock, carefully let them fall forward and voila! It’s a table and built in bar...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
MaterialsComposition
$5,240 Sale Price20% Off - Rare John Keal Buffet or Credenza for Brown SaltmanBy John KealLocated in Van Nuys, CAThis Mid-Century Modern buffet or credenza by John Keal for Brown Saltman features three storage drawers and a cabinet behind a pair of double doors. The unit rests on a sculptured l...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Buffets
MaterialsBrass
- John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid-Century Cane LowboyBy Brown Saltman, John KealLocated in Countryside, ILJohn Keal for Brown Saltman midcentury cane lowboy. This lowboy measures: 54 wide x 18 deep x 32 inches high. All pieces ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsCane, Wood
