Brown Saltman Mahogany Desk by John Keal
View Similar Items
Brown Saltman Mahogany Desk by John Keal
About the Item
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.
- Brown Saltman End Tables by John KealLocated in San Diego, CAEarly Brown Saltman end tables designed by John Keal, circa 1950s. Made of beautiful mahogany wood. Top drawer slides for storage. Wood is completely restored to original condition.Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern End Tables
$2,800 / set - Custom 1950s Wall Mounted Modernist Writing DeskLocated in San Diego, CAUnique handmade custom wall-mounted writing desk made in the 1950s. Solid birch construction with patinated brass accents and a smooth black laminate desk surface that folds up when ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
- Antique Virginia Metalcrafters Irish Setter Figural Dog Brass Desk AshtrayLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful antique brass Irish Setter dog figural ashtray dating from the 1920s. Signed on the back. Made by Virginia Metalcrafters. Made of cast brass and has a wonderful patina. In ...Category
Early 20th Century North American Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsBrass
- Modernist Brutalist Taxco Metales Mexico Brass Desk Stash Trinket Cigarette BoxBy Los CastillosLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful decorative modernist/Brutalist brass Taxco "Metales" cigarette stash/trinket box. The box has a wonderful form and design. Top has a rough nugget surface. Inside is lined i...Category
Mid-20th Century Decorative Boxes
MaterialsOnyx
- Mid Century Brass Globe Cigarette Holder & Ashtray Office Desk Accessory CaddyBy Alfred DunhillLocated in San Diego, CABrass figural globe cigarette holder and ashtray caddy, circa 1950s. Would make a great office desk accessory. Wonderful midcentury design. Nic...Category
Mid-20th Century Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Edith Heath for Heath Ceramics 4 Slot White & Brown Pottery AshtrayBy Edith HeathLocated in San Diego, CAWonderful Edith Heath for Heath Ceramics white and brown 4 slot ashtray dating from the 1960's. In excellent condition with no chips, no nicks, no repairs ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsCeramic
- 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
- John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Bleached Mahogany CredenzaBy Brown Saltman, John KealLocated in Countryside, ILJohn Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Credenza This credenza measures: 66 wide x 20 deep x 33 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call res...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsChrome
- 1950s John Keal Petite Buffet for Brown Saltman Philippine Mahogany CredenzaBy John KealLocated in Monrovia, CA1950s John Keal petite buffet for brown Saltman Philippine mahogany credenza john Keal Philippine mahogany wooden petite buffet. This rarely seen...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsMahogany
- Rare Desk with Chair by Brown SaltmanBy Brown SaltmanLocated in Torrance, CABrown Saltman, desk with chair, wood, United States, circa 1940s A cubist desk with chair. This set holds a similar idiom with clear forms and lines. Both the chair and the desk ...Category
Vintage 1940s Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsWood
- 1950s John Keal for Brown Saltman Dresser in Blonde Mahogany & Formica TopBy Brown Saltman, John KealLocated in Germantown, MDA clean midcentury Brown Saltman blonde mahogany modern double dresser 1950s USA. Blonde mahogany body and very clean formica top. Exception...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsAbalone, Formica, Hardwood, Mahogany
- John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Buffet and HutchBy John Keal, Brown SaltmanLocated in Countryside, ILJohn Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Buffet and Hutch The buffet measures: 40 wide x 17 deep x 36 inches high The hutch measures: 40 wide x 16 deep x 24 inches ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Buffets
MaterialsGlass, Mahogany
