Vintage Executive Walnut and Chrome Desk by John Keal
View Similar Items
Vintage Executive Walnut and Chrome Desk by John Keal
About the Item
- Creator:John Keal (Designer),Brown Saltman (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 60 in (152.4 cm)Depth: 30 in (76.2 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Professionally refinished.
- Seller Location:North Hollywood, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1270219457612
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
The enduring modern design legacy of Brown Saltman was born from the collaboration between designer Paul Frankl and furniture manufacturer David Saltman. Together, they created stunning mid-century modern solid wood furniture with Art Deco influences. Brown Saltman side tables, cocktail tables and credenzas are known for their thoughtful designs and exquisite details.
Frankl was a leading American designer who came to prominence in the 1930s by making rattan furniture for Hollywood stars. However, he dreamed of bringing his designs to the public. That chance came in 1939, when he met Saltman at a party. Saltman was the head of the Los Angeles-based Brown Saltman, which, at the time, specialized in furniture reproductions.
He asked Frankl to create a furniture line, which was released in 1941. It was a hit, with sales exceeding expectations. Frankl quickly started work on a new line for mass production. It featured simplified designs and less expensive materials like combed wood and textured plywood. This line was even more successful, and Frankl started on a third.
In 1942, Frankl and Saltman signed an extended contract to continue their collaboration. However, Saltman died in a traffic accident the next day. World War II also brought Brown Saltman production to a standstill. After the war ended, Frankl decided not to renew his contract.
Brown Saltman partnered with many other designers over the years. A walnut sideboard by Van Keppel-Green for Brown Saltman was featured in the Museum of Modern Art’s 1950-51 Good Design exhibition. Architect and interior designer Paul Laszlo also designed a commercial furniture line for the company in the 1950s.
Brown Saltman dissolved in 1960, but its well-built and beautifully designed furniture remains in high demand today.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Brown Saltman tables, storage cabinets, seating and more.
- Vintage Walnut Executive Desk by Florence KnollBy Knoll, Florence KnollLocated in North Hollywood, CAAmazing vintage executive desk designed by architect and furniture designer Florence Knoll in the United States, circa 1960s. This iconic design...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Vintage Art Deco "Fletcher Aviation" Executive Desk by Frank FletcherBy Frank Fletcher, Fletcher AviationLocated in North Hollywood, CABeautiful vintage Art Deco “Fletcher Aviation” designed by Frank Fletcher for Fletcher Aviation in the United States, circa 1940s. Due to its design and...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage "Biscayne" Floating Top Walnut Desk by DrexelBy Milo Baughman, DrexelLocated in North Hollywood, CAWonderful vintage “Biscayne” floating top walnut desk by Drexel and manufactured in the United States, circa 1960s. This desk has been built from the highest quality walnut wood and ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Danish Modern Teak Executive Desk by Ib Kofod LarsenBy Ib Kofod-Larsen, Amir FarrLocated in North Hollywood, CAAmazing Danish teak executive desk designed by Ib Kofod Larsen for Faarup Møbelfabrik in Denmark, circa 1960s. This desk has a versatile and functional design. fine attention to deta...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsTeak
- Danish Modern Executive Brazilian Rosewood DeskLocated in North Hollywood, CAWonderful Danish modern executive rosewood desk designed and manufactured in Denmark, circa 1960s. This desk has a very particula...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsChrome
- Vintage Executive Brass and Walnut DeskLocated in North Hollywood, CAStunning vintage executive brass and walnut desk, designed in USA, circa 1950’s. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this desk features meticulous design and minimalist bras...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- John Keal Mid-Century Modern Walnut DeskBy Brown Saltman, John KealLocated in Culver City, CAThis desk belongs in a museum, with perfect proportions, incredible craftsmanship, beautiful walnut woodwork and a spectacular overall design. A gem rarely seen and loved from all tr...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- American Walnut & Brass Vintage Executive DeskLocated in Brooklyn, NYRevive the hustle and bustle of the mid-century American workplace with this jaw-dropping walnut executive desk. Boasting a newly refinished walnut top measuring over 14 square feet ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
$1,960 Sale Price30% Off - 1960s Mid-Century Modern Walnut Executive Desk with Chrome AccentsLocated in Los Angeles, CAExperience the timeless elegance of our 1960s Mid-Century Modern Executive Desk, masterfully constructed from select walnut wood. This vintage writing table, restored to impeccable c...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
$3,956 Sale Price25% Off - Standard Furniture Mid Century Walnut and Brass Executive DeskBy The Standard Furniture CompanyLocated in Countryside, ILStandard Furniture Mid Century Walnut and Brass Executive Desk This desk measures: 66 wide x 36 deep x 29 high, with a chair clearance of 24.5 inches All pieces of furniture can be...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- 1968 Executive DeskBy Warren PlatnerLocated in Hanover, MAExecutive desk formerly belonging to noted architect George M. Notter, (1933–2007) of the Boston firm Anderson Notter Finegold (now known as Finegold Alexander Architects). Current institutional memory at the firm suggests it was a special order from Herman Miller for the then new New York offices of MGM, however Herman Miller's archivist was unable to confirm. Styling, particularly the distinctive slim milled aluminum tracks through which the entire drawer carriage glides is clearly similar to Warren Platner's designs for Lehigh-Leopold which were then among the most costly of executive office furnishings. The bent flat bar chromed steel base with its distinctive pigeon toe splay is somewhat similar to a table base in Stow Davis' Electa Series, designed by Alexis Yermakov circa 1971. Walnut laminate top is very clean with no issues. One one corner edge shows a small separation. The only identifying markings are within the milled aluminum channel: G.P. F.I. 2 And the date Dec. 20, 1968. See image 18. Between the rectangular laminate top and the chrome base is a heavy blackened steel plate. Underneath the bent chrome pigeon toe feet are bars of a thick phenolic material which act as floor protector. We can have keys made to fit the two locking drawers. Tim Anderson...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsAluminum, Steel, Chrome
$6,500 - Pierre Paulin Bird's-Eye Maple and Walnut Inlay Executive DeskBy Baker Furniture Company, Pierre PaulinLocated in Chicago, ILRare Pierre Paulin executive desk for Baker. Bird's-eye maple veneers inlaid with dark walnut in the signature motif for the Paulin Collection. Drawers are fitted to give a floating ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Desks
MaterialsBirdseye Maple, Walnut
