John Keal Furniture
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.
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Creator: John Keal
John Keal Square Reverse Painted Glass and Walnut End / Side Tables
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in New York, NY
PAIR of American Mid-Century square end / side tables with reverse painted glass tops mounted in a walnut frame, supported by a smaller square walnut pedestal base. (JOHN KEAL FOR BR...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Furniture
Materials
Wood, Walnut
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Credenza
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Countryside, IL
John 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
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture
Materials
Chrome
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mcm Bleached Mahogany Dining Chairs, Set of 6
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Countryside, IL
John Keal for brown saltman mid century Bleached Mahogany dining chairs - set of 6.
Each armless chair measures: 20.5 wide x 24 deep x 30 h...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
1950s John Keal Petite Buffet for Brown Saltman Philippine Mahogany Credenza
By John Keal
Located in Monrovia, CA
1950s 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 John Keal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Expertly Restored - John Keal Night Stand with Bookshelf for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walnut and Hand-painted Copper Side Tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful pair of Constellation walnut side tables with painted copper inlaid trays. Designed by John Keal and produced by Brown Saltman furniture company. The wood has been cleaned ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Furniture
Materials
Copper
John Keal for Brown Saltman Wedge End Tables
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Denton, TX
John Keal for brown Saltman walnut wedge end tables/ magazine rack with brass capped feet. Hard to find in this good of original condition. Please see ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern John Keal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Sofa Designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This is a wonderful example of a mid century modern sofa. Designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman, the sofa is upholstered in a heathered beige linen blend fabric and sits on two esp...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
1950's John Keal design for Brown-Saltman Low Credenza Cabinet
By John Keal
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Mid-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 John Keal Furniture
Materials
Wood
John Keal for Brown Saltman Set of Three Walnut and Burl Cocktail Tables, 1970s
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of three hexagonal shape side tables design by John Keal for Brown Saltman in the 1970’s.
Constructed of walnut with a burl wood circle on the top.
In beautiful vintage conditi...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage MC Rare Bar Cabinet Station by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible 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
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture
Materials
Composition
Mid-Century Modern John Keal for Brown Saltman End Table
By John Keal
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Mid-Century Modern John Keal for Brown Saltman end table
Mid-Century Modern square end tables designed by John Keal for Brown-S...
Category
1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
John Keal Mid-Century Modern Walnut Desk
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Culver City, CA
This 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 John Keal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Expertly Restored - John Keal Wall-Hanging Sculpted Mirror for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Keal wall-hanging sculpted mirror for Brown Saltman.
________________________________________
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history bac...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Walnut
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Tray Side Table Designed by John Keal
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Tray side table with hairpin style and a pullout, manufactured by Brown Saltman, and designed By John Keal.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture
Materials
Wood
1960s John Keal Brown Saltman Hexagonal Side Table
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s John Keal for Brown Saltman Hexagonal Side Table
Walnut Wood and Enamel Copper Glass Tabletop
Insert appears as pebble composite under glass
16 h x 18 d
Maker Label
Preowned U...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture
Materials
Copper, Enamel
John Keal Mid-Century Square Reverse Painted Glass and Walnut End / Side Tables
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in New York, NY
Pair of American mid-century square end / side tables with reverse painted glass tops mounted in a walnut frame, supported by a smaller square walnut pedestal base. (John Keal for Br...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern John Keal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
John Keal for Brown Saltman Snowbell Tree Tile Top Design, Walnut Side Tables
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of Mid-Century Modern John Keal for Brown Saltman walnut side tables with colorful ceramic art tiles in an abstract of a Japanese Snowbell Tree. Newly refinished and reglued. No...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Walnut
John Keal Expanding Coffee Table by Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This expanding coffee table by John Keal is both handsome and versatile. When closed the rectilinear top sits on a pair of cube bases for a sim...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Formica
1950s John Keal for Brown Saltman Clean Nightstands Blonde Mahogany & Brass
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Nightstands
Brown Saltman blonde mahogany modern nightstands 1950s USA
Exceptionally clean modern lines designed by John Keal
Maker label present.
Shows sculptural thick oval legs an...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture
Materials
Brass
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Plinth Base 2 Door Cabinet
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
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 Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of End Tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman of California
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
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 Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Nesting Tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage set of three nesting side tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman in mahogany, circa 1950s. This versatile set features a rounded edge detail that taper into the legs complete ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Brown and Saltman Set of Three End Side Tables in Dark Oiled Walnut Art Tile Top
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Set of 3 Brown and Saltman end coffee side occasional tables stands in dark oiled walnut with art tile top.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Furniture
Materials
Art Glass, Walnut
Rare John Keal Buffet or Credenza for Brown Saltman
By John Keal
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This 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
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture
Materials
Brass
American Mid Century Nesting Tables Designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
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 Furniture
Materials
Brass
John Keal Wall Unit / Vitrine with Drawers for Brown Saltman
By John Keal
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This versatile Mid-Century Modern vitrine / wall unit designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman features four shelves behind original sliding glass doors atop a sculptural rendered two...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
John Keal for Brown Saltman End Tables 'Pair'
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of square walnut end tables with marbled/burled wood painted finish under a glass top on a square pedestal base. Minimal and arc...
Category
1950s American Vintage John Keal Furniture
Materials
Art Glass, Walnut
John Keal Walnut Coffee Table with Three Folding Side Tables
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare coffee table with internal folding snack tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman. Bleached walnut wood square top coffee table with three intern...
Category
1950s American Vintage John Keal Furniture
Materials
Laminate, Walnut
Brown Saltman Hexagonal End Coffee Table with Sunburst Inlay
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Oiled walnut hexagonal centre side table by John Keal for Brown Saltman.
High quality walnut wood in combination with high quality Mid-Century Modern craftsmanship accent table. Nat...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Chic Restored Set of 8 Cerused Mahogany Dining Chairs by John Keal, circa 1955
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent set of dining chairs is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored, newly upholstered and co...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
John Keal for Brown Saltman End Tables
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
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 Furniture
Materials
Art Glass, Walnut
John Keal Nesting Tables for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Chicago, IL
John Keal nesting tables for Brown Saltman. Manner of Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Set of 3 John Keal Brown Saltman Burl Wood Hexagon Mid-Century Modern Side Table
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Set of 3 John Keal for Brown Saltman burl wood hexagon side tables. Listing includes, 3 side tables with nicely joined and angled corners, lower shelves, black platforms, beautiful w...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Keal Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Burl
Mid-Century Modern Low Sideboard in Walnut by John Keal for Brown-Saltman
By John Keal
Located in Kensington, MD
Mid-Century Modern Low Sideboard in Walnut by John Keal for Brown-Saltman
Additional Information:
Material: Walnut
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Featured at Kensington:
From respe...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern John Keal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
John Keal Walnut Dresser for Brown Saltman Mid Century Danish Modern 1960s USA
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For Your Consideration: Clean Classic Danish Modern Walnut Wood Dresser by John Keal for Brown Saltman
Original Unrestored Very Good Vintage Condition. Consider as a storage buffet o...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
John Keal Mid Century Wood Cork Side Table by Brown Saltman
By John Keal
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A mahogany side / end table with dark ebony colored cork drawer front and sculptural bass pull. The base has detailed line designs and it retains the original manufactures label. Man...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Keal Furniture
Materials
Brass
John Keal furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
John Keal furniture 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 furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by John Keal were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Richard Schultz, Tomlinson, and Paul Mayen. Prices for John Keal furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $425 and can go as high as $28,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,650.