John Keal for Brown Saltman Coffee Table Solid Walnut
About the Item
- Creator:Brown Saltman (Maker),John Keal (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 16.5 in (41.91 cm)Width: 48 in (121.92 cm)Depth: 30 in (76.2 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960's
- Condition:Please notice water mark on base.
- Seller Location:Fulton, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5539239693892
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Fulton, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- John Keal for Brown Saltman Glass Top End Table Solid WalnutBy Brown Saltman, John KealLocated in Fulton, CAA Mid-Century Modern end or side table crafted in solid walnut with a smoked glass top. Designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman of California, circa. 1960's. Features storage or disp...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsSmoked Glass, Walnut
- Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman Full / Double Bed FrameBy Brown Saltman, Paul FranklLocated in Fulton, CAFull / Double bed frame designed by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman of California. Newly upholstered headboard, but fabric can be easily changed if des...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsFir, Fabric
- Teak Scandinavian Modern Tile Coffee TableBy Mobelfabrikken ToftenLocated in Fulton, CAA teak and ceramic tile top Danish Modern coffee table. Made by Mobelfabrikken Toften, Norway. Circa. 1970. A set of 18 abstract gold and brown tiles in teak frame. Very good origina...Category
Vintage 1970s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsCeramic, Teak
- Ming Style Asian Hardwood Coffee TableLocated in Fulton, CAMing style rectangular coffee table made entirely of a hardwood, appears to be rosewood. Warm glow to original finish. Excellent original condition.Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsHardwood
- Triangular Module Iron Mid-Century Modern Tables Coffee, Side or End TablesLocated in Fulton, CAA set of multi-color iron base Formica top nesting or modular tables. Four turquoise top and two black tops. These tables can be stacked as nesting tables or arranged in multiple con...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsIron
- Live Edge Slab Organic Modern Coffee TableLocated in Fulton, CASolid slab organic modern coffee table. South Pacific ion origin. Exceptional wood grain top top of slab. Legs made of same material as top. very nice original condition. Circa. 1950...Category
Mid-20th Century Organic Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWood
- John Keal Expanding Coffee Table for Brown Saltman, 1970By Brown Saltman, John KealLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage 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
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Modernist John Keal for Brown Saltman Checkerboard Coffee Table /StorageBy John Keal, Brown SaltmanLocated in Buffalo, NYCoffee table designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman with internal storage Walnut table with black and white checked formica surface opens to reveal storage space Manufactured by Brown-Saltman of California in the 1950s whose company motto was "Live in the Modern Mode" Classic Mid-Century Modern design with two sides functioning as book cradles...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsLaminate, Walnut
- John Keal Expanding Coffee Table by Brown SaltmanBy Brown Saltman, John KealLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis 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
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWalnut, Formica
- John Keal Mid-Century Modern Walnut Expanding Coffee Table by Brown SaltmanBy Brown Saltman, John KealLocated in St. Louis, MOJohn Keal for Brown Saltman Mid-Century Modern rectangular walnut expanding cocktail table, with vinyl laminate center on block pedestals expands from 66" to 95" long. Top to be refi...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- 1960s Smokey Glass and Walnut Coffee Table by John Keal Brown SaltmanBy John Keal, Brown SaltmanLocated in Hawthorne, CAClassic mid-century modern walnut wood and smokey glass coffee table designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman. Contrasting platform black base. Features one drawer with original label...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsSmoked Glass, Wood, Walnut
- Three-in-One by John Keal for Brown SaltmanBy John Keal, Brown SaltmanLocated in Hanover, MABeautiful long solid walnut coffee table with slide-out folding side tables by John Keal for Brown Saltman. The pair of side tables on their own are very chic and have the tapered fo...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWalnut