Brown Saltman Desks
American
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.
2
to
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
2
1
1
1
85
25
25
23
19
Creator: Brown Saltman
Paul Laszlo, Freeform Desk, Oak, Brown Saltman, USA, 1940s
By Paul Laszlo, Brown Saltman
Located in High Point, NC
A freeform oak desk designed by Paul Laszlo and produced by Brown Saltman, USA, 1940s.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Oak
Rare Desk with Chair by Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman
Located in Torrance, CA
Brown 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
1940s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Wood
Related Items
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 Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Composition
Bronze Desk with Black or Brown Leather Wrapped Top
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in Ballard, CA
A hand-sculpted and forged bronze desk with brown or black leather wrapped top and drawer, fastened by bronze nails. Custom sizes, finishes and glass top available. Interior of drawe...
Category
2010s American Organic Modern Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Bronze
Dresser by Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Dallas, TX
A mahogany chest of drawers designed by Paul Laszlo for brown saltman.
Category
1950s Vintage Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Mahogany
Rare Antique circa 1860 Library Writing Table Desk with Twin Writing Slopes
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original circa 1860 Mahogany library table with built in twin writing slopes
This is a very r...
Category
1860s English High Victorian Antique Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Hardwood
H 31.11 in W 55.12 in D 31.5 in
French Art Deco Occasionnal Table Oak, 1940s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
Presenting a captivating and compact French Art Deco dining table that exudes timeless elegance. This exquisite table showcases the beauty of oak wood with a sanded finish, revealing...
Category
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Oak
1940s French Art Deco Extendable Oak Table
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
Presenting an exquisite French Art Deco dining table inspired by the timeless beauty of the French provincial style. Crafted from rich oak, this table showcases the wood's intrinsic ...
Category
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Oak
French Large Art Deco Table Oak, Dudouyt, 1940s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
French Art Deco dining table. The table features stunning oak sanded wood grain with a stunning patina. The top is encrusted with a checked marquetry. It rests on tall and Brutalist ...
Category
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Oak
Paul Laszlo for Brown and Saltman Credenza
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Denton, TX
Treasure chest model with 24 drawers and a large compartment on the right side originally used for hanging linens.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Mahogany
Table in Solid Oak, Charles Dudouyt, 1940s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
Immerse yourself in the timeless allure of French Art Deco design with this exceptional dining table crafted by the renowned Charles Dudouyt. This table is a true masterpiece, charac...
Category
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Elm
Rare Director's Desk by Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Werndl, Germany c.1970
By Ernest Igl
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A rare Director's Desk by Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Wendl, Germany. The design truly resembles the ethos of the seventies, a bright and bold era. The writing desk feels retro, without clashing with contemporary interiors. Ernest Igl focused on functionality combined with an aesthetically pleasing design for daily use, seen in the playful composition of curved lines and round shapes.
The body of the desk is entirely made of molded fiberglass and lacquered in white. The push up writing surface reveals a large storage compartment. A switch inside can lock and unlock the drawers. The top aluminum panel has a clock, large ceramic inset tray, two round ceramic dishes and five ceramic pen holders...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Aluminum
Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman Basket woven Chest of Drawers cabinet
By Brown Saltman, Paul Laszlo
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A six drawer chest by Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman. Oak veneer with 100’s of individual tiles laid in an an interwoven basket weave pattern. Great texture and warmth. This exceedin...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Oak
1940s French Art Deco Extendable Oak Table
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
Introducing a remarkable French Art Deco dining table designed by the renowned Charles Dudouyt, a celebrated furniture designer known for his exceptional craftsmanship, innovative de...
Category
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Oak
Previously Available Items
Newly Refinished -Mid-Century Modern Writing Desk by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Writing Desk by John Keal for Brown Saltman
Materials: Walnut-Stained Mahogany
With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Walnut
H 28.75 in W 52.25 in D 23.75 in
Desk by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, Paul Frankl
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Desk by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman. Desk measures 29" wide, 13.75" deep and 38" high. Desk has been professionally refinished.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Mahogany
Paul Laszlo "Basket Weave" Desk for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, Paul Laszlo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stunning oak desk designed by Paul Lazlo for Brown Saltman c.1950s ,USA as part of the "Basket Weave" collection. This classic California Modern design features two cabinet doors w...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Oak
Vintage Walnut Desk by John Caldwell for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Caldwell
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Exceptional vintage walnut desk designed by John Caldwell for Brown Saltman in the United States, circa 1950s. This desk has a minimalist design where th...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Walnut
Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman, California Desk
By Paul Laszlo, Brown Saltman
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Desk by Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman, California. Wood is silver elm. Desk measures 53.5” wide, 26” deep and 29.5” high. Desk has been professionally refinished. Table knee clearan...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Wood
Vintage Executive Walnut and Chrome Desk by John Keal
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage executive desk designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman in the United States. This exceptional crafted desk features three pull-out drawers and a file drawer all with sculpted...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Chrome
Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman Cerused Oak Desk, circa 1950s
By Paul Laszlo, Brown Saltman
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Desk designed by Paul Laszlo (1900-1993). USA, Brown & Saltman, circa 1950s. Elegant three-drawer oak desk features the basket weave design Laszlo is well known for. U-shaped modern ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Wood
John Keal Writing Desk with Bookshelf for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sleek modern writing desk designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman in the United States, circa 1960s. The asymmetrical shape on this striking desk exemplifies Keal’s clean and modern ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Brass
John Keal Executive Walnut and Chrome Desk for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stylish modern executive desk designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman in the United States circa 1950s. This striking desk is crafted in walnut wood featuring a solid case with chrom...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Steel
John Keal Desk with Brass Accents for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stylish modern desk designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman in the United States circa 1950s. This exceptionally crafted desk features mahogany that has been stained in a warm walnut...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Brass
Vintage Paul Laszlo Desk for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, Paul Laszlo
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern desk designed by Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman in mahogany. This piece can be displayed from any angle and includes a finished backside with a bookshelf display. E...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Mahogany
Brown-Saltman Mid-Century Modern Small Walnut Desk
By Brown Saltman
Located in San Francisco, CA
An uncommon early 1960s Brown-Saltman small walnut desk with drawer.
Top displays handsome bookmatched grain, while arced legs and backstop provide a perfect amount of personality...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Saltman Desks
Materials
Walnut
Brown Saltman desks for sale on 1stDibs.
Brown Saltman desks 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 Brown Saltman desks, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks by Brown Saltman were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 1940s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks by Edward Wormley, Dunbar, and Knoll. Prices for Brown Saltman desks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $13,900 and can go as high as $18,999, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $16,450.