Rare John Keal Buffet or Credenza for Brown Saltman
About the Item
- Creator:John Keal (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 40 in (101.6 cm)Width: 50 in (127 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.
- Seller Location:Van Nuys, CA
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Van Nuys, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- John Keal Wall Unit / Vitrine with Drawers for Brown SaltmanBy John KealLocated in Van Nuys, CAThis 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
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vitrines
MaterialsGlass, Mahogany
- Brown Saltman Mahogany Extendable Dining Table by John KealBy Brown SaltmanLocated in Van Nuys, CALarge midcentury mahogany extendable dining table by John Keal for Brown Saltman featuring well shaped tapered legs and a petite design. The table features great compact 44" x 64" t...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsWood, Mahogany
- Early Mid-Century Johnson Furniture Two-Tone Buffet Cabinet by Paul FranklBy Johnson Furniture Company, Paul FranklLocated in Van Nuys, CAElegant walnut buffet cabinet designed by Paul Frankl for The Johnson Furniture Company, American, circa 1940. This cabinet has been refinished in a slight red hue on the cabinet case with off-white doors. The cabinet features 4 pull...Category
Vintage 1940s American Buffets
MaterialsWood
- Paul Frankl Black Stepped Coffee Table for Brown SaltmanBy Paul FranklLocated in Van Nuys, CAPaul Frankl noted for his "skyscraper" designed furniture of the 1930s, took a different direction on this design for the Brown Saltman Company. This elegant round table has an inver...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsGlass, Oak
- Paul Laszlo Bleached Oak "Basket Weave" Desk for Brown SaltmanBy Paul LaszloLocated in Van Nuys, CAPaul Laszlo's (1900-1993) stunning bleached oak desk for brown saltman features basket weave drawer fronts and modern U-shaped legs.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsOak
- Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman Dining Chair, Set of FourBy Paul Frankl, Brown SaltmanLocated in Van Nuys, CASet of lattice-back dining chairs by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman group. The chairs upholstered in high quality blue cotton fabric. The set include...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWood
- 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
- John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Bleached Mahogany Buffet and HutchBy Brown Saltman, John KealLocated 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
- John Keal for Brown Saltman Highboy DresserBy John Keal, Brown SaltmanLocated 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 Walnut CredenzaBy John Keal, Brown SaltmanLocated in Countryside, ILJohn Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Walnut Credenza This highboy measures: 38 wide x 19 deep x 64.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vin...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- 1950's John Keal design for Brown-Saltman Low Credenza CabinetBy John KealLocated in Las Vegas, NVMid-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 Credenzas
MaterialsWood
- John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Bleached Mahogany CredenzaBy John Keal, Brown SaltmanLocated 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