Vintage MCM Rattan and Wrought Iron Dining Chairs by Maurizio Tempestini
About the Item
- Creator:Salterini (Maker),Maurizio Tempestini (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 20.5 in (52.07 cm)Depth: 15.5 in (39.37 cm)Seat Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 6
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:west palm beach, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5852235837912
Maurizio Tempestini
Italian architect and furniture designer Maurizio Tempestini is well-known among vintage outdoor furniture aficionados for his sculptural Clamshell line and other elegant mid-century modern furnishings for patios and gardens.
Born in Florence in 1908, Tempestini completed his studies in Industrial Decoration at the Porta Romana Art Institute in 1929. His career as an interior architect and furniture and lighting designer flourished during the early 1930s. It was during this time Tempestini was also active as a set designer for several Italian theater productions, including Mario Massa’s Osteria degli immortali and Luigi Bonelli’s comedy Il Gigli.
Tempestini then turned his attention from the stage to designing furniture and decorative objects. He crafted pieces for ceramics factory Cantagalli in Florence, as well as for Murano glass manufacturers Seguso and Cappellin.
In 1934, Tempestini worked on the external renovation of the Palazzo delle Esposizioni at the Parterre di San Gallo in Florence for the Littoriali Exhibition. Later, in 1938, he formed a studio with architects Nello Baroni and Pietro Porcinai before cofounding the legendary postwar Italian lighting maker Arteluce with designer and engineer Gino Sarfatti in 1939.
During the 1950s, Tempestini designed lighting fixtures for Lightolier and began to collaborate with Brooklyn, New York’s John B. Salterini Company. Salterini was an Italian emigree who initially worked in journalism before becoming an eminent producer of high-end wrought-iron furniture.
Tempestini’s modernist outdoor furniture for Salterini resembled indoor seating manufactured by the likes of Knoll or Artifort — his chairs and other seating boasted organic curves and seductive, unconventional shapes. His work complemented Salterini’s own handmade designs, which reflected Gothic Revival and Art Deco influences. Together the designers produced successful lines of garden and patio furniture for Salterini’s eponymous firm.
Tempestini’s name soon became widely known in the United States. His designs were first introduced to the American public in 1951 through Gimbels Department Store and Suniland Furniture in Houston, Texas. Today his bold and stylish patio furniture remains sought after by collectors everywhere.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Maurizio Tempestini garden elements, lounge chairs and tables.
Salterini
The postwar boom in prosperity and leisure time led to the expansion of homes in America to include patios, which needed to be furnished with stylish outdoor furniture. Launched in 1934, Salterini offered some of the most exquisite, high-end outdoor furniture of the mid-century period.
While John B. Salterini designed ornate wrought-iron garden furniture for patios and lawns, he specifically sought to match the forms of indoor furniture and also advocated the use of his furniture indoors “because it brings into your home the freshness and gaiety of a flowery summer garden” (per his print advertisements).
After emigrating from Italy to New York, Salterini worked in journalism at first, editing a newspaper in Syracuse. When he moved to New York City, he worked in glass manufacturing and then entered into the production of wrought-iron furniture as a partner in Salterini & Gallo. When that company shuttered, he launched his own eponymous firm in 1934.
Over the course of his career, Salterini designed a wide range of furniture, from tables and chairs to chaise longues, ottomans and benches. And his influences were equally wide as well. His work is often identified as mid-century modern — the Clamshell line, designed for Salterini’s company by like-minded Italian architect and industrial designer Maurizio Tempestini, boasts soft curves and cocoon-like shells that strike a sharp contrast with the solidity of wrought iron and resemble the zany chair designs emerging during the postwar period from designers like Pierre Paulin and Arne Jacobsen.
The furniture from John B. Salterini Company also combined organic and geometric forms, one of the mid-century design movement’s defining features. But Salterini was equally influenced by the Gothic Revival and Art Deco movements, incorporating their signature flourishes like intricate lace-like patterns, delicate vine leaves and protruding scrolls into his French Provincial Group’s glass-topped tables and chairs. One of his most ornate and ostentatious designs is the Peacock double chaise longue, with its elaborate spokes and arching back.
Wrought iron was considered the best material for outdoor use because of its comparative lightness and pliability to other metals. The term “wrought” means made by hand, as opposed to “cast” iron, which was made using molds. Salterini’s high-end handcrafted furniture, with names like Park Avenue Group — promoted for indoor use and photographed as such for the firm’s catalogues — attracted wealthy buyers from across the country. They were drawn to his ability to make a metal like wrought iron look almost ethereal and elegant, and the way he incorporated the popular styles and design principles of the day into his pieces. That Salterini’s garden furniture can be used indoors and look completely natural is a rare feat.
Find vintage Salterini lounge chairs, tables, patio and garden furniture, and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: west palm beach, FL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Vintage Coastal Scroll Wrought Iron Dining Chairs - Set of 4Located in west palm beach, FLInvite coastal charm to your dining space with this set of Vintage Coastal Scroll Wrought Iron Dining Chairs. Evoking the timeless allure of American craftsmanship, these chairs feat...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWrought Iron
- Vintage Regency Grid Wrought Iron Dining Chairs - Set of 4Located in west palm beach, FLA fabulous set of four vintage Coastal outdoor dining chairs. A chic wrought iron frame with a beautiful banded grid design. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.Category
Late 20th Century American Regency Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWrought Iron
- Vintage Coastal Rare Wrought Iron Dining Chairs After Russell Woodard - Set of 4By Russell WoodardLocated in west palm beach, FLAn incredible set of four vintage Coastal outdoor dining chairs. Done in the manner of Russell Woodard with his iconic metal mesh. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.Category
Mid-20th Century American Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage MCM MonteVerdi-Young 1950s Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 6By Monteverdi-YoungLocated in west palm beach, FLAn incredible set of 6 vintage MCM dining chairs. Made by the MonteVerdi-Young group. Unmarked. Chic walnut frame with gorgeous red upholster...Category
Vintage 1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Vintage MCM Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, Dining Chairs, Set of 4By Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in west palm beach, FLFantastic set of vintage 4 MCM dining chairs. Designed by the legendary Paul McCobb, a Midcentury giant. Gorgeous spindle back with the coveted inlay screw on each seat. Acquired fro...Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Vintage Basket Weave Rattan Dining Chairs - Set of 6Located in west palm beach, FLVintage set of 6 arm chairs in a thick basket weave woven rattan block pattern. Fabulous natural element to add to any dining space. All the chairs have ...Category
Mid-20th Century Indonesian Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsRattan
- Maurizio Tempestini, Slipper Chairs, Iron, Rattan, Italy, 1950sBy Salterini, Maurizio TempestiniLocated in High Point, NCA pair of rattan and black-lacquered iron slipper lounge chairs designed by Maurizio Tempestini and produced by Salterini, Italy, 1950s. Stamped "Made in Italy". Seat height: 12.65”Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs
MaterialsIron
- Set of 6 Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Midcentury Black Metal ChairsBy Salterini, Maurizio TempestiniLocated in New York, NYSET of 6 midcentury black metal "Ribbon" dining chairs with woven rope seats, the seat and arms comfortably sloping in a gently S-c...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Rare Set of Four Maurizio Tempestini White Lacquer Iron Frame and Mesh ChairsBy John Salterini, Maurizio TempestiniLocated in Chicago, ILRare set of four Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini white lacquer over wrought iron framed and iron mesh outdoor dining chairs. Minimalist design with open arms and linear form, iron ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWrought Iron
- Salterini Tempestini Vintage Wrought Iron Radar Chairs Hoop Chairs Set of 4By Salterini, John Salterini, Maurizio TempestiniLocated in Cumberland, RISalterini Tempestini Radar Chairs Hoop Chairs Set of 4 Available now for your enjoyment and ready to ship is a Set of 4 Vintage Wrought Iron Outdoor Patio Chairs. This lovely Wrought Iron Set of...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWrought Iron, Iron, Metal
- Set of Four Salterini Dinette Chairs, Attributed to Maurizio TempestiniBy John Salterini, Maurizio TempestiniLocated in Chicago, ILBeautiful form and craftsmanship on these. Wrought iron. Need to add dimsCategory
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsIron
- Salterini / Woodard Wrought Iron Dining Chairs / Modernist Set of 4By SalteriniLocated in Buffalo, NYStunning set of 4 wrought iron dining chairs manufactured by Antarenni Industries, a subsidiary of Woodard. Amazing design, superior quality and construction. Retains original Naugah...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
MaterialsIron