Although he is relatively unknown in the U.S., Augusto Romano is renowned throughout his native Italy as an important architect and mid-century modern furniture designer.
Born in 1918, Romano studied architecture and design at the Politecnico di Torino, graduating in 1944. From 1947 to 1949, Romano taught at his alma mater in the department of architectural planning. Then, from 1949 to 1950, he taught in the school’s department of interior architecture (at the time, this department was chaired by celebrated furniture designer Franco Albini).
In addition to his teaching career, Romano was an established architect and furniture designer who drew on the works of the era’s Scandinavian modernists as well as Le Corbusier, a highly influential architect and urban planner whose career spanned almost five decades. Romano worked with wicker, waxed oak and other materials to create chairs and dining room tables that reflected a light, clean and elegant style of design.
By the late 1940s, Romano was winning acclaim for his innovative modular furniture. He won awards at the Triennale Milano in 1947 for a magazine rack and a glass-topped coffee table made with wood strips and brass rods. In the same year, Romano’s lightweight and collapsible tables, produced by Portuguese manufacturer Altamira, were shown at the CADMA exhibition held at the House of Italian Handicrafts in New York City.
Romano’s success with furniture designs and interior projects continued throughout the 1950s. He collaborated with the Italian manufacturer Cassina to create ashwood armchairs and walnut dining room chairs. With renowned architects Ettore Sottsass and Ildo Avetta, Romano worked on designing single-family houses in the QT8 section of Milan.
Romano’s furniture and architectural works were featured over the years in books by Herman Miller design director George Nelson as well as in a range of prominent publications including Interiors and Domus.
Find vintage Augusto Romano seating, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Augusto Romano Attribution, Lounge Chairs, Wood, Rush, Italy, 1940s
By Augusto Romano
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of wood and wicker lounge chairs attributed to Augusto Romano, Italy, 1940s. Minor wear to arm rests and feet. Overall Dimensions (inches): 33.25"H x 27.25"W x 30.0"D Seat ...
Rush, Wood
$9,842 / set
H 30.32 in W 25.99 in D 29.14 in
Pair of Italian Lounge Chairs by Paolo Buffa, Italy 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs, attr. to Paolo Buffa and produced in Italy around the 1940s. The chairs are constructed from walnut wood with a black satin finish...
Nutwood
Italian Daybed Attributed to Augusto Romano
By Augusto Romano
Located in Dallas, TX
An Italian daybed attributed to Augusto Romano from the 1950s with a solid wood frame, tapered legs, and a low, streamlined profile. The piece features a loose seat cushion and cylin...
Metal
Rustic French Lounge Chair in Rush and Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chair, rush, beech, France, 1940s Rustic-inspired French armchair from the 1940s. The structure is composed of rectilinear wooden components, slightly tapered and angled to p...
Leather, Rush, Beech
$1,900
H 31 in W 25 in D 29 in
Josef Frank Attribution, Red Fabric, Wood, Lounge Chair, Denmark, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stamford, CT
Josef Frank Attribution, Danish Mid-Century Modern, Red Fabric, Wood, Denmark, 1950s A modernist slatted wood arm chair attributed to Josef Frank and produced in Denmark in the midd...
Fabric, Wood
$6,600 / set
H 30 in W 30 in D 33 in
Danish 1940s Lounge Chairs with Carved Wood Armrests Late Art Deco
By Mogens Lassen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Super charming 1940s pair of lounge chairs in the style of Mogens Lassen with a very sculptural organic shape and harmonious proportions. Versatile and very suitable for a smaller sp...
Mohair, Beech
$5,881
H 35.44 in W 24.02 in D 25.6 in
Pair of rustic Oak Lounge Chairs with hand-woven Rush Seats France, 1940s
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of rustic armchairs with solid oak frames and hand-woven rush seats and backs, exemplifying vernacular craftsmanship and functional design. The chairs feature a sturdy, rectil...
Rush, Oak
Augusto Bozzi Saporiti Cosmos lounge chair Italy 1954
By Saporiti, Augusto Bozzi
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Striking 'Cosmos' lounge chair designed by Augusto Bozzi and manufactured by Saporiti, Italy 1954. This beautiful shaped large lounge chair has a bit the look of a mantis, it is very...
Metal, Brass
$22,000 / set
H 30.5 in W 30.5 in D 34 in
Finnish Modern, Organic Lounge Chairs, Shearling, Wood, Finland, 1940s
Located in Stamford, CT
Finnish Mid-Century Modern, Organic Lounge Chairs, Sheepskin, Wood, Finland, 1940s Pair of beautiful organic form lounge chairs in the manner of Marta Blomstedt, designed and produc...
Sheepskin, Wood
$4,200Sale Price|30% Off
H 35.44 in W 25.99 in D 38.59 in
Italian Rationalist Adjustable Wooden Lounge Chair, Italy 1940s
Located in Milan, IT
Italian Rationalist adjustable wooden lounge chair, Italy 1940s Measurements when opened 125 x 66 x H 70 cm.
Upholstery, Oak
1940s French Lounge Chairs Pair
Located in New York, NY
1940s pair of French lounge chairs that are nicely upholstered in silk with rolled arms and loose down filled seat cushions. The chairs have flared mahogany legs.
Upholstery, Mahogany, Silk
Rare Silvio Cavatorta Lounge Chairs, Italy, 1940s
By Silvio Cavatorta, Gio Ponti, Flemming Lassen
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A rare and important pair of 1940s armchairs designed by Silvio Cavatorta. Made by hand in the Cavatorta workplace in Rome. Presumably reupholstered at some point in the past. Fa...
Wood, Fabric
Italian 1940s Lounge Chairs Attributed to Guglielmo Ulrich
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in CA, CA
Italian 1940s pair of armchairs attributed to Guglielmo Ulrich. These chairs are an exceptional example of Ulrich's architectural skill where line becomes form and back again. The ch...
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Augusto Romano Armchairs in Moss Green Upholstery
By Augusto Romano
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Augusto Romano, pair of lounge chairs, ash and fabric, Italy, 1947. Architectural armchairs in wood and moss green fabric upholstery, designed by the architect Augusto Romano. High ...
Fabric, Ash
Augusto Romano, Stools, Beech, Hemp, Italy, 1950s
By Augusto Romano
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of woven hemp and beech stools, designed and produced by Augusto Romano, Torino, Italy, 1950s.
Hemp, Beech