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 Ash Framed Armchairs with matching ottomans Circa 1947, Italian.
By Augusto Romano
Located in Dublin 8, IE
An exquisite pair of armchair and ottoman sets, designed by renowned Italian modernist architect Augusto Romano for Cassina. Crafted from rich mahogany with elegant brass detailing, ...
Fabric, Velvet, Ash
Augusto Romano Armchair Wood Rope stuffing 1940 Italy
By Augusto Romano
Located in Milano, IT
Augusto Romano Armchair
Wood
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
Mid Century Modern Italian Augusto Romano Coffee Table
By Augusto Romano
Located in London, GB
A mid-20th century coffee or side table in walnut and maple timber by architect and designer Augusto Romano (1918-2001). Featuring a decorative, book-matched veneer top above dramati...
Maple
$2,947Sale Price|22% Off
Augusto Romano round beech and straw coffee table, 1948
By Augusto Romano
Located in Rome, IT
A rare side table designed by Italian designer Augusto Romano around 1948. A well-executed table that features a round wooden top with a border that is meticulously adorned with brai...
Straw, Beech
$5,400 / set
H 38.5 in W 25.25 in D 28 in
Pair of Relling Highback Siesta Chairs in Beige Leather with Matching Ottoman
By Westnofa Furniture, Ingmar Relling
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Great pair of highback Siesta chairs in light grey leather with one matching ottoman and light brown stained bentwood beech frame. Designed by Norwegian design icon, Ingmar Relling i...
Leather, Beech
$5,397 / set
H 33.86 in W 31.89 in D 32.29 in
Comfortable Artsome Brown Leather Lounge Armchair & Ottoman with Bentwood Frame
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning, Artsome, hand dyed saddle brown leather lounge armchair with matching ottoman Ple...
Leather, Hardwood
Elegant French Mid-Century Wood & Rope Woven Armchair
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
French armchair from the 1940s–1950s, crafted in solid wood with a rich, dark patina and traditional turned details. The woven rush seat and backrest bring warmth and texture, while ...
Rope, Oak
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gorgeous Mid-Century Modern coffee table featuring rich walnut grain on a set of sturdy legs. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).
$9,754 / 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
$9,200 / set
H 33.25 in W 27 in D 25 in
Pair of Mid-Century Italian Rope and Wood Armchairs by Guglielmo Pecorini, 1950s
By Guglielmo Pecorini
Located in Houston, TX
Designed by Guglielmo Pecorini, these mid-century Italian armchairs beautifully express the balance of craftsmanship and modernist restraint that defined postwar Italian design. Each...
Rope, Oak
$25,517 / set
H 29.14 in W 22.45 in D 21.26 in
Set of 8 Pamplona Armchairs by Augusto Savini for Pozzi, Italy, 1960s
By Augusto Savini
Located in Brussels, BE
Set of 8 Pamplona Armchairs by Augusto Savini for Pozzi, Italy, 1960s - New Upholstery ( Kvadrat) Italian designer Augusto Savini is best known for his refined contributions to mid-...
Fabric, Wood
Italian 1940s Armchair
Located in Milan, IT
Spectacular Italian 1940s armchair.
Metal
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
Lucite Mid-Century Modern Italian Coffee Table
Located in San Angelo, TX
Here is a really unique imported Italian Lucite and glass Mid-Century Modern coffee table. The glass top lifts and can be removed to replace with something else if one chooses. There...
Glass, Lucite
Augusto Romano Attribution, Side Table, Wood, Rush, Italy, 1940s
By Augusto Romano
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and rush side table attributed to Augusto Romano, Italy, 1940s. Moderate imperfections on tabletop surface. Mild to moderate wear to rope edge, legs, and feet. Overall Dime...
Rush, Wood
$2,759Sale Price|20% Off
H 17.72 in W 43.71 in D 43.71 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Design Marble Coffee Table, 1960s, Italy
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian Design Marble Coffee Table. Made in Italy, 1960s / 70s. Round marble top on chrome metal base. Very nice yellowish carrara marble top on chromed fo...
Marble, Metal
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
Sold
H 43.12 in W 17.13 in D 17.52 in
Augusto Romano set of 4 stools in ash wood, fabric and woven straw, Italy, 1950s
By Augusto Romano
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
Set of four stools in solid ash wood, fabric, and woven straw, Italian craftsmanship, design by Augusto Romano, 1950s. This set of four stools features a beautiful and uncommon desi...
Fabric, Straw, Ash
Refined Italian side chair in walnut and mohair, 1940s
By Augusto Romano
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Refined Italian side chair in walnut and mohair, 1940s. Striking design with a beautiful combination of sharp lines and organic shapes with a modern yet classic appearance and use of...
Mohair, Walnut
Augusto Romano Round Side Table in Beech and Rope, Italy 1948
By Augusto Romano
Located in Hellouw, NL
A simple basis of actually three elements is what makes this side table appear so effortlessly elegant. Four legs, a beech wood top with a raised edge finished with rope is what the ...
Rope, Beech
Mid-Century Modern Side Table by Augusto Romano – Italy 1950
By Augusto Romano
Located in Girona, Girona
Side table with four double legs and top in solid beech surrounded by decorative cord work. French polish. Design: Augusto Romano. Italy c. 1950.
Cord, Beech
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
Italian coffee table by Augusto Romano, 1940s
By Augusto Romano
Located in Palermo, PA
Italian coffee table by Augusto Romano, 1940s. Dimensions: H= 60 cm; D= 66 cm.
Wood
Augusto Romano Lounge Chair, Italy circa 1950
By Augusto Romano
Located in Greding, DE
Armchair by Augusto Romano with wooden armrests and a grey velvet fabric cover.
Wood
Italian Midcentury Dining Table by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Augusto Romano
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Elegant and fine midcentury oval dining table produced in Italy in the 1950s and attributed to Augusto Romano. The top is in green glass with a decorative scroll border. The legs in ...
Brass