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 High-Back Rattan Sofa Bench, Italy, circa 1950s
By Augusto Romano
Located in London, GB
A fantastic high-back sofa bench by Augusto Romano, Italy, circa 1950s. This elegant piece features a sculptural rattan frame with a padded upholstered seat, combining natural materi...
Fabric, Rattan
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
Augusto Romano Style Bench
By Augusto Romano
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Beautiful bench in the style of Augusto Romano, Italy, 1940s Bent plywood with braided rope with wonderful patina and curved shape.
Rush
Augusto Romano Armchair Wood Rope stuffing 1940 Italy
By Augusto Romano
Located in Milano, IT
Augusto Romano Armchair
Wood
$10,500
1950's Italian Woven Bench
By Augusto Romano
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Italian woven rope bench with three seats and graceful tapered beech wood frame, 1950s Beautifully crafted and linear silouette Italy, 1950s
Jute, Beech
Italian 1950's Maple Wood Stool/Bench with Mongolian Sheepskin
Located in New York, NY
An elegantly appointed Italian 1950's maple wood stool or bench with gracefully tapered and angled legs; the top newly upholstered in a luxurious creamy/white long haired Mongolian s...
Sheepskin, Maple
Montgomery Woven Leather Bench 60in
By Crump and Kwash
Located in Baltimore City, MD
Montgomery Bench by Crump and Kwash Solid wood frame / handwoven vegetable tanned leather seat / no VOC oil finish Dimensions: 18 H x 16 D x 60 ...
Leather, Maple, Oak, Walnut
Pair of 1940s Swedish Lounge Chairs
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Turners Falls, MA
Pair of 1940s Swedish Lounge chairs. Elegant beechwood frames. Vintage Upholstery. Warm patina. .
Upholstery, Beech
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
Augusto Romano Attribution, Stools, Wood, Rush, Italy, 1940s
By Augusto Romano
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and wicker sofa attributed to Augusto Romano, Italy, 1940s. One stool has loose wicker in several spots; cracking of wood corners on seat surface from moderate wear. Other s...
Rush, Wood
Italian Modular Bench with Upholstered Seats, Italy ca 1950s
Located in Utrecht, NL
The postwar boom years of the 1950s through to the 1960s were one of the periods of the greatest influence of Italian designers. Design in the 50s paved a way to a more aesthetic app...
Fabric, Wood
Italian Bench / Settee with Wall Hanging Back, Italy, 1950
By Ico Parisi
Located in Milan, IT
Spectacular Italian bench / settee with wall hanging back, Italy, 1950.
Upholstery, Wood
Very Rare Sofa, Attributed to Augusto Romano, Italy, 1950s/60s
By Augusto Romano, Studio BBPR
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Very Rare Sofa, Attributed to Augusto Romano, Italy, 1950s/60s. Requires reupholstery. We can upholster in COM - please enquire. Fast shipping worldwide. COM fabrics subje...
Brass
$4,708
H 57.49 in W 45.67 in D 22.05 in
Italian Modernist Woven Cord Bench Attributed to Giuseppe Pagano, 1940s
Located in Almelo, NL
Exceptional and rare Italian Modernist two-seat bench from the 1940s, attributed to Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig. This highly architectural piece combines a slender black-finished me...
Metal
Handmade Artesanal Woven Tule (Seagrass) Bench
By Luteca Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
From a craft object to relevant design, these special pieces, made in Mexico, were created to add warmth and texture to your interior. Intended for indo...
Seagrass
French Woven Cord Bench, France, circa 1950
Located in Boom, Vlaams Gewest
Charming French bench dating from around the 1950s, constructed with a dark-stained wooden frame and a handwoven natural cord seat. The simple construction, rounded wooden legs and ...
Cord, Wood
1940s Streamline Lounge Chair Ivory Wood Mustard Wool Tissue
By André Arbus
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Very elegant streamline lounge chair the wood is painted ivory and it's reupholstered and recovered with wool tissue mustard color.
Wool, Wood
Charmin Vintage Wooden Bench with Woven Rope, French 1950s
Located in Waasmunster, BE
Charming vintage wooden two-seater bench featuring a beautifully woven natural fibre seat and decorative carved wooden details. The backrest features three circular wooden ornaments,...
Oak
$9,500 / set
H 34.25 in W 26.75 in D 22 in
1940s Italian Armchairs with Sculptural Backrests and Wood Legs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian armchairs with highly sculptural backrests and sides supported on elegantly tapered wood legs. Newly refinished and upholstered in a creamy faux suede. Italy, circa...
Wood
Wim Den Boon Woven Bench
By Wim Den Boon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Woven rush bench by Dutch designer, Wim Den Boon c.1950's, Netherlands. The long bench features a solid beech wood frame with a woven rush seat. Dimensions 60" width x 22" depth x 1...
Rush, Beech
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
Sold
H 16.54 in W 20.48 in D 14.57 in
Coppia di sgabelli Augusto Romano, in legno e corda intrecciata, Italia anni ‘40
By Augusto Romano
Located in Firenze, IT
Coppia di sgabelli disegnati da Augusto Romano negli anni ‘40. Gli sgabelli hanno la seduta in corda intrecciata, alternata a canna d’India, e 4 gambe affusolate a forma di triangolo...
String, Cane, Wood
Sold
H 16 in W 20.5 in D 14.5 in
20th Century Italian Pair of Vintage Waxed Oakwood Stools by Augusto Romano
By Augusto Romano
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern Italian pair of stools made of hand crafted waxed Oakwood designed by Augusto Romano, in good condition. The similar seat covers of the ottomans are made...
Hemp, Oak
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
Pair of Woven Stools by Augusto Romano
By Augusto Romano
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Italian 1940's pair of woven stools by Augusto Romano Hemp woven curved seat with blonde walnut hairpin legs Wonderfully crafted design.
Hemp, Walnut
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
Set of Four Midcentury Chairs by Augusto Romano
By Augusto Romano
Located in Milano, IT
Set of four chairs by Augusto Romano years, 1950. The set of chairs is in perfect condition and are restored. The frame of each chair is in wood while the seat is in striped Italian ...
Fabric, Wood