Augusto Romano Benches
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.
1950s Italian Vintage Augusto Romano Benches
Jute, Beech
1940s Italian Vintage Augusto Romano Benches
Rush
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Augusto Romano Benches
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Augusto Romano Benches
Velvet, Fruitwood
2010s American Modern Augusto Romano Benches
Leather, Maple, Oak, Walnut
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Augusto Romano Benches
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Mexican Folk Art Augusto Romano Benches
Seagrass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Augusto Romano Benches
Velvet, Maple
2010s Mexican Modern Augusto Romano Benches
Jute
Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Augusto Romano Benches
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Augusto Romano Benches
Fabric, Walnut
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Augusto Romano Benches
Sheepskin, Maple
1950s French Vintage Augusto Romano Benches
Rush, Wood, Resin
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Augusto Romano Benches
Wood
