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 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
$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
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
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
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
Hollywood Regency High Back Bench
Located in New York, NY
Hollywood Regency high / tall back bench. The bench has a green ultra-suede upholstery with gold embroidered trim and a hardwood base. Measures: 63.5...
Ultrasuede, Wood
1950 Italian Design Midcentury Wood Bench
Located in Brescia, IT
Wood and red fabric Excellent condition.
Wood
High Back Pine Settle, Fireside Pub Bench
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
High Back Pine Settle, Fireside Pub Bench This is an old Pine Settle, it has a planked back and curved end supports, it is made in 1” thick pine, the pine ha...
Pine
$48,548
H 15.75 in W 53.94 in D 18.12 in
Mid Century Wooden Teak & Rattan Bench by Pierre Jeanneret for Chandigarh, 1950s
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare mid century wooden bench in teak and rattan by Pierre Jeanneret produced for Punjab University in Chandigarh India, 1950s. In good condition and professionally restored. ...
Rattan, Teak