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
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
$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 Ingmar Relling, Westnofa Furniture
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
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
Italian Verdigris Iron Armchair with Ottoman, 1950s
Located in Chicago, IL
An Italian armchair and ottoman from the 1950s, crafted in wrought iron. The chair’s high back unfolds in a rectilinear grid, crowned with ball finials and anchored by splayed feet. ...
Iron
Pair of Maison Jansen Bergères Chairs with a matching ottoman
By Maison Jansen
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Maison Jansen Bergères and Matching Ottoman in a newly upholstered blue velvet. Ottoman size 21/21/14
Wool, Velvet
Very Rare Sofa, Attributed to Augusto Romano, Italy, 1950s/60s
By Studio BBPR, Augusto Romano
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.
Brass
$3,800
H 35 in W 39 in D 32 in
Wide Carved Walnut Frame Vintage French Arm Chair w/ Matching Ottoman Chaise
By Meyer Gunther Martini, Hickory Chair Furniture Company, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Wide Carved Walnut Frame Vintage French Arm Chair w/ Matching Ottoman Chaise Clean! ottoman dimensions: 32" x 23" x 19"
Upholstery
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
$2,600
H 35 in W 39 in D 32 in
Wide Carved Walnut Frame Vintage French Arm Chair w/ Matching Ottoman Chaise
By Hickory Chair Furniture Company, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Wide Carved Walnut Frame Vintage French Arm Chair w/ Matching Ottoman Chaise ottoman dimensions: 32" x 23" x 19"
Upholstery, Walnut
Unusual Adrian Pearsall Armchairs with Ottomans
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of sculptural armchairs by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, model #2291-C. Beautiful walnut frames with exaggerated, angled arms, curved backs and unusual slanted legs. ...
Walnut
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
$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
Rare Silvio Cavatorta Lounge Chairs, Italy, 1940s
By Silvio Cavatorta, Flemming Lassen, Gio Ponti
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
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