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
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
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
Rare Silvio Cavatorta Lounge Chairs, Italy, 1940s
By Silvio Cavatorta, Gio Ponti, Flemming Lassen
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
1940s Swedish Wingback Elm Wood Lounge Chair in Schumacher Velvet
Located in Miami, FL
A beautiful 1940s Swedish wingback lounge chair with a solid elm wood frame and new Schumacher cotton velvet upholstery and leather piping. The tall back, generous seat, and warm elm...
Cotton, Elm, Velvet
$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
Augusto Romano Armchair Wood Rope stuffing 1940 Italy
By Augusto Romano
Located in Milano, IT
Augusto Romano Armchair
Wood
Custom Made 1940s Style Lounge Chair
Located in London, England
A custom-made lounge chair developed & produced at our workshops in London using the highest quality materials. This chair has been upholstered in luxurious brown Australian sheepskin...
Wool, Oak
$6,600 / set
H 30 in W 30 in D 33 in
Danish 1940s Lounge Chairs with Carved Wood Armrests Late Art Deco
By Mogens Lassen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Super charming 1940s pair of lounge chairs in the style of Mogens Lassen with a very sculptural organic shape and harmonious proportions. Versatile and very suitable for a smaller sp...
Mohair, Beech
1940s Moderne Bow Arm Lounge Chair
By Heywood-Wakefield Co., Donald Deskey, Gilbert Rohde
Located in New Windsor, NY
Late 1940s bow arm lounge chair. Reupholstered in a nicely textured gray fabric. Custom black painted wood frame. Great lines and profile. Stretcher base and t...
Upholstery, Wood
$7,520 / set
H 33.47 in W 32.29 in D 41.34 in
Pair of Italian Mid-Century Lounge Chairs with Webbing, Italy, 1940s
Located in Almelo, NL
Pair of Italian Mid-Century Lounge Chairs with Webbing, Italy, 1940s This elegant pair of fully restored lounge chairs captures the essence of Italian craftsmanship from the 1940s —...
Cord, Beech, Walnut
Pair Scalloped Asymmetrical Lounge Chairs, 1940s
Located in Dallas, TX
This pair of asymmetrical lounge is a stunning take on a Hollywood Regency wingback chair. Inspired by Art Deco design elements, they each feature a tight back shows off plush tailored vertical channel tufting that lines up with a sloped, scalloped backrest creating a streamlined effect and visual depth to any living area. The swivel bases gives these chairs a unique look. In restored condition; generously padded upholstery is expertly covered in beautiful luxe velvet fabric to easily complement any aesthetic. Bold and sophisticated, this fully upholstered swivel chair set...
Velvet, Wood
$14,839
H 35.44 in W 38.98 in D 33.86 in
Augusto Bozzi 'Lotus' Adjustable Lounge Chair, Saporiti, Italy, 1960s
By Saporiti, Kvadrat, Augusto Bozzi
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare lounge chair was designed by Augusto Bozzi and produced by Saporiti, Italy in the early 1960s. The model is named Lotus. The striking design is marked by the metal hairpin ...
Metal, Brass
1960's Italian Sculpted Wood Lounge Chair with Rush Seating
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Unique Italian designer lounge chair with woven Rush seating. Sculpted bulbous wood frame covered in a creamy white enamel. Exceptional quality piece of art furniture. Chair is sol...
Rush, Wood
Upholstered Swedish Modern Lounge Chair, Sweden 1940s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Mid-century modern is an interior style which championed notions of functionality and simplicity in design. This 1940s winged armchair is a great representation of the craftsmanship ...
Fabric, 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
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