Augusto Romano Coffee and Cocktail Tables
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.
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Augusto Romano Coffee and Cocktail Tables
String, Wood
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Augusto Romano Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Straw, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Augusto Romano Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Plexiglass, Scagliola
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Augusto Romano Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Cord, Beech
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Augusto Romano Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Augusto Romano Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Slate, Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Augusto Romano Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Marble
1950s Italian Vintage Augusto Romano Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Rope, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Augusto Romano Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Glass, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Augusto Romano Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Augusto Romano Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Carrara Marble, Wrought Iron
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Augusto Romano Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Aluminum
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Augusto Romano Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Beech, Teak
1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Augusto Romano Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Beech, Teak
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Augusto Romano Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood
