John Salterini Furniture

Italian, 1928-1952

While John B. Salterini designed ornate wrought-iron garden furniture for patios and lawns, he specifically sought to match the forms of indoor furniture and also advocated the use of his furniture indoors “because it brings into your home the freshness and gaiety of a flowery summer garden” (per his print advertisements).

After emigrating from Italy to New York, Salterini worked in journalism at first, editing a newspaper in Syracuse. When he moved to New York City, he worked in glass manufacturing and then entered into the production of wrought-iron furniture as a partner in Salterini & Gallo. When that company shuttered, he launched his own eponymous firm in 1934, eventually offering some of the most exquisite, high-end outdoor furniture of the mid-century period.

Over the course of his career, Salterini designed a wide range of furniture, from tables and chairs to chaise longues, ottomans and benches. And his influences were equally wide as well. His work is often identified as mid-century modern — the Clamshell line, designed for Salterini’s company by like-minded Italian architect and industrial designer Maurizio Tempestini, boasts soft curves and cocoon-like shells that strike a sharp contrast with the solidity of wrought iron and resemble the zany chair designs emerging during the postwar period from designers like Pierre Paulin and Arne Jacobsen.

The furniture from John B. Salterini Company also combined organic and geometric forms, one of the mid-century design movement’s defining features. But Salterini was equally influenced by the Gothic Revival and Art Deco movements, incorporating their signature flourishes like intricate lace-like patterns, delicate vine leaves and protruding scrolls into his French Provincial Group’s glass-topped tables and chairs. One of his most ornate and ostentatious designs is the Peacock double chaise longue, with its elaborate spokes and arching back.

The postwar boom in prosperity and leisure time led to the expansion of the home to include patios, which needed to be furnished with stylish outdoor furniture.

Wrought iron was considered the best material for outdoor use because of its comparative lightness and pliability to other metals. The term “wrought” means made by hand, as opposed to “cast” iron, which was made using molds. Salterini’s high-end handcrafted furniture, with names like Park Avenue Group — promoted for indoor use and photographed as such for the firm’s catalogues — attracted wealthy buyers from across the country. They were drawn to his ability to make a metal like wrought iron look almost ethereal and elegant, and the way he incorporated the popular styles and design principles of the day into his pieces. That Salterini’s garden furniture can be used indoors and look completely natural is a rare feat.

Find vintage John B. Salterini outdoor furniture on 1stDibs.

Creator: John Salterini

Mid-Century Modern 6pc. Set Salterini Radar by Maurizio Tempestini C1955

$4,995 / set

Mid-Century Modern 6pc. Set Salterini Radar by Maurizio Tempestini C1955

By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Fabulous 6 piece set of "Radar" outdoor patio dining set. Incudes 4 chairs 48" round top table with an umbrella hole and the heavy solid cast iron art deco umbrella holder. In excell...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Salterini Furniture

Materials

Steel, Iron

Mid-Century Modern Round Mesh Top Outdoor Dining Table by John Salterini

$1,495

Mid-Century Modern Round Mesh Top Outdoor Dining Table by John Salterini

By John Salterini

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Fabulous patio dining table with mesh top outfitted with a fitting for an umbrella. Hand made in the fifties with galvanized iron. Recently enameled in satin black. Very sturdy.

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Salterini Furniture

Materials

Iron

Mid Century Industrial Bar Cart attributed to Salterini for Woodard

$1,944

Mid Century Industrial Bar Cart attributed to Salterini for Woodard

By Russell Woodard, John Salterini

Located in Redding, CT

John Salterini for Woodard three tier black wrought iron bar cart. Classic mid century Industrial design. Perfect for that New York Loft. We love the underlying bus yellow with the b...

Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Salterini Furniture

Materials

Iron

Mid-Century Modern Iron Hoop Lounge Chair by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini

$995

Mid-Century Modern Iron Hoop Lounge Chair by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini

By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Fabulous iron hoop chair designed by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini c1955. In very good condition needing a spray job. New plastic feet glides. Poss...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Salterini Furniture

Materials

Iron

Set 6 Mid Century Modern El Prado Iron Indoor Outdoor Dining Chairs by Salterini

$3,295 / set

Set 6 Mid Century Modern El Prado Iron Indoor Outdoor Dining Chairs by Salterini

By John Salterini

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Fabulous set of rare El Prado dining chairs in old white paint. High quality iron set with solid brass finials. In excellent vintage condition with minimal we...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Salterini Furniture

Materials

Iron

Pair of Mid Century Modern Radar Saucer Chairs by Tempestini for John Salterini

$1,695 / set

Pair of Mid Century Modern Radar Saucer Chairs by Tempestini for John Salterini

By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Fabulous pair of mid century modern iron hoop outdoor lounge chairs in old white paint. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear, paint has wear but the iron is as strong and...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Salterini Furniture

Materials

Iron

Mid-Century Modern Rectangular Mesh Top Outdoor Dining Table by John Salterini

$1,295

Mid-Century Modern Rectangular Mesh Top Outdoor Dining Table by John Salterini

By John Salterini

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Fabulous heavy duty iron frame with a mesh top and tri-leg form this sixties iconic table. Recently painted and in excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Photo was taken outs...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Salterini Furniture

Materials

Steel, Iron

Set of 3 Mid-Century Modern Stacking Tabes Iron w Mesh Tops By John Salterini

$1,295 / set

Set of 3 Mid-Century Modern Stacking Tabes Iron w Mesh Tops By John Salterini

By John Salterini

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Fabulous set of three mesh top outdoor stacking tables by John Salterini C1955. Tables nest under one another and are very stable to hold your drinks or food etc. In excellent vinta...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Salterini Furniture

Materials

Iron

Set of Original John Salterini "Montego" Chairs ( Two Arm, Two Armless )

$6,500 / set

Set of Original John Salterini "Montego" Chairs ( Two Arm, Two Armless )

By John Salterini

Located in North Miami, FL

An incredible elegant set of four (4) ALL ORIGINAL aluminum frame chairs by John Salterini, Brooklyn, circa 1960. These are how the chairs were originally produced and thus, shows ...

Category

1960s American Vintage John Salterini Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Mid-Century Salterini Montego Chairs, Set of Four

$4,400 / set

Mid-Century Salterini Montego Chairs, Set of Four

By John Salterini

Located in Wichita, KS

Set of four Salterini “Montego” dining chairs featuring the iconic pinwheel back design associated with the line. The sculptural backs incorporate st...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Salterini Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Mid-Century Italian Wrought Iron Dining Chairs by Salterini, 1955

$7,600 / set

Mid-Century Italian Wrought Iron Dining Chairs by Salterini, 1955

By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini

Located in Queens, NY

Pair of Mid-Century Italian wrought iron "Ribbon" dining chairs painted white with gently sloped, mesh metal seats and demilune backs for indoor and/or outdoor use. (MAURIZO TEMPESTI...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern John Salterini Furniture

Materials

Iron

Incomparable Set of 12 Montego Dining Chairs by John Salterini, circa 1960

$49,500 / set

Incomparable Set of 12 Montego Dining Chairs by John Salterini, circa 1960

By John Salterini

Located in Atlanta, GA

These magnificent dining chairs are shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative, completely installation ready. This large set is unique on the mark...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Salterini Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Fantastic Set 4 Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Clam Shell Iron Patio Chairs

$3,880Sale Price / set|20% Off

Fantastic Set 4 Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Clam Shell Iron Patio Chairs

By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini

Located in Pemberton, NJ

Fantastic set of 4 wrought iron and metal mesh lounge designed by Maurizio Tempestini and manufactured by Salterini. Wrought iron frames with metal mesh seats and backs. All chairs a...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Salterini Furniture

Materials

Iron

Awesome Salterini Style Mid-century Rocking Chair Patio

$1,800

Awesome Salterini Style Mid-century Rocking Chair Patio

By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini

Located in Pemberton, NJ

OUTSTANDING MID-CENTURY MODERN SALLTERINI STYLE VINTAGE IRON ROCKER. THIS ROCKER IS IN VERY GOOD VINTAGE CONDITION -JUST PAINTED AND LOOKS GREAT. THERE ARE NO BREAKS IN THE WEL...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Salterini Furniture

Materials

Iron

Vintage Mid century Iron Chairs / Parzinger Weinberg

$6,950 / set

Vintage Mid century Iron Chairs / Parzinger Weinberg

By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini

Located in Chicago, IL

Beautiful form and craftsmanship on these Mid Century Design Iron Chairs. Some Brass finial balls missing as shown. The rubber shoe glides are no longer usable and should be repla...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern John Salterini Furniture

Materials

Iron

John Salterini furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

John Salterini furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of John Salterini furniture, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by John Salterini were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Maurizio Tempestini, Salterini, and Richard Schultz. Prices for John Salterini furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $425 and can go as high as $49,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,473.

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Questions About John Salterini Furniture

How can you tell if wrought iron is Woodard?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
To tell if wrought iron is Woodard, examine its frame closely. Authentic pieces usually have the Woodard name embossed right onto the metal. Instead of embossing, some pieces display the brand name on a metal tag. For assistance with identifying a piece of wrought iron furniture, seek the help of a certified appraiser or licensed dealer. Explore an assortment of Woodard wrought iron furniture on 1stDibs.
How can you tell how old a vintage chair is?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023
To tell how old a vintage chair is, first try and locate the manufacturer's label, tag or mark. Typically, identifying markings and tags appear under cushions or on the undersides of chairs. You may find that the date of manufacturing appears on the label or tag. If not, check trusted online resources to find out when the manufacturer was in business to make an estimate of the age. When in doubt, enlist the help of a certified appraiser or antiques dealer to help you date a particular chair. Find an assortment of antique, vintage and modern chairs on 1stDibs.
How do you identify Salterini patio furniture?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024
To identify Salterini patio furniture, first try to locate a maker's mark. Most tables show off the full maker's name along the sides of their tops. On chairs, look under the seat and on the legs for the Salterini name. To date your furniture and learn its style name, consult reference guides published on trusted websites. Another option is to have a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer assist you with the identification process. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Salterini patio furniture.
How can you tell if wrought iron is an antique?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 20, 2024
To tell if wrought iron is an antique, first check to see if there are any maker's marks on the piece. By researching these marks using trusted online resources, you can typically determine who produced a piece of furniture and when they were active and producing furnishings similar to yours. If the company was in business and crafting similar pieces 100 years ago or more, then the wrought iron table, chair or other item may be an antique. However, if the business opened recently or the style was offered more recently than a century ago, your item is likely not antique. If you cannot locate a maker's mark, inspect your furniture closely. Antique pieces often show signs of handcrafting, such as slight imperfections or irregularities. Also, antique wrought iron often has signs of wear, such as pitting in the metal or scratches due to age. If you're still uncertain whether your item is antique, you can ask a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer to date it. Shop an assortment of antique wrought iron furniture on 1stDibs.
Is vintage wrought iron worth anything?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 20, 2024
Yes, vintage wrought iron may be worth something. Collectors often seek pieces from notable makers like Russell Woodward, Salterini and Meadowcraft. In addition to the maker, the style, type, age and condition will also contribute to the potential value of a wrought iron piece. For assistance with the valuation process, consult a certified appraiser or experienced antiques dealer. Shop a range of vintage wrought iron furniture on 1stDibs.