John Salterini Furniture
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.
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John Salterini furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
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- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 20, 2024To 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 20, 2024Yes, 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023To 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024To 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024To 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.