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.
$1,050Sale Price|25% Off
1 Salterini Peacock Wrought Iron Arm Chair
By John Salterini
Located in Pasadena, TX
1 Salterini Peacock Wrought Iron Chair John Salterini vintage midcentury wrought iron wire peacock chair. Victorian style chair designed with a bac...
Wrought Iron
John Salterini American Mid-Century Outdoor Iron Lounge / Armchair
By John Salterini
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century outdoor adjustable reclining lounge / armchair with a latticed back and seat supported in an iron frame with ball finials on the c...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Iron Chairs Designed by Tempestini for Salterini
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in San Diego, CA
A rare pair of ribbon armchairs designed by Maurizo Tempestini for Salterini. In very nice condition (used indoor, can be used outdoor). freshly sandblasted and powder coated with ne...
Iron
$1,650 / set
Salterini Wrought Iron Chairs A Pair
By John Salterini, Salterini
Located in Cumberland, RI
A Pair of Vintage Wrought Iron Patio Chairs by Salterini are available now and ready to ship. Highly desirable Laurel Leaf pattern. A perfect addition to any patio, terrace, or garden.
Wrought Iron
$3,850 / set
H 31.5 in W 41 in D 21 in
Outdoor Settee / Sofa and Pair of Chairs 'One Rocker' by John Salterini
By John Salterini
Located in Kansas City, MO
John Salterini outdoor, patio, loveseat and pair of chairs, one being a rocking chair. Very comfortable and stylish. There are several layers of white paint on the pieces, but they s...
Steel, Wrought Iron
$4,595 / set
H 27.25 in W 22.25 in D 23.75 in
Set 6 Mid Century Modern Orange Slice Chairs by Tempestini & Salterini + a Table
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and rare set of six orange slice chairs. Freshly painted in a satin white enamel, chairs are in excellent vintage condition. Exceptional design by Maurizio Tempestini for Jo...
Iron
Mario Papperzini "Amalfi" Patio Chaise Lounge for John Salterini
By Mario Papperzini, John Salterini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mario Papperzini "Amalfi" Patio Chaise Lounge for John Salterini
Iron
$1,800 / set
H 29 in W 28 in D 29 in
Unusual Pair Iron Chairs, Custom Made, Savonarola Style, Indoor /Outdoor
By Salterini
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual Pair Iron Chairs ,custom made .Savonarola Style.indoor /outdoor.,custom made c.1950s. Savonarola Style.indoor /outdoor,, Matching chaise loung...
Iron
$476Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.25 in W 45.25 in D 19 in
1960s Salterini Style Wrought Iron Garden Patio Settee
By Salterini
Located in Esperance, NY
Salterini style wrought iron garden patio settee. This is a very nice original Settee from the 1960s made out of wrought iron.
Wrought Iron
$3,500 / set
H 36.5 in W 18.5 in D 20 in
Vintage Salterini Hollywood Regency Wrought Iron Faux Bamboo Dining Chair, Set 8
By Salterini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage John Salterini Hollywood Regency/Mid Century Modern Wrought Iron Faux Bamboo ...
Wrought Iron
Vintage Wrought Iron Chairs A Pair of Wireworks
By John Salterini
Located in Cumberland, RI
Shop Salterini Garden Furniture and Woodard Garden Furniture listed here or other Vintage Wrought Iron Patio Furniture Pieces online at our 1stDibs Store Front. Our Vintage Wrought Iron Outdoor Furniture Pieces are Available now and Ready to Ship for your enjoyment. Vintage Wrought Iron Patio Furniture is an Excellent Choice for your newest patio design or to add additional outdoor wrought iron furniture pieces to your Vintage Wrought Iron Patio Furniture Collection. Wrought Iron Outdoor Patio Furniture is Classic and Timeless in style and made to last decades. Shop our sustainable vintage outdoor living garden furniture seating arrangements today and add style to your outdoor living space while being kind to the planet. All of our Vintage Salterini Wrought Iron Patio Furniture pieces are hand selected and one-of-a kind awaiting to be enjoyed by you in your favorite outdoor space. Add this to your cart today or "Make an Offer" now to reserve space on this month's delivery route. View other in-stock and ready to ship Vintage Salterini Wrought Iron Patio Furniture pieces including complete vintage wrought iron conversation sets, vintage Woodard Wrought Iron dining sets in popular patterns like Chantilly Rose and Orleans, vintage wrought iron Salterini Peacock Chairs, Woodard Wrought Iron Arm Chairs, Vintage Wrought Iron Patio Bar...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
New Outdoor Armchair in Wrought Iron
Located in Miami, FL
Featuring a structure made of steel with protective cataphoresis treatment, finished in brown epoxy paint. Outdoor use.
Iron
$16,800 / set
H 35 in W 30 in D 30 in
Maurizio Tempestini, Lounge Chairs, Iron, Maple, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of cast iron, dark-stained maple and white fabric lounge chairs designed by Maurizio Tempestini and produced by Salterini, USA, c. 1950s. Seat Height (inches): 15” Arm Heigh...
Iron
Garouste & Bonetti style , Wrought Iron Chair
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Miami, FL
In the style of Garouste & Bonetti , wrought iron chair.
Brass, Wrought Iron
$595 / set
H 34 in W 24.5 in D 27 in
Pr. Mid Century Garden Patio Poolside Wrought Iron Dining Lounge Arm Chairs
By Woodard Furniture Co., Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Pair of mid-century garden, patio, poolside chairs constructed of wrought iron and metal mesh. These can function as dinning, or lounge chairs, both...
Wrought Iron
Cantilevered Mid Century Wrought Iron Lounge Chair Att. to Salterini
By Salterini, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Chic architectural cantilevered mid century lounge arm chair, attributed to Salterini. The chair has a wrought iron frame, cantilevered spring ba...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Patio Lounge Clamshell Chairs by Salterini
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A matching pair of 3-legged slice or clamshell shells designed by Maurizio Tempestini for John Salterini. These are a more obscure 3-legged version of this chair. For both, outdoor o...
Iron
Pair of Salterini Patio Garden Lounge Chairs
By John Salterini
Located in Sheffield, MA
Pair of stylish wrought iron metal armchairs. Can be used indoor or outdoor. They are not identical but close enough. Dimensions of chair #2: 33 H x 26 L x 30 D.
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 35 in W 23.5 in D 22 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Wicker and Iron Arm Patio Chairs by Salterini
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in San Diego, CA
A rare pair of wicker woven seats and iron frames chairs by Salterini. In very nice original condition (used indoor, can be used outdoor). No strands broken. With rubber feet.
Iron
Sold
H 27 in W 22.5 in D 20 in
Pair of Maurizio Tempestini Outdoor Patio Iron Lounge Chairs, Mid-Century Modern
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine outdoor patio "Clamshell" or "Orange Slice" chair set designed by Maurizio Tempestini and manufactured by Salterini in the 1950s. It features heavy gauge galvanized steel mesh...
Iron
Pair of Salterini Patio Armchairs
By John Salterini
Located in Sheffield, MA
Pair of vintage wrought iron arm chairs by John Salterini, in the Iconic Mt Vernon pattern are painted white, decorated with leaves and...
Wrought Iron
Set of Four John Salterini Mid-Century Modern Clamshell Chairs
By John Salterini
Located in Wayne, NJ
Set of four John Salterini Mid-Century Modern Clamshell chairs.
Armchair by Mario Papperzini for John Salterini
By John Salterini
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Armchair by Mario Papperzini for John Salterini. Beautiful original patina.
Iron
Sold
H 36 in W 24 in D 30 in
Pair of Salterini Armchairs / Lounge Chairs by Maurizio Tempestini - Patio
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Vintage Salterini Lounge Chairs by Maurizio Tempestini. Cushions need to be made for these. Please request a photo if you would like to see a reference photo with cushions. M...