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.
Mario Papperzini for Salterini Hand Crafted Wrought Iron Dining Table
By John Salterini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautifully handcrafted wrought iron dining table by renowned designer and manufacturer Salterini. This table was designed by Italian designer, Mario Papperzini, Expertly welded an...
Wrought Iron
Vintage Salterini Wrought Iron Outdoor Patio Dining Set
By John Salterini
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage Salterini Wrought Iron Patio Set Add a touch of timeless elegance to your outdoor space! This exquisite patio set includes four wrought iron chairs and a matching 54-inch w...
Wrought Iron
1940s Salterini Greek Key Wrought Iron Dining Set in Aqua Finish
By John Salterini, Salterini
Located in Stamford, CT
Stunning, timeless Salterini Greek key style wrought iron table and four chairs. Original aqua color now beautifully distressed. Fabric on seats is...
Wrought Iron
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...
Steel, Iron
Italian Mario Papperzini for John Salterini Lattice Patio Cocktail Table
By Mario Papperzini, John Salterini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian designed Mario Papperzini for John Salterini Patio Lattice cocktail table. The table is finished in a new black (and rust f...
Wrought Iron
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.
Iron
Mid-Century Modern 5pc Iron Hoop Chairs with Table by Maurizio Tempestini
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous 5 piece set which includes 4 iron hoop chairs and a iron table. Table is 36.25 in diameter x 29h. In excellent vintage condition with minimal ...
Iron
Two Chairs Cast Iron Marble-Top Table Coca-Cola Dinette Ice Cream Set Cafe Table
By John Salterini
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern red Coca-Cola cast iron base figural marble-top cafe table with two Salterini checker upholstery ice cream chairs.
Marble, Wrought Iron
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...
Iron
$3,800 / set
1950's John Salterini Dining Set
By John Salterini
Located in New York, NY
1950's Mid-Century Modern wrought iron dining set by John Salterini, newly painted with new glass top and new leather upholstery seats.
Iron, Wrought Iron
Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Metal Magazine End Table with Glass Top
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century two-tiered, metal, rectangular end table in a minimalist design with glass top and basket woven rattan lower shelf, standing on four triangular supports. (MAURIZIO TEMPES...
Glass
Maurizio Tempestini, Coffee Table, Iron, Glass, Italy, 1950s
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in High Point, NC
A black-painted iron and smoked glass coffee table designed by Maurizio Tempestini and produced by Salterini, Italy, c. 1950s.
Iron
Wrought Iron Demi Lune Console Table by John Salterini, 1940s
By John Salterini
Located in Stamford, CT
1940s fine quality wrought iron Salterini demi lune console table with glass top. Salterini was consider the best quality wrought iron garden furniture...
Wrought Iron
Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Patio Set, White Reed Enameled Steel, 1960s
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Maurizio Tempestini for Satlerini Patio Set, White Reed Enameled steel 1960s. Rare set includes 4 lounge chairs and coffee table. Original finish. Lovely and relaxing alternative to ...
Steel
Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Metal Magazine End Table with Woven Shelf
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century two-tiered, rectangular metal magazine end table with an openwork back which gently slopes upward to house magazines, with a basket woven rattan lower shelf and clear gla...
Glass
$1,200
Side Table by Salterini
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Architectural side table manufactured by Salterini, design attributed to Tempestini. Metal mesh top with wrought iron rod base, currently in original brown paint finish (shows wear)...
Steel, Wrought Iron
$3,799 / set
Woodard Wrought Iron Patio Dining Set 7 Pieces
By John Salterini, Salterini
Located in Cumberland, RI
Salterini patio dining set 7 pieces. Hard to find 60" table designed by Woodard. Seating for 6 people. Signature Chantilly Rose pattern. Enjoy this vintage wrought iron 7 piece dining set...
Wrought Iron
Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Ribbon Table
By John Salterini
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century iron outdoor dining tables with rectangular frames with decorative ribbon design between two support rails resting on four hairpin legs (Missing glass top) (JOHN...
Glass
Mid-Century Modern Outdoor Cocktail Table by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and rare cocktail table design by Maurizio Tempestini for John Salterini with a built in magazine rack basket. Two glas...
Iron
Pair of Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Brass & Rattan Occasional Tables
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Mid-Century occasional end / side tables with basket woven rattan tops woven on brass frames resting on two V-shaped supports with rounded corners. (MAURIZIO TEMPESTINI FOR J...
Brass
Vintage Salterini Demilune Table in Mt Vernon Pattern
By John Salterini, Salterini
Located in Cumberland, RI
Vintage salterini demi-lune table in Mt Vernon pattern. This piece is part of a 11 piece dining arrangement including 2 Demi-Lune tables and a matching Mt...
Iron, Wrought Iron
$2,997Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 31.75 in W 17.5 in D 20.75 in
Salterini Style Art Deco / Modern Gold Painted Gilt Metal Glass Top Dinette Set
By John Salterini, Russell Woodard
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Art Deco, Hollywood Regency and Mid-Century Modern design elements have combined to create what is arguably the most sublime patio dinette set ever. Gilt gold and black glam of this ...
Metal
$1,895 / set
H 33 in W 28 in D 23 in
Midcentury Outdoor Dining Iron 8 Piece Set John Salterini Large Glass Top Table
By John Salterini
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous 8 piece set consisting of a large dining table from the early 50s, heavy decorative iron with a large beveled glass top. 6 armchairs from the late...
Steel, Iron
Wrought Iron Mid Century Garden Patio Set Five Pieces
Located in Newfoundland, PA
Five-piece wrought iron dining / patio set. One glass-topped table and four chairs. Painted green. Table measures: 42.5 in across.- 29-3/8 in high. - 29- 11/16 in high. With glass t...
Wrought Iron
$1,995
H 16.5 in W 41.25 in D 19.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Outdoor Cocktail Table by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and rare cocktail table design by Maurizio Tempestini for John Salterini with a built in magazine rack basket. Two glas...
Iron
Wrought Iron and Glass Garden Patio Poolside Cafe Dining Center Table
By Salterini, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Fun playful wrought iron and glass cafe, dining, center table circa 1970's. The table features a hand wrought base of solid stock with a thick plate glass top, it is in very good, or...
Wrought Iron
$16,371 / item
H 29.53 in W 118.12 in D 51.19 in
Modern Outdoor Pedestal Dining Table by Albino Miranda, Customizable
By Albino Miranda
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Handcrafted of fiber reinforced resin, a forceful material for extreme weather conditions. Lacquered in matte white with protective UV coat. Dimensions (cm): 300 x 130 x 75 Dimensio...
Resin, Lacquer, Fiberglass
$14,800
H 28.94 in W 47.25 in D 47.25 in
Mario Bellini “Colonnato” Dining Table for Cassina, Travertine, 1977
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Colonnato” dining table for Cassina, travertine, Italy, 1977. Bellini designed the "Colonnato" table series inspired by element...
Travertine
$1,860Sale Price / set|61% Off
H 26 in W 39.5 in D 39.5 in
Vintage Victorian 3-Piece Cast Iron Patio/Garden Table Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique Garden/Patio set with table and two chairs. Gorgeous natural patina that would be hard to mimic so we have left them as is. Decorative pattern with dolphin legs on the tabl...
Iron
Custom French Modern Neoclassical Hand-Wrought Iron Table Base
Located in New York, NY
Elegant, Custom French Modern Neoclassical hand-hammered and hand-wrought iron table base featuring a stunning spiral form stem and delicate fe...
Wrought Iron
Wrought Iron Savonarola Dining Table, Italy 1960s
Located in Utrecht, NL
The Savonarola originates from a chair found in the convent of San Marco in Florence which was used by the 15th century Italian Dominican priest Girolamo Savonarola. Savonarola-style...
Iron
$1,860
H 29 in W 31 in D 59 in
Grey Table in Wrought Iron, Glass Top, Patio Table, Patio Set, Outdoor Furniture
Located in Miami, FL
Grey table in wrought iron, glass top, patio table, patio set. Outdoor furniture. Dining set. Indoor & Outdoor
Wrought Iron
$795 / set
H 29.5 in W 32 in D 48 in
5 Pc. Wrought Iron and Glass Garden Patio Dining Set by Meadowcraft
By Meadowcraft, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Chic garden, patio, dinette set consisting of a dining table , and four side chairs. The table has a tempered glass top, the chairs have their original upholstered pad seats, metal e...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 19.5 in W 11 in D 13 in
1950s Mid-Century Salterini Lily Pad Garden Patio Leaf Tables Nesting Pair
By John Salterini
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Pair of nesting, lily pad, leaf tables by Salterini, unmarked, showing the expected cosmetic wear, normal and consistent with age. Tops were scrubbed and lightly polished, preserving...
Wrought Iron
John Salterini 'El Prado' Collection Verdigris Finish Coffee Table
By John Salterini
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
John Salterini 'El Prado' Collection wrought iron coffee table with a vintage applied verdigris finish. Finish is in good vintage condition with slight wear from age and use. Feet ar...
Wrought Iron
John Salterini Wrought Iron Dining Set, Oval Glass Top, 1940s, USA
By John Salterini
Located in Stamford, CT
This is a spectacular rarely found John Salterini wrought iron dining set with an oval glass top table with two arm chairs and four side chairs. Unusual "tree of life" type decoratio...
Wrought Iron
Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Wrought Iron Ribbon Console
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Chicago, IL
Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Wrought Iron Ribbon Console comes with glass (not shown) . Will need to review condition of the glass.
Metal
Vintage John Salterini Lily Pad Leaf Shaped Side Table
By John Salterini
Located in San Carlos, CA
For Sale: Stunning John Salterini Lily Pad Side Table – White Elevate your home decor with this exquisite John Salterini lily pad/leaf-shaped side table. This timeless piece seamle...
Metal
Salterini Patio Dining Set 7 Pieces
By Salterini, John Salterini
Located in Cumberland, RI
Salterini patio dining set 7 pieces. Hard to find tables designed by Salterini. Seating for 6 people. Signature Salterini outward facing feet and scrolling motif. Enjoy this vintage wrought iron 7 piece dining set...
Wrought Iron
Pair of John Salterini Iron Butterfly Side Tables Mid Century
By John Salterini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These Mid Century John Salterini Iron side tables are a perfect addition to any home. Iron and glass, these tables are not only durable but also stylish and timeless. With its butter...
Iron
Sold
H 33.5 in W 42 in D 22 in
Set Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Black "Ribbon Series" Table & Four Chairs
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Original Maurizio Tempestini for John Salterini "Modern Line" Five Piece Set, 1950's. Featuring a Ribbon Series from Modern Line Dining Table and Four Chairs, in Wrought Iron and wov...
Wrought Iron, Wire
Mid-Century Salterini Lotus Leaf Side Garden Table
By John Salterini
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Salterini Lotus Leaf Table Garden Table, 1950's Italy Salterini Leaf Table with original green patin. This classic wrought iron leaf table is in wonde...
Wrought Iron
Salterini Lily Pad End Table in Raw Metal
By John Salterini
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Stylish and iconic Salterini lily pad table. Can be used indoor or out. Table has been taken down to mostly bare metal with some light patina and wear. 22” tall 11” wide 14” d...
Metal
Sold
H 30 in W 39 in D 22 in
Mid-Century Modern Wrought Iron Outdoor Bar Cart with Liquor Bottle Holder
By John Salterini
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous bar cart from the early sixties with hand wrought iron and minimalist lines. Wheels work well and has a 4 slot liquor decanter divider/holder. Two mesh shelves which measure...
Steel, Iron
Sold
H 19.5 in W 17 in D 12.5 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Stacking Tables by John Salterini, C1960
By John Salterini
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous simple yet elegant design of a pair of nesting tables for your patio. Mesh tops and in excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Painted Black and can be touched up pri...
Steel, Iron