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
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
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
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
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
Charming French Vintage Iron and Marble Cafe Round Dining Table
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Charming vintage French round dining table having curlicue iron base and original white marble top. Can be used indoors or on the patio.
Marble, Iron
$1,499 / set
H 23 in W 13.5 in D 15.7 in
Dietiker Rey Junior Set, Kids Table and Chairs in Maple, Designed by Bruno Rey
By Dietiker, Bruno Rey
Located in Stein am Rhein, CH
This is the children furniture collection based on the famous Rey chair that was designed in 1971. The Rey Junior set includes 4 chairs + 1 table in Maple Beech color. Designed by Bruno Rey, the Rey chair is famed internationally for its elegance and style. Like the original, the Junior edition is constructed with Dietiker’s patented screwless wood-to-metal connection. The solid execution and rounded edges are perfectly suited for children. The chair and table are made with care from solid beech wood, with die cast aluminum consoles and plastic glides. The chair and table legs are of solid wood. The tabletop is in HPL. The chairs stack up to 4. - rounded edges for children safety - timeless design - unique screwless patented wood-metal connection - Rey Junior chair load test for 175lbs as per ANSI/BIFMA - Rey Junior table...
Aluminum
$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 Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
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
$8,244 / item
H 29.73 in Dm 55.12 in
Modern Maurizio Cattelan for Dilmos Round Dining Table Crude Iron Glass
By Maurizio Cattelan
Located in Milan, IT
Dining table designed by Maurizio Cattelan in 1991 as a gift for Dilmos. Composed of a glass top and a base in crude iron depicting the form of the "Cerberino", a mythologic three-headed creature that guards the gates of hell...
Iron
$1,499 / set
H 23 in W 13.5 in D 15.7 in
Dietiker Rey Junior Set, Kids Table and Chairs in Pink, Designed by Bruno Rey
By Dietiker, Bruno Rey
Located in Stein am Rhein, CH
This is the children furniture collection based on the famous Rey chair that was designed in 1971. The Rey Junior set includes 4 chairs + 1 table in Candy color. Designed by Bruno Rey, the Rey chair is famed internationally for its elegance and style. Like the original, the Junior edition is constructed with Dietiker’s patented screwless wood-to-metal connection. The solid execution and rounded edges are perfectly suited for children. The chair and table are made with care from solid beech wood, with die cast aluminum consoles and plastic glides. The chair and table legs are of solid wood. The tabletop is in HPL. The chairs stack up to 4. - rounded edges for children safety - timeless design - unique screwless patented wood-metal connection - Rey Junior chair load test for 175lbs as per ANSI/BIFMA - Rey Junior table...
Aluminum
$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
Dining table by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, 1970s
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in bruxelles, BE
Dining table in wood, metal, and leather by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Metal
Minimalist Outdoor Dining Table
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
This outdoor dining table is made in hardwood and metal in a minimalist design. It is a table that combines thin solid wood thickness with a hea...
Metal
$1,124Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 23 in W 13.5 in D 15.7 in
Dietiker Rey Junior Set, Kids Table and Chairs in Blue, Designed by Bruno Rey
By Dietiker, Bruno Rey
Located in Stein am Rhein, CH
This is the children furniture collection based on the famous Rey chair that was designed in 1971. The Rey Junior set includes 4 chairs + 1 table in Arik Levy Fresh Light 2 Blue color. Designed by Bruno Rey, the Rey chair is famed internationally for its elegance and style. Like the original, the Junior edition is constructed with Dietiker’s patented screwless wood-to-metal connection. The solid execution and rounded edges are perfectly suited for children. The chair and table are made with care from solid beech wood, with die cast aluminum consoles and plastic glides. The chair and table legs are of solid wood. The tabletop is in HPL. The chairs stack up to 4. - rounded edges for children safety - timeless design - unique screwless patented wood-metal connection - Rey Junior chair load test for 175lbs as per ANSI/BIFMA - Rey Junior table...
Aluminum
$1,800 / set
H 30 in Dm 26 in
Mid Century Cafe Dinette Set Inc. Table and Two Chairs Attributed to Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in New York, NY
Charming three piece cafe style dinette set to include two chairs and a table. The chairs feature a dramatic scrolled arm, with backs that have a circular caned pattern...
Wrought Iron
Mario Villa Wrought Iron Dining Table with Beveled Glass Top
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous 1930s French wrought iron dining table with a beveled glass top is a testament to the refined craftsmanship and artistry of early 20th-century metalwork. The elegant dr...
Iron, 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
Outdoor Round Dining Table by Mario Papperzini for John Salterini
By Mario Papperzini, John Salterini
Located in Kansas City, MO
Outdoor / Patio / Pool / dining table designed by Mario Papperzini for John Salterini. Wrought iron and glass. Professonally media ...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 34.75 in W 21.25 in D 17.5 in
Outdoor Dining Table & Four Chairs by Mario Papperzini for John Salterini
By Mario Papperzini, John Salterini
Located in Kansas City, MO
Patio / Pool / dining table with four chairs designed by Mario Papperzini for John Salterini. Wrought iron and steel. Professionally media ...
Steel, Wrought Iron
John Salterini Round Patio Dining Table, Restored, Satin Black
By John Salterini
Located in Kansas City, MO
John Salterini round outdoor / pool / patio dining table. Professionally media blasted and powder coated in a satin black finish. Very substantial construction. Ready to use.
Steel, Wrought Iron
Mid-Century Modern Outdoor Dining Table by John Salterini
By John Salterini
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous condition, was used in an enclosed porch. Original finish.
Iron
Salterini Garden Patio Dining Table
By John Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Classic Salterini midcentury garden table with wrought iron frame and metal mesh top. Great Modernist design, very good original condition, paint finish shows wear, normal and consis...
Metal, Wrought Iron
Sold
H 29.25 in W 35.25 in D 35.25 in
Mario Papperzini Breakfast or Patio Table Set for John Salterini
By Mario Papperzini, John Salterini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lovely patio set designed by Mario Papperzini for John Salterini in the United States, circa 1950s. This set features a round glass dining table and a set of four chairs made of hand...
Iron
Sold
H 29.5 in W 66 in D 38 in
American Mid-Century Modern Iron and Glass Dining Patio Table by Salterini
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in San Diego, CA
Striking iron dining table by Salterini. Amazing Atomic age design. Solid and sturdy table with its original label. Great condition as it has been us...
Iron
Sold
H 29 in W 60 in D 34 in
Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Iron Patio Dining Table Custom Fiberglass Top
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Southampton, NJ
1950s iron patio table designed by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini with a custom fiberglass and resin top. The base has been restored. Some wear on ...
Iron
Rare Art Deco Salterini Foliate Decorated Zinc Garden Patio Dining Table
By John Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Rare and early zinc garden dining table by Salterini. This example is currently in older, but probably not original, green paint finish, which shows wear normal and consistent with u...
Zinc
Salterini Glass-Top Dining Garden Table
By John Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Wrought iron base with original glass top ( top not shown ) Interesting crocodile paint finish, large elegant and stylish table Suitable for indoor or outdoor use.
Wrought Iron
Salterini Wrought Iron Oval Dining Table
By John Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Salterini wrought iron dining table, original green finish, foliate design metal work. Selling without the glass top, we are offeri...
Wrought Iron
Five Piece Salterini Patio Set
By John Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Wrought iron and mesh table and chairs, set includes four chairs, and the round table ( original umbrella and stand can be included, however not pictured ) Dimensions in listing are...
Wrought Iron