Italian architect and furniture designer Maurizio Tempestini is well-known among vintage outdoor furniture aficionados for his sculptural Clamshell line and other elegant mid-century modern furnishings for patios and gardens.
Born in Florence in 1908, Tempestini completed his studies in Industrial Decoration at the Porta Romana Art Institute in 1929. His career as an interior architect and furniture and lighting designer flourished during the early 1930s. It was during this time Tempestini was also active as a set designer for several Italian theater productions, including Mario Massa’s Osteria degli immortali and Luigi Bonelli’s comedy Il Gigli.
Tempestini then turned his attention from the stage to designing furniture and decorative objects. He crafted pieces for ceramics factory Cantagalli in Florence, as well as for Murano glass manufacturers Seguso and Cappellin.
In 1934, Tempestini worked on the external renovation of the Palazzo delle Esposizioni at the Parterre di San Gallo in Florence for the Littoriali Exhibition. Later, in 1938, he formed a studio with architects Nello Baroni and Pietro Porcinai before cofounding the legendary postwar Italian lighting maker Arteluce with designer and engineer Gino Sarfatti in 1939.
During the 1950s, Tempestini designed lighting fixtures for Lightolier and began to collaborate with Brooklyn, New York’s John B. Salterini Company. Salterini was an Italian emigree who initially worked in journalism before becoming an eminent producer of high-end wrought-iron furniture.
Tempestini’s modernist outdoor furniture for Salterini resembled indoor seating manufactured by the likes of Knoll or Artifort — his chairs and other seating boasted organic curves and seductive, unconventional shapes. His work complemented Salterini’s own handmade designs, which reflected Gothic Revival and Art Deco influences. Together the designers produced successful lines of garden and patio furniture for Salterini’s eponymous firm.
Tempestini’s name soon became widely known in the United States. His designs were first introduced to the American public in 1951 through Gimbels Department Store and Suniland Furniture in Houston, Texas. Today his bold and stylish patio furniture remains sought after by collectors everywhere.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Maurizio Tempestini garden elements, lounge chairs and tables.
Maurizio Tempestini, Lounge Chairs, Iron, Maple, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
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
Mid-Century Modern Orange Slice Iron with Sailcloth Lounge Chairs by Salterini
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and rare to find radar chairs by Maurizio Tempestini with Sailcloth as the seating material. Actual sails were cut and installed professionally. Chairs need a good cleaning ...
Iron
Mid-Century Modern Iron Hoop Lounge Chair by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
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...
Iron
Set 6 Mid Century Modern Orange Slice Chairs by Tempestini & Salterini + a Table
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
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
Maurizio Tempestini, Lounge Chair, Iron, Fabric, USA 1960s
By Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in High Point, NC
A grey-lacquered iron and grey fabric lounge chair, Model "Superb St. Moritz", designed by Maurizio Tempestini and produced by Salterini, USA, c. 1960s. Wear consistent with age and...
Iron
1950s Pair of Wrought Iron Patio Chairs by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini
By Maurizio Tempestini, Salterini
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Spectacular pair of Mid Century Orange Slice Patio Chair, also known as a Clamshell Chair, designed by Maurizio Tempestini for the John B. Salterini Company. This wonderful set is a...
Wrought Iron
$3,638Sale Price / set|24% Off
H 29 in Dm 42.25 in
"Peacock" Outdoor Table and Four Chairs by John Salterini, 1960s
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Kansas City, MO
Vintage patio set designed by Tempestini for John Salterini. Mid-century wrought iron "Peacock" patio set, table and four chairs. Hand-forged heavy wrought iron with a black finish. ...
Iron, Steel
$3,850 / set
H 28 in W 26.13 in D 25 in
Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Wrought Iron & Wicker Patio Arm Dining Chairs
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in St. Louis, MO
Set of 4 Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini black wrought & wicker patio or sunroom dining chairs with vintage green / black and creme plaid seat c...
Wrought Iron
Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Radar Wrought Iron Chaise Lounge
By Maurizio Tempestini, Salterini
Located in Rochester, NY
By designer Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini a wrought iron Radar outdoor garden chaise lounge ( lounge chair and leg rest ) in as found old black painted surface w/ scattered areas...
Wrought Iron
Maurizio Tempestini, Sofa, Iron, Maple, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in High Point, NC
A cast iron, dark-stained maple and white fabric sofa designed by Maurizio Tempestini and produced by Salterini, USA, c. 1950s. Seat Height (inches): 15” Arm Height (inches): 22" ...
Iron
Mid Century Modern Orange Orange Slice Chair by Pierre Paulin
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Dronten, NL
Artifort Model F437, or more famously nicknamed the Orange Slice Chair, was designed by French designer Pierre Paulin for the Dutch manufacturer Artifort in Maastricht in the mid 20t...
Steel, Chrome
$6,875 / set
H 34.5 in W 24.5 in D 24 in
Mario Papperzini Amalfi Pair of Lounge Chairs for Salterini, 1950's
By Mario Papperzini, John Salterini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of wrought iron lounge chairs by designer Mario Papperzini for John Salterini. Manufactured circa 1950's. This line of furniture was named "Amalfi" after the Amalfi coast in...
Wrought Iron
$2,195
H 30 in W 25 in D 21 in
Pair Tempestini - Salterini "Radar" White Enamel Iron Chairs 1950s Mid-Century
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of Salterini Radar chairs in white enameled wrought iron. A fine pair of the iconic model designed by Maurizio Tempestini, for Salterini....
Wrought Iron
Modern Victorian Wrought Iron Peacock Rocker by Salterini
By John Salterini, Salterini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this all-original Peacock rocker by Salterini with a great aged patina, composed of twisted, curled, and welded wrought iron wire. A fun and dramatic place to sit, in this less common rocker variation of the Salterini Peacock chair.
Iron
$3,850
H 50 in W 32 in D 23 in
Maurizio Tempestini John Salterini Black High Back Lounge Chairs With Ottomans
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Monrovia, CA
Maurizio Tempestini For John Salterini Black Metal High Back Lounge Chairs With Detachable Ottomans. Each Salterini High Back Lounge Chair H...
Metal, Iron
$2,000
H 25 in W 28.25 in D 18.25 in
Maurizio Tempestini Two Tier Wrought Iron, Rattan & Glass Occasional Table
By Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Maurizio Tempestini Wrought Iron, Glass Top Occasional Table with Basket Woven Rattan Shelf, 1950's. End Table. Side Table. Featuring a rectangular wrought iron framework, hairpin le...
Wrought Iron
Wrought Iron Garden Patio Poolside Settee Loveseat Bench by Salterini
By Woodard Furniture Co., Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Chic wrought iron garden, patio, poolside loveseat, bench, sofa by Salterini. The sofa is in very good original condition, showing only light cosmetic wear, normal and consistent wit...
Wrought Iron
$1,200
H 27 in W 41.75 in D 22 in
Mid Century Wrought Iron Orange Slice Settee by Tempestini for Salterini
By Maurizio Tempestini, Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Mid Century wrought iron and metal mesh settee, loveseat, designed by Maurizio Tempestini, for Salterini. Known as the "Orange Slice" or "Clamshell" series, this is a classic and h...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 31.25 in W 30 in D 28 in
Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Cantilevered Radar Spring Lounge Chairs a Pair
By Maurizio Tempestini, Salterini
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A pair of Maurizio Tempestini designed cantilevered Radar spring chairs for Salterini, Ca. 1950s. Iconic Mid Century Modern design, hoop frame, metal mesh seat and back, cantilevered...
Iron
Sold
H 33.75 in W 28 in D 29 in
Maurizio Tempestini for John Salterini Iron, Maple & Leather Lounge Chair, 1950s
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Restored Maurizio Tempestini for John Salterini Wrought Iron, Flame Birch and Leather Lounge Chair, 1950's. Featuring smooth, sturdy, ergonomic Wrought Iron hoop construction with ex...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Pair of Maurizio Tempestini Ribbon Chairs for Salterini
By Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Pair of Maurizio Tempestini "Ribbon" Lounge Chairs for Salterini Black iron newly powder coated with signature curves and details Newly upholstered in gorgeous Belgian Sunbrella p...
Iron
Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Black "Radar" Tete-a-Tete, 1950's
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Maurizio Tempestini for John Salterini Patio Set. Lanai Set. With Pair Radar Chairs & Occasional Table.. Featuring a Wrought Iron and woven wire me...
Wrought Iron, Wire
Sold
H 30 in W 30.5 in D 26 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Iron Lounge Chairs Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic pair of Sculptural iron lounge chairs designed by Maurizio Tempestini for John Salterini. circa 1960 hoop radar chairs...
Iron
Sold
H 34 in W 30 in D 29 in
Mid-Century Modern 5 Pc Sculptural Iron Table & 4 Mesh Chairs by John Salterini
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic 5 pc set consisting of 4 spring seat mesh lounge chairs and a table 35.5 x 17h. Mesh seat armchairs with a circular hoop with a leaf and vine pattern. In excellent vintage ...
Steel, Iron
Sold
H 28.5 in W 30 in D 30 in
5 Piece Set Salterini by Maurizio Tempestini 4 Radar Lounge Chairs & Table
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Spectacular 5 pc set which includes 4 Radar Styled lounge chairs and a cocktail table by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear, old blac...
Iron
Wrought Iron Radar Chairs by Tempestini for Salterini
By Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A pair of satin black Radar wrought iron lounge chairs designed by Maurizio Tempestini. The perfect Midcentury chairs for your patio or three seasons room giving you maximum comfort ...
Wrought Iron
Orange Slice Lounge Chair by Tempestini for Salterini, Italy
By Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A satin black metal framed indoor or outdoor lounge chair with metal mesh seat sculpturally formed like a orange slice hence the name . The curved legs sit on pads to provide support , manufactured by John Salterini Italy...
Metal
Pair of Salterini “Radar” Lounge Chairs by Maurizio Tempestini
By Maurizio Tempestini, Salterini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of “Radar” wrought iron patio lounge chairs designed by Maurizio Tempestini for John Salterini, c.1950s, USA. Each chair has a bisected hoop construction with a delicate grid ...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 28 in W 30 in D 26 in
Set of 3 Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Black "Radar" Lounge Chairs, 1950's
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Original set of three black Radar Collection patio, poolside lounge chairs designed by Maurizio Tempestini for John Salterini, 1950's. Featuring smooth, sturdy, ergonomic wrought iron hoop construction with expanded iron wire seat...
Wrought Iron, Iron
Sold
H 27.25 in W 22.75 in D 24 in
Mid Century Modern Sculptural Lounge Chair by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Unique 3 legged orange slice outdoor lounge chair by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini. Recently resprayed satin black, chair is in excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Can...
Iron