Maurizio Tempestini Sofas
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.
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Maurizio Tempestini Sofas
Iron
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Maurizio Tempestini Sofas
Wrought Iron, Wire
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Maurizio Tempestini Sofas
Mohair, Birch
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Maurizio Tempestini Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Maurizio Tempestini Sofas
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Maurizio Tempestini Sofas
Steel
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Maurizio Tempestini Sofas
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Maurizio Tempestini Sofas
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Maurizio Tempestini Sofas
Iron
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Maurizio Tempestini Sofas
Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Maurizio Tempestini Sofas
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Maurizio Tempestini Sofas
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Maurizio Tempestini Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Maurizio Tempestini Sofas
Wrought Iron
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Maurizio Tempestini Sofas
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Maurizio Tempestini Sofas
Iron
1940s Italian Modern Vintage Maurizio Tempestini Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Maurizio Tempestini Sofas
Wrought Iron
1940s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Maurizio Tempestini Sofas
Velvet, Wood
1940s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Maurizio Tempestini Sofas
Velvet, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Maurizio Tempestini Sofas
Wrought Iron
1950s Italian Vintage Maurizio Tempestini Sofas
