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.
2 Sets of Three Wrought Iron Nesting Tables by Tempestini for Salterini
By Maurizio Tempestini, Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Matched sets of three graduated nesting tables of wrought iron, and metal mesh, designed by Maurizio Tempestini, for Salterini. The tables are all structurally sound and sturdy, some...
Wrought Iron
$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 Maurizio Tempestini, Woodard Furniture Co., John Salterini
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
$8,995
H 33.5 in W 73 in D 28.5 in
Mid Century Modern Sofa Iron & Maple Tempestini for Salterini W/Sunbrella C1955
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Spectacular wrought Iron, hand crafted sofa designed by Maurizio Tempestini for John Salterini C1955 USA. Brand new Sunbrella cushions with refinished maple arms on an iron diamond back pattern sofa...
Iron
Set of Three Salterini Curved Iron and Mesh Outdoor Benches
By Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Set of three curved garden ,patio or pool benches by Salterini. Lovely wrought iron benches with metal mesh tops and rounded legs .Circa 1960s. All disc feet attached and in place ....
Wrought Iron
$950 / set
H 28 in W 29 in D 50 in
Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Wrought Iron Radar Chaise Lounge, 1950's
By Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
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
$700Sale Price / set|28% Off
H 16.63 in W 19.63 in D 19.63 in
Set Russell Woodard Wrought Iron Nesting Stacking Side Tables Mid-Century Modern
By Russell Woodard
Located in Wayne, NJ
Vintage Russell woodard stackable wrought iron table set of 3. The large measures 16.38" high, 19.63" deep and 19.63" wide. The medium measures 15.13" high, 16" wide, 16" deep. The s...
Wrought Iron
$319Sale Price|46% Off
H 34 in W 45.25 in D 18 in
Vintage Salterini Style Wrought Iron Garden Patio Settee
By Salterini
Located in Esperance, NY
The settee is from the 1960s and is made out of wrought iron.
Wrought 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
$18,950 / set
H 35.5 in W 21.25 in D 19.5 in
Set of Six Mario Papperzini for Salterini, Iron Lattice Outdoor Armchairs
By Salterini, Mario Papperzini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exceptional set of six wrought iron outdoor armchairs designed by Mario Papperzini for Salterini, among the most iconic names in American and Italian mid-century garden furniture....
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 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
Modern Victorian Wrought Iron Peacock Rocker by Salterini
By Salterini, John 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
$4,995 / set
H 30.25 in W 25 in D 20 in
Mid-Century Modern 6pc. Set Salterini Radar by Maurizio Tempestini C1955
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous 6 piece set of "Radar" outdoor patio dining set. Incudes 4 chairs 48" round top table with an umbrella hole and the heavy solid cast iron art deco umbrella holder. In excell...
Steel, Iron
$2,360Sale Price|50% Off
H 64 in W 32 in D 19 in
Ribbon Étagère/ Server by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini
By Maurizio Tempestini
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Ribbon Étagère/ Server by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini, A rare model, one Tempestini best patterns, reminiscent of French Modern design. Fitted with two upper 15" D x 24" W x 15...
Wrought Iron
$995
H 29.25 in W 32 in D 25.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Iron Hoop Lounge Chair by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
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
$1,950 / set
H 26 in W 22.5 in D 25 in
Pair of Maurizio Tempestini “Clamshell “or “Orange Slice” Chairs for Salterini
By Maurizio Tempestini, Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Great looking pair of Maurizio Tempestini Clamshell or Orange Slice patio chairs by Salterini . This coveted wrought iron chic design can be for indoor or outdoor use . The chairs ar...
Metal, Wrought Iron
$1,800 / set
H 26 in W 23 in D 24 in
Mid Century Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Clam Shell Chair and Side Table
By Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful chair and side table by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini called the “clam shell “ or “orange slice”. This coveted wrought iron chic design can be for outdoor or indoor use...
Iron
2 Pc Nesting Garden Tables Attributed to Tempestini for Salterini
By Maurizio Tempestini, Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Chic set of two nesting garden, patio, poolside tables designed by Maurizio Tempestini, for Salterini. The tables are in very good, original condition, showing only light cosmetic we...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 19 in W 18.5 in D 12.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Salterini Tempestini Wrought Iron Nesting Patio Side Tables
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A vintage set of jet black nesting tables designed by John Salterini for Tempestini. They feature wrought iron framing with new black lacquer finish.
Wrought Iron