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.
Original side table by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini
By Maurizio Tempestini
Located in MADRID, ES
Original side table by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini. Made of wrought iron in the shape of a clam shell, for the patio, in the Modernist style, and lacquered in its original colo...
Bronze
Mid-Century Metal End Table by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini, 1955
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
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
Mid-Century White Metal Circular End Table by Maurizio Tempestini
By Maurizio Tempestini, Salterini
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century circular white metal "Ribbon" occasional table with glass top standing on 4 triangular legs. (MAURIZIO TEMPESTINI FOR JOHN SALTERINI...
Metal
Mid-Century Brass and Rattan Side Tables by Tempestini & Salterini
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
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
$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
Pair of Mid Century Bamboo and Rattan Side Tables, 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Very nice, understated yet very typical bamboo & rattan side tables. Two different heights: 44 cm and 53 cm The base areas are 33 x 33 cm and 41 x 41 cm.
Bamboo, Rattan
$2,595 / set
H 25.25 in W 18.5 in D 24 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany Step End Tables - Pair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Mahogany Step End Tables - Pair Each side table measures: 18.5 wide x 24 deep x 25.25 inches high Fair Vintage Condition - End Tables have Are...
Mahogany
Vintage Side Table / Desk by John Herbert for Younger
Located in London, GB
A stylish and extremely well made vintage side table / desk by John Herbert for Younger furniture. This was made in England, it dates from the 1950-60’s. It is of outstanding qualit...
Wood
French Mid-Century Bent Rattan & Bamboo Side Table
Located in Troy, MI
A mid-century side table with a distinct French Riviera aesthetic, circa 1950s. Crafted from honey-toned bent rattan and bamboo, it features a circular top with a woven cane inset. T...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
Original Eero Saarinen for Knoll International Tulip Side Table Walnut Top
By Eero Saarinen
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic, round walnut top Eero Saarinen for Knoll International tulip side table. Measures 16 D and 20.5' H. Timeless and ever copied design, that seems as modern as when it first ...
Steel
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Walnut Side End Table
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Table is good structurally. There are some wear on the finish consistent with the age. 5mm or so section of caning is missing. There are couple of small dents on the top. Condition i...
Walnut, Wood
$2,840 / item
H 19 in W 15.25 in D 15.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Brass and Oak Side Table by Werkstätte Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern Brass and Oak Side Table by Werkstätte Auböck Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural table is executed in beautifully grained oak and polis...
Brass
$3,895 / set
H 25.25 in W 21 in D 28 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Rosewood Side End Tables - Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Rosewood Side End Tables - Pair Each side table measures: 21 wide x 28 deep x 25.25 inches high Good Vintage Condition - Areas of Gentle Stain...
Rosewood
Original Eero Saarinen for Knoll International Tulip Side Table Walnut Top
By Eero Saarinen
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic, round walnut top Eero Saarinen for Knoll International tulip side table. Measures 20" D and 20.5' H. Timeless and ever copied design, that seems as modern as when it first...
Steel
Vintage Teak Side Table by John Herbert for Younger
By Herbert John Day
Located in London, GB
An excellent vintage teak side table by John Herbert for Younger furniture. It was made in England and dates from the 1960’s. It has a very stylish design and is a very useful size....
Teak
$4,595
H 21.25 in W 31 in D 22.25 in
George Nakashima for Widdicomb Sundra Mid Century Walnut Side End Table
By George Nakashima, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Franklin Park, IL
George Nakashima for Widdicomb Sundra Mid Century Walnut Side End Table This side table measures: 31 wide x 22.25 deep x 21.25 inches high Good Vint...
Walnut
$3,895
H 30 in W 25.75 in D 20 in
Mid-Century Modern 5pc Iron Hoop Chairs with Table by Maurizio Tempestini
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
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
1970s Travertine Brass and Rattan Side Table by Bielecky Brothers
By Bielecky Brothers
Located in St. Louis, MO
Bielecky side table with travertine top and brass and rattan base.
Travertine, Brass
Mid Century Side End Occasional Table after McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
Nice diminutive Mid Century table having a circular wood top, on wrought iron legs. The top is newly repainted to semi gloss white, the legs to semi gloss black, creating a striking...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 16.5 in W 26.75 in D 17.5 in
Orange Slice Mesh Metal Side Table by Tempestini for Salterini, Italy
By Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A well crafted satin black metal mesh side table matching the Orange Slice collection by Maurizio Tempestini manufactured by John Salterini Italy. Havi...
Metal
Side Table, Solid Oak, Maurizio Tempestini, 1938 / 1940
By Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautiful rare and minimal side table is made of solid oak wood, that has been finished with a lime wash, bringing out the structure of the wood. Maurizio Tempestini (Florenc...
Oak
Pair of Tempestini for Salterini Butterfly Drink Tables
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Mid-Century Modern iron butterfly drinks tables designed by Maurizio Tempestini for John Salterini. Sculptural styled painted wrought iron toppe...
Wrought Iron
Salterini Orange Slice Clam Shell Side Tables Maurizio Tempestini
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Set of 3 stylized oval side tables by Maurizio Tempestini for John Salterini. Curved legs with ample space for your drink and food plate. Just recently painted white. See the other p...
Iron
Sold
H 25 in W 28 in D 22.5 in
Maurizio Tempestini Salterini Wrought Iron Side Tables with Marble Tops, Pair
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Miami, FL
Maurizio Tempestini Salterini wrought iron side tables with marble tops, pair Offered for sale is a pair of wrought iron side tables...
Marble, Wrought Iron
Ribbon Side Tables by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini, Pair
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Mid-Century iron and oak triangle outdoor patio side table designed by Maurizio Tempestini for the Salterini Company. This table is comes with a new blond oak top and has been repain...
Iron
Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Marble-Top Side Table
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Culver City, CA
A stunning design, this side table by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini features an Italian marble-top and a wicker/rattan shelf all on a clean, iron hairpin style frame.
Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Side Table
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Culver City, CA
Another stunning design by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini. This side table features a clean, modern, iron frame, with a rattan / w...
Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Marble-Top Side Table
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Culver City, CA
A stunning design, this side table by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini features an Italian marble top and a wicker/rattan shelf all on a clean, iron hairpin style frame.
Tempestini for Salterini Occasional Table
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Nice side table designed by Tempestini for Salterini. Oval metal mesh top, on wrought iron legs. Freshly powder coated, suitable for indoor or...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 27 in W 22.5 in D 20 in
Maurizio Tempestini Pair of Patio Iron Lounge Chairs & Table, Mid-Century Modern
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine outdoor patio suite designed by Maurizio Tempestini and manufactured by Salterini in the 1950s. It features two "Clam Shell" lounge chairs along with a small cocktail table. A...
Iron
Sold
H 20.5 in W 24.5 in D 19.75 in
Maurizio Tempestini Wrought Iron and Glass "Scherzo" Tables for Salterini, Pair
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of vintage early, 1950s Salterini wrought iron and glass triangular wedge form tables designed by Maurizio Tempestini. 20.5 in. H x 24 in. W x 19.75 in. x D 9 inches on the shor...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 20.5 in W 24 in D 20 in
1950s Iron Trapezoid Cocktail Table by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in San Diego, CA
Great design in this unique shape solid iron cocktail table, designed by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini, double glass in great condition the table has been sandblasted and powder ...
Wrought Iron
Mid-Century Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Outdoor Set
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Two Mid-Century outdoor painted iron chairs with one side table. Outstanding orange slice design on the chairs by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini. Great vintage modern design, form...
Iron
Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Black Side Tables
By Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
restored mid century salterini side tables designed by maurizio tempestini, new glass tops
Metal