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.
Mid-Century Metal End Table by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini, 1955
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
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 Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
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
$1,002 / set
H 20.87 in W 16.15 in D 16.15 in
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
$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 John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
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
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
$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
$4,010 / set
H 19.75 in W 26 in D 26 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Lane “Perception” End Tables by Warren Church, 1955
By Warren C. Church
Located in Morristown, NJ
A sculptural and highly collectible pair of end tables from Lane Furniture’s iconic “Perception” line, designed by Warren Church and produced on January 24, 1955. Crafted in warm wal...
Wood, Oak, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Rosewood End Table "Tuxedo" by Lane
By Lane Furniture
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modern walnut and rosewood end "Tuxedo" line by Lane. Classic design and form, nice quality, construction featuring stunning rosewood butterfly inlay detailing. Also avail matching l...
Rosewood, Walnut
$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
$2,370
H 13.5 in W 56 in D 20 in
Mid-Century Modern Lane “Perception” Coffee Table by Warren Church, 1955
By Warren C. Church
Located in Morristown, NJ
A striking Mid-Century Modern coffee table from the iconic “Perception” line designed by Warren Church for Lane Furniture, produced on January 24, 1955. Crafted in richly grained wal...
Wood, Oak, Walnut
$700Sale Price|20% Off
H 20 in W 18 in D 18 in
Black Metal Mid Century Post Modern Perfect End Table MCM
Located in Basel, BS
A very excellent accent design piece. This metal, black magazine holder end table would look great in a Modern or Mid-Century decor. It features a gorgeous sculptural design, and doe...
Metal
$3,600 / set
H 28.5 in W 50 in D 44 in
Rare Mid Century Garden Patio Dinette Set Attributed to Tempestini for Salterini
By Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in New York, NY
Sophisticated architectural patio dining set to include a glass top table and four chairs, design attributed to Tempestini, for Salterini. This set includes a wrought iron base table with plate glass top ( top shows imperfections, and may not be original ) and four wrought iron and metal mesh chairs...
Wrought Iron
Side Table by Salterini
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Architectural side table manufactured by Salterini, design attributed to Tempestini. Metal mesh top with wrought iron rod base, currently in original brown paint finish (shows wear)...
Steel, Wrought Iron
Paul McCobb for Calvin Linear Mid Century Side End Table
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for calvin linear mid century side end table This table is 21.5 wide x 21.5 deep x 24.5 inches tall All pieces of furniture ...
Chrome
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
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 John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
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 John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
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