R&Y Augousti was founded in 1989 by husband-and-wife team Ria and Yiouri Augousti. The pair works with pen shell, metal and an array of exotic skins — including ostrich, snake, eel and crocodile — to create Art Deco-inspired furniture that echoes the influences of their unique friends and draws on the experiences they’ve shared on their global travels.
Ria Augousti (née Macasaet) was born in Manila. Her family relocated to Cebu and, at age 15, she went to New York City to study art. She continued her studies in England and graduated from the London School of Furniture Making.
Born in Cyprus, Yiouri Augousti studied architecture at London’s Architectural Association. He was drawn to interior design that reflected a revival of Art Deco that took shape during his years as a young adult.
Ria was working at the interior design firm of John Stefanidis, in London, when Yiouri joined the firm. “We got on like a house on fire,” Ria has said of the beginnings of their relationship. The couple established R&Y Augousti in 1989 and married in 1990. The business grew swiftly — R&Y Augousti moved permanently to Paris in 1994, and in 2011, the couple opened their first American showroom. There, in the New York Design Center, the range of decorative objects on offer from R&Y Augousti included dining tables, side tables and decorative objects such as candleholders and picture frames in shagreen.
The initial popularity that shagreen enjoyed as furniture covering fizzled when the Art Deco era faded. Modernist designer Jean-Michel Frank was an enthusiast of the textured hide, and during the 1960s, Karl Springer covered desks, chairs and tables with it. Ria Augousti wanted to revive shagreen’s use as a finish in one of their very first designs. Their sculptural, sensuous shagreen Sylvie chair, with its slender and towering backrest, makes a statement in any space and has seen a fair amount of praise over the years. The Sylvie has been photographed in a number of high-profile spaces including Alexander Wang's New York City loft apartment designed by Ryan Korban. (And shagreen reemerged as a luxe material among designers and decorators in 2017.)
R&Y Augousti has since expanded into fashion accessories, and drawings by the couple’s daughter, designer Kifu Augousti, have been embroidered on some of the brand’s luxurious handbags.
Find R&Y Augousti tables, seating and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
$550Sale Price|20% Off
R & Y Augousti Shagreen Decorative Rhombas Box
By R & Y Augousti
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original R&Y Augousti decorative rhombas wooden box wrapped in Shagreen. Acquired from the John Traina estate. Mr. Traina was a San Francisco philanthropist, vintner a...
Wood, Animal Skin, Shagreen
$355Sale Price|45% Off
R&Y Augousti Snake Skin Decorative Box
By R & Y Augousti
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original R&Y Augousti snakeskin decorative wooden box with white trim. Acquired from the John Traina estate. Mr. Traina was a San Francisco philanthropist, vintner an...
Animal Skin, Wood
R & Y Augousti Paris France Shagreen Decorative Jewelry Box
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
R & Y Augousti Paris France Shagreen Art Deco Style wooden jewelry box. Green and Black hues with a white edging. Diamond inlay shape on top of box. ...
Wood
$475
H 2.5 in W 8.25 in D 3.38 in
Luxurious Art Deco-Inspired R & Y Augousti Teal Shagreen Long Desk Box
By R & Y Augousti
Located in Red Lion, PA
Luxurious Art Deco-Inspired R & Y Augousti Teal Shagreen Long Desk Box This exquisite R & Y Augousti long desk box is a testament to the brand’s commitment to luxury, craftsmanship,...
Shagreen, Wood
$2,144Sale Price|27% Off
H 12 in W 9.75 in D 10 in
R&Y Augousti, Paris Shagreen and Lacquered Jewelry Box
By R & Y Augousti
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
R&Y Augousti, Paris Shagreen, and Lacquered Jewelry Box Paris, circa 1990s This exquisite R&Y Augousti Shagreen and Lacquered Jewelry Box, made in Paris circa the 1990s, is a stunning example of sophisticated modern design and superb craftsmanship. Standing 12 inches high, 9.75 inches wide, and 10 inches deep, this table box features a luxurious shagreen exterior complemented by a sleek lacquered finish. The twin doors open to reveal a meticulously designed interior with concealed compartments...
Shagreen, Wood, Lacquer
Set of 3 Curved Top Boxes in Black Shagreen by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This set of three Curved Top Boxes in black shagreen by R&Y Augousti blends modern elegance with timeless craftsmanship. The rich, textured shagreen exterior is perfectly complemente...
Wood, Shagreen Stingray
Early Original R & Y Augousti Paris Seashell Marquetry Box
By R & Y Augousti
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is an early, exceptional lidded box designed by the famed decorative arts design firm Ria and Youri Augousti, Paris. The rare piece boasts geometric seashell marquetry with trim...
Shell, Wood
$2,325 / item
H 13.75 in W 10.25 in D 10.25 in
Stacked Jewelry Chest in Cream Shagreen by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The irregular stacked jewelry chest in cream shagreen by R&Y Augousti is a stunning geometric piece to store your personal items. This piece has 4 drawer compartments that have black velvet trays...
Shagreen Stingray
Modern Box in Black Shagreen with Bronze Patina Brass by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The "Melting Box" by R&Y Augousti is a masterful creation, combining luxurious materials and elegant design into a functional work of art. The top of the box is meticulously craf...
Brass
R&Y Augousti Box
By R & Y Augousti
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
Small vintage R&Y Augousti Art Deco style box with inlayed faux bamboo decoration retailers label to the underside Paris France circa 1990 R&Y Augousti was founded in 1989 by husband-wife duo Ria & Yiouri Augousti. Their artistic backgrounds brought them together as innovators in their field by reviving the artisanal techniques of shagreen and other exotic materials that were predominant in the Art Deco period of the 1930s. Through their mix of vintage and contemporary design their furniture and home accessories brand were met with worldwide praise. From a debut collection for the luxurious Hotel Crillon...
Brass
Rhomboid Jewelry Chest in Cream Shagreen by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The Rhomboid jewelry chest in cream shagreen by R&Y Augousti is a stunning geometric piece to store your personal items. This piece has 3 drawer compartments and a flap top opening that have black velvet...
Shagreen Stingray
R & Y Augousti Paris France Snakeskin Decorative Table Box
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
R & Y Augousti Paris France snakeskin decorative table box. Beige in color. Overall excellent condition. Age appropriate wear. Box measures approximately 5 5/8" in length, 5 5/8" ...
Wood
Inlaid Black Shell and Bone Box by A&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous inlaid black shell and bone decorative trinket box by A&Y Augousti of Paris, circa 1990s. The box is made of wood with a intricate diamond pattern shell overlay and is in ex...
Bone, Shell, Wood
Tissue Box in Black Shagreen by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Black Shagreen Tissue Box by R&Y Augousti is a sublime expression of modern elegance and meticulous craftsmanship. Encased in luxurious shagreen, its textured finish exudes r...
Shagreen Stingray
R&Y Augousti Shagreen and Snake Skin Decorative Box
By R & Y Augousti
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original R&Y Augousti decorative wooden box with Shagreen surrounded by a snakeskin inlay. Velvet lined insert. Acquired from the John Traina estate. Mr. Traina was a San...
Animal Skin, Shagreen, Velvet, Wood