The postwar boom in prosperity and leisure time led to the expansion of homes in America to include patios, which needed to be furnished with stylish outdoor furniture. Launched in 1934, Salterini offered some of the most exquisite, high-end outdoor furniture of the mid-century period.
While John B. Salterini designed ornate wrought-iron garden furniture for patios and lawns, he specifically sought to match the forms of indoor furniture and also advocated the use of his furniture indoors “because it brings into your home the freshness and gaiety of a flowery summer garden” (per his print advertisements).
After emigrating from Italy to New York, Salterini worked in journalism at first, editing a newspaper in Syracuse. When he moved to New York City, he worked in glass manufacturing and then entered into the production of wrought-iron furniture as a partner in Salterini & Gallo. When that company shuttered, he launched his own eponymous firm in 1934.
Over the course of his career, Salterini designed a wide range of furniture, from tables and chairs to chaise longues, ottomans and benches. And his influences were equally wide as well. His work is often identified as mid-century modern — the Clamshell line, designed for Salterini’s company by like-minded Italian architect and industrial designer Maurizio Tempestini, boasts soft curves and cocoon-like shells that strike a sharp contrast with the solidity of wrought iron and resemble the zany chair designs emerging during the postwar period from designers like Pierre Paulin and Arne Jacobsen.
The furniture from John B. Salterini Company also combined organic and geometric forms, one of the mid-century design movement’s defining features. But Salterini was equally influenced by the Gothic Revival and Art Deco movements, incorporating their signature flourishes like intricate lace-like patterns, delicate vine leaves and protruding scrolls into his French Provincial Group’s glass-topped tables and chairs. One of his most ornate and ostentatious designs is the Peacock double chaise longue, with its elaborate spokes and arching back.
Wrought iron was considered the best material for outdoor use because of its comparative lightness and pliability to other metals. The term “wrought” means made by hand, as opposed to “cast” iron, which was made using molds. Salterini’s high-end handcrafted furniture, with names like Park Avenue Group — promoted for indoor use and photographed as such for the firm’s catalogues — attracted wealthy buyers from across the country. They were drawn to his ability to make a metal like wrought iron look almost ethereal and elegant, and the way he incorporated the popular styles and design principles of the day into his pieces. That Salterini’s garden furniture can be used indoors and look completely natural is a rare feat.
Find vintage Salterini lounge chairs, tables, patio and garden furniture, and more on 1stDibs.
Wrought Iron Garden Patio Poolside Settee Loveseat Bench by Salterini
By Woodard Furniture Co., Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Chic wrought iron garden, patio, poolside loveseat, bench, sofa by Salterini. The sofa is in very good original condition, showing only light cosmetic wear, normal and consistent wit...
Wrought Iron
Modernist Salterini Wrought Iron Garden Patio Settee
By Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Stylish mid century wrought iron and metal mesh settee by Salterini. This example is in very good condition, free of breaks, bends, or repairs. Currently in later white paint finish ...
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 Woodard Furniture Co., Maurizio Tempestini, 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
Unavailable|$1,595 / set
H 29 in W 54 in D 30 in
Vintage John Salterini Grape Cluster Wrought Iron Patio Garden Dining Set - 7 Pc
By John Salterini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage John Salterini Grape Cluster Wrought Iron Patio Garden Dining Set - 7 Pc Set. Item features a wrought iron scrolling frames with grape cluster design. Set includes (1) Rectangular dining table...
Wrought Iron
Salterni Wrought iron 5-piece Patio Set
By Mario Papperzini, Salterini
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mario Papperzini for Salterini, Neoclassical Wrought iron 5-piece Patio Set USA, Circa 1950s A rare find, a suite of mid-century outdoor elegance: Mario Papperzini for Salterini N...
Wrought Iron
$1,400 / set
H 17 in W 58 in D 16 in
Pair of Salterini Curved Wrought Iron and Mesh Patio or Outdoor Garden Benches
By Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 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 . Both...
Wrought Iron
$3,850 / set
H 31.5 in W 41 in D 21 in
Outdoor Settee / Sofa and Pair of Chairs 'One Rocker' by John Salterini
By John Salterini
Located in Kansas City, MO
John Salterini outdoor, patio, loveseat and pair of chairs, one being a rocking chair. Very comfortable and stylish. There are several layers of white paint on the pieces, but they s...
Steel, Wrought Iron
$1,518Sale Price|31% Off
H 33 in W 38.5 in D 25 in
Woodard Wrought Iron Mesh Loveseat Bench, Scrolling Arms
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Mesh wrought iron outdoor garden loveseat bench with scrolling arms by the Woodard Company, circa 1950 all outdoor furniture can be repainted in the color of the buyers choice at no ...
Steel, Iron
$3,800 / set
H 29.5 in W 53 in D 24 in
Maurizio Tempestini Salterini Ribbon Back Wrought Iron Settee with New Cushions
By Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Miami, FL
Maurizio Tempestini Salterini Ribbon Back Wrought Iron Settee with New Cushions Offered for sale is a 1950s-1960s 2-piece settee by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini. The sides eac...
Wrought Iron
$3,500 / set
H 29.5 in Dm 41.5 in
Rare 1950s Woodard Wrought Iron & Mesh Dining Patio Table 4 Chairs Ball Finials
By Woodard Furniture Co., Salterini, Russell Woodard
Located in St. Louis, MO
Classic and Rare 1950s mid century Palm Beach Style, outdoor wrought iron & mesh patio / garden set with four dining chairs and round table by Woodard Furniture Co. From the Carolina Forge...
Aluminum, Wrought Iron
Garden Chair in Wrought Iron with cushion
Located in Miami, FL
Garden chairs in wrought iron for indoor or outdoor You must indicate if you want the product with the special treatment for outdoor. ...
Wrought Iron
Vintage Wrought Iron Patio Lounge Chairs
By Woodard Furniture Co., Russell Woodard, Russell Woodard
Located in Cumberland, RI
Available now for your enjoyment and ready to ship is a Pair of Vintage Wrought Iron Patio Chairs by Woodard This lovely Wrought Iron Pair of Chairs are the perfect addition to any garden, terrace, or veranda. Enjoy a glass of lemonade in the late afternoon sun, or your favorite cocktail at dusk and rock away into relaxation. This sustainable Wrought Iron Patio Set will last decades to come being made out of heavy wrought iron. The Rocker Arm Chair features beautifully designed and detailed flower motif on the top of the backrest and arms to give it the ultimate vintage garden look. The natural patina will coordinate well with any style patio or have them refinished using our 3 step Prep, Prime, and Paint process prior to delivery. Our convenient and hassle free shipping using our in-house shippers will save you time arranging your own. You’ll benefit from having your set hand delivered to your door within 2-4 weeks. We will update you throughout the entire transaction on shipping and rest assured your piece/set, will be delivered safely. Not only is shopping vintage trending in 2024, vintage wrought iron furniture...
Wrought Iron
Vintage Salterini Wrought Iron Patio Dining Set 7 Piece
By Salterini
Located in Cumberland, RI
This vintage wrought iron patio furniture set is perfect for any mid-century modern enthusiast. The seven-piece set includes a 60-inch long table and six chairs, all made from durabl...
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
Art Deco Wrought Iron Salterini Mt. Vernon Settee Loveseat
By Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Chic wrought iron settee, loveseat, by Salterini, as part of the classic Mt. Vernon series, circa 1940's. The settee is structurally sound and sturdy, it shows significant cosmetic w...
Wrought Iron
Wrought Iron Garden Patio Loveseat by Salterini
By Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Stylish love seat, bench settee by Salterini. The love seat has a wrought iron frame, with metal mesh backrest and seat, it is currently in later but not new, green paint finish. To...
Wrought Iron