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.
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
$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 Salterini Peacock Wrought Iron Arm Chair
By John Salterini
Located in Pasadena, TX
1 Salterini Peacock Wrought Iron Chair John Salterini vintage midcentury wrought iron wire peacock chair. Victorian style chair designed with a bac...
Wrought Iron
Wrought Iron Garden Patio Poolside Settee Loveseat Bench by Salterini
By Salterini, Woodard Furniture Co.
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
$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 John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
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
$595
H 28.5 in W 17.5 in D 24 in
Wrought Iron and Metal Mesh Garden Side, Dining Chair by Salterini, C 1950s
By Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Stylish wrought iron garden, patio, poolside dining chair by Salterini. The chair is structurally, sound and sturdy, free of breaks, bends, damage or repairs. The paint finish shows ...
Metal, Wrought Iron
French 19th Century Wrougt Iron Rocking Chair
Located in Charleston, SC
Rare 19th century French wrought iron rocking chair with most of its original green paint with patient rust. Upholstered in natural colored antique linen.
Linen, Paint
Vintage Wrought Iron Chairs A Pair of Wireworks
By John Salterini
Located in Cumberland, RI
Shop Salterini Garden Furniture and Woodard Garden Furniture listed here or other Vintage Wrought Iron Patio Furniture Pieces online at our 1stDibs Store Front. Our Vintage Wrought Iron Outdoor Furniture Pieces are Available now and Ready to Ship for your enjoyment. Vintage Wrought Iron Patio Furniture is an Excellent Choice for your newest patio design or to add additional outdoor wrought iron furniture pieces to your Vintage Wrought Iron Patio Furniture Collection. Wrought Iron Outdoor Patio Furniture is Classic and Timeless in style and made to last decades. Shop our sustainable vintage outdoor living garden furniture seating arrangements today and add style to your outdoor living space while being kind to the planet. All of our Vintage Salterini Wrought Iron Patio Furniture pieces are hand selected and one-of-a kind awaiting to be enjoyed by you in your favorite outdoor space. Add this to your cart today or "Make an Offer" now to reserve space on this month's delivery route. View other in-stock and ready to ship Vintage Salterini Wrought Iron Patio Furniture pieces including complete vintage wrought iron conversation sets, vintage Woodard Wrought Iron dining sets in popular patterns like Chantilly Rose and Orleans, vintage wrought iron Salterini Peacock Chairs, Woodard Wrought Iron Arm Chairs, Vintage Wrought Iron Patio Bar...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
$1,995 / set
H 27.25 in W 22.5 in D 24 in
Mid-Century Modern Orange Slice Iron with Sailcloth Lounge Chairs by Salterini
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and rare to find radar chairs by Maurizio Tempestini with Sailcloth as the seating material. Actual sails were cut and installed professionally. Chairs need a good cleaning ...
Iron
Mid Century Modern Sculptura Lounge Rocking Chair by Russell Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and totally restored rocking lounge chair by Russell Woodard. Sand blasted and powder coated silver with new plastic tips on the ends of the rockers. Very comfy and super st...
Steel
Cantilevered Mid Century Wrought Iron Lounge Chair Att. to Salterini
By Salterini, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Chic architectural cantilevered mid century lounge arm chair, attributed to Salterini. The chair has a wrought iron frame, cantilevered spring ba...
Wrought Iron
$2,200 / set
H 29.5 in W 27.5 in D 24 in
Set of Six Garden Patio Poolside Wrought Iron Chairs by Salterini
By Salterini, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Rare opportunity bro purchase a matched set of six Salterini dining chairs. This chic suite is in very good, original condition, showing only light cosmetic wear, normal and consiste...
Wrought Iron
$5,500 / set
H 32.5 in W 25.5 in D 20.5 in
4 Mid Century Wrought Iron Lounge Chairs att. to Tempestini for Salterini
By Maurizio Tempestini, Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Rare set of stylish wrought iron and metal mesh lounge chairs design attributed to Tempestini, for Salterini. The chairs are newly powder coated with a black satin finish, making the...
Wrought Iron
Classic High Quality Wrought Iron Rocking Chair by Salterini
By Salterini
Located in Stamford, CT
Classic high quality wrought iron Salterini rocker. Well balanced.
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 28.5 in W 31.5 in D 31 in
Excellent 1950s Modernist Iron Hoop Radial Patio Rocking Chair by Salterini
By John Salterini, Salterini
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Excellent 'hoop' or 'radial' rocker by Salterini in iron, 1950s. Restored. Measures: 31.5" wide x 31" deep x 28.5" tall, seat height 16".
Iron