Pair of Architectural Iron Benches or Ottomans by John Salterini, 1950s
View Similar Items
Pair of Architectural Iron Benches or Ottomans by John Salterini, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:John Salterini (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)Width: 22 in (55.88 cm)Depth: 22 in (55.88 cm)Seat Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:Iron,Patinated
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU108406392363
John Salterini
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, eventually offering some of the most exquisite, high-end outdoor furniture of the mid-century period.
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.
The postwar boom in prosperity and leisure time led to the expansion of the home to include patios, which needed to be furnished with stylish outdoor furniture. 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 John B. Salterini’s vintage garden furniture — a collection of which can be found on 1stDibs — can be used indoors and look completely natural is a rare feat.
- Massive Carrara Marble Vase with Dramatic Striations, Italy 1950sBy Angelo MangiarottiLocated in New York, NYMassive Carrara Marble Vase with Dramatic Striations, Italy 1950s. Excellent condition. Would make for a gorgeous centerpiece on a dining table, mantel or in a foyer or entryway. Whether furnishing a contemporary Soho loft or stylish post-war Park Avenue penthouse, an artistic Central Park townhome or your eccentric Brooklyn brownstone, our team is happy to help. We ship anywhere, so we can also assist you with that retro Palm Springs...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsMarble, Carrara Marble
- Bisou Ceiling Fixture or Chandelier by Blueprint LightingBy Blueprint Lighting, FlosLocated in New York, NYThe Bisou Ceiling fixture is a captivating centerpiece that creates a naturally stunning focal point. Its sleek and minimalist frame complements the warm and inviting glow emitted by its ten handcrafted blown glass globes. Designed to compliment our Bisou and Harper wall sconces...Category
2010s American Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass, Nickel, Enamel, Bronze
- JENNY Large Wall Light or Sconce in Enamel & Brass by Blueprint LightingBy Blueprint Lighting, Mathieu Matégot, StilnovoLocated in New York, NYIntroducing Jenny, the latest vintage-inspired fixture from Blueprint Lighting. Named for multi-hyphenate Jenny Mollen; NYT best-selling author, actress, design enthusiast, mom of 2 and wife of actor Jason Biggs. From our Chief Luminary, Kelly Aaron: "I have been working closely with Jenny off and on for the past year while she gives her NYC apartment a facelift--it's been so fun! She and I share a love of 1950s French design, which is obviously a hallmark of the Blueprint aesthetic. One day Jenny texted a pic of a single vintage mid-century French wall sconce she loved and asked if Blueprint could make it for her. Funny enough--I, too, had seen that same sconce the day before and already had my Creative Director/Husband figuring out how to fabricate it. How great is that?! It was meant to be!" The Jenny sconce...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
- Torno Desk Lamp or Table Lamp in Olivine Enamel & Brass by Blueprint LightingBy Blueprint Lighting, Gino Sarfatti, StilnovoLocated in New York, NYOur best-selling Torno family of fixtures is now available as a desk or table lamp! Handmade by Blueprint Lighting, the spun aluminum shades are inspired by a vintage 1950s Italian d...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel
- Apex Wall Light or Sconce in Enamel & Brass by Blueprint LightingBy Blueprint Lighting, Gino Sarfatti, StilnovoLocated in New York, NYWith its sharply-pointed metal tips adorning each cone, the Apex Wall Sconce exudes an unorthodox edge, commanding attention wherever it's placed. Combining audacity with refined aes...Category
2010s American Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass, Nickel, Enamel, Bronze
- Collinear Wall Light or Sconce in Glass & Bronze by Blueprint LightingLocated in New York, NYIntroducing the all-new collinear fixture, a stunning addition to our collection and an exciting evolution of our best-selling Segment design. Inspired by the principles of the Bauha...Category
2010s Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
- 2 Pairs of John Salterini American Mid-Century Iron Outdoor OttomansBy John SalteriniLocated in New York, NY2 Pairs of American mid-century iron outdoor ottomans with a curved lattice structure supported by four posts topped with gilt ball finials and an x-...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsMetal, Iron, Wrought Iron
- Walker Weed & Gordon Keeler Iron Woven Leather Ottoman Stool Bench 1950s MCMLocated in Hyattsville, MDDesigned by Gordon Keeler and Walker Weed. A very understated and angular welded iron rod contoured footstool. Rather wide and heavy, without a right ang...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsIron
- Pair of 1950s Stitched Leather Ottomans by Jacques AdnetBy Jacques AdnetLocated in Bois-Colombes, FR1950s Stitched leather pair of ottomans By Jacques Adnet France. Instagram: kingofadnet.Category
Vintage 1950s French Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsLeather
- Pair of Silk Parsons Ottomans or StoolsBy Milo BaughmanLocated in Redding, CTPair of Silk Parson Ottomans or stools. Gingham silk upholstery covers the pair. very good condition.Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsFabric, Silk, Upholstery, Wood
$1,200 Sale Price / set20% Off - Mid Century Modern Organic Rattan Black Metal Stool or Ottoman 1950s AustriaBy Werkstätte Carl AuböckLocated in Vienna, ATMid Century Modern vintage organic stool or ottoman or footstool from rattan and black lacquered metal frame 1950s Austria. While the slightly curved seat shows wonderful organic ra...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsMetal
- French Pair of Ottoman Poufs or Stools Louis XIII Style, circa 1950Located in Labrit, LandesPair of Pouffe or ottoman, Louis XIII style, oak and upholstery French Needs to be re-upholstered Good condition French mid-century Shipping: ...Category
Vintage 1950s French Louis XIII Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsOak