Nello Baroni
Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Paper
Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Paper
Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Paper
Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Paper
Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Paper
Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Paper
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pillows and Throws
Cotton, Polyester
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Rosewood
Vintage 1970s American Space Age Beds and Bed Frames
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Laminate, Walnut
20th Century Canadian Scandinavian Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Steel
2010s American Beds and Bed Frames
Walnut
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Candelabras
Iron
Vintage 1980s American Hollywood Regency Beds and Bed Frames
Brass
2010s Portuguese Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Velvet, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century German Black Forest Prints
Glass, Wood
Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Prints
Paper
Antique Mid-19th Century American Paintings
Paint
2010s Portuguese Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Velvet, Wood
Recent Sales
Vintage 1930s Italian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Silk, Wood
Vintage 1930s Italian Modern Paintings
Glass
Vintage 1930s Italian Modern Paintings
Glass
Vintage 1930s Italian Modern Paintings
Paper
Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Paper
Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Paper
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Iron
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Console Tables
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Console Tables
Iron
Maurizio Tempestini for sale on 1stDibs
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.