Fabulous Pair 50s Tempestini Salterini Cantilever Patio Radar Lounge Chairs
About the Item
- Creator:Maurizio Tempestini (Designer),John Salterini (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31.5 in (80.01 cm)Width: 30 in (76.2 cm)Depth: 24 in (60.96 cm)Seat Height: 16.5 in (41.91 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 50's
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Good vintage condition. The original paint has wear -we can give them a fresh coat of Rustolium paint before they ship if wanted. No breaks to the welds.
- Seller Location:Pemberton, NJ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU943238305322
Maurizio Tempestini
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.
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 Salterini’s garden furniture can be used indoors and look completely natural is a rare feat.
Find vintage John B. Salterini outdoor furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Pemberton, NJ
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Fantastic Set 4 Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Clam Shell Iron Patio ChairsBy John Salterini, Maurizio TempestiniLocated in Pemberton, NJFantastic set of 4 wrought iron and metal mesh lounge designed by Maurizio Tempestini and manufactured by Salterini. Wrought iron frames with metal mesh seats and backs. All chairs a...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
MaterialsIron
- Awesome Salterini Style Mid-century Rocking Chair PatioBy John Salterini, Maurizio TempestiniLocated in Pemberton, NJOUTSTANDING MID-CENTURY MODERN SALLTERINI STYLE VINTAGE IRON ROCKER. THIS ROCKER IS IN VERY GOOD VINTAGE CONDITION -JUST PAINTED AND LOOKS GREAT. THERE ARE NO BREAKS IN THE WEL...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsIron
- Unusual Set of 4 Geometric Salterini Patio Chairs Mid-Century ModernBy John SalteriniLocated in Pemberton, NJUnusual set of 4 geometric Salterini patio chairs with fabulous built in table. We have never seen another set of these so they must be quite rare. We just love the very unusual hair...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
MaterialsIron
- Fabulous Set 6 Woodard Sculptura Mesh Patio Chair Mid-Century ModernBy Russell WoodardLocated in Pemberton, NJWonderful set of 6 mid-century mesh patio chairs. These 'Sculptura' patio chairs are designed by Russell Woodard. Executed in iron and woven steel, these chairs feature an intricate...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
MaterialsIron
- Pair of John Woodard Sculptura Springer Patio Lounge Chairs Mid CenturyBy John WoodardLocated in Pemberton, NJWonderful pair of 1950s 'Sculptura' lounge chairs designed by John Woodard. Woodard's Sculptura collection was made with wrought iron frames and woven steel mesh seats. These are the...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
MaterialsIron
- Wonderful Salterini White Wrought Iron Peacock Back Rocking ChairBy John SalteriniLocated in Pemberton, NJWonderful 1960s John Salterini vintage midcentury wrought iron wire peacock rocking chair. Please see our huge selection of other pieces from thi...Category
Vintage 1960s American Victorian Patio and Garden Furniture
MaterialsIron
- Tempestini for Salterini Radar ChairBy John Salterini, Maurizio TempestiniLocated in New York, NYNice Garden or Patio Radar chair designed by Tempestini, manufactured by Salterini. No damage, bends, weld or repairs. This example is in later burgundy pa...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
MaterialsWrought Iron, Iron
- 2 Pairs Mid Century Modern Radar Lounge Chairs Maurizio Tempestini for SalteriniBy Maurizio Tempestini, John SalteriniLocated in Port Jervis, NYFabulous mid century modern design mid fifties by Maurizio Tempestini, his radar chairs are immediately recognized and highly sought after. Sets of 2, two pair available, priced and ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
MaterialsSteel, Iron
- Vintage Tempestini for Salterini Cantilever Lounge Chairs - a PairBy Maurizio TempestiniLocated in Athens, GAbeautiful set, circa 1950 made in italy… mid century modern must have… recently painted no maker’s mark 29.5ʺW × 26.5ʺDCategory
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
MaterialsIron
- Set of 3 Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Black "Radar" Lounge Chairs, 1950'sBy John Salterini, Maurizio TempestiniLocated in Bainbridge, NYOriginal set of three black Radar Collection patio, poolside lounge chairs designed by Maurizio Tempestini for John Salterini, 1950's. Featuring smooth, sturdy, ergonomic wrought iron hoop construction with expanded iron wire seat...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
MaterialsWrought Iron, Iron
- Pair of Mid Century Modern Radar Saucer Chairs by Tempestini for John SalteriniBy John Salterini, Maurizio TempestiniLocated in Port Jervis, NYFabulous pair of mid century modern iron hoop outdoor lounge chairs in old white paint. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear, paint has wear but the iron is as strong and...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
MaterialsIron
- Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Wrought Iron & Wicker Patio Arm Dining ChairsBy Woodard Furniture Co., John Salterini, Maurizio TempestiniLocated in St. Louis, MOSet of 4 Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini black wrought & wicker patio or sunroom dining chairs with vintage green / black and creme plaid seat c...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
MaterialsWrought Iron