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.
Set of Four Maurizio Tempestini Iron and Rope Ribbon Chairs for Salterini 1950s
By Salterini, John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Troy, MI
Sculptural "Ribbon" patio or dining chairs designed by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Italy circa 1950's Set consists of 2 armchairs and 2 side chairs with wrought iron frames an...
Wrought Iron
Set of Eight Maurizio Tempestini "Ribbon" Patio Chairs for Salterini
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dining Chairs by Maurizio Tempestini for John Salterini, USA, c.1950s. This set consists of two arm chairs and six side chairs with a ribbon detail along the back rest of each. This ...
Wrought Iron
Rare Set of Four Maurizio Tempestini White Lacquer Iron Frame and Mesh Chairs
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare set of four Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini white lacquer over wrought iron framed and iron mesh outdoor dining chairs. Minimalist design with open arms and linear form, iron ...
Wrought Iron
Set of 6 Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Midcentury Black Metal Chairs
By Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 6 Mid-Century black metal "Ribbon" dining chairs with woven rope seats, the seat and arms comfortably sloping in a gently S-...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern 6pc. Set Salterini Radar by Maurizio Tempestini C1955
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous 6 piece set of "Radar" outdoor patio dining set. Incudes 4 chairs 48" round top table with an umbrella hole and the heavy solid cast iron art deco umbrella holder. In excell...
Steel, Iron
Set of 6 Eames PSC Chairs for Herman Miller with Upholstery
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
Charles and Ray Eames PSC chairs for Herman Miller Set of six circa 1980s with stitched beige color upholstery. Manufacturers stamp on underside of she...
Fiberglass
$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., John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
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
Set of Eight Tall Iron and Cord Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of eight tall iron and cord chairs, probably American, circa 1950s. They have a very California Modern vibe and could be manufactured by Van Keppel and Green or Alan Gould...
Iron
$16,800 / set
H 35 in W 30 in D 30 in
Maurizio Tempestini, Lounge Chairs, Iron, Maple, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of cast iron, dark-stained maple and white fabric lounge chairs designed by Maurizio Tempestini and produced by Salterini, USA, c. 1950s. Seat Height (inches): 15” Arm Heigh...
Iron
$2,320Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.25 in W 25 in D 23.75 in
Set of 5 Piece Round Patio Garden Dining Table and 4 Mesh Arm Chairs
By Russell Woodard
Located in Sheffield, MA
Newly painted 40" round Mid-Century Modern Russell Woodard style wrought or cast iron base dining table with center hole for umbrella and four ...
Wrought Iron
Mid Century Salterini “Radar” Outdoor Dining Set
By John Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful Mid Century five piece set by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini .Four classic “Radar” chairs have sculpted hoop wrought iron framework with wire mesh seats. Table also clas...
Wrought Iron
Maurizio Tempestini, Sofa, Iron, Maple, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in High Point, NC
A cast iron, dark-stained maple and white fabric sofa designed by Maurizio Tempestini and produced by Salterini, USA, c. 1950s. Seat Height (inches): 15” Arm Height (inches): 22" ...
Iron
$2,158 / set
H 29.93 in W 18.51 in D 17.72 in
1969, Vico Magistretti for Artemide, Set of Four White Selene Chairs
By Vico Magistretti, Artemide
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach, check last pictures on this listing and/or find more details on his family name plus eu, is for sale soon too. :-) Set of four Selene chairs...
Plastic
Mid Century Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Black Iron Coffee Table
By Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in New York, NY
Mid century coffee table or cocktail table by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini. Lovely round wrought iron with a mesh iron top and part of the “Radar” collection .
Metal, 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 Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
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
$2,000
H 25 in W 28.25 in D 18.25 in
Maurizio Tempestini Two Tier Wrought Iron, Rattan & Glass Occasional Table
By Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Maurizio Tempestini Wrought Iron, Glass Top Occasional Table with Basket Woven Rattan Shelf, 1950's. End Table. Side Table. Featuring a rectangular wrought iron framework, hairpin le...
Wrought Iron
$5,000 / set
H 28 in W 41 in D 25 in
4pc Suite Tempestini for Salterini Orange Slice Style Set Settee Chairs Table
By Maurizio Tempestini, Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Chic set of four vintage Salterini pieces, to include a settee, two lounge chairs and a small coffee table. Designed by Maurizio Tempestini, known as the Orange Slice pattern, circa ...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 33 in W 25.5 in D 23 in
Set of 12 Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Ribbon Dining Chairs with Seats
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 12 Mid-Century Italian ribbon dining chairs (4 arms/8 sides) with gently sloped, mesh metal seat and demilune back (MAURIZIO TEMPESTINI FOR SALTERINI)(PRICED AS Set)(Other exa...
Metal
Vintage MCM Salterini Wrought Iron Dining Chairs, Set of 4
By Maurizio Tempestini, Salterini
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fantastic set of vintage MCM wrought iron dining chairs. Made by the iconic Tempestini and designed by Salterini. Fully restored with all new powder sand blasting and powder coating....
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 32 in W 21 in D 21 in
Salterini Wicker and Iron Chairs by Maurizio Tempestini Set of Four Mid Century
By Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This set of four chairs by Maurizio Tempestini is a great combination of natural wicker and black iron base. The cushions are original and we will be happy to re-foam them. One of th...
Iron
Set of Four Hoop Chairs by Salterini
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Set of four Hoop, or Radar chairs designed by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini. All four are in very good original condition, showing only cosmetic wear to the finish, normal and c...
Metal, Wrought Iron
Maurizio Tempestini For Salterini Ribbon Dining Set
By Maurizio Tempestini
Located in New York, NY
1950s Maurizio Tempestini designed for Salterini ribbon iron dining set, with custom-made Lucite top and new Naugahyde upholstery. Chairs measurem...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 33 in W 19 in D 21 in
Set of Four Maurizio Tempestini Salterini Ribbon Modern Iron Dining Chairs
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Set of four vintage Mid-Century Modern iron dining chairs designed by Maurizio Tempestini for John Salterini. Item features shapely iron frames, sculptural modernist design, original...
Iron
Set of Six Salterini Chairs by Maurizio Tempestini
By Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful set of six Salterini chairs designed by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini made in Italy. The set is comprised of two-arm and four side chairs with the original paper cord s...
Iron
Sold
H 33 in W 25 in L 33 in
Set of Six Outdoor Indoor Dining Chairs by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of six outdoor indoor dining chairs by Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini. Two armchairs (25 in. wide at the arms) and four chairs (...
Steel
Set of Six Maurizio Tempestini Dining Chairs, 1939
By Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Rome, IT
set of six important and and unique MAURIZIO TEMPESTINI dining chairs from the forniture of Villa B Firenze 1939 perfect condition lacquered wood and original antik turkish silk measure: h 85 x 48 x 45 cm, seat height 44 cm Exhibition: CAMERE D'ARISTA italian design 1930 -1960 Villa Bertelli Forte dei Marmi- Lu -25 july 14 sept 2014 Maurizio Tempestini (Firenze 1908-Ronchi 1960 ) is a famous Italian designer very known and active in Florence and all the Tuscany between 1930-1960.He designs important projects interior and complete furniture in Firenze, Forte dei Marmi, Capri : 'Albergo Savoia, Firenze, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, 1935; (Villa Zini), Forte dei Marmi, Via Corsica, 1936; Villa Benelli, Firenze, Via Pietro Tacca 9, 1938-42 (in collaborazione con Nello Baroni...
Silk, Wood
Rare Set Four Maurizio Tempestini White Lacquer Iron Chairs
By Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare Set of four Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini white lacquer over wrought iron outdoor dining chairs. Minimalist design with open...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Four Maurizio Tempestini For Salterini Ribbon Back Dining Chairs
By Maurizio Tempestini, John Salterini
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of four Maurizio Tempestini white enamel wrought iron ribbon back dining chairs for Salterini. Iron mesh ergonomic seats with stylized ha...