R&Y Augousti was founded in 1989 by husband-and-wife team Ria and Yiouri Augousti. The pair works with pen shell, metal and an array of exotic skins — including ostrich, snake, eel and crocodile — to create Art Deco-inspired furniture that echoes the influences of their unique friends and draws on the experiences they’ve shared on their global travels.
Ria Augousti (née Macasaet) was born in Manila. Her family relocated to Cebu and, at age 15, she went to New York City to study art. She continued her studies in England and graduated from the London School of Furniture Making.
Born in Cyprus, Yiouri Augousti studied architecture at London’s Architectural Association. He was drawn to interior design that reflected a revival of Art Deco that took shape during his years as a young adult.
Ria was working at the interior design firm of John Stefanidis, in London, when Yiouri joined the firm. “We got on like a house on fire,” Ria has said of the beginnings of their relationship. The couple established R&Y Augousti in 1989 and married in 1990. The business grew swiftly — R&Y Augousti moved permanently to Paris in 1994, and in 2011, the couple opened their first American showroom. There, in the New York Design Center, the range of decorative objects on offer from R&Y Augousti included dining tables, side tables and decorative objects such as candleholders and picture frames in shagreen.
The initial popularity that shagreen enjoyed as furniture covering fizzled when the Art Deco era faded. Modernist designer Jean-Michel Frank was an enthusiast of the textured hide, and during the 1960s, Karl Springer covered desks, chairs and tables with it. Ria Augousti wanted to revive shagreen’s use as a finish in one of their very first designs. Their sculptural, sensuous shagreen Sylvie chair, with its slender and towering backrest, makes a statement in any space and has seen a fair amount of praise over the years. The Sylvie has been photographed in a number of high-profile spaces including Alexander Wang's New York City loft apartment designed by Ryan Korban. (And shagreen reemerged as a luxe material among designers and decorators in 2017.)
R&Y Augousti has since expanded into fashion accessories, and drawings by the couple’s daughter, designer Kifu Augousti, have been embroidered on some of the brand’s luxurious handbags.
Find R&Y Augousti tables, seating and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
R & Y Augousti Paris France Shagreen Decorative Jewelry Box
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
R & Y Augousti Paris France Shagreen Art Deco Style wooden jewelry box. Green and Black hues with a white edging. Diamond inlay shape on top of box. ...
Wood
$2,255 / item
H 12.5 in W 9.5 in D 10 in
Sonia Jewelry Chest in Cream Shagreen, Black Pen Shell and Brass by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The Sonia jewelry chest in cream shagreen, shell and brass by R&Y Augousti is a stunning piece to store your personal items. This piece has 2 doors that open to 4 drawer compartments, inlaid in a mixture of cream shagreen/black shell and grey blue shagreen, that have black velvet trays...
Brass
$2,000
H 12.38 in W 9.25 in D 10.25 in
R & Y Augousti Multi Drawer Marquetry and Shagreen Jewelry Chest
By R & Y Augousti
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A lovely inlaid wood and Shagreen Jewelry Box by the acclaimed design firm of R&Y Augousti. This lovely handcrafted piece is made in the Philippines. It features a shagreen border on...
Wood, Shagreen Stingray
$2,464 / item
H 12 in W 7 in D 11 in
Talisa Jewelry Chest in Cream Shagreen, Black Pen Shell & Brass by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. Talisa jewelry chest in cream shagreen, black pen shell and brass by R&Y Augousti is a stunning piece to store your personal items. This piece has 2 doors that open to 4 drawer compartments that have black velvet trays...
Brass
Large Onyx Shagreen and Macassar Ebony Box with Bone Inlay
Located in New York, NY
Elegant, exotic, and unmistakably refined, shagreen has long captivated those with a discerning eye for luxury. A study in subtle opulence, this artisan-crafted decorative box is wra...
Stainless Steel
$2,469 / item
H 12 in W 9.75 in D 10.5 in
Wave Jewelry Chest in Shagreen and Bronze-Patina Brass by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The Wave jewelry...
Brass
R & Y Augousti Shagreen Decorative Rhombas Box
By R & Y Augousti
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original R&Y Augousti decorative rhombas wooden box wrapped in Shagreen. Acquired from the John Traina estate. Mr. Traina was a San Francisco philanthropist, vintner a...
Wood, Animal Skin, Shagreen
Art Deco Shagreen Covered Box with Bone Edges, Marked "London Made"
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Art Deco shagreen covered cedar box with bone edges, the snug fitting lid attached at the back with a single long stop hinge to prevent the lid falling back when open. The leather co...
Bone, Shagreen, Wood
$2,557 / item
H 13.75 in W 10.25 in D 10.25 in
Stacked Jewelry Chest in Cream Shagreen by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The irregular stacked jewelry chest in cream shagreen by R&Y Augousti is a stunning geometric piece to store your personal items. This piece has 4 drawer compartments that have black velvet trays...
Shagreen Stingray
$26,422 / item
H 70.87 in W 34.57 in D 17.6 in
Shagreen Bar Cabinet with Bronze-Patina Brass Details by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
Monumental Geometric Faux Shagreen and Ivory Decorative Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Monumental Geometric Faux Shagreen and Faux Ivory Decorative Box A substantial and highly architectural modern decorative box clad in richly textured faux shagreen with striking geo...
Brass
Exotic 1970s Frog Skin-Leather Asymmetrical Table Box, Style of Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Exotic 1970s Frog Skin-Leather Asymmetrical Table Box, Style of Karl Springer A unique box of exotic elegance with this 1970s Frog Skin-Leather Asymmetrical Table Box, in the style...
Leather, Velvet
Modern Gilt Lacquered Studded Chest of Drawers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Modern gilt lacquered studded chest of drawers, with black lacquered top fitted with two drawers, one smaller and the lower drawer twice the size, raised...
Wood, Lacquer
French Modern Shagreen & Calfskin Leather Frame, Blanc
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Modern Shagreen & Calfskin leather frame, Blanc Beautiful and subtle white shagreen with luxe leather backing Holds a 8" x 10" photo, Stands ...
Leather, Shagreen, Glass
Vintage Italian Embossed Leather 'Crocodile' Mens Jewelry Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Italian Embossed Leather 'Crocodile' Mens Jewelry Box Stamped in gilt lettering 'Made in Italy' A vintage Italian Embossed Leather 'Crocodile' Me...
Leather, Suede, Wood
Italian Modern Architectural Brass Inlaid Travertine Box, Circa 1970s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Italian Modern Architectural Brass Inlaid Travertine Box, Circa 1970s Italy, Circa 1970s A sleek and sophisticated Italian modern architectural travertine box with brass inlay, mad...
Travertine, Brass
