1970s Romeo Rega Chessboard Coffee Table

For his range of sophisticated modernist furniture, Romeo Rega worked with wrought iron, textiles, glass and more, yielding an amalgam of geometric shapes, sculptural flourishes and glamorous sensibility commonly associated with the Hollywood Regency style that remains popular today. For collectors in the know, vintage furniture made by the Italian designer's eponymous company is branded with his iconic double R logo, and Romeo Rega lighting, tables and other work is recognized globally for its seductive materials and dazzling forms.

Growing up in the heart of Rome, Rega apprenticed with a blacksmith and, just like his craftsman father before him, became a master in the skill of working with wrought iron and forging. In 1957, Rega opened his own workshop and began to explore his potential as a designer while collaborating with other master metalsmiths and blacksmiths. The creation of gates, railings and various furnishings led to a pivotal moment in his career — a contract with Italian movie studio Cinecittà. Rega was commissioned to design and manufacture the chariots for the 1959 acclaimed American film Ben-Hur.

In the 1970s, the Rega trademark was put to use and the designer began to mass produce furniture — including chairs, console tables and more. Renowned designers like Willy Rizzo and Gabriella Crespi collaborated with the company over time but the production of now sought-after Romeo Rega furniture ceased during the 1980s.

Among Rega's clients were A-list Italian entertainment and cinema celebrities, and the company’s furniture continues to be coveted by collectors today. At Hudson, New York–based antique shop Regan Smith, Rega’s work is among the owners’ favorite designs.

Find a collection of vintage Romeo Rega case furniture, seating and decorative objects on 1stDibs.