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.
Shagreen Breakfast Table with Bronze-Patina Brass Accents 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
Shagreen Breakfast Table with Bronze-Patina Brass Accents 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 triptych breakfast table by R&Y Augousti is a stunning multi-faceted sculptural piece. The beautiful hand craved details on the bronze-patina base demonstrate the incredible artisan work of Augousti. The top is inlaid in black shagreen. Available in other finishes and as a console and side table...
Brass
Shagreen Breakfast Table with Palmwood 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 skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The Prague breakfast table by R&Y Augousti is an iconic design of their collection, debuting from the 1990s. This classic center piece can be adapted for an entrance room or custom-sized for a dining room. The circular shaped coal black shagreen inlaid top sits on a cluster of geometric inlaid shagreen legs that clasp into a floating palm wood inlaid ring...
Palmwood, Shagreen Stingray
Shagreen Coffee Table with Bronze Patina Brass Accents 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
Shagreen Breakfast Table with Palmwood 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 skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The Prague breakfast table by R&Y Augousti is an iconic design of their collection, debuting from the 1990s. This signature has been updated with metal accents on the border of the table and on the 3 legs. This classic center piece can be adapted for an entrance room or custom-sized for a dining room. The circular shaped coal black shagreen inlaid top sits on a cluster of geometric inlaid bronze-patina brass legs that clasp into a floating palm wood inlaid ring...
Brass
Shagreen Multiple Game Table with Bronze-Patina Brass Accents 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 4 in 1 Parsons game table...
Brass
Shagreen Console with Decorative Designed Brass Base, Contemporary, In Stock
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
Decorative cream shagreen console with a beautiful designed brass base. The top of the console has an organic shape. It is finished all around so it could be floating in a room. We have one console in stock...
Brass
Set of Nesting Tables in Black Shagreen with Bronze Patina Brass by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The "Melting Nesting Tables" by R&Y Augousti are a captivating trio of side tables that blend form and function with an artistic touch. Crafted i...
Brass
Shagreen Side Table Modern Geometric Stark Thick Handmade Blackened Steel Waxed
By J.M. Szymanski
Located in Bronx, NY
TABLE NO. 9 - SHAGREEN INSET J.M. Szymanski d. 2018 A handsome silhouette featured on a carved steel frame. Inset within the frame is a hand-dyed parchment or shagreen panel...
Steel, Iron
French Art Deco Style Shagreen and Bronze Desk
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
A French Art Deco style shagreen and patinated bronze three drawer desk, sofa table or console with four bronze legs and three drawers on the top.
Bronze
Black Dining Table Eco-shagreen top and brass legs handcrafted by Cupioli
By Cupioli made in Italy
Located in Rimini, IT
Black Dining Table Eco-shagreen top and brass legs Handcrafted by Cupioli. Dining Table black scagliola shagreen top casted brass legs handmade in Italy This is a sophisticated dini...
Brass
Original Shagreen Gilt Metal Writing Table Desk with Single-Drawer
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning RRP £13,000 original shagreen black lacquered with gold gilt metal detailing writing table desk This is a very substantial desk. Shagreen for those of you who aren’t familiar is shark or ray skin. There are reproductions skins available however these are totally original, the way to tell apart from the feel is on the reproductions each skin is exactly the same, on the real hide...
Shagreen
