Paolo Buffa Dresser
About the Item
- Creator:Paolo Buffa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30.75 in (78.11 cm)Width: 70.5 in (179.07 cm)Depth: 20.75 in (52.71 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1940s
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Beverly Hills, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU808035169962
Paolo Buffa
With a surname that loosely translates to a synonym for “bizarre” in Italian, Milanese designer and architect Paolo Buffa is best known for capturing the best of both old and new in his plush, enveloping lounge chairs and wingback chairs as well as his range of modern tables, each dazzling and provocative but built using classical techniques.
Purposely playful and airy, mid-century Italian interiors encouraged merriment and socializing. Buffa’s work was well suited to this, but unlike the postwar designers who established recognizable trademarks and signatures, his vintage furniture for Cassina and other firms — the sculptural side tables and case pieces of walnut and solid oak, the luxurious sheepskin sofas — differed considerably from one design to the next, making them appealing to a range of interior decorators and socialites with specific taste. The son of a highly sought-after artist, Giovanni Buffa, Paolo graduated in 1927 from Politecnico di Milano. He then spent time working under architects and designers Gio Ponti and Emilio Lancia. Ponti, who himself crafted thousands of furnishings and endlessly creative rooms, was so taken with the young designer that in 1928 he featured his simple and elegant rosewood dressing table in his new magazine, Domus.
After opening a firm with his regular collaborator Antonio Cassi Ramelli, Buffa became one of the leading tastemakers of Italian mid-century modern furnishings, designing for villas and residential buildings across the country. His style was a mix of Art Deco, Rationalism, neoclassicism and a bit of whimsy. He used high-quality materials and regularly worked with local ateliers known for their fine craftsmanship to produce his designs, such as Serafino Arrighi and Marelli & Colico. In 1940, he partnered with the Mario Quarti furniture studio on the royal palace of Albania’s King Zog, with Buffa designing the furniture, and in 1951, Egypt’s King Farouk enlisted him to redecorate his yacht.
While Buffa’s transcendent pieces are now collector’s items, there are a few still in production, such as those he made with Angelo Marelli. His eponymous firm, the Italian furniture producer Eredi Marelli, still manufactures some designs based on Buffa’s archives.
Find a collection of vintage Paolo Buffa furniture today on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Beverly Hills, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Paola Buffa DresserBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Beverly Hills, CAPaolo Buffa chest of drawers with 4 drawers, bowtie shaped solid brass handles and original gold glass top. Curved splayed lets with brass feet. Gorgeous from all angles.Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Dressers
MaterialsBurl
- Paolo Buffa CupboardBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Beverly Hills, CAGorgeous massive storage cabinet attributed to Paolo Buffa - Italy, 1940s Four doors swing to reveal open shelving Original cast brass hardware Wonderful warm patina color to wood Cabinet floats...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Cabinets
MaterialsWood
- Paolo Buffa SideboardBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Beverly Hills, CAGorgeous sideboard by Paolo Buffa - Italy, 1940's Walnut with wood inlay trim throughout with signature tapered legs and brass accents. Cabinet has 3 drawers on each side of drop dow...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Sideboards
MaterialsBrass
- Paolo Buffa Attributed ChairsBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Beverly Hills, CAPair of woven chairs attributed to Paolo Buffa - Italy, 1940s Great angular shaped wood frame and legs with original straw seat and back. Spi...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Armchairs
MaterialsStraw, Walnut
- Paolo Buffa Side TableBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Beverly Hills, CAElegant side table by Paolo Buffa - Italy, circa 1940s Constructed of walnut wood with woven wooden shelf, graceful curved legs and glass inlayed top. Circular loop detail where l...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian End Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Paolo Buffa Center TableBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Beverly Hills, CAIncredible table by Paolo Buffa - Italy, 1950s Sculptural solid brass base with fluted walnut wood and gorgeous black marble top.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Dining Room Tables
MaterialsMarble, Brass
- Paolo Buffa Dresser for La Permanente Mobili Cantù, 1950sBy Paolo Buffa, La Permanente Mobili CantùLocated in Lonigo, VenetoPaolo Buffa dresser for La Permanente Mobili Cantù, mahogany, Italy, 1950s. This Paolo Buffa dresser, designed and produced in the 1950s, stands as a pivotal example of the transiti...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMahogany
- Italian Art Deco Parchment and Walnut Paolo Buffa Dresser, 1940sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Meda, MBThis elegant Art Deco dresser was produced by Paolo Buffa in the end of the 1940s. It is in walnut wood, with parchment drawers and black lacquered profiles. From the outside, it se...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Paolo Buffa Vintage Wood and Brass CabinetBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Milano, ITEnchanting vintage 6-door wooden cabinet designed in the 1950s by the great designer Paolo Buffa, fine Italian manufacture. The closet is made entirely in the light-colored fine woo...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- Italian Mid-Century Cabinet by Paolo Buffa, c.1930sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in London, GBItalian mid-century cabinet made by Paolo Buffa in cherry wood, circa 1930s. Dimension: W102 x D40 x H153 cm.Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsWood
- Paolo Buffa Vintage Pearwood, Glass and Brass CabinetBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Milano, ITCharming 5-door vintage pear wood cabinet designed in the 1950s by the great designer Paolo Buffa, fine Italian manufacture. The cabinet is made entirely...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern Italian Chest of Drawers by Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Miami, FLMid-Century Modern Italian chest of drawers by Paolo Buffa Six-drawer dresser, Italy circa 1940 Blonde walnut veneer with inlayed detailing, Floating loop legs and original ornat...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass