Cabinet by Paolo Buffa
About the Item
- Creator:Paolo Buffa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 52.37 in (133 cm)Width: 92.92 in (236 cm)Depth: 17.72 in (45 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950s
- Condition:Refinished.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU98563133302
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: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Art Deco, Italian Exceptional Bar Cabinet by Guglielmo UlrichBy Guglielmo UlrichLocated in London, GBCabinet in mahogany with doors with brass banding. The doors fold and slide back to reveal the interior. The legs in sabre form are typical of the work of Ulrich. Provenance Galerie Philippe...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
MaterialsWood
- Art Deco Cabinet with Silvered Metal Gazelle DecorationLocated in London, GBShaped polished walnut Art Deco cabinet, with marble top and silvered metal gazelle decoration to the front. The interior has a chevron design in wood and one shelf.Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Cupboards
MaterialsWood
- Art Deco Cabinet with Silvered Metal Gazelle DecorationLocated in London, GBShaped polished walnut Art Deco cabinet, with marble top and fine quality silvered metal gazelle decoration to the front. This smart cabinet has an interesting interior with chevro...Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Cupboards
MaterialsWood
- Mid Century dish by DaumBy DaumLocated in London, GBBeautiful luminescent crystal glass dish/ashtray by Daum France. The blue/green hue is reminiscent of the sea. It is unusual to find such a lovely tone. It comes complete with its D...Category
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Glass
MaterialsBlown Glass
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern Armchairs by ISA from a Design by Gio PontiBy Gio PontiLocated in London, GBPair of high backed stylish wing chairs with brass shaped feet. Reupholstered in quality peppermint green velvet. These chairs are an iconic design statement of the 1950s. The chairs...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsVelvet
- Mixed-Media Painting by Louis SchiavoBy Louis SchiavoLocated in London, GBMixed-media on board on gesso ground, in gouache and oil using the impasto technique. The work also includes areas of collage using applied materials beneath the paint to add depth ...Category
Vintage 1950s Corsican Mid-Century Modern Paintings
MaterialsCanvas
- Italian 1940s Cabinet by Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in London, GBA fine 1940s Italian cabinet by Paolo Buffa Resting on slender tapered legs with deep brass sabot feet. This piece has wonderful four panelled...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsWood
- Paolo Buffa cabinet late 40’s.By Paolo BuffaLocated in bari, ITPaolo Buffa cabinet in beech wood with three lockable doors and four drawers. The doors and drawers have relief decorations of marine environments. Dassi production late 1940s.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBeech
- Italian Mid-Century Cabinet By Paolo BuffaBy Paolo Buffa, Vittorio Dassi, Ico Parisi, Gio Ponti, Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in Houston, TXItalian Mid-Century Cabinet By Paolo Buffa. This versatile chest is a perfect as a bedside chest or where space is limited. Great workmanship. Paolo Buffa was born in 1903, in Milan,...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsWalnut
- Free Standing Cabinet Bar by Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in New York, NYFine mahogany free standing cabinet bar by Paolo Buffa made in Italy, circa 1950s. Opposing doors swing open to reveal mirrored and fitted interi...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Dry Bars
- Mahogany and Sycomore Bar Cabinet by Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Montreal, QCMahogany and Sycomore Bar Cabinet by Paolo Buffa decorated with fencing scenes. Interior fitted with four movable shelves Italy: circa 1950 Provenance: Blackman Cruz...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsMahogany
- 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