Paolo Buffa Italian Mid-Century Brass Inlaid Secretary
By Paolo Buffa, Marelli & Colico, Giovanni Gariboldi
Located in Atlanta, GA
Paolo Buffa, Secretary, Italy c. 1948, Brass Intarsia by Giovanni Gariboldi, Manufactured by Marelli e Colico, Cantù.
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Brass Inlaid Secretary, by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
A fine example of a Mid-Century rosewood secretary by Italian designer, Paola Buffa (1903-1970) and brass intarsia inlay by artist Giovanni Gariboldi (1908-1971). The upper case with...
Brass
Paolo Buffa Pair of Cabinets, Dry-Bar Cabinet and Secretary, circa 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional and rare pair of Paolo Buffa, Italy, circa 1950 mahogany cabinets with molded front panels, rectangular top and dentil carved moldings.
Brass
$11,875Sale Price|34% Off
Paolo Buffa & Giovanni Gariboldi Inlaid Brass Secretary Cabinet c 1950, Restored
By Giovanni Garibaldi, Paolo Buffa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Experience the elegance of mid-20th century Italian craftsmanship with this beautifully restored secretary cabinet, crafted circa 1950. Designed by the renowned Italian artist Paolo ...
Brass
Unavailable
Paolo Buffa Secretary Palisander
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Rimini, IT
important palisander Bar/Secretary by Paolo Buffa Brass feet,mirrored The price including shipping store to door worldwide
Paolo Buffa Rosewood Secretary
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom two-piece rosewood secretary with bronze inlay by Giovanni Garibaldi. Original finish, restoration to veneer.
Brass
PAOLO BUFFA Secretary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very unique and rare piece from one of the greats--Paolo Buffa.
Be the only one with this one of a kind collector's item!
Bronze
Paolo Buffa Italian Mid-Century Kingwood Secretary
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Mid-Century kingwood and floral inlaid trimmed secretary cabinet with 4 oval shaped glass panel doors over a slant front desk with drawers and bronze trim (Attributed to PAOL...
Bronze
Italian secretary attributed to Paolo Buffa circa 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in PARIS, FR
A beautiful Italian secretary attributed to Paolo Buffa circa 1950 Top with brass stars decorations Nice condition
Brass
1950's Paolo Buffa Brass-Inlaid Mahogany Secretary
By Giovanni Gariboldi, Paolo Buffa
Located in Queens, NY
Attributed to Italian designer Paolo Buffa, this mahogany slant front secretary cabinet has a fluted form, two door lower section, and two door upper divided into eight glass panels.
Brass
Sold
H 47.64 in W 31.5 in D 16.15 in
Art Deco Italian Paolo Buffa black and white couple of Cabinets Secretaries
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind pair of cabinet-secretaire in black lacquer wood and parchement attibuted to Paolo Buffa (Milan, Italy, 1903-1970). The furniture designed by the Milanese architect...
Leather, Wood, Lacquer, Parchment Paper
Sold
H 49.61 in W 31.5 in D 17.33 in
Paolo Buffa Important Cabinet Secretarie in Maple and Brass, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Important secretary by Paolo Buffa in maple and brass from 1950.
Brass
Rare Secretary - Custom Designed by Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Rosewood Cabinet with Bronze Inlays and Sabotz. Ribbed lower doors open to reveal mirrored shelving. Center drop front door opens to a satinwood lined desk with 6 drawers...
Drop Front Secretary Custom Designed by Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Rosewood Cabinet w/ Classic Lines & Bronze Inlays. Bombay Front w/ Ribbed Cabinet Doors that Open to Reveal Mirrored Interior. Center Section w/ Drop Front Door Opens to Re...
Secretary by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Chicago, IL
Secretary by Paolo Buffa
Brass
Paolo Buffa Italian Secretary Rosewood, Restored
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Paolo Buffa Italian Rosewood Secretary Trumeau with Giovanni Gariboldi inlay, circa 1948, two bottom doors, flap door in the middle section and windowed doors.
Rosewood
An Important Rosewood Secretary By Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
An important veneered and carved rosewood fall front secretary. The maple veneered interior with two drawers.
Literature: Guglielmo Ulrich, Arredatori contemporanei, M...
A bar and secretary sideboard by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
An extraordinary shaped flap front rosewood veneered sideboard by Milanese architect Paolo Buffa. The two flaps with a framed print on each center concealing a maple veneered secreta...
Brass
Important Rosewood Drop Front Bureau or Secretary by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Veneered and carved impressive rosewood secretary by Paolo Buffa, on elegant tapered legs.
Maple, Rosewood
A Secretary by Paolo Buffa with inlays by Giovanni Gariboldi
By Paolo Buffa, Giovanni Garibaldi
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
A small secretary by Paolo Buffa with a floral inlay on the flap front by Giovanni Gariboldi.
Brass
$12,746
H 55.12 in W 40.36 in D 17.52 in
Italian Midcentury Sideboard or Cabinet Bar designed By Paolo Buffa in 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This elegant cabinet bar, designed in the 1950s, fully represents the elegant and refined language of classical origin characteristic of Buffa's works. Great executive quality, the w...
Brass
$3,005Sale Price|60% Off
H 49.22 in W 74.81 in D 19.69 in
Paolo Buffa Mid-Century Modern Italian Mahogany and Walnut Bar Cabinet, 1950s
By Consorzio Esposizione Mobili Cantù
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Superb bar cabinet designed by the famous architect Paolo Buffa, in walnut, mahogany and brass finishes, the inside of the cabinet is covered with decorated mirror squares, the top o...
Brass
$18,541
H 68.12 in W 98.43 in D 24.41 in
Mid-Century Modern Walnut & Brass Cabinet by Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Paolo Buffa attributed cabinet, Italy, 1950s Elegant cabinet attributed to Paolo Buffa, crafted in richly figured walnut with brass details. The façade is defined by a striking geome...
Brass
$4,800
H 34 in W 29.5 in D 16.5 in
Pair parchment covered two door cabinets C 1950 having adjustable shelves
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair parchment covered two door cabinets C 1950 having adjustable shelves and bronze ring hardware and feet.
Bronze
Paolo Buffa Mahogany & Brass Dry-Bar Cabinet
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional and rare Paolo Buffa, Italy, circa 1950 mahogany cabinet with molded front panel, rectangular top and dentil carved moldings. (A pair available; the other a drop-down ...
Brass
$10,803
H 51.58 in W 67.33 in D 19.49 in
Mid-Century Modern Cabinet in the style of Osvaldo Borsani, Italy 1960's
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in London, GB
Mid-Century Modern Cabinet in the style of Osvaldo Borsani, Italy Material: Rosewood veneer, glass top Dimensions: H 131 x W 171 x D 49.5 cm Year: circa 1960 Mid-Century Modern Sid...
Glass, Rosewood
Paolo Buffa Mahogany & Brass Drop-Down Desk Italy, 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
A rare and exquisite mahogany cabinet with molded front panel, rectangular top and dentil carved moldings. (Pair available, the other a dry-bar cabinet). The drop-down secretary wi...
Brass
$7,500
H 34 in W 39 in D 19 in
Erno Fabry Mid Century Teak and Butternut Dresser with Brass Inlay, 1940's
By Erno Fabry
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
This exceptional dresser is the work of Erno Fabry, a prominent modernist designer known for his early post-war contributions to American and European interiors. The piece features a...
Brass
Mid-Century Cabinet in the style of Paolo Buffa, Italy 1950s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Cabinet in the style of Paolo Buffa, Italy 1950s
Wood
$3,708Sale Price|20% Off
H 48.43 in W 45.67 in D 15.36 in
Mid-Century Bar Cabinet in Wood and Brass, Italian Design, 1940s-50s
By Vittorio Dassi, Anzani, Osvaldo Borsani, Gio Ponti
Located in Brussel, BE
Splendid Mid-century bar cabinet made of noble woods, mercury mirror, and brass incrustations. Inside, glass and mirrors are sublimed by a lighting system connected to the opening of...
Brass
$2,971Sale Price / set|65% Off
H 51.19 in W 35.44 in D 17.72 in
Pair of Cabinet Paolo Buffa Design Mid-Century Modern Bar Furniture
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of cabinet Paolo Buffa design Mid-Century Modern bar furniture, mahogany and brass. It has a large flap door that hides an elegant mirrored bar with glass shelf, noteworthy car...
Brass
Pair of mid century Scandinavian elm cabinets
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of mid century Scandinavian elm cabinets circa 1950. Very good quality pair of elm cabinets, with empire and art deco influences. Each made in 1 piece, both feature and open a...
Birch, Elm
$4,854
H 52.76 in W 24.41 in D 13.78 in
Italian Mid-Century Sideboard with Secretaire attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This so amazing cabinet with Secretaire of the 1950s is attributable to the design of Paolo Buffa. The external structure is refinished with glass dividers and parchment feet. Its ae...
Birch, Glass, Wood
$16,223
H 38 in W 108.27 in D 17.72 in
Italian Mid-Century Inlayed Sideboard designed by Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This elegant Italian sideboard designed by Paolo Buffa, represents a refined synthesis of neoclassical inspiration and modern restraint, reflecting the sophisticated aesthetic that m...
Brass
Mid-Century Bookcase attributed to Paolo Buffa , Italy, 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Extraordinary cabinetmaker's work for this bookcase. Carved and inlaid . Brass details in the legs. Measures base cm 103x47 height 97. Top 90x25, H 122. Please feel free to contact...
Wood
$6,837 / set
H 28.75 in W 39.38 in D 18.51 in
Pair of Mid Century Modern Cabinets by H. W. Klein for Bramin, Denmark, 1960s
By Henry Walter Klein, H.W. Klein
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This pair of vintage cabinets comes from Denmark and was made around 1960s. Designed most probably by Henry Walter Klein and made by Bramin Mobel. The cabinets showcase minimalistic ...
Nutwood
Max Ingrand Sconces for Fontana Arte, 1955, Set of 2
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Max Ingrand sconces for Fontana Arte, glass and brass, Italy, 1955, set of two Designed in 1955 by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, this rare pair of sconces exemplifies the poetic ele...
Brass
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The stool is chunky and modern...
Wood, Oak
Pair of 70s Style Italian Bamboo and Brass Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Monumental size Bamboo lamps. Crafted in Italy and made to order, these lamps are modern and chic. Production lead time 2-4 weeks. Base diameter 8 inches, hat diameter 20 inches, he...
Brass
$4,900 / item
H 34 in W 86 in D 42 in
Custom Made Modern English Arm Sofa in Performance Linen Velvet - 86"
By Bloom Home Inc
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
This beautiful english arm sofa has a modern twist, with its single bench cushion, and beautiful curved apron sides. It’s upholstered in a Linen Velvet Performance fabric. Shown in...
Linen, Velvet
Custom Made Oak and Velvet Bench by Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Bench designed by Danish master Kai Kristiansen in the 1950s and now produced under license by Dagmar. Hand-made to order, this upholstered bench has a fumed and oiled oak frame. Th...
Mohair, Oak
Classic Empire Center Table, Oatmeal
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Classic Empire style grey cerused oak oatmeal stained center table with a carved ogee edge, raised on an octagonal pedestal base. Dimensions: 42" W x 42" D x 30" H. Clearance: 27"
Wood
$8,177 / item
H 26.78 in W 70.87 in D 36.23 in
Gervasoni Sofa Upholstered Saia 10 by David Lopez Quincoces
By Gervasoni, David Lopez Quincoces
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With balanced lines, the Saia upholstered collection is created from a classic ideal reinterpreted in a contemporary key. The name, meaning "skirt" in Portuguese, illustrates its dis...
Upholstery
Mamun Bedside (Dark Brown/Dusty Blue)
Located in Singapore, SG
Mamun, which translates to trustworthy in Arabic, was designed by Studio Kallang in 2021 as a playful take on both midcentury and brutalist forms. Designer Faezah Shaharuddin intende...
Teak
Roger Capron ‘Sou-Chong’ Coffee Table in Ceramic and Wood
By Roger Capron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Roger Capron, ‘Sou-Chong’ coffee table, ceramic, stained beech, France, 1971 Lovely French coffee table with wonderful composed ceramic tiles by French designer Roger Capron. Both t...
Ceramic, Beech
$3,990 / item
H 34 in W 31 in D 40 in
Custom Made to Order Belgian Linen Slip Cover Club Chair with Down Cushion
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
This White Linen Slip-Covered Lounge Chair fits as the perfect accent to any room. It's the perfect chair to have adjacent to a sofa, and can make every pillow look delightful in the...
Cotton, Linen, Wood, Down
Glossy Cream Ceramic Chandelier in Antique Brass 5-Arm 42.5" DIA
By Lostine
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Five antique brass patina arms curve up from a ceramic cluster dish to five tall stoneware ceramic shades in a glossy glaze with a subtle off-white hue. With a fixed black walnut orb...
Brass
$16,500
H 102 in W 45 in D 23 in
George II Style Black & Gold Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
George II Style Black & Gold Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase.
Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
Italian Art Deco 1940s Wardrobe
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Italian 1940s Art Deco wardrobe.
Wood
Mid Century Modern Style Round Dining Table
By Bramble
Located in Westwood, NJ
Crafted from solid mahogany and finished in a rich dark walnut stain, this table balances timeless craftsmanship with standout design. The centerpiece is its pedestal base—a rippling...
Wood
Italian Art Deco Side Table, Hand-Carved, 1930, Northern Italy
Located in New York, NY
A stylish and classic Italian 1930's Art Deco briar wood side table; with one shelf. Northern Italy, circa 1930 Size: 29 3/4" high x 29 1/2" diameter
Birch
$6,935 / set
H 39.77 in W 34.26 in D 37.41 in
Pair of armchairs in the style of Gianfranco Frattini, Italy, 1950s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A pair of comfortable bergère armchairs in fabric and wood, upholstered in velvet, in the style of Gianfranco Frattini, Italian manufacture, 1950s. The elegance of the bergère armch...
Fabric, Wood
Your antique, new or vintage secretary desk has become the (chic) saving grace of the "new normal" at home.
Simply put, a secretary desk is a multifunctional piece of furniture with a hinged writing surface that folds open or drops down. When the leaf is folded out, small inner storage compartments — pigeonholes, cubbies, recesses or drawers — are revealed.
Traditionally, a secretary is composed of two parts — a chest of drawers on the bottom and a cabinet with shelves on the top. Taking its name from the French word for the piece, secrétaire, the secretary desk dates back to the 18th century, when Paris-based cabinetmaker Jean-François Oeben, known for his exquisite marquetry and clever mechanical desks, is thought to have invented the secrétaire à abbattant, or drop-leaf desk.
While the defining drop-down feature of the secretary desk has remained constant, the materials used, as well as its configuration, size and style have evolved over time.
At first, secretaries were typically made from exotic woods, like rosewood, tulipwood and kingwood; later, hardwoods like cherry, maple, oak and mahogany were more common. The desks also became lighter, with space carved out of the lower half for the writer’s feet or with drawers replaced by legs — making them more table-like.
When open, the secretary is a dynamic, versatile Wunderkammer. When closed, it’s a sophisticated, space-saving piece of furniture.
“A fine secretary with a good provenance adds stature and credence to its owner — it is a cornerstone piece,” says antiques dealer Stanley Weiss, who specializes in 18th- and 19th-century English and American furniture. “In this disposable world, fine furniture is always passed on and speaks to who its owner is.”
No matter what style or period you choose, and no matter how you decide to use it, the timeless, flexible secretary desk is bound to become an indispensable part of your daily routine.
Browse a range of antique and vintage secretary desks on 1stDibs, including mid-century modern secretaires, Georgian secretaires and others.
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