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 Paolo Buffa, Giovanni Garibaldi
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 Paolo Buffa, Giovanni Gariboldi
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 Giovanni Garibaldi, Paolo Buffa
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
A small secretary by Paolo Buffa with a floral inlay on the flap front by Giovanni Gariboldi.
Brass
$12,821
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
$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
$3,249
H 68.9 in W 40.95 in D 16.34 in
1960s Italian Designer Drinks Cabinet, Inlaid and Decorated with Etchings
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Beautiful Italian bar cabinet made in the 1960s from beechwood fineered with mahogany. Inlaid with leaf shaped decorations. Vintage drinks cabinet in Belle Epoque style decorated ...
Beech, Cherry
$3,017Sale 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
$4,874
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
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
$10,801
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 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
$3,713Sale 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 Anzani, Vittorio Dassi, 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
$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
$2,989Sale 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
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
$16,246
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
Cabinet by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in London, GB
Exceptional cabinet by Paolo Buffa in walnut with mahogany interior and brass detail. Italy circa 1950. Measures: height 133cm, width 26cm, depth 45cm.
Hardwood
Italian Two-Tier Wood Cabinet Attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Chicago, IL
An Italian two-tier wooden cabinet attributed to Paolo Buffa, dating to the 1940s. Designed in the spirit of the Art Deco period, the cabinet is defined by its balanced proportions a...
Wood
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
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
$6,876 / set
H 24.01 in Dm 13.78 in
Pair of Constant Night Stands in Iroko Wood by Master Studio for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Neatly proportioned with exceptional detailing, the constant nightstand is your perfect bedside partner. In our furniture making, the IDEA is to create special pieces that you can bu...
Hardwood
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
Sold|$12,800
H 19.75 in W 16 in D 18.5 in
Giancarlo Palanti Italian Art Deco Mahogany Stool, High Backrest, 1930
Located in New York, NY
A glamorous Italian Art Deco mahogany stool designed by Italian architect, Giancarlo Palanti, circa 1930 with elegant high backrest; with simple and streamlined design and elegant cu...
Fabric, Mahogany
Unavailable|$8,355
H 100.4 in W 47.25 in D 17.72 in
Midcentury Trumeau Bookcase or Cabinet by P.Buffa, 1940
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant trumeau bookcases produced by Fratelli Lietti. Exceptional design furniture by the famous Italian designer Paolo Buffa, in mahogany wood, front finely inlaid decoration with...
Brass
$9,748 / item
H 39.38 in W 9.85 in D 31.5 in
Parchment, Brass and Glass Table Lamp by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires
By Diego Mardegan
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Ventola table lamp by the artist Diego Mardegan exclusively for Glustin Luminaires. Beautiful two ways shade made of a brass structure, parchemin paper and waxed fabric hold by an...
Brass
Italian Art Deco 1940s Wardrobe
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Italian 1940s Art Deco wardrobe.
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
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
$29,012
H 61.82 in W 37.41 in D 17.72 in
Exceptional Bo Lindahl Cabinet in Walnut and Rosewood Marquetry, Sweden, 1953
Located in The Hague, NL
This exceptional cabinet was designed and handcrafted by Bo Lindahl in Sweden. This unique masterpiece was created as a journeyman's piece at the Central Workshop School in Häggvik, ...
Brass
$24,000 / set
H 17.5 in W 36.25 in D 8.5 in
Osvaldo Borsani for ABV Wall Mounted Console and Mirror, circa 1940
By Osvaldo Borsani, Atelier Borsani Varedo
Located in New York, NY
An Osvaldo Borsani Varedo finely carved walnut wall-mounted console table with mirrored surface and accompanying circular walnut wall mirror with elegant scalloped edge. The rectang...
Glass, Mirror, Walnut
$14,000 / set
H 16 in W 22 in D 14.5 in
Milanese Mahogany Stools, Art Deco Style, Sabre Legs, Circa 1930
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of Milanese mahogany stools with elegant sabre legs and seats with delicate scroll carving. Of very high quality. Milan, Italy, circa 1930 Size: 18" side height x 16" seat h...
Mahogany
$6,962 / 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
Erik Chambert Birch and Walnut Cabinet. Circa 1920s
Located in New York, NY
A Swedish birchwood, walnut and palisander cabinet by Erik Chambert, Circa 1920s, produced by Chamberts Möbelfabrik , the upper half with an overhanging cornice molding above two cup...
Birch, Walnut
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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