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.
Paolo Buffa Dining Chairs for Marelli & Colico, Green Velvet, 1951, Set of 4
By Marelli & Colico, Paolo Buffa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Paolo Buffa Dining Chairs for Marelli & Colico, Green Velvet, 1951 Paolo Buffa trained under Gio Ponti in Milan in the 1920s, and the neoclassical discipline he absorbed there r...
Velvet, Wood
Emanuele Rambaldi for Paolo Buffa Single Oak Wood and Straw Chair, Italy 1940s
By Emanuele Rambaldi, Paolo Buffa
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Emanuele Rambaldi for Paolo Buffa Single Oak Wood and Straw Chair, Italy 1940s
Straw, Oak
Italian Midcentury Extendable Dining Table designed by Paolo Buffa in 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Beautiful Dining Table designed by Paolo Buffa in 1950s, great executive quality that is evident from various details, the top in precious green marble from the Alpes, the lateral ba...
Marble, Brass
Paolo Buffa Mobile Bar / Container Walnut Root Brass 1950 Italy
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Exceptional Walnut Root Bar Furniture By Paolo Buffa
Nutwood, Glass
$14,389Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Trumeau Bookcases in Mahogany Designed by Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This exquisite Mahogany trumeau boasts a stunning design, featuring two doors at the base, along with an upper section that includes a showcase with two doors, a central connecting p...
Brass
20th Century Italian Pair of Mid-Century Maplewood Nightstands by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern Italian pair of nightstands made of hand crafted polished Maplewood, designed by Paolo Buffa in good condition. The bed side tables are composed with a glass shelf and two small doors, detailed with its original brass hardware. The small side chests...
Metal, Brass
Pair of 1940s Italian Wing Armchairs Light Blue Tufted Back by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in London, GB
A great pair of 1940s wing armchairs, Italian design by Poalo Buffa. Tufted back, light blue fabric upholstery tapered cone shaped dark wooden feet, compl...
Fabric, Hardwood
Elegant Rectangular Walnut Coffee Table by Paolo Buffa with Casters, Italy
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1940s - 1950s. This elegant rectangular coffee table is made in walnut and features casters and a lowers shelf. It is a vintage item, therefore it might show slight t...
Walnut
Mid Century Italy Tripode Round Coffee Table by Paolo Buffa for Brugnoli, Cantù
By Paolo Buffa, Brugnoli Mobili Cantú
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Mid century tripode round coffee table crystal top in blond walnut attributed to Ico Parisi for Brugnoli Mobili Cantu`, circa 1950, wax polished.
Beech
Paolo Buffa Italian Mid-Century Brown Rectangle Wall Mirror
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Mid-Century large mahogany horizontal wall mirror (PAOLO BUFFA) frame needs some repair and refinishing
Glass
Paolo Buffa Bookcase/Drawer Chest /Mobile Bar brass Glass wood 1950s Italy
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Outstanding Storage Cabinet that can Serve as a Bookcase Storage Secretere etc... By Paul Buffa, 1950
Wood
Vintage Paolo Buffa Design Bar Cabinet, 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Biella, IT
Paolo Buffa cabinet bar years ’40 the cabinet bar is in vintage good condition; exterior frontal part, superior and each side part only the exterior two legs have the little defect, you see in photo’s particular. Internal part are complete and have all the little mirror...
Brass
Paolo Buffa Console Brass Wood Marbre 1940 Italy
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Paul Buffa Console
Wood
Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Lounge Chairs by Paolo Buffa, 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
An Elegant and Timeless Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Lounge Chairs / Armchairs or Club Chairs by Paolo Buffa circa 1947 -1955. The chairs have a classic profile wi...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Set of 8 Paolo Buffa Italian Modern Dark Walnut Red Upholstered Armchairs
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 8 Mid-Century (1950s) Italian Modern dark brown finished walnut armchairs with shaped frames and red vinyl upholstered back rests and seats, standing on tapered front legs and...
Leather
Paolo Buffa Dining Chairs for Marelli & Colico, Green Velvet, 1951, Set of 2
By Marelli & Colico, Paolo Buffa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Paolo Buffa Dining Chairs for Marelli & Colico, Green Velvet, 1951 Paolo Buffa trained under Gio Ponti in Milan in the 1920s, and the neoclassical discipline he absorbed there remai...
Velvet, Wood
Paolo Buffa Dining Chair for Marelli & Colico, Green Velvet, 1951
By Marelli & Colico, Paolo Buffa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Paolo Buffa Dining Chair for Marelli & Colico, Green Velvet, 1951 Paolo Buffa trained under Gio Ponti in Milan in the 1920s, and the neoclassical discipline he absorbed there re...
Velvet, Wood
$4,480Sale Price / set|20% Off
Four Black Lacquered Chairs by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A refined and architecturally striking set of chairs by Paolo Buffa, crafted in Italy in the 1940s. Executed in solid wood with a satin black lacquer finish and upholstered in full-g...
Mahogany, Lacquer, Leather
$11,332 / set
Pair of wing armchairs by Paolo Buffa – Italy 1950
By Framar, Paolo Buffa
Located in Girona, Girona
Pair of wing armchairs in solid french polished cherry, new fillings and redone upholstery in black bouclette fabric. Design by Paolo Buffa for Framar Italy 1950
Fabric, Cherry
Rare Pen Drawing by Giovanni Gariboldi for Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1940s
By Paolo Buffa, Giovanni Gariboldi
Located in Milan, IT
Rare pen drawing by Giovanni Gariboldi for Paolo Buffa.
Paper
$12,000 / set
Pair of Arm Chairs by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
Sculptural pair of wingbacks chairs by Paolo Buffa, with interesting reclining backs and stunning lines. Upholstered in white vinyl with cushion for backs, cushion removed for photo...
Hardwood
Paolo Buffa & Giovanni Gariboldi – Set of Four Gilt and Lacquered Side Chairs
By Giovanni Gariboldi, Paolo Buffa
Located in Petershagen, DE
This elegant set of four chairs embodies the refined Milanese design sensibility of the mid-20th century. It was born from the collaboration between architect Paolo Buffa and designe...
Wood, Lacquer
Wood & Magenta Fabric Seat 1950s Dining Chairs by Paolo Buffa, Set of 4
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Varese, Lombardia
High back dining chairs with magenta fabric seats. The 4 chairs have been restored and reupholstered. The price is referred to the set of 4.
Fabric, Wood
Vintage Ivory Original Fabric Living Room Set of 3 Pieces by Paolo Buffa, Italy
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. This set is very particular and interesting because both the sofa and the armchairs feature vintage brass cones feet. Their fabric is original and, as you can s...
Brass
Paolo Buffa Armchairs In Walnut And Tibetan Wool, Italy circa 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in San Angelo, TX
What a stunning and sleek pair of chairs by Paolo Buffa, which originated during the 1950s in Italy. These one of a kind chairs have a minimalist look to them with a Walnut frame and...
Wool, Walnut
Midcentury Trumeau Bookcases or Cabinets by Paolo 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
PAOLO BUFFA table mirror. Italy 1940s. Serafino Arrighi Manufactory. Cast brass.
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Köln, NW
Decorative PAOLO BUFFA table mirror. Serafino Arrighi Manufactory. Italy 1940s. Heavy solid quality. Very rare. The certificate of authenticity from the Paolo Buffa archive in Italy...
Brass
Rare High-back Wood Lounge Chair by Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milan, IT
Rare high-back lounge chair by Paolo Buffa. Solid wood frame with minimal carved decorations. Literature available upon request.
Wood
Bruno Gambone Ceramic Vase or Bottle, Italy, 1970s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Bruno Gambone light black glazed ceramic bottle or vase with a flattened circular body and elongated tapering neck, Italy 1970s. The body is incise...
Ceramic
Midcentury Trumeau Bookcases or Cabinets by Paolo 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
Pair of Walnut Mid-Century Modern, Wingback Armchairs by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of walnut Mid-Century Modern, upholstered wingback armchairs by Paolo Buffa.
Walnut
$7,194Sale Price / set|20% Off
Paolo Buffa Bedroom Set with Vanity Mirror, Armchairs and Ottoman
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Wonderful bedroom set designed by the great designer Paolo Buffa in the 1950s for fine Italian manufacture. The set consists of dressing table cabinet with vanity mirror...
Fabric, Mirror, Wood
Early Mid-Century Paolo Buffa Wood Daybed, Lattice Ends, Brocade
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paolo Buffa designed this daybed during the early Mid-Century period when his work bridged classical Italian aesthetics with modern sensibilities. The frame demonstrates his refined ...
Fabric, Hardwood
Grid Pattern Coffee Table by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Long Island City, NY
The Grid Pattern Coffee Table by Paolo Buffa features a glass top supported by tapered legs. About Paolo Buffa: Paolo Buffa was an Italian architect, designer, and decorator, born ...
Glass, Walnut
$3,585Sale Price|35% Off
Paolo Buffa Walnut Sofa, 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Rome, IT
Rare curved sofa attributed to Paolo Buffa, circa 1950 walnut, original gold velvet, iron very good original condition Measures: 145.5 x 60 cm height 94 cm height seat. 41 cm.
Iron