Paolo Buffa Furniture
Italian, 1903-1970
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.
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Creator: Paolo Buffa
Recognized Seller Listings
20th Century Paolo Buffa Wall Console with marble top
By Serafino Arrighi, Paolo Buffa
Located in Turin, Turin
Paolo Buffa (Milan 1903-1970), architect and designer, worked in the field of furniture design. Trained in the studio of Ponti and Lancia, from where he borrowed elements of neoclass...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
1950s Paolo Buffa Pair of Mahogany Nightstands or Bedside Tables
By Serafino Arrighi, Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
1950s Paolo Buffa pair of polished mahogany nightstands or bedside tables with three tapering legs ending in brass sabots. These elegant nightstands have a lovely curvaceous front a...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Brass
Midcentury pair of armchairs designed by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Iconic pair of Paolo Buffa armchairs.
Elegant wood structure with cotton fabric cushion ( newly reupholstered).
Very comfortable.
Perfect vintage condition
Italy, 1940
Category
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Wood
Paolo Buffa for Serafino Arrighi Rare Walnut Radicca Mirror, Italy, 1930s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Paolo Buffa designed and executed by cabinetmaker Serafino Arrighi rare walnut radica mirror, Italy, 1930s. This exquisite hand-crafted artisan mirror i...
Category
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Walnut
1950s Pair of Rosewood and Birchwood Nightstands or Bedside Tables
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
1950s pair of waterfall nightstands or bedside tables in rosewood and birchwood each with one door cabinet and brass knob, attributed to Paolo Buffa. These elegant end tables have lo...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Brass
Paolo Buffa Buffet / Sideboard in Walnut and Brass, Mario Quarti, Milan, 1940s
By Mario Quarti, Paolo Buffa
Located in The Hague, NL
This exceptional counter-buffet / sideboard was designed by Paolo Buffa and produced by Mario Quarti in Milan, Italy, in the 1940s.
The sideboard stands on four grooved, turned twis...
Category
1940s Italian Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Brass
Paolo Buffa for Esposizione Permanente mobili Cantù Dining Table in Oak
By Esposizione Permanente mobili Cantù, Paolo Buffa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paolo Buffa for Esposizione Permanente mobili Cantù, dining table, oak, Italy, 1940s
A truly remarkable piece of furniture that excels in every aspect of design: from its impeccable...
Category
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Oak
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.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Wood
Paolo Buffa Elegant Sideboard in Walnut
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paolo Buffa sideboard, walnut, brass, Italy, circa 1950
An outstanding piece that breathes sophistication and craftsmanship. Designed by Paolo Buffa in the 1950s, this piece clearly...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Brass
Paolo Buffa for Esposizione Permanente mobili Cantù Wall Cabinet
By Esposizione Permanente mobili Cantù, Paolo Buffa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paolo Buffa for Esposizione Permanente mobili Cantù, wall cabinet, chestnut, pine, brass, Italy, 1940s
Crafted by the visionary Italian designer and architect Paolo Buffa (1903-1970...
Category
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Brass
Paolo Buffa for Esposizione Permanente mobili Cantù Cabinet with Drawers
By Paolo Buffa, Esposizione Permanente mobili Cantù
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paolo Buffa for Esposizione Permanente mobili Cantù, sideboard, chestnut, cane, brass, Italy, 1940s
Crafted by the visionary Italian designer and architect Paolo Buffa (1903-1970), ...
Category
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Brass
Rare Paolo Buffa Sideboard in Cherry
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paolo Buffa, sideboard, cherry, mahogany, brass, mirrored glass, glass, Italy, 1940s
Crafted by the visionary Italian designer and architect Paolo Buffa (1903-1970), this rare crede...
Category
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Brass
Paolo Buffa Wardrobe with Walnut Grissinato Front and Brass Accents
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paolo Buffa, wardrobe or highboard, walnut, ash, beech, brass, mirrored glass, steel, plastic, Italy, 1950s
Elegant and modern at the same time, this magnificent armoire is by the ...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Rare Paolo Buffa Round Dining Table with Marble Petal Base and Brass Star Inlay
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paolo Buffa round table, brass, marble, cherry wood, Italy, circa 1940
A magnificent piece of furniture designed by Paolo Buffa. This table is...
Category
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
20th Century Paolo Buffa Console Yellow Marble Tabletop and Wooden Structure 50s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Turin, Turin
Paolo Buffa (Milan 1903-1970), architect and designer, worked in the field of furniture design. Trained in the studio of Ponti and Lancia, from where he borrowed elements of neoclass...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Marble
20th Century Paolo Buffa Pair of Nightstands in Wood for Serafino Arrighi, 50s
By Paolo Buffa, Serafino Arrighi
Located in Turin, Turin
Paolo Buffa (Milan 1903-1970), architect and designer, worked in the field of furniture design. Trained in the studio of Ponti and Lancia, from where he borrowed elements of neoclass...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Paolo Buffa Italian Mid-Century Walnut Slat Top Ottomans
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
PAIR of Italian Mid-Century walnut ottomans with openwork slat tops, resting on four slightly splayed tapered legs. (PAOLO BUFFA)(PRICED AS PAIR)
Condition Notes:
Missing cushions.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Italian Mid-Century Paolo Buffa Queen-Size Bed
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Italian Mid-Century mahogany queen size bed with a shaped top having an indented center on the headboard and footboard with a V design veneer (PAOLO BUFFA) (headboard, footboard -19h...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Furniture
Pair of Paolo Buffa Italian Mid-Century Walnut Slat Top Ottomans
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
PAIR of Italian Mid-Century walnut ottomans with openwork slat tops, resting on four slightly splayed tapered legs. (PAOLO BUFFA)(PRICED AS PAIR)
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Paolo Buffa Italian Mid-Century Mahogany and Marble 6-Drawer Dresser / Sideboard
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Italian Mid-Century mahogany dresser / sideboard / chest with 6 drawers mounted with brass drawer pulls supporting a dark green / black marble top, resting on four legs, the front tw...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Mahogany and Sycomore Bar Cabinet by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Montreal, QC
Mahogany and Sycomore Bar Cabinet by Paolo Buffa decorated with fencing scenes. Interior fitted with four movable shelves Italy: circa 1950 Provenance: Blackman Cruz...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Paolo Buffa and Giovanni Gariboldi Important Grand Scale Carved Wood Wall Mirror
By Giovanni Gariboldi, Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Paolo Buffa and Giovanni Gariboldi, rare important rectangular mirror with carved painted and gilt wood decorations on original mirrored glass. This exquisite elegant mi...
Category
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Brass
20th Century Paolo Buffa Desk and Chair in Wood for Lietti, 50s
By Paolo Lietti & Figli, Paolo Buffa
Located in Turin, Turin
Paolo Buffa (Milan 1903-1970), architect and designer, worked in the field of furniture design. Trained in the studio of Ponti and Lancia, from where he borrowed elements of neoclass...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
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.
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Paper
20th Century Paolo Buffa Console with Handles Designed by Giovanni Gariboldi
By Paolo Lietti & Figli, Paolo Buffa
Located in Turin, Turin
Paolo Buffa (Milan 1903-1970), architect and designer, worked in the field of furniture design. Trained in the studio of Ponti and Lancia, from where he borrowed elements of neoclassical inspiration, in 1928, Buffa opened his own studio with Cassi Ramelli...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Brass
20th Century Paolo Buffa Wooden Daybed with Mattress for Serafino Arrighi, 1940s
By Serafino Arrighi, Paolo Buffa
Located in Turin, Turin
Paolo Buffa (Milan 1903-1970), architect and designer, worked in the field of furniture design. Trained in the studio of Ponti and Lancia, from where he borrowed elements of neoclassical inspiration, in 1928, Buffa opened his own studio with Cassi Ramelli...
Category
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Wood, Upholstery
20th Century Paolo Buffa Armchair & Pouf in Wood and Upholstery for Marelli, 50s
By Eredi Marelli, Paolo Buffa
Located in Turin, Turin
Paolo Buffa (Milan 1903-1970), architect and designer, worked in the field of furniture design. Trained in the studio of Ponti and Lancia, from where he borrowed elements of neoclassical inspiration, in 1928, Buffa opened his own studio with Cassi Ramelli...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Paolo Buffa Large Highboard in Chestnut
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paolo Buffa, wardrobe or armoire, chestnut, Italy, 1940s
This rare wardrobe has a subtle decorative character and is created by the talented Italian designer and architect Paolo Buf...
Category
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Chestnut
Paolo Buffa Chiavarine Armchairs
By Paolo Buffa
Located in San Francisco, CA
Paolo Buffa chiavarine armchairs
A group of 4 chiavarine armchairs with hand woven rush seats and a ladder back and manufactured in cherry wood. Stamped with the makers mark.
Italy...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Rush, Wood
Drinks Cabinet
By Paolo Buffa, Mario Quarti
Located in New York, NY
Pyramid studded varnished wood body, gilded wooden legs, with two doors and bottom drop-down shelf, featuring interior glass shelves and original ke...
Category
1840s Italian Antique Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Paolo Buffa Console
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Paolo Buffa wall-mounted, bow front console table with inset marble top. Wood inlaid veneer in a classical motif apron above brass-mounted feet...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Marble
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 incised with an abstract engraved decorat...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Set of 6 Dining Chairs by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Teak, velvet fabric. Price includes full restoration of all 6 chairs and upholstering in fabric supplied by the buyer.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Velvet, Teak
Pair of Paolo Buffa Modernist Wingback Mint Green Velvet Armchairs
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian Modernist (1960s) Paulo Buffa style diminutive (small scale) wing back mint green velvet armchairs with piping and wooden peg legs...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Velvet
Mirror by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in San Francisco, CA
A tailored mirror with a unique cast brass edge detail by Paolo Buffa.
Italy, circa 1950s.
Paolo Buffa for Serafino Arrighi.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
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.
Category
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Paolo Buffa Italian Mid-Century Parchment Sideboard
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Italian Mid-Century (1930s) sideboard / bar cabinet with parchment veneer & a drop front with wood inlaid cupid figures in chariots & a glass fi...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Parchment Paper, Glass
Paolo Buffa Pair of Lounge Chairs in Light Blue Velvet, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Paolo Buffa pair of lounge chairs or armchairs with curved wingback and back buttons, cushion seat, rounded armrests and elegantly tapered legs, Italy, 1950s. These incredibly chic lounge chairs or modernist wingback chairs have been fully restored and newly upholstered in a light blue cotton velvet. Beautifully proportioned with gently graceful curved lines throughout, these stylish and sophisticated lounge chairs have a more sculptural and sleek form unlike traditional wingback chairs...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Walnut
Extraordinary Trumeau by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Rare trumeau by Paolo Buffa.
Palisander with brass inlay by Giovanni Gariboldi.
Brass sabots.
Similar example I mobili di Paolo Buffa di R . Rizzi pag56
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Set of 4 Mahogany Dining Chairs by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Montreal, QC
Set of 4 mahogany dining chairs by Paolo Buffa
Category
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Paolo Buffa Storage Cabinet
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Mahogany, brass. 6-drawer storage cabinet with highly figured mahogany veneer. Open and closed storage areas, 8 stylized feet with brass sabots and branded line decorations. A very u...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Brass
Paolo Buffa, Chair with Cherry Wood Frame, New Upholstery, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milan, IT
Rare chair by Paolo Buffa.
Cherry wood frame and newly upholstered seat.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Paolo Buffa, Italia, 1950 Ca, Wooden Armchair with Brown Leather Upholstery
By Paolo Buffa
Located in London, GB
Wooden armchair with brown leather upholstery. Authentic upholstery of the period. Specially designed by Paolo Buffa for a house built by architect Luigi Caccia Dominioni. This famou...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Paolo Buffa Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Paolo Buffa furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Paolo Buffa furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Paolo Buffa furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Paolo Buffa were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Franco Albini, Marco Zanuso, and Arflex. Prices for Paolo Buffa furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $660 and can go as high as $77,668, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $7,644.