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 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...
Walnut
20th Century Italian Rectangular Mahogany Wall Glass Mirror by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian wall mirror with its original mirror glass, enhanced by brass nailheads, designed by Paolo Buffa in good condition. The backside of ...
Metal, Brass
Rectangular Ebonized beech and Maple Wall Mirror Attr. to Paolo Buffa, Italy
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy. 1940s . This mirror features an ebonized beech and maple frame. It is a vintage piece, therefore it shows slight traces of use and signs of oxidation that are coheren...
Mirror, Beech, Maple
Grand Paolo Buffa Cherry & Brass Wall Mirror, Mid-Century Italy, ca. 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Vienna, AT
An exquisite and grandly scaled full-length wall mirror, designed by Paolo Buffa and finely crafted in Italy during the 1940s. Measuring 32" wide by 48" high, this elegant piece feat...
Brass
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
1930s French Art Deco Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful vintage mirror from France, 1930s. Lovely wavy beveled mirror secured to a wooden back. Original mirror shows nice age and patina. Perfect for a powder room or entryway.
Metal
Italian Designer, Wall Mirror, Brass, Mirror, Italy, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A brass wall mirror designed and produced by an Italian designer, Italy, 1940s.
Brass
$2,500
H 28.5 in W 18 in D 1.5 in
1950 Rectangle Art Deco Gio Ponti Style Brass Wood Decor Wall Mirror Italy Buffa
By Paolo Buffa, (After) Gio Ponti, Ico Parisi
Located in Miami, FL
Art Deco 1950s whimsical dotted Brass Decoration Mirror with round edges in the Style of Gio Ponti and attributed to Paolo Buffa. All Original handcrafted Brass Frame with hardwood b...
Brass
$520Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 23.63 in D 1.58 in
Italian mid century rectangular mirror with lines drawing, Gio Ponti style, 1940
By Gio Ponti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern rectangular mirror with lines drawn on the glass, in the style of Gio Ponti, 1940s. Rectangular mirror, with Pontian lines drawing on the glass. White desi...
Mirror, Wood
Brass Wall Mirror, Italy, Mid Century
By Gio Ponti
Located in Vienna, AT
Large 31" brass wall mirror, Italy, mid-century, circa 1955 Large Italian wall mirror with a minimal brass frame. Elegant and large wall mirror with a slender brass frame and patina...
Brass
$5,681
H 47.25 in W 27.56 in D 2.37 in
1930s Black Laquered Art Deco Mirror Paolo Buffa attributed , Permanente Mobili
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Midcentury wall mirror Art Deco, attributed to Paolo Buffa, in walnut black laquered, period 1930s. By La Permanente Mobili, Cantù. Good conditions Measures cm: H 120, W 70, D 6 Ab...
Mirror, Walnut
Vintage Italian Rectangular Wall Mirror 1960
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Vintage Italian Rectangular Wall Mirror from the 1960s boasts a brass frame with original patina, showcasing its elegant aged chara...
Brass
$2,953
H 30.71 in W 22.45 in D 0.99 in
Italian Brass Framed Wall Mirror attr. to Gio Ponti, 1960s, Italy
By (After) Gio Ponti
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Vintage Italian wall mirror from the 1960s, crafted entirely from brass and attributed to Gio Ponti. The mirror is surrounded by an elegant brass frame featuring intricate detailing....
Brass
Stunning Mid-Century Italian Bronze 1940s Wall Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
Very chic, yet ornate, bronze scrolling framed mirror. The bronze frame and scrolls are sturdy, heavy and of great quality. This elegant Italian tr...
Bronze
Italian Designer, Wall Mirror, Brass, Italy, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A brass mirror designed and produced in Italy, 1940s.
Brass
$2,200
H 30 in W 22.5 in D 0.75 in
Art Deco Gio Ponti Style Brass Wood Heart Wall Mirror Italy 1950 Similar Buffa
By (After) Gio Ponti, Paolo Buffa
Located in Miami, FL
Art Deco 1950s whimsical Brass Heart Mirror in the Style of Gio Ponti and similar to Paolo Buffa. All Original handcrafted Brass Band with hardwood backing for secure hanging. In goo...
Brass
Mid-Century Italian Rattan Round Wall Mirror
Located in New York, NY
1960's round Italian rattan wall mirror. Rattan is worked in a deft curlicue fashion. This piece is very nicely proportioned and practically sized at 22" diameter. The mirror itself ...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Mirror
Sold
H 22.84 in W 45.28 in D 1.78 in
Pair of Rectangular Ivory Lacquered Wooden Wall Mirrors by Paolo Buffa, Italy
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy. 1948 - 1950 . These mirrors feature a gold and ivory lacquered beech frame. They are vintage pieces, therefore they might show slight their original patina and traces...
Mirror, Beech, Maple
Paolo Buffa Carved Walnut Wall Mirror, circa 1940
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
A Paolo Buffa designed very finely carved walnut mirror, Italy, circa 1940. This exquisite and grand in scale wall mirror is trapezoid in form, with exceptional and delicate hand-car...
Crystal
Paolo Buffa Italian Mid-Century Steam Bent Wall Mirror
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Mid-Century mahogany wall mirror with a beveled edge frame and shaped corners and the mirror having a narrow line interior design (PAOLO BUFFA) Condition: (frame could use ...
Glass
Sold
H 38.59 in W 23.63 in D 1.58 in
Italian Art Deco Cherry Wood and Glass Mirror by Paolo Buffa, 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Meda, MB
This Art Deco mirror was produced in Italy in the 1940s by Paolo Buffa. The structure is in cherry wood, while the frontal part are in mirror and glass.. Matching hanging console av...
Glass, Mirror, Cherry
Paolo Buffa wooden lacquered mirror, Italy, 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A rare and spectacular rectangular mirror with lacquered and gilded frame. Italian craftsmanship from the 1940s, designed by Paolo Buffa. A large full-length mirror composed of an o...
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 61.5 in W 30.75 in D 2 in
Paolo Buffa and Giovanni Gariboldi Important Grand Scale Carved Wood Wall Mirror
By Paolo Buffa, Giovanni Gariboldi
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...
Brass
Rare brass mirror by Paolo Buffa, with cornocopies
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Rare wall mirror by Paolo Buffa in brass from the Italian 1950s. the mirror has a very classic and elegant line typical of Paolo Buffa's achievements. Particularly noteworthy is its ...
Brass
Paolo Buffa Vintage Mirror in Bronze and Iron Netting
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Beautifully crafted vintage wall mirror made in the 1950s by Paolo Buffa. The mirror has a classic rectangular shape, with the frame made of iron mesh and bronze in the details. There are four sinuous squiggles in the centre of each side, very beautiful. The mirror is really very special, with a splendid...
Bronze, Iron
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.
Brass
Important and Large Paolo Buffa Mahogany Wall Mirror, 1948
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Rome, IT
Important large wall mirror designed by Paolo Buffa, 1948. Executed by F.lli Lietti, Cantù. Mahogany, mirror. Very good condition. Measures: H 85 cm: 128 x 5 cm. The lot comes f...
Mirror, Mahogany
Italian Mirror 50s By Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian mirror 50's by Paolo Buffa. This whimsical mirror is just another fine example of Italian design brought to you by Eccola!
Wood, Glass
Classic Wall Mirror Designed by Paolo Buffa, Italy
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
A classically styled wall mirror designed by Italian designer Paolo Buffa. The mirror is incased with a wonderfully trimmed maple edge with beveled ...