Paolo Buffa Seating
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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38
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84
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73
58
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82
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1,450
1,247
1,120
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Creator: Paolo Buffa
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...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
Mahogany, Lacquer, Leather
$4,480 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Pair of Paolo Buffa Italian Mid-Century Walnut Slat Top Ottomans
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Italian Mid-Century walnut ottomans with openwork slat tops, resting on four slightly splayed tapered legs. (PAOLO BUFFA)(PRICED AS Pair)
Missing cushions.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Paolo Buffa, Rocking chair
By Paolo Buffa
Located in London, GB
c.1950s
Cherry wood
H92 x W57 x D80 cm
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
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...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
Brass
$2,733 Sale Price / set
35% Off
Pair of Paolo Buffa chairs
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Paris, FR
PAOLO BUFFA Pair of bedroom chairs.
Solid cherry wood, braided hemp rope. Certificate of authenticity Archivio Eredi Marelli.
Dimensions: 85x45x48 cm
Very good general condition. R...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Organic Modern Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
Rope, Wood
Pair of Paolo Buffa Italian Mid-Century Walnut Slat Top Ottomans
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Italian Mid-Century walnut ottomans with openwork slat tops, resting on four slightly splayed tapered legs. (PAOLO BUFFA)(PRICED AS Pair)
Missing cushions.
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
Wood, Walnut
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...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating
$12,000 / set
Paolo Buffa, Pair of ladder back armchairs
By Paolo Buffa
Located in London, GB
Italian, c.1950s
Stained wood and natural rush
H118 x W70 x D62 cm
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
Rush, 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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Hardwood
Pair of Ladder Back Armchairs in the style of Paolo Buffa, c.1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in London, GB
Pair of Italian Paolo Buffa ladder back armchairs pleasingly proportioned on cylindrical legs and softly curved ladder backs.
Italian, c.1950's.
Dimensions: H118 x W70 x D62 cm.
Paolo Buffa’s (1903-1970) love of the neoclassic is incorporated into sumptuous pieces of furniture, made in sweeping curves of rosewood with simple detailing. There is a perfect blend not only of mid-century pragmatism about pieces, but the centuries of traditions that came before.
Working initially under Gio Ponti...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
Wood
Pair Italian Modern Neoclassical Wingback Leather Lounge Chairs by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
An Elegant and Timeless Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Wingback Lounge or Club Chairs in Faux Leather by Paolo Buffa, Italy, circa 1947. These armchairs chairs are ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
Faux Leather
Paolo Buffa, Pair of high back armchairs.
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
COD-Z83
Paolo Buffa (1903 - 1970)
Pair of high back armchairs with large seat and big armrest. Iconic piece of the period.
Italy, 1940's
75x75xh98
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
Fabric
$8,650 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Two Italian Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Desk Chairs by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Buffa designed some of the cleanest and most elegant pieces of the post Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern, 'Novecento' period. These side or desk chairs illustrate his total mastery of hi...
Category
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
Upholstery
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 Seating
Materials
Wood
Italian Mid-Century White Fabric and Wooden Armchair by Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century White fabric and wooden armchair by Paolo Buffa, 1950s
Armchair with wooden structure. The seat is made up of a padded cushion in white fabric, supported by a me...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Reupholstered Mid-Century Italian Sofa by Paola Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Embrace the beautiful uniqueness of legendary Italian designer Paola Buffa with this fantastic petite wingback sofa. Dating to the 1950s, this charming...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood
$5,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Rocking Chair in Cherry Wood by Paolo Buffa, c.1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in London, GB
Italian rocking chair in cherry wood by Paolo Buffa, circa 1950s.
Dimension: H92 x W57 x D80 cm.
Paolo Buffa’s (1903-1970) love of the neoclassic is incorporated into sumptuous pie...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
Cherry, Wood
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.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
Iron
$3,592 Sale Price
35% Off
Living room set by Paolo Buffa for Pozzi and Verga, 1950s, set of 3
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Manzano, IT
Living room set by Paolo Buffa for Pozzi and Verga, 1950s, set of 3
Entrance hall with pair of brass chairs from the 1950s.
The chairs measure H 135 x D 42 x W 42, and the seat heigh...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating
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 Seating
Materials
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Blue Fabric Armchair
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Blue Fabric Armchair
Single armchair
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
Fabric
1950 Paolo Buffa MidCentury Italian Design Modernist Wood Stools - set of 2
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Brescia, IT
2 Stool
Paolo Buffa
Italy, 1950
Wood and fabric seat
Brass feet
Excellent Condiction
stool 1: h 45 / w 50 / d 30 cm
stool 2: h 45 / w 43 / d 29 cm
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
Wood, Fabric
Pair Of Armchiars Paolo Buffa Italian Mid-century Design Velvet New
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Palermo, Sicily
We present an amazing pair of Italian armchairs from 1950, completely restored, cone-shaped walnut feet, velvet fabric with geometric designs, inimitable Italian design.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
Velvet
Italian Pair of Chiavari High Back Chairs by Gaetano Descalzi, Ebonized Mahogany
By Paolo Buffa, Fratelli Levaggi
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Elegant Mid century modern pair of Chiavari high back chairs, Italy, in ebonized mahogany . Re-upholstered
Famous interpretation of the Chiavari chair by the great Milan architect P...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Italian Pair of Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs, Paolo Buffa Pink Coral Velvet
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Elegant pair of Italian 1950s lounge / wingback / armchairs by Paolo Buffa.
These sculptural elegant and large chairs are very comfortable; They have a similar line as Gio Ponti Ar...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
Velvet
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.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Two-Tone Blue Mohair Paulo Buffa Mid-Century Modern Italian Sculptural Sofa
By Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Italian blue mohair sculptural sofa by Paulo Buffa. Very nice Mid-Century Modern form sofa.
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
Mohair
Paolo Buffa pair of cherrywood armchairs
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
COD-2386
Paolo Buffa,
Pair of cherrywood armchairs with upholstered seat and cushion on the back.
Italian manufacture, around 1935.
55 x 75 x H78
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
Wood, Cherry
$12,014 / set
Set of Five Paolo Buffa Vintage Seats, circa 1960
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Five beautiful and fine Paolo Buffa chairs
Mahogany and green Skai
circa 1960
Measure: 90 x 42 x 40 cm
Perfect condition!
Category
1960s Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Set of four splendid high back chairs attr. Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
COD-Z23
Paolo Buffa (1903-1970)
Set of four splendid high back chairs in light wood with original straw seat in very good condition.
Italy, 1940's
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Seating
Materials
Wood
Paolo Buffa seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Paolo Buffa seating 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 seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original seating 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 seating by Franco Albini, Ico Parisi, and Gastone Rinaldi. Prices for Paolo Buffa seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $660 and can go as high as $42,274, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,109.
Creators Similar to Paolo Buffa
Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
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