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.

Creator: Paolo Buffa

Pair of Vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian Paolo Buffa Wingback Lounge Chairs

$7,960Sale Price / set|20% Off

Pair of Vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian Paolo Buffa Wingback Lounge Chairs

By Paolo Buffa

Located in North York, ON

Pair of Vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian paolo buffa wingback lounge chairs. Iconic paolo buffa styling, Italy, circa 1960’s. Masterfully restored to its original condition with ne...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair of Paolo Buffa Italian Mid-Century Walnut Slat Top Ottomans

$2,500 / set

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

Paolo Buffa Sculptural Dining Chairs for Galdino Maspero, 1948, Set of 4

$6,000 / set

Paolo Buffa Sculptural Dining Chairs for Galdino Maspero, 1948, Set of 4

By Paolo Buffa, Galdino Maspero

Located in Lonigo, Veneto

Paolo Buffa Sculptural dining chairs for Galdino Maspero, wood and straw, Italy, 1948, set of four. Paolo Buffa, celebrated architect and designer of the Italian mid-century movemen...

Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating

Materials

Straw, Wood

Pair of Ladder Back Armchairs in the style of Paolo Buffa, c.1950s

$17,434 / set

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 of Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Lounge Chairs by Paolo Buffa, 1950

$11,900 / set

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

Reupholstered Mid-Century Italian Sofa by Paola Buffa

$6,500

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

Italian Mid-Century White Fabric and Wooden Armchair by Paolo Buffa, 1950s

$2,626

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

Paolo Buffa Sculptural Dining Chair for Galdino Maspero, 1948

$1,500 / item

Paolo Buffa Sculptural Dining Chair for Galdino Maspero, 1948

By Galdino Maspero, Paolo Buffa

Located in Lonigo, Veneto

Colombo Sanguineti Sculptural dining chair, wood and straw, Italy, 1948 Paolo Buffa, celebrated architect and designer of the Italian mid-century movement, designed this unique set ...

Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating

Materials

Straw, Wood

Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Blue Fabric Armchair

$2,626

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

Paolo Buffa Sculptural Dining Chairs for Galdino Maspero, 1948, Set of 6

$9,000 / set

Paolo Buffa Sculptural Dining Chairs for Galdino Maspero, 1948, Set of 6

By Paolo Buffa, Galdino Maspero

Located in Lonigo, Veneto

Paolo Buffa Sculptural dining chairs for Galdino Maspero, wood and straw, Italy, 1948, set of six. Paolo Buffa, celebrated architect and designer of the Italian mid-century movement...

Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating

Materials

Straw, Wood

Paolo Buffa Sculptural Dining Chairs for Galdino Maspero, 1948, Set of 10

$15,000 / set

Paolo Buffa Sculptural Dining Chairs for Galdino Maspero, 1948, Set of 10

By Galdino Maspero, Paolo Buffa

Located in Lonigo, Veneto

Paolo Buffa Sculptural Dining Chairs for Galdino Maspero, wood and straw, Italy, 1948, set of ten. Paolo Buffa, celebrated architect and designer of the Italian mid-century movement...

Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating

Materials

Straw, Wood

Paolo Buffa Sculptural Dining Chairs for Galdino Maspero, 1948, Set of 2

$3,000 / set

Paolo Buffa Sculptural Dining Chairs for Galdino Maspero, 1948, Set of 2

By Galdino Maspero, Paolo Buffa

Located in Lonigo, Veneto

Paolo Buffa Sculptural dining chairs for Galdino Maspero, wood and straw, Italy, 1948, set of two. Paolo Buffa, celebrated architect and designer of the Italian mid-century movement...

Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating

Materials

Straw, Wood

Paolo Buffa Walnut Sofa, 1950

$3,570Sale 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.

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating

Materials

Iron

Paolo Buffa Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet Sofa, 1950s

$3,172

Paolo Buffa Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet Sofa, 1950s

By Paolo Buffa

Located in Puglia, Puglia

Paolo Buffa 3-seat sofa, structure in stained and polished beech, the blue velvet upholstery was redone a few years ago, the cushions are original in goose down.

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating

Materials

Velvet, Beech

Paolo Buffa Mid-Century Modern Italian Walnut and Coating Boucle Armchair, 1950s

$4,585

Paolo Buffa Mid-Century Modern Italian Walnut and Coating Boucle Armchair, 1950s

By Paolo Buffa

Located in Puglia, Puglia

Beautiful armchair with curved armrests, made by Paolo Buffa in 1950. The curved and padded wooden structure, the covering has been replaced with a beautiful very dark green Bouclè f...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating

Materials

Bouclé, Beech

1950 Paolo Buffa MidCentury Italian Design Modernist Wood Stools - set of 2

$2,985

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

Emanuele Rambaldi for Paolo Buffa Single Oak Wood and Straw Chair, Italy 1940s

$4,179

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

Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating

Materials

Straw, Oak

Pair of 1940s Italian Wing Armchairs Light Blue Tufted Back by Paolo Buffa

$7,580 / set

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...

Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating

Materials

Fabric, Hardwood

Set of six chairs by Paolo Buffa with original velvet fabric of the period

$6,567 / set

Set of six chairs by Paolo Buffa with original velvet fabric of the period

By Paolo Buffa

Located in Milano, IT

Immerse yourself in the refined atmosphere of 1950s Italian design with this splendid set of six original chairs signed by Paolo Buffa, one of the most distinguished protagonists of ...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating

Materials

Fabric, Velvet, Wood

Pair of wing armchairs by Paolo Buffa – Italy 1950

$11,283 / set

Pair of wing armchairs by Paolo Buffa – Italy 1950

By Paolo Buffa, Framar

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

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating

Materials

Fabric, Cherry

Paolo Buffa & Giovanni Gariboldi – Set of Four Gilt and Lacquered Side Chairs

$79,480

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...

Category

1950s Italian Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Paolo Buffa Armchairs In Walnut And Tibetan Wool, Italy circa 1950s

$11,800 / set

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...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating

Materials

Wool, Walnut

Pair of Arm Chairs by Paolo Buffa

$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...

Category

1940s Italian Vintage Paolo Buffa Seating

Materials

Hardwood

Wood & Magenta Fabric Seat 1950s Dining Chairs by Paolo Buffa, Set of 4

$5,014

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

Vintage Ivory Original Fabric Living Room Set of 3 Pieces by Paolo Buffa, Italy

$3,462 / set

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

Rare High-back Wood Lounge Chair by Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1950s

$2,961

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

Pair of Walnut Mid-Century Modern, Wingback Armchairs by Paolo Buffa

$7,850

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

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.