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.
$3,425Sale Price|35% Off
Curved Walnut Sofa by Paolo Buffa, Gold Velvet, Mid-Century, Italy
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
Italy Venezia Mid-18th Century Baroque Wooden Sofa
Located in Brescia, IT
Mid-18th Century hand-carved 1750 Venetian Baroque walnut sofa, three-seat with armrests. Remarkable work by Venetian cabinetmakers. The 18th C...
Walnut, Silk
$4,123
H 29.93 in W 51.19 in D 35.44 in
Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1950s - New Upholstery
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1950s - New Upholstery
Fabric, Wood
Rolled Arm Sofa with Curved Tight Back
Located in Ballard, CA
Elegant curved sofa comes with tight back over two loose poly/down seat cushions, with exposed wood frame and tapered legs. Custom sizes and finishes availa...
Polyester, Maple, Down
$2,176Sale Price|50% Off
H 30.71 in W 70.08 in D 28.35 in
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.
Velvet, Beech
$3,012
H 27.56 in W 86.62 in D 37.41 in
Mid-Century Modern Leather Sofa by Jacques Charpentier, France
By Jacques Charpentier
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sofa from the 1970s in original condition Leather cushions over a brushed steel base Designer Jacques Charpentier Sofa is convertible in a bed , mattress missing.
Stainless Steel
$9,500
H 33 in W 58.25 in D 31 in
Vintage Italian Modern Walnut Divan Sofa Bed Attributed to Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sculptural sofa/divan bed/sofa bed attributed to Paolo Buffa (Italy, ca. late 1940s/early 1950s). Composed of a straight rail back connecting elegantly curved arms above x-form slats...
Leather, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
$7,920Sale Price|20% Off
H 43.31 in W 129.93 in D 49.22 in
Curved Velvet Hollywood Regency Sofa, Italy, 1970s
By Marzio Cecchi
Located in Antwerp, BE
Italian glam couch in luxurious blue velvet, attributed to Marzio Cecchi. A striking detail is the round brass feet, which complement the deep, elegant tones...
Brass
$24,500
H 29 in W 93.5 in D 60 in
20th Century American Directional Sofa - Vintage Curved Settee by Vladimir Kagan
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A half-round, vintage Mid-Century Modern American three seater sofa or settee with four pillows, designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by Directional in good condition. The seat back rest of the divano is curved with a wide armrest, supported by two round wooden bases. Newly upholstered in a white cotton fabric. Wear consistent with age and use. Circa 1950 - 1970, United States. The sofa belong to the Broadway theatre...
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Wood
Italian Sofa Gio Ponti Style 1960s Burgundy Velvet
By Gio Ponti
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Italian banana sofa in the style of Gio Ponti. Original velvet fabric (some signs of use, see photos).
Velvet
$15,900
H 34 in W 33 in D 78 in
20th Century White Sheepskin Divano - Vintage Italian Beech Sofa by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage half-rounded Mid-Century Modern Italian three-seat sofa or divano made of Beechwood. Designed by Paolo Buffa in good condition. Newly upholstered in white natural sheepskin...
Animal Skin, Sheepskin, Beech
$6,254 / item
H 31.5 in W 66.93 in D 33.47 in
Contemporary geometric brown velvet brass Fernandine sofa by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
The Fernandine walls are a part of History that embraces the city of Porto, located in the north of Portugal. These medieval fortifications topped off by battlements were completed d...
Brass, Metal
$7,445
H 39.38 in W 64.97 in D 24.02 in
Biedermeier Walnut and Velvet Cream Color Austrian Sofa Canapes, 1820
Located in Roma, Lazio
Biedermeier two-seat sofa. Sofa all veneered in walnut wood and covered in beige color velvet and combined fabric. The sofa is small in size, and seats two people well. It is made ...
Velvet, Walnut
Paolo Buffa Velvet and Beechwood Sofa, 1960
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Roma, Lazio
Unmistakable sofa by the great Italian designer Paolo Buffa, embellished with a multi-colored velvet from the Zoagli silk factories and a beautiful patina for the wooden part. The s...
Velvet, Beech
1950S Paolo Buffa Sofa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
1950S three seater sofa in blue/grey suede with rounded form.Designed by the Paolo Boffa in 1950s Need to be uphostered
Suede, Wood