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.
Set of Eight Italian Dining Chairs with Carved Backs and Straw Seats
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of eight dining chairs, beech, straw, Italy, 1950s Crafted with a refined decorative allure and a rustic inclination, these chairs present exquisite craftsmanship and intricate ...
Straw, Beech
Paolo Buffa Chiavarine Armchairs, Cherry Wood, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of fully restored ladder back chiavarine arm chairs manufactured in cherry wood, complete with new hand woven paper cord seats. Stamped with the makers mark.
Rush, Wood
Paolo Buffa Dining Chairs for Marelli & Colico, Green Velvet, 1951, Set of 2
By Paolo Buffa, Marelli & Colico
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Paolo Buffa Dining Chairs for Marelli & Colico, Green Velvet, 1951 Paolo Buffa trained under Gio Ponti in Milan in the 1920s, and the neoclassical discipline he absorbed there remai...
Velvet, Wood
Set of Five Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs by Paolo Buffa, 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A green, vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian set of five green, stylish Italian chairs. Designed by Paolo Buffa in good condition. Original leather seat covers, dark shellac polished ...
Leather, Walnut
$3,602 / set
Paolo Buffa, Set of Six Chairs
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Firenze, IT
Paolo Buffa, Set of Six Chairs Six wooden chairs designed by Paolo Buffa, with geometric decoration inlaid in the backrest, seat upholstered in fabric in shades of white. Produced b...
Fabric, Wood
$12,923
Paolo Buffa, Dining Chairs
By Paolo Buffa
Located in London, GB
c.1940s Set of four Wood and rattan Made in Italy H100 x W42 x D42 cm
Rattan, Wood
Paolo Buffa Dining Chair for Marelli & Colico, Green Velvet, 1951
By Marelli & Colico, Paolo Buffa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Paolo Buffa Dining Chair for Marelli & Colico, Green Velvet, 1951 Paolo Buffa trained under Gio Ponti in Milan in the 1920s, and the neoclassical discipline he absorbed there re...
Velvet, Wood
Paolo Buffa Dining Chairs for Marelli & Colico, Green Velvet, 1951, Set of 6
By Paolo Buffa, Marelli & Colico
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Paolo Buffa Dining Chairs for Marelli & Colico, green velvet, 1951, set of six Paolo Buffa trained under Gio Ponti in Milan in the 1920s, and the neoclassical discipline he abso...
Velvet, Wood
Paolo Buffa Sculptural Dining Chairs for Galdino Maspero, 1948, Set of 10
By Paolo Buffa, Galdino Maspero
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Paolo Buffa Sculptural dining chairs for Galdino Maspero, wood and velvet, Italy, 1948, set of ten. Paolo Buffa, celebrated architect and designer of the Italian mid-century movemen...
Velvet, Wood
Paolo Buffa Sculptural Dining Chair for Galdino Maspero, 1948
By Galdino Maspero, Paolo Buffa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Paolo Buffa Sculptural dining chair for Galdino Maspero, wood and velvet, Italy, 1948 Paolo Buffa, celebrated architect and designer of the Italian mid-century movement, designed th...
Velvet, Wood
Paolo Buffa Sculptural Dining Chairs for Galdino Maspero, 1948, Set of 6
By Galdino Maspero, Paolo Buffa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Paolo Buffa Sculptural dining chairs for Galdino Maspero, wood and velvet, Italy, 1948, set of six. Paolo Buffa, celebrated architect and designer of the Italian mid-century movemen...
Velvet, Wood
$5,112Sale Price / set|20% Off
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 ...
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
$4,480Sale Price / set|20% Off
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...
Mahogany, Lacquer, Leather
Paolo Buffa Sculptural Dining Chairs for Galdino Maspero, 1948, Set of 8
By Galdino Maspero, Paolo Buffa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Paolo Buffa Sculptural dining chairs for Galdino Maspero, wood and velvet, Italy, 1948, set of eight. Paolo Buffa, celebrated architect and designer of the Italian mid-century movem...
Velvet, Wood
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 velvet, Italy, 1948, set of four. Paolo Buffa, celebrated architect and designer of the Italian mid-century moveme...
Wood, Velvet
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 velvet, Italy, 1948, set of four. Paolo Buffa, celebrated architect and designer of the Italian mid-century moveme...
Velvet, Wood
Paolo Buffa Dining Chairs for Marelli & Colico, Green Velvet, 1951, Set of 4
By Marelli & Colico, Paolo Buffa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Paolo Buffa Dining Chairs for Marelli & Colico, Green Velvet, 1951 Paolo Buffa trained under Gio Ponti in Milan in the 1920s, and the neoclassical discipline he absorbed there r...
Velvet, Wood
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.
Fabric, Wood
$1,500 / set
H 38 in W 17 in D 16.5 in
Mid-century Italian Modern Ladder Back Dining Chairs, Rush Seats, Set of 4
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-century Italian Modern Ladder Back Dining Chairs, Rush Seats, Set of 4 Offered for sale is s set of 4 vintage Mid-century Italian Modern ladder-back dining chairs with woven rush seats. The chairs are very graceful with slightly flaring tops. They retain the original "Made in Italy" paper labels and they look as though they've hardly ever been used. They can be used as side chairs if 2 coordinated chairs are added to the set or they will make lovely breakfast room chairs...
Rush
Mid-Century Armchair, Paolo Buffa Style, Italy 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Argelato, BO
This mid-century Italian armchair, attributed to Paolo Buffa, exemplifies the understated, sculptural elegance typical of the Milanese designer. The finely polished solid wood frame ...
Fabric, Wood
$10,800 / set
H 29.53 in W 21.26 in D 20.87 in
Set of Eight Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs in Black Faux Leather
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern curved back dining chairs upholstered in black faux leather. Crafted of solid heavy full grain hardwood with walnut finish. Perfect for either casual or formal di...
Faux Leather, Wood
$10,020 / set
H 31.7 in W 25.6 in D 22.64 in
Set of 6 Contemporary Dining Chairs With Upholstered Seat and Back
Located in New York, NY
This exceptionally versatile dining Chair adapts seamlessly to any setting, from homes to offices. Its bold architectural design features a wooden frame with striking angular-cut leg...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Set Of Eight Sheraton Style Carved Shield Back Dining Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A particularly fine set of well made Sheraton style Shield Back Dining Chairs. Two arm and six side chairs. The shield backs with interlaced open swags and center tiered feather moti...
Fabric, Mahogany
$10,457 / set
H 37.8 in W 18.12 in D 18.51 in
Six Sculptural Dining Chairs, Paolo Buffa Attributed Restored, Original Velvet
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Midcentury six sculptural dining chairs, Paolo Buffa attributed , restored, in blond walnut, wax polished with original velvet still usable. On request we can perform the new upholst...
Velvet, Walnut
$2,846Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 34.65 in W 28.75 in D 31.5 in
Pair of Paolo Buffa Mid-Century Modern Italian Armchairs, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Beautiful pair of armchairs with curved armrests, made by Paolo Buffa in 1950. The structure in curved and padded wood, the upholstery was redone more than twenty years ago but is in...
Fabric, Beech
Set of Eight Mid Century Italian Dining Chairs
Located in London, London
This elegant set of eight 1960s Italian dining chairs showcases refined mid-century craftsmanship and beautifully balanced proportions. The frames are crafted in richly grained teak,...
Teak
$1,673Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 24.81 in D 29.53 in
Small Gray Velvet Armchair Italy 1950s Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Bedroom armchair Paolo Buffa Italy 1950s
Velvet
$3,660Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 35.83 in W 18.51 in D 19.3 in
Attributed to Paolo Buffa Mid-Century Modern Dinning Chairs, 1950s, Set of Four
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Gorgeous set of four mid-century Italian dining chairs attributed to Paolo Buffa, recently reupholstered in ivory fabric, restored, and polished with shellac.
Fabric, Walnut
$9,100Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 39.75 in W 18.5 in D 17 in
Paolo Buffa Six Sculptural Dining Chairs, Olive Green Velvet, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Culver City, CA
These chairs are absolutely stunning. Attributed to Italian designer and architect Paolo Buffa, this set of 6 dining chairs are sleek, refined, stylish and timelessly modern even at around 73 years old. We've had these chairs completely overhauled, ebonized and upholstered in timeless green cotton velvet that effortlessly blends with any modern environment. With their pronounced ladder back, and their emphasized stiletto legs, these chairs are currently paired with a Paul Evans stalagmite...
Velvet, Mahogany
$2,114 / set
H 96 in W 46 in D 45 in
Mid-Century set of six dining chairs in the style of Paolo Buffa. Italy 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Catania, CT
Elegant set of six dining chairs crafted in dark-stained wood, featuring refined lines and characteristic detailing in the style of Paolo Buffa. The seats are upholstered in a silky ...
Fabric, Wood
Set of 6 elegant walnut dining chairs by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
COD-1893 Paolo Buffa (1903-1970) Set of 6 elegant dining chairs in walnut with nice carved back and upholsterd seat. Manifactured by Serafino Arrighi, Italy, 1938. Bibl. Mobili di...
Walnut
Sold
H 40.95 in W 18.51 in D 16.93 in
set of 8 Paolo Buffa fine high dining chairs, walnut and velvet, 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Rome, IT
set of rare and elegant eight high dining chairs, 1950 designed by Paolo Buffa manufactured probably by Serafino Arrighi very good original condition re-upholstery in green mint v...
Velvet, Walnut
A set of six chairs by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful, original set of six dining chairs by Paolo Buffa. Paolo Buffa was an Italian architect and designer best known for his designs of mid-century furniture. Characterized by ...
Wood
Sold
H 35.44 in W 17.72 in D 18.9 in
set of six cherrywood Paolo Buffa ondulations dining chairs, 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Rome, IT
set of six elegant dining chairs designed by Paolo Buffa circa 1950 manufactured by Mario Quarti ondulation chairs Carved wooden back and spiral-carved front supports re-upholste...
Velvet, Cherry
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
Mahogany
Set of Four Paolo Buffa Dining Chairs
By Paolo Buffa
Located in San Francisco, CA
Set of four Paolo Buffa walnut dining chairs. The frames are fully restored. Price includes upholstery of seats in COM.
Walnut
Paolo Buffa, Rare Pair of Wooden Chairs, 1950 ca
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Argelato, BO
Rare pair of chairs by the famous Italian architect and designer Paolo Buffa, wooden structure and rope seat, 1950s. The rope is the original one and in the meantime it has been rest...
Rope, Wood
Sold
H 35.44 in W 18.9 in D 20.08 in
Maple and Rosewood and Leather Chairs by Paolo Buffa, 1940s, Set of 6
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Set of six Art Deco chairs in maple and rosewood with leather-covered seat designed by Paolo Buffa, 1940s. Seat height: 52 cm. Packaging with bubble wrap and cardboard boxes is incl...
Leather, Maple
Set Of Ten Fine Paolo Buffa Dining Chairs
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Kent, Dover
A set of ten Italian Mid-Century dining chairs by Paolo Buffa in birch wood. With beautifully sculpted lire shaped backs and newly upholstered in dark green wool boucle. Measure: 10...
Birch
Sold
H 41.74 in W 16.93 in D 19.69 in
Paolo Buffa Set of Six Dining Chairs in Wood and Green Velvet, Italy 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milan, IT
Paolo Buffa Set of Six Dining Chairs in Wood and Green Velvet, Italy 1950s
Velvet, Wood
Set of 4 Paolo Buffa Dining Chairs
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Long Island City, NY
Set of 4 Paolo Buffa dining chairs with scalloped back rest.
Rush, Wood
Sold
H 38.25 in W 19 in D 17.25 in
Decorative Side or Dining Chair by Paolo Buffa Made in Italy Ca. 1950’s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Voguish, chic mid century style really only the Italians could attain, this gem was produced by master designer Paolo Buffa, and it is in very fine, original, untouched condition. P...
Rush, Wood