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.
$14,541 / set
Pair of Paolo Buffa Armchairs, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A wonderful, rare pair of armchairs by Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1950s. Wooden frames and rush seats. Fast shipping worldwide.
Fabric, Beech, Cherry
Pair of Italian Lounge Chairs by Paolo Buffa, Italy 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs, attr. to Paolo Buffa and produced in Italy around the 1940s. The chairs are constructed from walnut wood with a black satin finish...
Nutwood
20th Century Italian Pair of Modern Vintage Walnut Lounge Chairs by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage pair of Mid-Century modern Italian lounge chairs made of hand crafted Walnut designed by Paolo Buffa, in good condition. The detailed club armchairs are composed with a lon...
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Maple, Walnut
20th Century Italian Vintage Modern Single Walnut Lounge Chair by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A single, vintage Mid-Century modern Italian lounge chair made of hand crafted polished Walnut designed by Paolo Buffa, in good condition. The detailed living room club chair is comp...
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Walnut
Paolo Buffa attr, Italian Mid-Century Modern, Camel Mohair, Lounge Chairs, 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Manhasset, NY
Paolo Buffa attr, Italian Mid-Century Modern, Camel Mohair, Lounge or Armchairs, 1940s Gorgeous pair of Italian lounge chairs in black satin finished Walnut and camel mohair attribu...
Mohair
$10,850 / set
Pair Of Italian Modern Lounge Chairs
By Ico Parisi, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, ISA Bergamo, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Houston, TX
Pair Of Italian Modern Lounge Chairs. Offered is a glamorous pair of mid century Italian lounge chairs designed by Paolo Buffa in the 1960's. This pair of chairs is of generous size ...
Velvet, Wood
20th Century White Italian Pair of Walnut Lounge Chairs & Ottoman by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern pair of Italian lounge chairs and a kidney shaped ottoman, stool made of hand crafted polished Walnut, designed by P...
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs by Paolo Buffa, Walnut & Velvet
By Paolo Buffa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian pair of lounge chairs were designed by the famous Italian designer Paolo Buffa. In Walnut with a hand polished Shellac finish in good conditio...
Velvet, Walnut
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 ...
Faux Leather
Paolo Buffa Pair of Lounge Chairs in Light Blue Velvet, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Paolo Buffa pair of lounge chairs or armchairs with curved wingback and back buttons, cushion seat, rounded armrests and elegantly tapered legs, Italy, 1950s. These incredibly chic lounge chairs or modernist wingback chairs have been fully restored and newly reupholstered in a light blue cotton velvet with foam and down cushions. Beautifully proportioned with gently graceful curved lines throughout, these stylish and sophisticated lounge chairs have a more sculptural and sleek form unlike traditional wingback chairs...
Velvet, Walnut
Pair of Olive Green Fabric Armchairs by Paolo Buffa with Walnut Frame, Italy
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1940s. The armchairs feature a walnut frame and is upholstered in a high-quality olive green fabric, which is original and in excellent condition. They are probably ...
Fabric, Walnut
Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Wing Back Lounge Chairs by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback / Hi Back Lounge Chairs / armchairs by Paolo Buffa. These chairs are large, deep and comfortable; They have sensuous lines and a ...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Paolo Buffa Italian Mid Century Lounge Chair
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paolo Buffa Italian mid century lounge chair Italy, circa 1950’s This chair is equal parts comfy and stylish A timeless classic newly reupholstered in vintage Italian wool bouclé We ...
Wood, Bouclé
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...
Velvet
$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...
Fabric, 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...
Upholstery, Hardwood
$4,800 / set
Pair Italian Modern Paolo Buffa Style Armchairs
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish pair of vintage modern Italian armchairs make an elegant mid-century addition to home or business lounge or salon seating. The sculptural lacquer...
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.
Wood
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Italian Lounge Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stunning pair of vintage modern Italian lounge chairs with sculpted armrests and angled back legs. The sleek design ensures maximum comfort without sacrificing style. Please confir...
Upholstery, Walnut
$4,094 / set
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
$5,400 / set
H 38 in W 27 in D 36 in
Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Wing Back Lounge Chairs by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback / Hi Back Lounge Chairs / armchairs by Paolo Buffa. These chairs are large, deep and comfortable; They have sensuous lines and a ...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Unavailable|$6,900
H 31.25 in W 22.5 in D 24.5 in
20th Century Italian Single Vintage Walnut Lounge Chair by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A single, vintage Mid-Century modern Italian lounge chair made of hand crafted polished Walnut designed by Paolo Buffa, in good condition. The detailed club chair is composed with tw...
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of Italian Modern Sculptural Lounge Chairs
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish pair of Italian modern lounge chairs feature sculpted frames with vintage upholstery and unique tapered brass legs. Two-tone fabric adds to the stylish lines of this Gio...
Brass
Italian Lounge Chair, 1970s
By ISA Bergamo, Sergio Rodrigues
Located in bruxelles, BE
Lounge chair with cowhide and leather cushion and wooden frame. Reversible cushion. Seat height: 38 cm. Wear due to time and age of lounge chair. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE...
Leather, Wood, Cowhide
$10,771 / set
H 32.68 in W 28.75 in D 32.68 in
Outstanding, Rare Lounge Chairs, Italy, 1950s, For Reupholstery
By Ico Parisi, Gio Ponti, Carlo Mollino
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An extraordinary, rare pair of Italian 1950s armchairs. Structurally sound, but the original upholstery is worn out so the chairs are sold for the customer to recover in their own c...
Wood, Fabric
Italian Modern Lounge Chair Attributed To Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Vittorio Dassi, Ico Parisi, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Lounge Chair Attributed To Paolo Buffa. This gorgeous mid century modern chair has a gorgeous finish and looks great from every angle. Paolo Buffa was born in 1903, in...
Fabric, Wood
$24,800 / set
H 38.75 in W 27.5 in D 27.5 in
20th Century White Italian Pair of Walnut Lounge Chairs & Ottoman by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern pair of Italian lounge chairs and a kidney shaped ottoman, stool made of hand crafted polished Walnut, designed by P...
Metal, Brass
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
$10,200 / set
H 35 in W 30 in D 31 in
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs by Paolo Buffa, Walnut & Velvet
By Paolo Buffa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian pair of lounge chairs were designed by the famous Italian designer Paolo Buffa. In Walnut with a hand polished Shellac finish in good conditio...
Velvet, Walnut
$17,500 / set
H 35.5 in W 27 in D 29 in
Paolo Buffa Pair of Lounge Chairs in Light Blue Velvet, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Paolo Buffa pair of lounge chairs or armchairs with curved wingback and back buttons, cushion seat, rounded armrests and elegantly tapered legs, Italy, 1950s. These incredibly chic lounge chairs or modernist wingback chairs have been fully restored and newly reupholstered in a light blue cotton velvet with foam and down cushions. Beautifully proportioned with gently graceful curved lines throughout, these stylish and sophisticated lounge chairs have a more sculptural and sleek form unlike traditional wingback chairs...
Velvet, Walnut
Sold
H 33.08 in W 26.78 in D 28.75 in
Paolo Buffa Armchairs with ZAK+FOX 'Fantasma' Collection 2020 Upholstery
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paolo Buffa, pair of armchairs, walnut, wicker and fabric, Italy, 1950s. This pair of wide, robust armchairs are made of wood and cane. The aesthetics of this set is natural and o...
Cane, Walnut
Paolo Buffa Easy Chair
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paolo Buffa, easy chair, wood and beige red fabric, Italy, 1950s This easy chair is made of wood and fabric. The aesthetics of this chair is natural, classic and robust. The set fe...
Fabric, Wood
1970's Italian lounge chair inspired by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in BE
This striking Italian lounge chair and ottoman from the 1970s is a rare example of exceptional craftsmanship and timeless design. While the exact designer remains unknown, the elegan...
Bamboo, Wood
Paolo Buffa, Lounge Chair, Cherry, Rush, Italy, 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in High Point, NC
A cherry wood and rush lounge chair designed by Paolo Buffa and produced by Serafino Arrighi, Italy, 1940s Authenticated by Archivio Paolo Buffa. Overall Dimensions (inches): 36.8"...
Rush, Cherry
Pair of Cherrywood + Rush Armchairs by Paolo Buffa, Italy 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare pair of armchairs from Italian architect and designer Paolo Buffa in 1952. These beautifully crafted chairs are constructed of solid cherry wood and feature monumental carved ...
Rush, Wood
Pair Of Italian Modern Lounge Chairs By Paolo Buffa
By Vittorio Dassi, Gio Ponti, Ico Parisi, Paolo Buffa, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Houston, TX
Pair Of Italian Modern Lounge Chairs By Paolo Buffa. These shapely Italian mid century modern Paolo Buffa fruitwood lounge chairs are most comfortable and have been newly upholstere...
Fruitwood, Velvet
Sold
H 37 in W 31 in D 29 in
Paolo Buffa, Italian Mid-Century Modern, Lounge Chairs, Shearling, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Manhasset, NY
Paolo Buffa, Italian Mid-Century Modern, Lounge Chairs, Honey Shearling or Sheepskin, Italy, 1950s Pair of organic form lounge or arm chairs designed by Paola Buffa and produced in ...
Sheepskin
Paolo Buffa Leather Lounge Chair, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milan, IT
Lounge chair by Paolo Buffa. Wood frame with enveloping backrest, hosts two movable leather cushions.
Leather, Wood
Paolo Buffa Pair of Lounge Chairs, Italy, circa 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Paolo Buffa lounge chairs, designed in 1950 for the Hotel Bristol, Merano, an Italian resort. The chairs are indicative of Buffa's signature style, modernist and sleek but...
Fabric, Walnut
Sold
H 32 in W 24 in D 27.5 in
20th Century Italian Pair of Beech, Maplewood Lounge Chairs by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian pair of lounge chairs made of hand crafted black shellac polished Beechwood, designed by Paolo Buffa in good condition. The crosses of the chairs...
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Beech, Maple
Pair of Paolo Buffa Armchairs, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A wonderful, rare pair of armchairs by Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1950s. Wooden frames and original rush seats. Fast shipping worldwide. UK customers please note: Prices do not incl...
Fabric, Beech, Cherry
Pair of Mid-Century Italian Lounge Chairs by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in San Francisco, CA
This classic pair of Paulo Buffa lounge chairs are elegant, comfortable and beautifully made in cherry wood. The ergonomic design and craftsmanship create the ideal seating experien...
Fabric, Wood, Cherry