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 5 Italian Walnut Dining Chairs by Paolo Buffa, Dark Green, 20th century
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
$4,721Sale Price / set|50% 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...
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Side / Desk Chairs by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
2 Rare Italian Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Side or Desk Chairs by the Italian Master Designer of the Post Art Deco Period, Paolo Buffa. Buffa designed some of the most elegant an...
Upholstery, Cherry
Italy Midcentury Pair of Ebonized Walnut Chiavari Chairs by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Very rare pair of Chiavari chairs in ebonized walnut by Paolo Buffa. The chairs have original fabric seating in geometric designs in excellent conditions. Gilt brass feet. Measures cm: H 123/48, W 40, D 44. About PAOLO BUFFA Italian architect and designer Paolo Buffa (1903-1970) was active between the 1930s and 1960s, and is known for his décor that blends neoclassical style with Art Deco motifs and modernist principles. His pieces are often devoid of trademarks or hallmarks, thus making them difficult to authenticate. Born and raised in Milan, Buffa studied architecture at the famous Polytechnic of the city, where he graduated in 1927. The following year he founded a design studio together with Antonio Cassi Ramelli, met during a short work in the atelier of Gio Ponti and Emilio Launch. The two designers' professional debut took place in 1930, when the duo presented a dining room installation at that year's Triennale. Between 1933 and 1936, Buffa will found his own studio. Drawing for the upper social classes in Milan, Buffa's designs are handcrafted in the finest and most quality materials, and are able to rival Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann, a legend of French Art Déco. Collaborating with talented cabinetmakers such as Mario Quarti, and skilled craftsmen, Buffa slowly manages to introduce modern techniques to the design scene of the early 1940s. The evolution of Buffa's aesthetics, progressively more and more modern, is very clear and linear; from early neoclassical furniture...
Mahogany
Paolo Buffa & Giovanni Gariboldi – Set of Four Gilt and Lacquered Side Chairs
By Paolo Buffa, Giovanni Gariboldi
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...
Wood, Lacquer
Mid Century Modern Highback Chiavari Chairs by Paolo Buffa, Italy 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find five pieces of the iconic Mid Century Modern Highback Chiavari Chairs by the Italian star of design, Paolo Buffa. The chairs are done in dark wood, lacq...
Fabric, Wood
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
$820
H 36.23 in W 15.95 in D 16.54 in
Italian wood & Vienna straw Chiavari chair by Fratelli Levaggi, 1950s
By Fratelli Levaggi
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Elegant and decorative Chiavarina chair in wood and original Vienna straw seat. Partially restored: one leg was repaired. general polishing of the wooden structure.
Straw, Wood
$2,567Sale Price / set|37% Off
H 35.04 in W 54.73 in D 32.68 in
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...
Brass
$4,130 / 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
$650
H 38 in W 19.5 in D 20.75 in
Painted Neoclassical Side Chair, Wood with Laurel Wreath, 20th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Painted Neoclassical side or desk chair with laurel wreath & studs.
Wood
1950s Italian Chiavari Brass Ballroom Chair
By Chiavari
Located in Buchanan, NY
A stunning Italian Mid-Century Modern brass ballroom chair with upholstered seat by Chiavari. This mid century brass ballroom chair by Chiavari is a mu...
Brass
$6,019Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 51.97 in W 15.75 in D 19.69 in
Set of 8 Ebonized Velvet High Back Chiavari Dining Chairs by Paolo Buffa, 1950
By Fratelli Marelli, Paolo Buffa
Located in Rome, IT
Rare set of eight high back side Chiavari ebonized dining chairs, by Paolo Buffa. Manufactured by Marelli & Colico, Italy Ebonized wood, white velvet fabric Very good condition ...
Velvet, Wood
$2,148 / set
H 96 in W 46 in D 45 in
Mid-Century set of six dining chairs attributed to 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
$9,678 / set
H 30.32 in W 25.99 in D 29.14 in
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
Set of Six Period 18th Century George II Walnut Dining Chairs
Located in Essex, MA
Set of six period English walnut George II side chairs Six period Georgian side chairs in transitional form moving from Queen Anne to Ge...
Walnut
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
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
1950's Paolo Buffa High Back Side Chairs
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Amazing pair of 1950's Paolo Buffa high back sculptural side chairs, fully restored and re-upholstered in Donghia mohair fabric, with minor wear and patina to the wood due to age and...
Mohair, Walnut
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
Paolo Buffa High Back Side Chair
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Dronten, NL
All original side chair designed by Paolo Buffa for Marelli & Colico, Italy. Beautifully detailed dark stained mahogany frame with brass feet.
Brass
Sold
H 51.75 in W 18.5 in D 16 in
Mid-Century Modern Ladder Back Chairs Woven Rush Seat Paolo Buffa Italy, Pair
By Marelli & Colico, Paolo Buffa
Located in Miami, FL
Italian pair of Mid-Century Modern tall ladder back chairs designed by Paolo Buffa and manufactured for Marelli & Colico. Ebonized mahogany woo...
Rope, Mahogany
20th Century Set of Paolo Buffa Side Chairs
By Paolo Buffa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Paolo Buffa high back side chairs designed for Marelli and Collico, Italy with metal frame brass backrest and brass feet. Very sculptural design. Wear consistent with age and...
Metal, Brass
Rare Pair of Side Chairs by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Stylized wood frames with upholstered seats and backs. An elegant and rare form.
Upholstery, Wood
Paolo Buffa Set of Four Handcrafted Dining / Game Chairs, circa 1940
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Set of four elegant handcrafted dining/game chairs with upholstered seats and backs, sculpted wood frames, and brass sabots by Paolo Buffa, Italy, circa 1940. These are beautiful cha...
Brass
Important set of PAOLO BUFFA chairs (12)
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Rome, IT
set of 12 dining PAOLO BUFFA chairs 1940 upholstery in two different colours excellent condition IMPORTANT NOTE: this lot will be sold exclusive...
Important Set Of Paolo Buffa Chairs (12)
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Rome, IT
set of 12 dining PAOLO BUFFA chairs 1940 upholstery in two different colours excellent condition IMPORTANT NOTE: this lot will be sold exclusive...
Silk
Set of Six Paolo Buffa Dining Chairs Chairs
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Grazie Paolo! An exquisite set of sexy dining chairs for your next soiree!
Wood