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.
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
Wood, Fabric
Midcentury pair of armchairs by Paolo Buffa, Italy 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Iconic pair of high back armchairs with large seat and big armrest designed by Paolo Buffa Original structure, with red faux leather upholstery, perfect vintage condition Italy, 19...
Wood, Faux Leather
$12,535 / set
H 35.44 in W 17.72 in D 17.13 in
Set of Five Italian Wooden Chairs Attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Set of Five Italian Wooden Chairs Attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s Set of five Italian wooden chairs attributed to Paolo Buffa, dating from the 1950s. The chairs feature slender, ge...
Fabric, Wood
Paolo Buffa, Lounge Chairs, Wood, Velvet, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of yellow brown velvet and wood lounge chairs designed by Paolo Buffa for Hotel Bristol, Merano, Italy, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use. Vintage fabric in fair to ...
Velvet, Wood
$2,917Sale Price|20% Off
H 39.38 in W 33.47 in D 35.44 in
Mid-Century Italian Armchair New Velvet Paolo Buffa Design 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Palermo, Sicily
The inimitable Italian style, in personalized velvet, maple feet, high back, unique design.
Velvet
$4,102 / set
H 19.69 in W 17.72 in D 16.15 in
Pair of Important Mid Century Stools by Paolo Buffa (Attr.), Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Argelato, BO
Pair of important Mid Century stools in solid wood and bouclé fabric, attributable by style to the famous Italian architect and designer Paolo Buffa. The stools have elegant and ori...
Fabric, Wood
$4,900 / set
H 38.25 in W 30 in D 34 in
Paolo Buffa Style, Wingback Lounge Chairs, Fabric, Wood, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Stamford, CT
Paolo Buffa Style, Italian Mid-Century Modern, Wingback Lounge Chairs, Fabric, Wood, Italy, 1950s Pair of modernist lounge chairs by an unknown maker and produced in Italy in the mi...
Fabric, Wood
$4,366Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 36.23 in W 25.99 in D 31.5 in
Pair of Italian Armchairs in Cherry Wood Blue Velvet Paolo Buffa Design 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of Italian armchairs in cherry wood and blue velvet paolo buffa design 1950, elegance and rarity for this wonderful pair of armchairs.
Velvet, Cherry
$1,094Sale Price / set|49% Off
H 13.78 in Dm 11.42 in
Set of 2 Mid-Century Brass Stools Attributed to Paolo Buffa 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Palermo, IT
Set of 2 Mid-Century brass stools attributed to Paolo Buffa 1950s Intact and in good condition, small signs of aging.
Brass
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
$2,948Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 34.26 in W 28.35 in D 31.5 in
Pair of Midcentury Italian Paolo Buffa Armchairs Cherry Velvet Green, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of midcentury Italian Paolo Buffa armchairs cherry velvet green, 1950s.
Velvet, Cherry
Maple and Leather Midcentury Wood Stools, Italy, 1950
Located in Vienna, AT
Pair of petite midcentury maple and leather stools, Italy, circa 1950-1960. Nice pair of cute wooden stools with original upholstery in good condition. the leather is very soft and...
Leather, Maple
$17,700 / set
H 35.5 in W 28 in D 34 in
Paolo Buffa Attrib., Beige Shearling, Wood, Lounge Chairs, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Stamford, CT
Paolo Buffa Attribution, Beige Shearling, Ebonized Wood, Lounge Chairs, Italy, 1950s Pair of large organic form lounge chairs attributed to Paolo Buffa and produced in Italy in the ...
Sheepskin, Wood
$2,917Sale Price|20% Off
H 36.23 in W 25.2 in D 29.53 in
Midcentury Italian Design Reclining Chestnut Armchair 1950s Shaped Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Midcentury Italian design reclining chestnut armchair 1950s shaped wood. Original fabric but unfortunately to be replaced, Armchair marked by fire 'Camea' Modello Brevettato...
Fabric, Chestnut
Pair of Paolo Buffa Armchairs, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in London, London
Pair of Paolo Buffa Armchairs, Italy, 1950s A striking pair of 1950s Italian armchairs attributed to Paolo Buffa, showcasing his characteristic blend of architectural clarity and co...
Beech
$718Sale Price|57% Off
H 15.75 in W 18.9 in D 14.97 in
Mid-Century Rectangular Italian Design Stool Brass Feet Mahogany 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Midcentury delicious and elegant Italian stool unique design, brass mahogany feet of very pleasing design brass. Paolo Buffa attributed.
Brass
Italian stool in orange capitonné satin by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
A Rare Vintage Pouf by Paolo Buffa with Original Satin Fabric This elegant Italian pouf dates back to the 1940s–1950s and is attributed to Paolo Buffa, one of the most refined desig...
Satin, Wood
Paolo Buffa Rare Italian Bench in Walnut in Technique, 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant and rare bench years of 1940. The bench is designed by the great Italian designer Paolo Buffa. The bench is made in a refined rusticated technique and thanks to this manufact...
Walnut
Sold
H 16 in W 24.25 in D 14.5 in
Pair of Italian Modern Neoclassical Stools or Benches by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern neoclassical stools or benches by Paolo Buffa. The pair are large and comfortable for seating. Visually,...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Little Bench by Paolo Buffa, Italy 1940
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Berlin, DE
Little bench by Paolo Buffa, Italy 1940
Walnut