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.
$16,000Sale Price|20% Off
Free Standing Cabinet Bar by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Fine mahogany free standing cabinet bar by Paolo Buffa made in Italy, circa 1950s. Opposing doors swing open to reveal mirrored and fitted interi...
Wood
Paolo buffa chestnut cabinet with drop-down front and drawers, Italy, 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A secretaire with drop-down front, drawers and open compartments, chestnut wood, design by Paolo Buffa, Italian manufacture, 1940s In the 1940s, Paolo Buffa’s style embraced the tas...
Chestnut
Paolo Buffa Highboard, Walnut & Birch Burl with Marble Top, Italy 1956
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Kampen, NL
Highboard designed by Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1956. The piece features a green Alpine marble top resting on a case in walnut wood and birch burl, creating a refined contrast of materials...
Marble, Brass
Paolo Buffa Pair of Cabinets, Dry-Bar Cabinet and Secretary, circa 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional and rare pair of Paolo Buffa, Italy, circa 1950 mahogany cabinets with molded front panels, rectangular top and dentil carved moldings. One, a dry-bar cabinet and the...
Brass
Cabinet Attributed to Giovanni Gariboldi, possibly made by Colli
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Enchanting vintage 6-door wooden cabinet designed Attributed to Giovanni Gariboldi, possibly made by Colli, circa 1948, fine Italian manufacture. The closet is made entirely in the l...
Brass
Paolo Buffa Wooden Cabinet with Flowers Ceramic Tiles and Fashion Prints, 1950s
By Serafino Arrighi, Paolo Buffa
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Paolo Buffa Wooden Cabinet with wooden frames containing flowers decorated ceramic tiles, and larger central frames containing fashion prints, Italy 1950s
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Modern Tall Sideboard Cabinet Designed by Paolo Buffa, 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Magnificent Italian sideboard designed by Paolo Buffa in the 50s. Underlining the upper floor is wood veneer arranged in a herringbone pattern. The doors have three panels each embel...
Brass
$8,055Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Design Midcentury Cabinet Vitrine Attributed to Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Rome, IT
Well designed and finished with valuable materials. Ormolu-mounted, carved and inlaid with rare woods. Paolo Buffa was named one of the most important designers in Italy. Architec...
Wood
$4,975Sale Price / set|43% Off
Pair of Cabinet Paolo Buffa Design Mid-Century Modern Bar Furniture
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of cabinet Paolo Buffa design Mid-Century Modern bar furniture, mahogany and brass. It has a large flap door that hides an elegant mirrored bar with glass shelf, noteworthy car...
Brass
Extraordinary Trumeau by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Rare trumeau by Paolo Buffa. Palisander with brass inlay by Giovanni Gariboldi. Brass sabots. Similar example I mobili di Paolo Buffa di R . Rizzi pag56
Mahogany and Sycomore Bar Cabinet by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Montreal, QC
Mahogany and Sycomore Bar Cabinet by Paolo Buffa decorated with fencing scenes. Interior fitted with four movable shelves Italy: circa 1950 Provenance: Blackman Cruz...
Mahogany
Italian Mid-Century Cabinet by Paolo Buffa, c.1930s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in London, GB
Italian mid-century cabinet made by Paolo Buffa in cherry wood, circa 1930s. Dimension: W102 x D40 x H153 cm.
Wood
$8,055Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Design Midcentury Cabinet Vitrine Attributed to Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Rome, IT
Well designed and finished with valuable materials. Ormolu-mounted, carved and inlaid with rare woods. Paolo Buffa was named one of the most important designers in Italy. Archit...
Wood
Italian Rosewood and Parchment Cabinet by Paolo Buffa circa 1940
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very good labeled Paolo Buffa for Arrighi Serafino rosewood and parchment front cabinet circa 1940. Having upper open shelf with sliding glas...
Rosewood, Parchment Paper
$4,262Sale Price|20% Off
Paolo Buffa Trumeau in Wood and Glass for Serafino Arrighi
By Serafino Arrighi, Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful wooden trumeau designed by the great Paolo Buffa for Serafino Arrighi in the 1950s. The cabinet is made entirely of very fine and durable curo wood. At the base there are...
Brass
$29,986
Cabinet by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in London, GB
Exceptional cabinet by Paolo Buffa in walnut with mahogany interior and brass detail. Italy circa 1950. Measures: height 133cm, width 26cm, dept...
Hardwood
Italian Modern Cabinet By Paolo Buffa.
By Guglielmo Ulrich, Osvaldo Borsani, ISA Bergamo, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Cabinet By Paolo Buffa. Offered is a glamorous Italian mid century walnut cabinet with a marble top designed by Paolo Buffa in the 1950's. This cabinet has a glass she...
Walnut
Paolo Buffa Bookcase/Drawer Chest /Mobile Bar brass Glass wood 1950s Italy
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Outstanding Storage Cabinet that can Serve as a Bookcase Storage Secretere etc... By Paul Buffa, 1950
Wood
Paolo Buffa Console Brass Wood Marbre 1940 Italy
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Paul Buffa Console
Wood
$4,501
H 21.26 in W 24.41 in D 13 in
Midcentury Art Deco Nightstand Paolo Buffa Attributed Walnut Burl Inlaid Cantù
By Consorzio Esposizione Mobili Cantù, Paolo Buffa
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Art Deco 1930s bedside table in walnut, veneer and burl walnut inlaid, Paolo Buffa design attributed, with originals golden bronze accessories. V...
Brass
Bar Cabinet Carmen by Comité De Proyectos
Located in Geneve, CH
Bar cabinet Carmen by Comité De Proyectos Dimensions: large: W 45 x D 90 x H 110 cm Materials: Huanacaxaxtle Wood, Sisal Fiber, Steel, Wicker, Mirror, Leather. We are an interior a...
Steel
Italian Bar Cabinet in the Manner of Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Budapest, HU
Adorable bar cabinet in the style by Paolo Buffa. Precious wood inlays.
Palisander
$5,271
H 53.94 in W 66.93 in D 17.72 in
Italian Mid-Century Bar Cabinet in Walnut and Brass, Attributed to Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Paris, FR
A beautiful 1940s Italian bar cabinet attributed to Paolo Buffa, featuring a beautifully crafted walnut veneer, sculptural ebonized legs, and brass accents. The symmetrical facade co...
Brass
Paolo Buffa, walnut bar cabinet with maple inlaid front
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
COD-2534 Paolo Buffa (1903-1970) Rare walnut bar cabinet with maple inlaid front and lacquered metal interior. Two maple drawers with glass fronts, mirrors and hidden light. Drawing...
Maple
$2,961
H 32.68 in W 33.47 in D 15.75 in
1950s Art Deco Mid-Century Modern Italian Walnut Burl Glass Top Dry Bar Cabinet
By Vittorio Dassi, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Ico & Luisa Parisi, Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern dry bar cabinet with overall beautiful different veneer walnut briar burl wood decorations and especially the double front door with ...
Brass
$1,953
H 27.96 in W 28.75 in D 14.57 in
1950s Midcentury Regency Italian Wood, Brass and Mirror Dry Bar Cabinet Cart
By Vittorio Dassi, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Ico & Luisa Parisi, Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern dry bar cabinet cart characterized by its original Asian themed painted front wood pull-out tilt door with interior part in mirror glass, standing on its antique brass wheels...
Brass
$2,723
H 27.56 in W 34.26 in D 15.36 in
Italian 1960s Art Deco Mid-Century Burl Walnut Mirror Mosaic Dry Bar Cabinet
By Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Vittorio Dassi, Guglielmo Ulrich, Ico & Luisa Parisi
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern drinks dry bar cabinet with black glass top and beautiful veneer walnut briar burl wood, two doors and great central wooden decor cra...
Brass
$5,330
H 86.62 in W 41.34 in D 20.87 in
Elegant Italian Cabinet Bookcase Attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Rome, IT
A fine Italian bookcase cabinet with brass finishes in excellent vintage condition. attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s.
Mahogany
$2,191
H 29.14 in W 31.89 in D 19.3 in
1950s Art Deco Midcentury Italian Wood and Brass Dry Bar Cabinet Liquor Cart
By Guglielmo Ulrich, Ico & Luisa Parisi, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Carimate, Como
Unique and very elegant Italian Art Deco MidCentury Modern dry bar cabinet cart with two glass tiers and highlighted by the great wooden structure design and overall shape completed ...
Brass
Mid-Century Dresser Cabinet Attributed to Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb, Jack Cartwright
Located in New York, NY
Well constructed mid-century cabinet of solid walnut, walnut veneer, and brass. The case features a bi - fold door which opens to 4 interior drawers, flanked by a bank of 4 drawers w...
Brass
$3,257
H 40.56 in W 31.5 in D 9.85 in
Italian 1950s Art Deco Mid-Century Walnut Burl Shelves Bar Cabinet
By Vittorio Dassi, Guglielmo Ulrich, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Ico & Luisa Parisi
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern drinks dry bar cabinet with beautiful veneer walnut briar burl wood, central shelves and two bottom doors, all detailed by great side...
Brass
Parchment Bar Cabinet by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Parchment and mirrored green glass bar cabinet by Paolo Buffa with original key and Paolo Buffa archive certificate. Made in Italy circa 1940s.
Glass, Maple
Pair of midcentury Italian cabinets by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Elegant pair of midcentury Italian cabinets, designed by Paolo Buffa, showcases timeless craftsmanship and sophisticated design. The clean lines, functional design, and exquisite att...
Wood
Sold
H 35.04 in W 20.87 in D 13.39 in
Paolo Buffa Furniture Container secretarie Commode Wood Brass 1950s italy
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Very rare Paolo Buffa cabinet useful as Etagere/secretaire /Commodino/ in wood Mahogany and birch and brass feet.
Wood
Paolo Buffa, elegant two-door cabinet in grissinato wood
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
COD-2713 Paolo Buffa (1903-1970) Elegant two-door cabinet in grissinato wood and two drawers with brass knobs. Manufacturing, ca. 1940 105x50xh105
Wood
20th Century Italian Marine Relief Cabinet By Paolo Buffa c.1946
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
An unusual mid 20th Century Italian cabinet created from solid limed oak, designed by Paolo Buffa, an Italian architect and designer who specialised in traditional craftsmanship with...
Wood
Sold
H 48.63 in W 49.22 in D 15.75 in
Paolo Buffa certified bar cabinet manufactured by Mosè Turri, Italy, early 1940s
By Paolo Buffa, Turri
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
Cherrywood, maple, and brass bar cabinet, designed by Paolo Buffa, manufactured by Mosè Turri, Bovisio Mombello, 1940s. In the 20th century, the bar cabinet was an essential piece o...
Brass
Italian Mid Century Cabinet by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Houston, TX
Mid-20th Century Italian Paolo Buffa style wood credenza featuring three doors and one shelf.
Wood
Paolo Buffa, Cabinet
By Paolo Buffa
Located in London, GB
c.1930s Cherry wood H153 x W102 x W40 cm
Wood
Italian Mid-Century Cabinet By Paolo Buffa
By Ico Parisi, Osvaldo Borsani, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Mid-Century Cabinet By Paolo Buffa. This versatile chest is a perfect as a bedside chest or where space is limited. Great workmanship. Paolo Buffa was born in 1903, in Milan,...
Walnut
Paolo Buffa Italian 1940s oak wood cabinet
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Paolo Buffa oakwood cabinet Beautifully crafted with large copper hinges. Italy 1940s
Brass, Copper
Paolo Buffa Cabinet in Chestnut
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paolo Buffa, cabinet, chestnut, Italy, 1940s. This rare cabinet has a subtle decorative character and is created by the talented Italian designer and architect Paolo Buffa (1903-197...
Chestnut
Paolo Buffa cabinet late 40’s.
By Paolo Buffa
Located in bari, IT
Paolo Buffa cabinet in beech wood with three lockable doors and four drawers. The doors and drawers have relief decorations of marine environments. Dassi production late 1940s.
Beech