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Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Italian, 1903-1970

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.

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Creator: Paolo Buffa
Paolo Buffa Bar Cabinet, Italy, 1950s-1960s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Paolo Buffa bar cabinet with gold star detailing. Incredible cabinet in perfect condition. This is a rare piece and not many of this model were made.   
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Paolo Buffa Eight-Legs Grande Credenza in Wood, Brass and Glass, Italy, 1950's
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Paolo Buffa (1903-1970) architect, designer Paolo Buffa was the son of artist Giovanni Buffa, long-considered a modern innovator of early 20th century applied arts. The elder Buffa was renowned for his studio works in stained glass, often collaborating with Eugenio Quarti and other important architects. After graduating in 1927 from Politecnico di Milano, Paolo began training in the studio of Gio Ponti and Emilio Lancia. The following year he opened his own studio with the architect Cassi Ramelli, designing private villas and residential buildings with a strong focus on fine furniture done in the neoclassical style of the Milanese School and its luminaries: Ponti, Lancia, Buzzi, Marellin, and Albini. His designs (which included lighting and textiles) were characterized by perfect execution, for homes of the wealthy middle class with a taste for modern design, that blended functionality and comfort with quality materials. His pieces were primarily executed by the highly skilled artisans of the Mario Quarti studio in Milan, by Serafino Arrighi, and later by the Angelo Marelli workshop. In 1930 Buffa and Cassi Remelli participated in The International Exhibition of Decorative Arts,which would later become the Triennale di Milano. At this time he also began his first collaboration with Gio Ponti's Domus magazine, to which he would contribute many writings in the years to follow. The 1933 Triennale, "Mostra dell Arredamento," presented a solo exhibition on Buffa, as well as a group show that featured his textile designs alongside works by Buzzi, Albini, and Pollini in the display hall of the government institution National Crafts and Small Industries (ENAPI). By the time of his participation in the 1936 VI Triennale, Buffa was considered one of the elite arbiters of modern taste and style. The painter Roberto Aloi, director of “L’Arredamento Modern” (the Hoepli periodic review of modern design) dedicated more space to Buffa in his publication than to any other Italian architect in future editions. 1940 saw an intense collaboration with the acclaimed Mario Quarti furniture studio in Milan, in which Buffa created the furnishings for the Royal Palace of King Zog, in Tirana, Albania. In 1945 Ico Parisi organized the exhibition "Prima Mostra dell Arredamento" in Como. Together he and Buffa designed 12 environments, displayed as real rooms in a home. The following year the show travelled to Milan as “Mostra Mercato per la Reconstruzione” (Exhibition of Reconstruction). In addition to Buffa and Parisi, among the participants were Cassi Ramelli, Gio Ponti, and Guillermo Ulrich, all working under an objective to foster a profound collaboration between architect and expert craftsman. In 1947 Buffa was invited by esteemed textile designer Fede Cheti to participate in the exhibition “Lo Stile nell Arredamento Moderno” (The Style of Modern Furniture), celebrating the rebirth of quality execution and technical perfection in the reinvention of classic Italian furniture...
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1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Italian Mid-Century Cabinet By Paolo Buffa
By Osvaldo Borsani, Paolo Buffa, Ico Parisi, Vittorio Dassi, Gio Ponti
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,...
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1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

Italian 1940s Cabinet by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in London, GB
A fine 1940s Italian cabinet by Paolo Buffa Resting on slender tapered legs with deep brass sabot feet. This piece has wonderful four panelled...
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1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Paolo Buffa Console Brass Wood Marbre 1940 Italy
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Paul Buffa Console
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1940s Italian Other Vintage Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Paolo Buffa Wardrobe with Walnut Grissinato Front and Brass Accents
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paolo Buffa, wardrobe or highboard, walnut, ash, beech, brass, mirrored glass, steel, plastic, Italy, 1950s Elegant and modern at the same time, this magnificent armoire is by the ...
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1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Brass, Steel

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.
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1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Beech

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...
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1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

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
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1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Paolo Buffa Large Highboard in Chestnut
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paolo Buffa, wardrobe or armoire, chestnut, Italy, 1940s This rare wardrobe has a subtle decorative character and is created by the talented Italian designer and architect Paolo Buf...
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1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Chestnut

Paolo Buffa Furniture in Wood with Decorated Panels for Reguitti
By Esposizione Permanente mobili Cantù, Fratelli Reguitti, Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Splendid living room furniture with bookcase shelves designed by the great designer Paolo Buffa for Permanente Cantù in the 1950s, with the collaboration of Reguitti for the decorati...
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1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Brass, Iron

Important cabinet by Paolo Buffa production Arrighi in glass and wood
By Giovanni Gariboldi, Serafino Arrighi, Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Important closet cabinet by Paolo Buffa for Arrighi's 1950s Italian production. The wardrobe is a great product of rare beauty , it is a priceless piece...
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1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Brass

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.  
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20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Grande Credenza by Paolo Buffa in Wood, Brass and Glass, Italy, 1950's
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Paolo Buffa (1903-1970) architect, designer Paolo Buffa was the son of artist Giovanni Buffa, long-considered a modern innovator of early 20th centu...
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Brass

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...
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1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Wall Mounted Credenza by Paolo Buffa for Serafino Arrighi, Italy, 1950's
By Serafino Arrighi, Paolo Buffa
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Paolo Buffa wall-mounted ribbed credenza in patinated, brass and glass, by master woodmaker Serafino Arrighi, 1950's What stands out in this small w...
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1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Paolo Buffa Set of 2 Extra Large Credenza's in Walnut and Mahogany, Italy, 1956
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Exceptional pair of high credenza's by Paolo Buffa in very good condition. What notices most is the size and the quality of these magnificent works of art. They are high and mighty a...
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1950s Italian Vintage Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

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...
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1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Drinks Cabinet
By Mario Quarti, Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Pyramid studded varnished wood body, gilded wooden legs, with two doors and bottom drop-down shelf, featuring interior glass shelves and original ke...
Category

1840s Italian Antique Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Wood

Paolo Buffa Vintage Pearwood, Glass and Brass Cabinet
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Charming 5-door vintage pear wood cabinet designed in the 1950s by the great designer Paolo Buffa, fine Italian manufacture. The cabinet is made entirely...
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1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Paolo Buffa Vintage Wood and Brass Cabinet
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Enchanting vintage 6-door wooden cabinet designed in the 1950s by the great designer Paolo Buffa, fine Italian manufacture. The closet is made entirely in the light-colored fine woo...
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1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Brass

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...
Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Rosewood, Parchment Paper

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Wood

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...
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1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Hardwood

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Paolo Buffa Cabinets

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Wood

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...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Brass

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
Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Brass, Copper

Paolo Buffa Storage Cabinet
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Mahogany, brass. 6-drawer storage cabinet with highly figured mahogany veneer. Open and closed storage areas, 8 stylized feet with brass sabots and branded line decorations. A very u...
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1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Vintage Bookcase Cabinet in Wood by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Wonderful wooden bookcase cabinet designed by Paolo Buffa in the 50's, fine Italian manufacture. Provenance is from the house on Lake Como. The structure is totally made of bleached...
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1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Paolo Buffa cabinets for sale on 1stDibs.

Paolo Buffa cabinets are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Paolo Buffa cabinets, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original cabinets by Paolo Buffa were created in the mid-century modern style in italy during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider cabinets by Ico Parisi, Vittorio Dassi, and Osvaldo Borsani. Prices for Paolo Buffa cabinets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,762 and can go as high as $54,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $16,464.

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