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Paolo Buffa Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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 rosewood sycamore and brass chest of drawers 1940
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Paris, IDF
This beautiful chest of drawers designed by Paolo Buffa in Italy in the 1940s imparts a cosy, chic and glowing mood to a space. The warm rosewood remains looking beautiful and smooth...
Category

1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Paolo Buffa Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Italian Mid-Century Modern Chest of Drawers by Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Wonderful Italian sideboard or chest of drawers designed by Paolo Buffa in the 1950s. Truly refined the used wood combination in maple for the drawers and walnut for the furniture re...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Buffa Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Paolo Buffa Chest of Drawers/Commode circa 1940
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
A fine and elegant chest of drawers or commode by Paolo Buffa, circa 1940. The handsome mahogany case is perfectly proportioned with four horizontal drawers, all with a slight curve...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Paolo Buffa Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Paolo Buffa Italian Mid-Century Mahogany and Marble 6-Drawer Dresser / Sideboard
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Mid-Century mahogany dresser / sideboard / chest with 6 drawers mounted with brass drawer pulls supporting a dark green / black marble top, resting on four legs, the front tw...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass

Italian Modern Inlaid Commode, Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Mid-Century Modern Inlaid Commode, Paolo Buffa
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20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

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Paolo Buffa Wood Cabinet, 1950s Italian Design
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Paolo Buffa commodes and chests of drawers for sale on 1stDibs.

Paolo Buffa commodes and chests of drawers 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 commodes and chests of drawers, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original commodes and chests of drawers 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 commodes and chests of drawers by Angelo Mangiarotti, Carlo De Carli, and Sormani. Prices for Paolo Buffa commodes and chests of drawers can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $4,454 and can go as high as $16,200, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $10,001.

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