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.
Paolo Buffa Cherrywood Credenza with Chevron Inlay, Italy, Circa 1950
By Giuseppe Anzani, Paolo Buffa
Located in London, GB
A fine dark cherrywood bow fronted two doos credenza with striking chevron inlay pattern standing on tapered legs with brass sabots . Designed by Paolo Buffa in collaboration with G...
Brass
Rare Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboard/ Bar / Console by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
An Elegant, Timeless and Enchanting Italian Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical cabinet / bar / sideboard / credenza / console / sofa table by Paolo Buffa, circa 1950. The cabinet / cons...
Marble
Paolo Buffa Eight-Legs Grande Credenza in Wood, Brass and Glass, Italy, 1950's
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Paolo Buffa Eight-Legs Grande Credenza in Wood and Brass, Italy, 1950's This tall credenza has a long, elegant shape and stands on eight slender legs, almost like stiletto heels—lig...
Brass
$11,308Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Midcentury Sideboard with Mirror Attributed Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Rome, IT
Beautiful sideboard with mirror i by Paolo Buffa, 1950s. The piece is really rare and important. The sideboard cabinet is supported by two major foot socks with bronze. Handmade edge...
Wood
Italian Modern Credenza Attributed To Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Credenza Attributed To Paolo Buffa. Offered is a handsome Italian mid-century credenza, commode, chest or sideboard with beautiful lines, tapered legs and bronze hardw...
Walnut
Wall Mounted Credenza by Paolo Buffa for Serafino Arrighi, Italy, 1950's
By Serafino Arrighi, Paolo Buffa
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Wall Mounted Credenza by Paolo Buffa for Serafino Arrighi, Italy, 1950's Paolo Buffa wall-mounted credenza, Italy, 1950s. This compact cabinet is executed with a vertically ribbed f...
Brass
French Midcentury Extra Large Modernist Oak Sideboard, 1950s
Located in Paris, IDF
This attractive sideboard features a smooth oak build and bright copper accents. Monumental in size. The eye-catching coral and black decorative knobs...
Copper
Sideboard "Bar Buffet" in the Style of Paolo Buffa, 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Budapest, HU
A wonderful multifunctional Italian sideboard cabinet bar style of Paolo Buffa, 1950s. Measures: H 37.41 in. x W 70.87 in. x D 19.69 in. H 95 cm x W 180 cm x D 50 cm.
Wood
$2,638Sale Price|25% Off
H 58.27 in W 89.77 in D 20.08 in
Italian Sideboard Style of Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Budapest, HU
A wonderful multifunctional Italian sideboard cabinet bar style of Paolo Buffa, 1950s.
Wood
$14,735
H 18.9 in W 63 in D 21.66 in
Mid-Century Modern Beans Floating Sideboard, Walnut, Handmade by Greenapple
By GF Modern, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Beans Floating Sideboard, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Beans floating sideboard merges organic fluidity with architectur...
Wood, Beech, Oak, Walnut, Lacquer
Italian Colored Glass and Brass Sideboard or Credenza
Located in London, London
Colored glass sideboard Brass base and details Postmodern mix of colors Contemporary, Italy.
Brass
$5,301
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
$4,476 / set
H 28.35 in W 33.08 in D 20.08 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern Small Desk and Chair Attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Cute and stylish Italian midcentury modern desk, with a graceful chair, attributed to Paolo Buffa. This teakwood desk it is a splendid example of the Italian class design of 1950. B...
Brass
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 18 in W 78 in D 14 in
Mid century Jack Cartwright for Founders Long wall mounted Bar desk credenza
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Jack Cartwright for Founders Long wall mounted Bar desk credenza. Left side has 2 cabinet doors and the right side has a fold down bar or desk with white laminate surface...
Faux Leather, Walnut, Lacquer
$2,945
H 33.08 in W 39.38 in D 11.03 in
Refined mid-century Italian console table, Paolo Buffa Style, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Argelato, BO
This mid-century Italian console table from the 1950s enchants with its revisited neoclassical elegance. The top is made of cream marble with delicate yellow veining, slightly chamfe...
Marble
$3,416
H 38.98 in W 42.13 in D 14.97 in
Refined Italian Wodden Console table, Paolo Buffa Style, Italy, 1930s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Argelato, BO
This 1930s Italian console table features an elegant half-moon shape, typical of the Art Deco period. Crafted from dark wood, it features a glossy, warm finish with visible grain. Th...
Marble
$8,410Sale Price|40% Off
H 30.32 in W 95.28 in D 18.51 in
Franco Albini Italian Midcentury Dark Wood Sideboard for Poggi, 1950s
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern design credenza sideboard designed by Franco Albini and produced by Poggi Pavia from 1958, four doors with sliding shelves and a pull-out shelf / tray, sol...
Wood
$2,061Sale Price|30% Off
H 70.48 in W 78.75 in D 18.9 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Sideboard Bar, 1950s
By Umberto Mascagni
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Four-door sideboard from the 1950s, made with green vinyl doors, inspired by the production of Umberto Mascagni. The main body structure is made of European wood. This piece features...
Aluminum
Paolo Buffa Large Art Deco Sideboard in Walnut
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paolo Buffa, sideboard, walnut and brass, Italy, 1940s. This stunning sideboard by Paolo Buffa needs a new home, that has the space for it. It consists of five doors, that offer plenty of storage space. Two doors have a fish bone pattern inlay. The three other doors have a Art Deco bombed pattern, finished with brass dots, creating rhythmic lines. These lines are repeated in the most peculiar base consisting of 10 brass front legs. The wooden base can be removed in case preferred. Being able to look at this rare Italian beauty each morning, ensures a most fun start of the day.
Brass
Modernist Slatted Credenza by Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1960s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Antwerp, BE
This modernist slatted credenza by Paolo Buffa embodies a disciplined approach to storage furniture, where proportion and material expression define the ...
Wood
Extraordinary Italian sideboard by Paolo Buffa with 5 doors.
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
This impressive 1950s Italian sideboard by Paolo Buffa is a remarkable example of fine craftsmanship and sophisticated design, reflecting the elegance and technical mastery of Italia...
Brass
Sold
H 47.25 in W 55.91 in D 18.12 in
Elegant cherry bar cabinet with diamond-cut wood front by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
COD-2724 Paolo Buffa (1903-1970) Elegant cherry cabinet with diamond-cut wood front, sabre-shaped feet, two side doors and two drop-down shelves with a bar covered in ground glass....
Cherry
Sold
H 39.38 in W 82.68 in D 18.9 in
Vintage 20th Century Italian Marine Relief Credenza By Paolo Buffa c.1940
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
An unusual mid 20th Century Italian credenza created from solid limed oak, designed by Paolo Buffa, an Italian architect and designer who specialised in traditional craftsmanship wit...
Wood
Paolo Buffa's Exquisite Mid-Century Sideboard
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Discover the elegance of Italian mid-century modern design through this exquisite Paolo Buffa sideboard. Known for his seamless blend of functionality and style, Buffa's work epitomi...
Wood
A Paolo Buffa Blond Credenza with Rose Mirror Top
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Stamford, CT
A Paolo Buffa 6 drawer blond credenza with "wave" pulls and rose mirror top. Circa 1950. Italy.
Wood
Sold
H 39 in W 100 in D 17.75 in
20th Century Italian Mario Quarti Cabinet, Walnut Sideboard by Paolo Buffa
By Mario Quarti, Paolo Buffa, Eugenio Quarti
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian credenza, sideboard made of hand crafted polished walnut with three doors and detailed brass handles, designed by Paolo Buffa and produced by Mario Quarti in good condition. The large cabinet is supported by six round legs, enhanced by particularized wood carvings. Wear consistent with age and use. Circa 1940 - 1950, Milan, Italy. Paolo Buffa was born in 1903, in Milan, Italy and passed away in 1970. He was an Italian architect and designer. Before Buffa studied at the Polytechnic Institute in Milan, he worked for the Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti. He established his own company with collaborator Antonio Cassi Ramello. Before Buffa passed away, he had been named one of the most important designers in Italy. Eugenio Quarti was an Italian furniture maker...
Metal, Brass
Italian Mid-Century Sideboard attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Traversetolo, IT
In the 1950s, Paolo Buffa designed this stylish Italian mid-century sideboard. There is a great deal of elegance in this piece. The sinuous lines of the sides and the refined combina...
Brass
6 Drawer Sideboard/ Console Table by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Mahogany, birch, brass. Mahogany sideboard on tall, tapering legs with birch inlays, brass drawer pulls and feet.
Birch, Mahogany
Sold
H 87 in W 42 in D 19 in
Paolo Buffa Credenza/Secretaires with Coat-of-Arms in Brass, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian mid century credenza, secretaires, bookcase by Paolo Buffa. Period: 1950s Material: Brass, fruitwood, gold leaf. Coat of arms: Noble Roman Family connected to the Chigi Family (Star Coat...
Brass, Gold Leaf
Paolo Buffa Italian Sideboard in Walnut and Brass, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Majestic sideboard designed by Paolo Buffa from the 1950s. The sideboard is made of walnut wood. The sideboard Paolo Buffa has inside six drawers, w...
Brass