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.
Italian Mid Century Executive Table Desk designed by Paolo Buffa in 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Elegant Executive Desk designed by Paolo Buffa in the 1950s. The desk top is characterized by the presence of three lateral drawers, two similar on the left side and a larger one on ...
Walnut
Paolo Buffa Mahogany & Brass Drop-Down Desk Italy, 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
A rare and exquisite mahogany cabinet with molded front panel, rectangular top and dentil carved moldings. (Pair available, the other a dry-bar cabinet). The drop-down secretary wi...
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Double-Sided Walnut Desk by Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Buccinasco, MI
Exceptional Italian double-sided desk from the 1950s, attributable to the design of Paolo Buffa. Crafted in finely grained walnut, this impressive piece features a perfectly balanced...
Wood, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Executive Desk by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Lafayette, IN
Grand style and grand scale combine in this wonderful executive desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Desk features walnut construction, brass and mahogany pulls, and the renowned Dunba...
Brass
Danish Executive Desk in Rio Rosewood, Mid-Century Modern, c1950s
Located in San Francisco, CA
Danish executive desk in richly grained Rio rosewood, made in the 1950s or 1960s. The front includes a central drawer and two cupboards with interior pull-out trays, all key-operated...
Rosewood
$18,190
H 68.12 in W 98.43 in D 24.41 in
Mid-Century Modern Walnut & Brass Cabinet by Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Paolo Buffa attributed cabinet, Italy, 1950s Elegant cabinet attributed to Paolo Buffa, crafted in richly figured walnut with brass details. The façade is defined by a striking geome...
Brass
$2,546Sale 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
$21,000
H 38.5 in W 101 in D 20 in
Italian Mahogany Two-Tone Scalloped Sideboard Attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Chicago, IL
An elegant Italian sideboard from the 1950s, attributed to Paolo Buffa, executed in richly figured mahogany with contrasting blonde wood. The elongated case is quietly architectural,...
Brass
Danish Mid-Century Walnut Writing Desk with Three Drawers, 1950s
Located in Houston, TX
The wide tabletop is presenting a fine walnut wood. Right beneath the top there is wide shelf. Three drawers are attached on either side. Each of the drawers has “bow” shaped handle....
Walnut
$5,116
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
$28,423
H 63 in W 103.15 in D 16.54 in
Italian Mid Century parchment inlaid Sideboard attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This elegant Italian sideboard is attributed to Paolo Buffa and was likely commissioned by a high-profile client and crafted by the Associazione Artigiani Canturini...
Brass
Paolo Buffa Italian Mid-Century Brass Inlaid Secretary
By Giovanni Gariboldi, Paolo Buffa, Marelli & Colico
Located in Atlanta, GA
Paolo Buffa, Secretary, Italy c. 1948, Brass Intarsia by Giovanni Gariboldi, Manufactured by Marelli e Colico, Cantù. An exquisite and collectible Mid-Century secretary by esteemed ...
Brass
Custom Made Vestiaire by Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milan, IT
Built-in vestiaire by Paolo Buffa. Two silk covered doors with decorated brass knobs, inner glass shelf and sculptural pegs.
Wood
$21,601
H 54.34 in W 80.32 in D 18.12 in
Paolo Buffa Mobile Bar / Container Walnut Root Brass 1950 Italy
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Exceptional Walnut Root Bar Furniture By Paolo Buffa
Nutwood, Glass
$3,751
H 26.78 in W 35.44 in D 17.72 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern PetiteTable Desk Designed by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Stylish Italian Mid-Century Modern petite desk elegantly named "Dattilo" in wood teak designed by Vittorio Dassi, from the 1950s. The drawer front is very elegant, inspired by the co...
Brass
$7,844
H 31.11 in W 66.54 in D 33.08 in
Italian Mid Century Executive Desk Table designed by Vittorio Dassi in 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Stylish Executive desk designed by Vittorio Dassi in 1950s,truly unique design characterized by a sinuous top with an arched line in contrast with the central part convex in the oppo...
Glass, Teak
Melchiorre Bega Desk, 1950s Italy
By Melchiorre Bega
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Italian desk in a beautiful caramel wood. Four pull-out drawers flank each side of the desk. Angular extension on the left side of the desk for extra writing space and fanta...
Brass
$9,125
H 33.47 in W 72.05 in D 19.69 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern Chest of Drawers by Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This refined sideboard, designed by Paolo Buffa and produced in Italy during the 1950s, is a superb example of the designer's unmistakable ability to blend classical elegance with th...
Brass
Sold
H 49.61 in W 31.5 in D 17.33 in
Paolo Buffa Important Cabinet Secretarie in Maple and Brass, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Important secretary by Paolo Buffa in maple and brass from 1950. The cabinet is made of maple wood with inlays of various woods. Its peculiarity is the dual function that can become ...
Brass
Sold
H 88.59 in W 42.52 in D 20.08 in
Paolo Buffa 20th Century Mahogany Wood Italian Design Trumeau, 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Important Italian trumeau from the 1950s-1960s. Exceptional design furniture by Paolo Buffa, in mahogany wood, brass decorations and bronze fe...
Brass, Bronze
Five-Drawer Desk by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Five-drawer desk by Paolo Buffa. Fantastic desk of figured rosewood veneer, bookmatched in a chevron pattern with light wood inlay trim details. Five drawers with cast brass pull han...
Petite Three Drawer Desk by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Elegant desk of rosewood veneers, with book matched details and light wood inlays. Classic and modern form with brass pulls and sabots. Finished on all sides.