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.
Rare Paolo Buffa Sideboard in Cherry
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paolo Buffa, sideboard, cherry, brass, Italy, 1940s Crafted by the visionary Italian designer and architect Paolo Buffa (1903-1970), this rare piece exudes a refined decorative allu...
Brass
Paolo Buffa Buffet / Sideboard in Walnut and Brass, Mario Quarti, Milan, 1940s
By Paolo Buffa, Mario Quarti
Located in The Hague, NL
This exceptional counter-buffet / sideboard was designed by Paolo Buffa and produced by Mario Quarti in Milan, Italy in the mid 1940s. The sideboard stands on four grooved, turned ...
Brass
Paolo Buffa Buffet / Sideboard in Walnut and Brass, Mario Quarti, Milan, 1940s
By Mario Quarti, Paolo Buffa
Located in The Hague, NL
This exceptional counter-buffet / sideboard was designed by Paolo Buffa and produced by Mario Quarti in Milan, Italy, in the 1940s. The sideboard stands on four grooved, turned twis...
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Sculptural Sideboard designed by Paolo Buffa 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This beautiful sideboard exemplifies Paolo Buffa's distinctive ability to blend architectural rigor and refined decorative sensibility. Designed in the 1950s, it reflects the Milanes...
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
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...
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Sideboard by Paolo Buffa for Eugenio Quarti
By Paolo Buffa, Mario Quarti
Located in Roma, RM
An elegant and architecturally composed Italian mid-century sideboard designed by Paolo Buffa and produced in Milan by the distinguished workshop of Eugenio Quarti, circa 1950s. The ...
Wood
Fine Italian Modern Palisander, Mahogany and Brass Sideboard, Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Queens, NY
Fine Italian Mid-Century Modern Palisander, Mahogany and Brass Sideboard, Paolo Buffa
Mahogany
Paolo Buffa Sideboard for La Permanente Mobili Cantù, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa, La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Paolo Buffa sideboard for La Permanente Mobili Cantù, veneer and brass, Italy, 1950s. This mid-century sideboard, crafted in Italy around 1950, embodies the era's dedication to eleg...
Brass
$4,254Sale Price|20% Off
Paolo Buffa Mid-Century Sideboard in Wood
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful wooden sideboard designed by Paolo Buffa in the 1950s of fine Italian manufacture. The sideboard is made of a very beautiful and distinctive light wood. There are two wood...
Brass
$11,330Sale 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
Paolo Buffa, Italian Modern, Cherrywood, Brass, Sideboard, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Manhasset, NY
Paolo Buffa, Italian Mid-Century Modern, Cherrywood, Brass, Sideboard, Italy, 1950s A highly sculptural and unique cherrywood and brass sideboard designed and produced by Paolo Buff...
Cherry
attributed to Buffa Paolo design in years '30 Galdino Maspero Italy sideboard
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Biella, IT
attributed to Buffa Paolo design in years '30 by Galdino Maspero Italy elegant sideboard
Wood
Sideboard with Riser Design Paolo Buffa, 1960s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in taranto, IT
Splendid original sideboard from the 60s, design by paolo buffa, with resealable top riser it measures approximately 180 cm in length, 48 cm in width, 90 cm in height (part of the...
Glass, Wood
$4,136
H 22.84 in W 23.63 in D 14.18 in
Pair of Italian Midcentury Nightstands in the Style of Paolo Buffa, circa 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Rome, IT
Pair of remarkable bedsides rosewood in the style of Paolo Buffa, 1950s.
Rosewood
$2,647Sale 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
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
Catalan Carved Walnut Sideboard, 1940s
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
"Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness." — Frank Gehry A testament to Catalan craftsmanship, this 1940s solid walnut sideboard reflects the reg...
Walnut
Italian Credenza Attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Budapest, HU
A fine Italian credenza attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s.
Rosewood
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
$3,545
H 48.04 in W 63.39 in D 22.05 in
1940s Art Deco Mid-Century Italian Walnut Burl Brass Sideboard Buffet Credenza
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Carimate, Como
Unique and very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern sideboard credenza buffet, in beautiful veneer walnut wood, with two side doors, central drawers and antique handles and l...
Brass
Italian Modern Credenza Attributed to Paolo Buffa
By Ico Parisi, Osvaldo Borsani, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern credenza attributed to Paolo Buffa. This stunning Italian Mid-Century organic Modern Cerused piece can be used as a credenza, co...
Oak
$5,318
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
$4,964Sale Price / set|43% Off
H 51.19 in W 35.44 in D 17.72 in
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
$5,555
H 50.79 in W 74.81 in D 16.15 in
Elegant Mid-Century Sideboard in Wood and Brass, Buffa Style, Italy 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Argelato, BO
This 1950s sideboard features an elegant, mid-century design. It's crafted from wood with a glossy finish that highlights the grain, arranged in geometric, diamond-shaped panels on t...
Brass
$4,786
H 25.99 in W 19.69 in D 66.93 in
Elegant Mid-Century Italian Chest of Drawers by Dassi, Italy, 1950s
By Dassi
Located in Argelato, BO
This mid-century Italian cabinet features an elegant and refined design, typical of the 1950s and 1960s. Crafted from wood with fine wood finishes, it boasts a slender frame with ang...
Brass
Sold
H 37.01 in W 105.52 in D 20.48 in
Paolo Buffa Walnut and Birch Burl Sideboard with Marble Top, Italy, 1956
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Kampen, NL
Designed by Paolo Buffa in 1956, this sophisticated Italian sideboard exemplifies the elegance and precision of postwar Italian craftsmanship. The cabinet features a luxurious green ...
Marble, Brass
Paolo Buffa ashwood sideboard with brass handles, Italy 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A rare six-drawer sideboard, wooden structure with brass handles, design by Paolo Buffa, Italian craftsmanship, 1950s Every piece of furniture designed by Paolo Buffa reflects a syn...
Brass
Italian Mid Century Sideboard designed By Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This stunning sideboard designed by Paolo Buffa in the 1950s is a testament to his refined aesthetic vision, where a severe elegance combines with a subtle neoclassical rigor, reinte...
Brass
20th c, Sideboard by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Allerum, SE
Sideboard in walnut and ash by Paolo Buffa (1903 - 1970) and executed by Mose Turri, Bovisio Mombello, in 1944. Italy.
Ash, Walnut
Sold
H 54.73 in W 39.77 in D 17.72 in
Italian Mid-Century Sideboard or Bar Cabinet by Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This elegant cabinet bar, designed by Paolo Buffa in the 1950s, is a true example of mid-century Italian design. The front features four giltwood panels, enriched with 18th-century e...
Brass
Paolo Buffa Sideboard
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Gorgeous sideboard by Paolo Buffa - Italy, 1940's Walnut with wood inlay trim throughout with signature tapered legs and brass accents. Cabinet has 3 drawers on each side of drop dow...
Brass
Paolo Buffa Carved Wood Sideboard / Credenza, Italy, circa 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
A charming hand-carved walnut and oak credenza or sideboard by Italian designer Paolo Buffa, circa 1950. The four doors with scalloped carving open to reveal internal shelves, with...
Brass
Sideboard by Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Palermo, PA
Sideboard by Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1950s. Dimensions: H= 95 cm; W= 160 cm; D= 40 cm.
Glass, Wood
Paolo Buffa Mid-Century Sideboard for Serafino Arrighi
By Serafino Arrighi, Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Large and beautiful Mid-century sideboard designed by Paolo Buffa for the fine Italian manufacture of Serafino Arrighi in the 50s. The sideboard is entirely made of fine and solid wo...
Brass
Paolo Buffa Hanging Console in Wood, Signed
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful fine wood console table signed Architect Paolo Buffa of fine Italian manufacture from the 1950s.Official signature. The console is made enti...
Brass
Maple and walnut Art Deco sideboard by Paolo Buffa, 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Art Deco sideboard with small riser made of plywood veneered in walnut and maple. The open compartment is characterised by a mirror mosaic resting on red glass, sliding glass doors m...
Glass, Maple, Rosewood
Sold
H 63 in W 89.38 in D 21.66 in
Art Deco Credenza in Rosewood and Maple with Mirror by Paolo Buffa, 1940s, Set
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Sideboard with arched base in maple and rosewood. Center carries a crescent-shaped niche trimmed in mirror mosaic. Gorgeous burgundy and chrome knobs and f...
Mirror, Maple, Rosewood