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.
Round Walnut Two Tiers Center Coffee Table by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice round coffee table is made of walnut with two glass tops. This is an Italian work by famous designer Paolo Buffa. Circa 1940
Walnut
Paolo Buffa Dining Table, 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Dining table 1950 Paolo Buffa. Brass and wood.
Brass
Italian Midcentury Rosewood Table Attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This Italian midcentury teak table attributed to Paolo Buffa 1950, is an example of pure Italian design on the period. The round top is completely in rosewood with spectacular colour...
Brass
$4,644
H 29.14 in Dm 42.52 in
Paolo Buffa round center or game table, walnut, five hidden drawers, 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Rome, IT
elegant and fine game table by Arch. Paolo Buffa, circa 1950 also available as a center table five sculptural and carver legs, five hidden drawers, inlayed patterned top very good ...
Walnut
$7,019
H 30.71 in Dm 46.07 in
1950 Paolo Buffa Permanente Cantu Midcentury Design Marble Wood Dining Table
By Paolo Buffa, La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Brescia, IT
Paolo Buffa La Permanente Mobili Cantù Italy, 1950s Wood stand with brass details Circle Marble top. Excellent condiction Marble in perfect condiction, no crack and no restorations....
Marble, Brass
$1,871Sale Price|20% Off
H 19.69 in Dm 23.63 in
Paolo Buffa Spider Leg Coffee Table, Wood & Glass, Italy, Circa 1950s
By Paolo Buffa, Brugnoli Mobili Cantú
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Vintage Round Wood Coffee Tabe with Spider Legs by Paolo Buffa for Brugnoli A rare and stunning spider-leg coffee table designed by Paolo Buffa for Brugnoli Mobili in the 1950s. Th...
Glass, Wood
Side Table by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Italian side table by Paolo Buffa for the Hotel Bristol. Etched rectangular glass with stars and circles motives hold by a mahogany pedestal base...
Brass
$2,924
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
Paolo Buffa Console
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Gorgeous Paolo Buffa Console—Italy, 1950s Petite in scale with three-drawers and slightly curved body. Constructed of solid walnut and veneer with beautiful diamond 3 dimensional ...
Brass
$7,604
H 30.32 in W 75.2 in D 35.83 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Table Attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Attributed to Paolo Buffa, a 1950s table in mahogany-stained walnut, walnut burl sides, brass, and a glass top. Completely restored and polished with shellac. As pictured, it has a s...
Brass
1950s Curved Rosewood Paolo Buffa Desk
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A superb Italian mid-century rosewood desk, attributed to Paolo Buffa (1903–1970), Milan. The piece is distinguished by its beautifully fluted Art Deco rosewood façade and thick rais...
Brass
Dining Table in the Style of Paolo Buffa, circa 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Budapest, HU
Piece of great value in the style of Paolo Buffa. The lines are essential and elegant. The table is part of a set including the "Credenza Bar," which is also on sale, but is also sol...
Wood
Italian Mid-Century Dining Table Attr. to Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant dining table, Paolo Buffa, 1950s. The piece is really rare and important. The marble top is supported by a center column on four bronze finished feet. Available as well the ...
Walnut
Round Solid Walnut and Crystal Coffee Table attr. to Paolo Buffa, Italy
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1940s. This is a high-quality solid walnut coffee table. The top is slightly concave with a crystal top in the center. Its legs are distinguished by their conical oval...
Crystal, Brass
Paolo Buffa Center Table
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Exquisite center table by Paolo Buffa - Italy, 1950's Original black grass top with ornate carved scalloped edges and angular shaped legs. Italy, 1950s
Glass, Wood
Italian Vintage Table in Wood and Brass by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Important wooden table designed by Paolo Buffa in the 50's, of fine Italian manufacture. The table is from the designer's Lake Como residence. The table has a round shape and is ent...
Brass
Paolo Buffa Rare Walnut Center or Game Table, Italy, 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Rare and exquisite Paolo Buffa center or game table in walnut composed of inset reverse painted or eglomisé glass top with scalloped apron, four small drawers, stretcher with central...
Copper
Paolo Buffa Italian Mid Century Table, 40's
By Paolo Buffa
Located in bari, IT
Table in inlaid and worked wood attributable to the early works of Paolo Buffa in the late 1940s.
Walnut
Paolo Buffa Oak and Rosewood Pedestal Dining Table
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
An extremely elegant and classically designed pedestal table by Paolo Buffa. The streamlined woods and classic aesthetic are what Buffa was most renowned for; his designs were a perf...
Oak, Rosewood
Paolo Buffa Unique Round Dining Table Cherrywood, 1950
By Paolo Buffa, Serafino Arrighi
Located in Rome, IT
Large rare Paolo Buffa round dining table, cherrywood, circa 1950 five conical saber legs and scalloped edges executed by Mario Quarti, Cantu Measures: height 80cm, diameter 106 cm G...
Cherry
Paolo Buffa Midcentury Dining Table with Green Glass Top, 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Round dining table designed by Paolo Buffa in 1940. The table has a green glass top in excellent condition. The structure of the table is made of wood with 4 cone-shaped feet. To en...
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 39.38 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Paolo Buffa Magnificent Occasional Table in Mahogany with an Onyx Top
By Paolo Buffa
Located in London, GB
A fabulous occasional/small dining table designed by Paolo Buffa. It is designed in mahogany with a pedestal central leg with brass feet and ...
Marble
Scalloped Table Attributed to Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Gorgeous Italian round centre table with intricate scalloped edges - glass top - attributed to Paolo Buffa. Two-tone mahogany wood.
Mahogany
Table by Paolo Buffa Mahogany Manufactured in Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
A table designed by Paolo Buffa (1903-1970), mahogany. Manufactured in Italy, 1950s.
Circular Pedestal Table by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Mahogany top with inlaid star-burst pattern. Pedestal base with carved bulbous center piece the evolves into four graciously curved feet.
Paolo Buffa Round Dining Table, 1950
By Paolo Buffa, Serafino Arrighi
Located in Rome, IT
rare big round dining table by Paolo Buffa executed by Serafino Arrighi,Cantù, 1950 walnut, green Mable " verde Alpi " top veneered ver...
Marble