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Paolo Buffa Desks and Writing Tables

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 'Datillo' Writing Desk, Beech & Walnut, Italy, 1940
Paolo Buffa 'Datillo' Writing Desk, Beech & Walnut, Italy, 1940

Paolo Buffa 'Datillo' Writing Desk, Beech & Walnut, Italy, 1940

$10,500

Paolo Buffa 'Datillo' Writing Desk, Beech & Walnut, Italy, 1940

By Paolo Buffa, Galdino Maspero

Located in New York, NY

A 'Datillo' petite writing desk / table by Paolo Buffa and produced by Galdino Maspero in stained beech wood and walnut. With two drawers on the left hand side underneath a rectangul...

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1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Paolo Buffa Desks and Writing Tables

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1940's Elegant wooden desk by Paolo Buffa
1940's Elegant wooden desk by Paolo Buffa

1940's Elegant wooden desk by Paolo Buffa

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1940's Elegant wooden desk by Paolo Buffa

By Paolo Buffa

Located in Milano, IT

Paolo Buffa (1903-1970) Elegant wooden desk with five drawers and turned wooden legs. Certificate from the Paolo Buffa archive. Manufactured by Galdino Maspero in 1940's.

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Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Desks and Writing Tables

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Small bedroom desk with sabre legs by Paolo Buffa
Small bedroom desk with sabre legs by Paolo Buffa

Small bedroom desk with sabre legs by Paolo Buffa

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Small bedroom desk with sabre legs by Paolo Buffa

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Located in Milano, IT

Paolo Buffa (1903-1970) Small bedroom desk with sabre legs and a drawer in "grissinato" wood with a turned wooden handle. Galdino Maspero manufacture, 1935. Biblical R.Rizzi, The ...

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Desks and Writing Tables

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Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Writing Desk by Borsani & Buffa, Italy
Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Writing Desk by Borsani & Buffa, Italy

Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Writing Desk by Borsani & Buffa, Italy

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Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Writing Desk by Borsani & Buffa, Italy

By Paolo Buffa, Osvaldo Borsani

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A dark-brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian half-round writing desk with a clear glass top, made of hand crafted polished Rosewood, designed ...

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Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Buffa Desks and Writing Tables

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Brass

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Splendid mid-century wooden desk designed by Paolo Buffa in the 1950s, of fine Italian manufacture. The desk is finely crafted from solid and durable wood. The frame is supported by four cylindrically shaped wooden legs. The top, also made of fine wood, has obvious scratches and signs of wear, but that is what makes it a fantastic piece. The top boasts two small storage drawers, which can be opened by wooden ball handles. The vintage wooden desk...

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Beautiful wooden desk designed by Paolo Buffa in the 50's, from the house on Lake Como, fine Italian craftsmanship. The desk is finely crafted in wood. The structure is supported by four wooden legs, thin and very particular, but powerful and resistant. The top is also made of fine wood, very durable, and shows the very elegant wood grain. The top contains two small drawers, useful for laying documents or writing objects. The two drawers open through round brass handles, typically in the style of Paolo Buffa. The vintage wooden desk...

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Italian Midcentury Imposing Writing Desk Attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s

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This impressive Italian executive desk with finished brass sabots, provided with five drawers.

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Paolo Buffa desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Paolo Buffa desks and writing tables 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 desks and writing tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks and writing tables 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 desks and writing tables by Poggi, Dassi, and Cantieri Carugati. Prices for Paolo Buffa desks and writing tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,894 and can go as high as $32,420, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $10,541.

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