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.
Vintage Italian Nightstands by Paolo Buffa, Mahogany & Glass, 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern Italian pair of bed side tables made of hand crafted polished, partly veneered Mahogany, designed by Paolo Buffa in good condition. The nightstands are c...
Metal, Brass
$1,868Sale Price|20% Off
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
Paolo Buffa Wood Coffee Table, Italy 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milan, IT
Paolo Buffa side table, Italy 1940s.
Wood
20th Century Italian Pair of Mid-Century Maplewood Nightstands by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern Italian pair of nightstands made of hand crafted polished Maplewood, designed by Paolo Buffa in good condition. The bed side tables are composed with a glass shelf and two small doors, detailed with its original brass hardware. The small side chests...
Metal, Brass
$11,200Sale Price|20% Off
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
Paolo Buffa Table w/ Blue Glass
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Stunning table by Paolo Buffa - Italy, 1950s Walnut pedestal base with brass legs and gorgeous mirrored blue glass top
Brass
$1,934Sale Price|25% Off
Elegant Rectangular Walnut Coffee Table by Paolo Buffa with Casters, Italy
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1940s - 1950s. This elegant rectangular coffee table is made in walnut and features casters and a lowers shelf. It is a vintage item, therefore it might show slight t...
Walnut
Important Pair of Italian Modern Neoclassical Consoles by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Pair of rare, exquisite Italian midcentury demilune consoles or end or side tables from a private commission by Paolo Buffa. The pieces present an exceptional sculptural form that bo...
Wood, Paint
$3,100 / item
H 26 in W 24.5 in D 15 in
Chic 'Méandre' Verdigris and Glass Nightstand by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chic 'Méandre' verdigris and glass nightstand by Design Frères. Sturdy verdigris patinated steel base fitted with a thick, easy to clean,...
Steel
$3,200 / set
H 28.75 in W 15.16 in D 12.01 in
20th Pair of Marquetry Walnut Nightstands Tables with Drawer and Open Shelf
Located in Miami, FL
A pretty pair of French, inlaid kingwood, one drawer nightstands with open shelf , circa 1910. Pair of French Louis XV style walnut bedside...
Fruitwood
Paolo Buffa Attributed 1950's Italian Side Table
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful 1950's round side table with inlay top and sculptural legs side table or coffee table attributed to Paolo Buffa, restored with some wear and patina due to age and use.
Walnut
Swedish Designer, Coffee or Side Table, Wood, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden coffee or side table designed and produced in Sweden, 1940s.
Wood
Paolo Buffa, Walnut Mid-Century Daybed, Italy 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Argelato, BO
Paolo Buffa (1903-1970) Rare and very elegant wooden daybed Varnished walnut and fabric Model created circa 1940 H 58 × L 205 × W 95 cm Paolo Buffa was an Italian furniture des...
Velvet, Walnut
$1,875 / set
H 22.84 in W 25.6 in D 13 in
Pair of Italian Midcentury Art Deco Nightstands Bedside Tables Walnut Glass Top
By Dassi, Gio Ponti, Ico & Luisa Parisi, Melchiorre Bega
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant and refined Italian 1950s neoclassical pair of bedside tables with front flip opening and great pattern design of the walnut veneer wood and lacquered glass top. Great d...
Brass
On Hold|$5,274 / set
H 23.43 in W 24.1 in D 13.98 in
Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Bedside Tables Attributed to Paolo Buffa.
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milan, IT
Elegant pair of Italian bedside tables attributed to Paolo Buffa, The tables are crafted in finely finished wood and topped with original Peach glass top, reflecting Buffa’s refined ...
Glass, Wood
$2,207 / set
H 25.2 in W 21.66 in D 13 in
Pair of Mid-Century Italian Art Deco Nightstands Bedside Tables Walnut Glass Top
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant and refined Italian 1950s Mid-Century Modern design, pair of bedside tables with double front door, glass top and beautiful wood veneer burl decors on the sides and door...
Brass
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Walnut Nightstands
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning pair of vintage modern end tables boast unusual drawer fronts with recessed pulls. Quality construction with curved front tops, stubby tapered legs, and a vintage walnu...
Walnut
$1,760Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 24 in W 19 in D 13.5 in
Italian Pair of Nightstands Attributed to Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rosewood pair of 1950s Italian nightstands or end tables. Brass bouts on the bottom of the feet. Attributed to Paolo Buffa. Rivers glass on top and glass shelf. Shipping to continen...
Wood
$3,504 / set
H 22.45 in W 24.02 in D 14.18 in
Set of 2 Bedside Tables or Nightstands in the style of Paolo Buffa, Italy 1950's
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Beautiful pair of bedside tables / nightstands in the style of or attributed to Paolo Buffa (1903-1970). They are made in Italy in the 50's. This lovely set is made with passion by...
Brass
Rosewood Console Table by Paolo Buffa, 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Rosewood console table by Paolo Buffa, 40s.
Maple, Rosewood
Sold
H 37.01 in W 59.06 in D 16.93 in
Large Cherrywood Console Table by Paolo Buffa with Three Drawers and a Glass Top
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1948 - 1950. This refine and elegant console table features a glass top, a solid cherrywood frame with three drawers and brass handles. This piece is vintage, therefor...
Brass
Sold
H 15.75 in W 24.81 in D 17.33 in
Elegant Rectangular Walnut Coffee Table by Paolo Buffa with Casters, Italy
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1940s - 1950s. This elegant rectangular coffee table is made in walnut and features casters and a lowers shelf. It is a vintage item, therefore it might show slight t...
Walnut
Paolo Buffa Round Side Table Early Fifties
By Paolo Buffa
Located in bari, IT
Circular worked wood coffee table design Paolo Buffa production early 1950s Paolo Buffa is considered one of the most influential architects in the Milan area. Although he also ...
Ebony
Sold
H 23 in W 25 in D 13.5 in
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Pair of Maplewood Nightstands by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern Italian pair of nightstands with a slim smoked glass top, made of hand crafted polished, partly veneered Maplewood, designed by Paolo Buffa in good condition. Each of the polished bed...
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Paolo Buffa Mid-Century Coffee Table in Wood and Glass
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant coffee table designed by Paolo Buffa in the 1950s, of fine Italian manufacture. The coffee table is made of wood in the frame, a detail to note is its workmanship underneath...
Glass, Wood
Paolo Buffa Pair of Rare Blue Glass Coffee Tables for Arrighi
By Paolo Buffa, Serafino Arrighi
Located in Milano, IT
Very rare pair of trinagular coffee tables designed by the great Paolo Buffa for Serafino Arrighi's prized production, with surveyed drawing attesting to the authenticity of the piece. The small tables are very beautiful and distinctive, made entirely of a fine light wood that is very durable and beautiful. There are 3 supporting legs of very rigid and geometric conical strut shape. The wood shows obvious darker grains simply wonderful, which makes the table even more rare. The top has a triangular shape as well, on which a very beautiful and eye-catching blue...
Art Glass, Wood
Sold
H 32.29 in W 24.02 in D 9.45 in
Ebonized Beech Console Table by Paolo Buffa with Portoro Marble Top, Italy
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. This console table features an ebonized beech frame, a demilune Portoro marble top and brass details. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight tra...
Marble, Brass
Sold
H 35.04 in W 54.73 in D 11.82 in
Vintage Ebonized Beech Console Table by Paolo Buffa with Glass Top, Italy
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. This console table features an ebonized beech frame, a back-painted glass top and brass details and feet caps. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show...
Brass
Paolo Buffa Round Mahagony Glass Top Side Table
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Hudson, NY
This exquisite accent table was designed by Paola Buffa in the 1940s. Featuring a scalloped apron design, three tapered square-cut legs and a smokey glass top, the table adds a sculp...
Glass, Mahogany
Fine Pair of Paolo Buffa Side Tables
By Paolo Buffa
Located in CA, CA
A pair of Paolo Buffa side tables circa 1940s Designed with a beautifully curved front, the gently tapered legs frame two ridged doors with classical brass ring handles. The doors...
Wood
1950's Rare Italian Paolo Buffa Side Table
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Paris, FR
A stunning mid-20th century vintage side table in solid beechwood was designed by the great Italian designer Paolo Buffa in the 1950's. This piece is highlighted by the sculpted wood...
Beech
Sold
H 23.75 in W 23.75 in D 12.75 in
20th Century Italian Walnut Nightstands - Vintage Bed Side Tables by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian pair of nightstands, bedside tables made of hand crafted polished Walnut with one large drawer and one small drawer, composed with de...
Metal, Brass