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.
20th Century Italian Rectangular Mahogany Wall Glass Mirror by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian wall mirror with its original mirror glass, enhanced by brass nailheads, designed by Paolo Buffa in good condition. The backside of ...
Metal, Brass
Rare Pen Drawing by Giovanni Gariboldi for Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1940s
By Paolo Buffa, Giovanni Gariboldi
Located in Milan, IT
Rare pen drawing by Giovanni Gariboldi for Paolo Buffa.
Paper
$8,200
H 19.25 in W 20.25 in D 0.5 in
Original Drawing, Circle of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo 1696-1770 Venice, Italy
By Giovanni Battista Tiepolo
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Original Drawing, Circle of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo 1696-1770 Venice, Italy Although we offer this old master drawing as circle of Tiepolo, we are convinced, based on the composi...
Paper
$528Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 23.63 in D 1.58 in
Italian mid century rectangular mirror with lines drawing, Gio Ponti style, 1940
By Gio Ponti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern rectangular mirror with lines drawn on the glass, in the style of Gio Ponti, 1940s. Rectangular mirror, with Pontian lines drawing on the glass. White desi...
Mirror, Wood
$4,125 / set
H 29.14 in W 23.04 in D 1.19 in
Four Rare Italian School 19th Century Old Master Sketches Drawings by F Mazzoli
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this stunning set of four original 19th century Old Master drawings by F Mazzoli Please note the delivery...
Paper
"Study for Icarus, " Drawing by Emlen Etting, 1940s
By Emlen Etting
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Emlen Etting returned again and again to the theme of Icarus Falling, in part because it gave him an opportunity to depict the nude male in motion. This large drawing served as a stu...
$36,015 / item
H 41.34 in W 74.81 in D 2.37 in
Contemporary Mirror, Three-Dimensional Wall Fan, Silvered Glass Slabs, brass
By Sabrina Landini
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
Stunning now, stunning forever. Crafted to stand the test of time, our mirrors become family heirlooms for future generations that can be passed down and cherished for years to come. Unparalleled reflections of its timeless and mystery silvering, a deep dive into glass life, that both honors and reimagines Sabrina Landini's contemporary vision. This wall...
Brass
French Drawing in Pen and Gouache by André Arbus, Paris, 1938
By André Arbus
Located in New York, NY
Gouache and pen work by André Arbus (1903-1969). Signed Andre Arbus. Origin: Drawing of dining table by Andre Arbus for the apartment of Mme Pedersen, Paris, 1938. Literature:...
Emerald Tafla O6 Wall Mirror by Zieta
By Zieta
Located in Geneve, CH
Emerald tafla O6 wall mirror by Zieta Dimensions: D 6 x W 50 x H 55 cm Material: Stainless steel. Finish: Emerald. Available finishes: Stainless steel, whit...
Stainless Steel
$660Sale Price|62% Off
H 11.82 in W 8.67 in D 1.58 in
Small Italian 18th Century Baroque Silvered Wall Mirror
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An 18th century Italian Venetian-style wall mirror with original silvered patina.
Gesso, Giltwood, Wood
Original Pen & Pencil Drawing Finn Juhl, 1952
By Finn Juhl
Located in London, GB
This is an example of a hand-drawn scaled drawing of the ‘Top of New Dining Table (DRW.79)’, 17th December 1952. The drawings depicts the top view of what seems to be a ‘simplified’ version of Finn Juhl’s Silver Table, or more commonly known as the ‘Judas Table...
Paper
$1,445
H 23.63 in W 31.5 in D 1.19 in
Anton Pieck Still Life Kitchen Scene with Scale Pencil Drawing 1940s
Located in Tilburg, NL
This is a beautiful drawing by Dutch artist Anton Pieck (1895-1987). A still life depicting a kitchen scene with a scale, pitcher and some fruit in a baske...
Paper
Middle Eastern Pen & Ink Drawing On Paper
Located in Chicago, IL
Pen and ink drawing on paper depicting Middle Eastern musicians and horse in a dream like sequence, signed. Distressed wood frame measurements 31.25" H x 13" W x 1" D
Pen
1940s Nude Male Drawings in Charcoal
By Michelle Nussbaumer
Located in Dallas, TX
1940s nude male drawings in charcoal matted and framed. These drawings are matted in a neutral color with a rustic wood frame.
Charcoal
Pair of italian wall consolle by Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Palermo, PA
Pair of italian wall consolle by Paolo Buffa, 1950s. Dimensions: H= 60 cm; W= 56 cm; D= 25 cm.
Wood