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.
Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirror by Paolo Buffa, Mahogany, Italy, 1940s
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
$10,691
H 55.12 in W 39.38 in D 8.67 in
Mid-Century Modern Ignis Quartz Wall Decor Piece, Patagonia, Handmade Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Ignis Quartz Wall Decor, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Ignis quartz wall decor embodies the inner fire that fuels passion and emotion. Its organic form captures the movement of a flickering flame, evoking warmth and intensity. Crafted in Patagonia natural quartz, its intricate veins and rich textures create a striking visual statement, making Ignis a bold and captivating art piece for any interior. Designed by Rute Martins, Greenapple's Creative Director. The Ignis Wall Decor can be customized in terms of dimensions, materials and finishes. For U.S. clients, we can handle all customs clearance, cover duties, and offer white-glove service as well upon request. Ignis Wall Decor Material Codes FI001 Gold leaf; high-gloss finish ST042 Patagonia granite...
Onyx, Granite, Carrara Marble, Brass, Stainless Steel, Gold Leaf
$43,953 / item
H 41.34 in W 74.81 in D 2.37 in
Ventaglio Lady Fan Wall Mirror by Sabrina Landini, Silvered Glass & Brass, Italy
By Sabrina Landini
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
LADY FAN VENTAGLIO MIRROR 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
$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
$11,404Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.35 in W 15.75 in D 1.19 in
Pair of Beautiful Italian Vintage Wall Mirrors, 1950s
By Giovanni Gariboldi
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of wonderful mid-century brass frame and glass/crystal wall mirrors. Italy, 1950s.
Crystal, Brass
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
Sapphire Tafla O5 Wall Mirror by Zieta
By Zieta
Located in Geneve, CH
Sapphire Tafla O5 wall mirror by Zieta. Dimensions: D 6 x W 40 x H 60 cm. Material: stainless steel. Finish: Sapphire. Available finishes: stainless steel, wh...
Stainless Steel
Red Rubin Rondo 75 Wall Mirror by Zieta
By Zieta
Located in Geneve, CH
Red rubin rondo 75 wall mirror by Zieta Dimensions: diameter 75 x depth 6 cm Material: stainless steel. Finish: red rubin. Available finishes: stainless ste...
Stainless Steel
Emerald Rondo 95 Wall Mirror by Zieta
By Zieta
Located in Geneve, CH
Emerald Rondo 95 Wall Mirror by Zieta Dimensions: Diameter 95 x D 6 cm Material: Stainless steel. Finish: Emerald. Available finishes: Stainless Steel, White...
Stainless Steel
Emerald Tafla O2 Wall Mirror by Zieta
By Zieta
Located in Geneve, CH
Emerald Tafla O2 wall mirror by Zieta Dimensions: D 6 x W 97 x H 150 cm Material: Stainless steel. Finish: Emerald. Available finishes: Stainless steel, whit...
Stainless Steel
Sapphire Tafla O3 Wall Mirror by Zieta
By Zieta
Located in Geneve, CH
Sapphire tafla O3 wall mirror by Zieta Dimensions: D 6 x W 79 x H 124 cm Material: stainless steel. Finish: sapphire. Available finishes: stainless steel, wh...
Stainless Steel
$8,909 / item
H 55.12 in W 39.38 in D 8.67 in
Mid-Century Modern Ignis Quartz Wall Decor Piece, Patagonia, Handmade Greenapple
By Greenapple, Rute Martins
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Ignis Quartz Wall Decor, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Ignis quartz wall decor embodies the inner fire that fuels p...
Onyx, Granite, Marble, Carrara Marble, Stainless Steel, Gold Leaf, Brass
Emerald Rondo 75 Wall Mirror by Zieta
By Zieta
Located in Geneve, CH
Emerald Rondo 75 wall mirror by Zieta Dimensions: Diameter 75 x D 6 cm Material: Stainless steel. Finish: Emerald. Available finishes: Stainless Steel, White...
Stainless Steel