Pair of Chairs, Design by Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1950s
View Similar Items
Pair of Chairs, Design by Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Paolo Buffa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 35.44 in (90 cm)Width: 29.93 in (76 cm)Depth: 31.5 in (80 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Wolfurt, AT
- Reference Number:Seller: ID 5531stDibs: LU298139696763
Paolo Buffa
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.
- Italian Armchair from the 40s in the Style of Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Wolfurt, ATThis Italian armchair was made in the 1940s in the style of Paolo Buffa. Two white cushions rest on the beautifully crafted cherry wood frame and have been refinished for your choice...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsCherry
- Italian Lounge Chairs, 1950s, Set of 2Located in Wolfurt, ATSet of two elegant Italian modernism armchairs with wood turned legs and original upholstery.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Bentwood
$8,457 / set - Chair - Manufactured by I.S.A. Bergamo, Italy, 1950sBy I.S.A. ItalyLocated in Wolfurt, ATThis extravagant Italian armchair was made by I.S.A. Bergamo in the 1950s. The furniture body is covered by yellow brocade fabric and is supported by four patinated wooden legs. The ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Pair of Italian Blue and Violet Armchairs by Lenzi, Studio Tecnico, Italy, 1950sBy Gigi RadiceLocated in Wolfurt, ATThis pair of "Model 530" armchairs was designed by Lenzi in the 1950s and manufactured by Studio Tecnico. The geometric pieces of furniture have armrests and an iron frame with brass...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Armchair Designed by Farina Morez Ruggero in the 1950s in ItalyBy Farina Morez RuggeroLocated in Wolfurt, ATThis Italian armchair was designed by Farina Morez Ruggero in the 1950s. The piece of furniture has a beautifully curved, tapered wooden frame. It needs to be reupholstered. Do not ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWood, Faux Leather
- Set of 2 Gianfranco Frattini Chairs Modell 830, 1950s, Cassina, ItalyBy Gianfranco Frattini, CassinaLocated in Wolfurt, ATThis pair of "Model 830" armchairs was designed by Gianfranco Frattini for the Italian company Cassina in the 1950s. Both pieces are upholstered in dark green fabric and are supporte...Category
Antique 1650s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- 1950s Pair Of Italian Armchairs By Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in London, LondonPair of armchairs By Paolo Buffa Cherry wood frame Spindle back Decorative feet with brass caps Italy 1950s Certificate of authenticity from the Paolo Buffa archives Alcuni Mobili di Paolo...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsCherry
$14,082 / set - Pair of Ladder Back Armchairs in the style of Paolo Buffa, c.1950sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in London, GBPair of Italian Paolo Buffa ladder back armchairs pleasingly proportioned on cylindrical legs and softly curved ladder backs. Italian, c.1950's. Dimensions: H118 x W70 x D62 cm. Paolo Buffa’s (1903-1970) love of the neoclassic is incorporated into sumptuous pieces of furniture, made in sweeping curves of rosewood with simple detailing. There is a perfect blend not only of mid-century pragmatism about pieces, but the centuries of traditions that came before. Working initially under Gio Ponti...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWood
- A wonderful pair of 1950s Italian Cherrywood chairs by Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in London, GBA wonderful pair of 1950s Italian Cherrywood chairs by Paolo Buffa with sculptural curved arms and upholstered in acid green fabric.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Art Deco Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Cherry
- Five chairs by Paolo Buffa, 1950sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Baranzate, ITStunning set of five chairs by Paolo Buffa in mahogany and upholstered fabric. Italian manufacture. C1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
$4,393 / set - Pair of 1950s armchairs in the style of Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1950sBy Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Guglielmo UlrichLocated in Argelato, BOPair of 1950s armchairs by Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1950s One of the most iconic and representative models of 1950s Italian design, wooden structure and cushions recently reupholstered w...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Pair of Armchairs attributed to Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1950sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in New York, NYPair of armchairs attributed to Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1950s. $9,900.00. Pair of beautiful 1950s Paolo Buffa lounge chairs with “tusk” shaped legs. Upholstered in an off-white boucle ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood