Paolo Buffa Armchairs in Walnut and Cane
View Similar Items
Paolo Buffa Armchairs in Walnut and Cane
About the Item
- Creator:Paolo Buffa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 33.08 in (84 cm)Width: 26.78 in (68 cm)Depth: 28.75 in (73 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950-1959
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Waalwijk, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU933111089473
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.
Established in 2006, Morentz has a team of approximately 55 restorers, upholsterers, interior advisers and art historians, making it a gallery, workshop and upholstery studio, all in one. Every day, a carefully selected array of 20th-century furniture arrives from all over the world at the firm’s warehouse, where the team thoroughly examines each piece to determine what, if any, work needs to be done. Whether that means new upholstery or a complete restoration, Morentz's aim is always to honor the designer’s intention while fulfilling the wishes of the client. The team is up to any challenge, from restoring a single piece to its original glory to furnishing a large-scale hotel project.
- Paolo Buffa Elegant Sideboard in WalnutBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Waalwijk, NLPaolo Buffa sideboard, walnut, brass, Italy, circa 1950 An outstanding piece that breathes sophistication and craftsmanship. Designed by Paolo Buffa in the 1950s, this piece clearly...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsBrass
- Brazilian Lounge Chairs in Walnut and CaneLocated in Waalwijk, NLPair of lounge chairs, walnut, fabric, cane, Brazil, 1950s. The style of these Brazilian armchairs is simple and understated, where clear, fluent lines are allowed to emerge in the ...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Cane, Walnut
$9,950 / set - Paolo Buffa Large Highboard in ChestnutBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Waalwijk, NLPaolo Buffa, wardrobe or armoire, chestnut, Italy, 1940s This rare wardrobe has a subtle decorative character and is created by the talented Italian designer and architect Paolo Buf...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
MaterialsChestnut
- Rare Paolo Buffa Sideboard in CherryBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Waalwijk, NLPaolo Buffa, sideboard, cherry, mahogany, brass, mirrored glass, glass, Italy, 1940s Crafted by the visionary Italian designer and architect Paolo Buffa (1903-1970), this rare crede...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsBrass
- Paolo Buffa Wardrobe with Walnut Grissinato Front and Brass AccentsBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Waalwijk, NLPaolo Buffa, wardrobe or highboard, walnut, ash, beech, brass, mirrored glass, steel, plastic, Italy, 1950s Elegant and modern at the same time, this magnificent armoire is by the ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Italian Armchairs in Walnut and Yellow UpholsteryLocated in Waalwijk, NLArmchairs, velvet, fabric, walnut veneer, Italy, 1970s. The construction of these wonderful armchairs show strong resemblance to the club chairs designed by the Italian manufacture...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Velvet, Walnut
$2,450 / item
- Paolo Buffa 8 elegant walnut chairsBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Milano, ITCOD-Z200 Paolo Buffa 8 elegant walnut chairs with ebony fillets and open backs. Lietti manufacture late1930s Provenance Domus Livia, Gio Ponti 1933/1938 48 x 50 h 90 seduta 47Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
$19,732 / set - Pair Italian Modern Paolo Buffa Style ArmchairsBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Brooklyn, NYStylish pair of vintage modern Italian armchairs make an elegant mid-century addition to home or business lounge or salon seating. The sculptural lacquer...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
$4,800 / set - Paolo Buffa Set of Six Dining Chairs in WalnutBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Milano, ITPaolo Buffa (1903-1970) Set of six elegant dining chairs in walnut with nice carved back and upholsterd seat. Manifactured by Serafino Arrighi, Italy, 1950's. Bibl. Mobili di ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
$13,703 / set - Paolo Buffa Attribution, Lounge Chairs, Walnut, Italy, 1940sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in High Point, NCA pair of walnut and green velvet lounge chairs, designed and production attributed to Paolo Buffa, Italy, c. 1940s.Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsVelvet, Walnut
- Pair of Pink Italian Armchairs and Sofa Paolo Buffa Style, 1950sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Rome, ITDelicious set of pink painted wood frames lounge chairs or armchairs with deep seat. Upholstered with flower design in a very good vintage condition.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWood
- 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
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
You Don’t Need a Fictional Fairy to Get This Real Pinocchio Lamp
Warm chalet style meets cool Bauhaus functionality in Pietro Cascella’s cleverly carved creation.
Morentz Writes the Next Chapter for Furniture with a Storied Past
Dutch dealer Matthijs Hoveijn specializes in the best of mid-century modern design, selling it to discerning clients around the world.