Pair of Italian Modern Neoclassical Walnut Lounge Chairs by Paolo Buffa, 1940
View Similar Items
Pair of Italian Modern Neoclassical Walnut Lounge Chairs by Paolo Buffa, 1940
About the Item
- Creator:Paolo Buffa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 22.25 in (56.52 cm)Depth: 26 in (66.04 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1940
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: pb41stDibs: U08102179351716
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.
- Pair Italian Modern Neoclassical Wingback Leather Lounge Chairs by Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in New York, NYAn Elegant and Timeless Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Wingback Lounge or Club Chairs in Faux Leather by Paolo Buffa, Italy, circa 1947. These armchairs chairs are ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFaux Leather
- Important Pair of Italian Modern Neoclassical Consoles by Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in New York, NYPair 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...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsWood, Paint
- Italian Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Walnut Sideboards by Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in New York, NY2 Rare, Italian Modern Neoclassical Sideboards or Buffets in Walnut with Brass Details by Paolo Buffa circa 1946 - 1955. These elegant mid-century cabinets feature an exceptional pro...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sideboards
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Wing Back Lounge Chairs by Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in New York, NYElegant Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback / Hi Back Lounge Chairs / armchairs by Paolo Buffa. These chairs are large, deep and comfortable; They have sensuous lines and a ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Hardwood
- Pair of French Early Modern Geometric Lounge Chairs, Style of Atelier MartineBy Atelier MartineLocated in New York, NYAn Early Modernist pair of club / lounge chairs in the Manner of Atelier Martine formed from a repeating geometrical grid pattern typical of early mode...Category
Early 20th Century French Modern Armchairs
$7,700 Sale Price21% Off - Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Lounge Chairs by Paolo Buffa, 1950By Paolo BuffaLocated in New York, NYAn Elegant and Timeless Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Lounge Chairs / Armchairs or Club Chairs by Paolo Buffa circa 1947 -1955. The chairs have a classic profile wi...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Hardwood
- Spectacular Pair of Paolo Buffa Armchairs, Italy, 1940sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Milan, ITSplendid pair of streamline Paolo Buffa armchairs, Sculpted wood parts. Ref: I mobili di Paolo Buffa p. 23.Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Maple Lounge Chairs by Paolo Buffa, 1950s, Set of 3By Paolo BuffaLocated in Montelabbate, PU3 Maple armchairs by Paolo Buffa, 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMaple
- Pair of italian amrchairs attr. to Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Milano, ITElegant pair of Italian armchairs attributed to Paolo Buffa from the 1950s. The armchairs are in its original state of the time, also the fabric is original of the time with floral w...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
$3,822 / set - Pair Of Paolo Buffa Lounge ChairsBy Paolo BuffaLocated in London, GBA pair of stylish Italian lounge chairs by Paolo Buffa. In walnut and blond wood and newly upholstered in apple green wool herringbone. En suite witha matching sofa.Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBeech, Walnut
$6,356 / set - Wood & Purple Fabric 1940-50s Armachair Attributed to Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Varese, LombardiaWonderful armchair in wooden structure with purple fabric upholstered cushions. Due to its style and high quality the armchair has been attributed to the 1940-50s Paolo Buffa's produ...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Paolo Buffa 1940s Armchair in Original Pink and Light Grey Stripes FabricBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Milan, ITA spectacular Paolo Buffa 1940s armchair in original fabric. All original. untouched.Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood