Pair of Wing Chairs by Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1940s
View Similar Items
Pair of Wing Chairs by Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1940s
About the Item
- Creator:Paolo Buffa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 34.5 in (87.63 cm)Width: 28 in (71.12 cm)Depth: 30 in (76.2 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Replacements made: New oak legs in a satin black ebonized finish which matched the original. Reupholstered.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: CHR-VINT-661stDibs: LU2256324102562
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.
- Art Deco Rosewood and Mirror Table Attributed to Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1940sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Los Angeles, CAA vintage 1940s Art Deco style rosewood sofa or side table in the style of Paolo Buffa. Unmarked. In good condition. New mirror top.Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Tables
MaterialsMirror, Rosewood
- Pair of Vintage 1950s Italian Lounge Chairs in Grey BoucléLocated in Los Angeles, CAPair of vintage 1950s highback Italian lounge chairs. The pair have been restored and reupholstered in a wool blend Italian made grey bouclé. The legs are solid walnut and have been ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Bouclé, Walnut
$7,960 Sale Price / set20% Off - Pair of 1950s Italian Armchairs in BoucléLocated in Los Angeles, CAPair of 1950s Italian armchairs completely restored and reupholstered in a light grey performance bouclé. The walnut legs have been refinished satin black. Overall the pair are in ex...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBouclé, Walnut
$8,950 / set - Pair of Cowhide and Iron Sling Chairs, Netherlands, 1960sBy Pierre PaulinLocated in Los Angeles, CAPair of iron lounge chairs with new cowhide slings. The iron frames show patina. Unknown designer, attributed to Pierre Paulin. Most likely from Netherlands, 1960s.Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsIron
- 1950s Mid Century Italian Lounge ChairLocated in Los Angeles, CAA vintage 1950s mid-century Italian lounge chair. Newly uphostered in a white chenille fabric. Features iron legs. The iron legs show patina.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsIron
- 1940s Italian Faceted Carved Vitrine CabinetLocated in Los Angeles, CAA vintage 1940s Italian vitrine cabinet. Solid wood with carved details, glass fronts and glass insert tops. Two interior glass shelves. Includes original brass key.Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Vitrines
MaterialsGlass, Wood
- 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 Leather Italian Lounge Chairs Attributed to Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in North York, ONPair of Leather Italian lounge chairs attributed to Paolo Buffa. Featuring unique curved design in a burnished yellow leather. Leather does have some fading on seat corner and back. ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
$8,000 Sale Price / set20% Off - Pair of Vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian Paolo Buffa Wingback Lounge ChairsBy Paolo BuffaLocated in North York, ONPair of Vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian paolo buffa wingback lounge chairs. Iconic paolo buffa styling, Italy, circa 1960’s. Masterfully restored to its original condition with ne...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
$7,960 Sale Price / set20% Off - Pair of Custom Made 1940s Style Wing ChairsLocated in London, GBDagmar Design - Albin wing chair A custom-made wing chair developed & produced at our workshops in London using the highest quality materials. The frame is built from solid tulipwood with a fully sprung seat...Category
2010s British Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Beech, Oak, Fabric
$14,010 / set - Pair of Custom Made 1940s Style Boucle Wing ChairsLocated in London, GBDagmar design custom-made upholstered range A pair of custom made wing chairs developed and produced at our workshops in London using the highest quality materials. The frames are...Category
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBouclé, Beech
$11,717 / set - Italian Modern Wing Back Lounge Chairs after Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis stylish pair of high back Paolo Buffa attributed armchairs feature sculpted wingback design and elegant hardwood arms. Tapered legs and unique vintage fabric add to the Mid-Cent...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
$4,000 Sale Price / set51% Off