Paolo Buffa Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet Sofa, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Paolo Buffa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30.71 in (78 cm)Width: 70.08 in (178 cm)Depth: 28.35 in (72 cm)Seat Height: 17.33 in (44 cm)
- 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:Puglia, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4426120274142
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Puglia, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Paolo Buffa Mid-Century Modern Italian Armchair, 1950sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Puglia, PugliaBeautiful armchair with curved armrests, made by Paolo Buffa in 1950. The structure in curved and padded wood, the upholstery was redone more than twenty years ago but it is in very ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Beech
- Attributed of Paolo Buffa Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet Armchairs, 1950sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Puglia, PugliaRare pair of wingback armchairs attributed to Paolo Buffa and produced in the 1950s. The armchairs have been restored and upholstered with ivory velvet. Paolo Buffa was an Italia...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsVelvet, Walnut
- Federico Munari Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet Armchair, 1950sBy Federico MunariLocated in Puglia, PugliaBeautiful armchair designed by Federico Munari in the early 1950s. The upholstery has been redone in velvet.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Paolo Buffa Mid-Century Modern Italian Armchairs, 1950sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Puglia, PugliaBeautiful pair of armchairs with curved armrests, made by Paolo Buffa in 1950. The structure in curved and padded wood, the upholstery was redone more than twenty years ago but is in...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Beech
- G. Veronesi Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet Armchair by ISA, 1950sBy ISA Bergamo, Giulia VeronesiLocated in Puglia, PugliaThis "Perla" armchair was designed by Giulia Veronesi and manufactured by ISA Bergamo, Italy in the early 1950s. Its sensual curves and elegantly tapered legs give the chair a sculptural and modern look. This stunning armchair has been fully restored and recently upholstered in sumptuous ivory velvet. The Perla model is one of the iconic chair designs of the Italian modern era. Bibliography: Domus n. 274, October 1952, p. 4. Additional note: The designer of the Perla model has been credited as G. Veronesi in the ISA advertisement on Domus. It was previously speculated that Guglielmo Veronesi was the full name. Further recent research indicates that it was Giulia Veronesi who designed the Perla chair...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsVelvet, Beech
- Gio Ponti Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet "Alata" Lounge Chair, 1950sBy Cassina, Gio PontiLocated in Puglia, PugliaBergère armchair, Alata Mod. 820 armchair, designed by Gio Ponti for the Royal Hotel in Naples and produced by Cassina, Italy, 1950. Completely restored and recently upholstered in v...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsVelvet, Beech
- Mid-Century Italian Armchair New Velvet Paolo Buffa Design 1950sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Palermo, SicilyThe inimitable Italian style, in personalized velvet, maple feet, high back, unique design.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsVelvet
- 2 Seats Sofa /Settee in the Style of Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1950sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in London, GBBeautiful and original vintage sofa designed in the 1950s and attributed to the craftsmanship of Paolo Buffa, of fine Italian manufacture. It features sculpted sinuous hardwood arms with sleek and delicate legs. They rise on the armrests taking a very soft bend, which seems to echo those of a very gentle and sinuous tree branch. The seat is very comfortable, The backrest is very high precisely to give a unique comfort to the sitter. Reupholstered in a neutral grey tone. Paolo Buffa was an Italian architect and designer best known for his designs of mid-century furniture. Characterised by a melding of tradition and modernity, he used a combination of low-profile, rectilinear, and hardwood forms to produce his most classic pieces. Born in 1903 in Milan, Italy, Buffa studied at the Polytechnic Institute of Milan before working for the prominent Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti. After opening a firm with his frequent collaborator Antonio Cassi Ramelli...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Paolo Buffa Mid Century Armchair Red Velvet High Back, 1950sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Palermo, SicilyPaolo Buffa mid century armchair red velvet high back 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsVelvet
- Pair of Midcentury Italian Paolo Buffa Armchairs Cherry Velvet Green, 1950sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Palermo, SicilyPair of midcentury Italian Paolo Buffa armchairs cherry velvet green, 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsVelvet, Cherry
- Armchair by Paolo Buffa, 1950SBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Lasne, BEWood and wicker armchair by Paolo Buffa made in the 50s. Seat height: 32 cm. Wear due to time and age.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWicker, Wood
- Italian Mid-Century Modern Walnut Sofa, 1950sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Paris, FRA beautiful 1950s Italian cream two-seater sofa attributed to Paolo Buffa with a structure crafted of bent walnut that adds to its durability and strength. One of the standout featur...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
