A Paolo Buffa Hotel Bristol Settee
View Similar Items
A Paolo Buffa Hotel Bristol Settee
About the Item
- Creator:Paolo Buffa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 37.41 in (95 cm)Width: 66.93 in (170 cm)Depth: 28.75 in (73 cm)Seat Height: 18.12 in (46 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:c.1953
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:Seller: ET022061stDibs: LU93071669572
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.
- Stylish Three Seat Sofa by Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in London, GBA stylish Italian sofa by Paolo Buffa. In walnut and blondwood and newly upholstered in dusty pink boucle. En suite with a matching pair of armchairs.Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWalnut
- 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
$6,352 / set - Pair of Ladder Back Paolo Buffa Style ChairsBy Paolo BuffaLocated in London, GBA set of two elegant curved ladder back hall chairs in the manner of Paolo Buffa. Newly upholstered in scarlet velvet.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsBeech
$1,928 / set - Pair of Paolo Buffa Wing Back Lounge ChairsBy Paolo BuffaLocated in London, GBA pair of Italian wing back lounge chairs by Paolo Buffa, in walnut. Extremely comfortable and newly upholstered in ivory boucle.Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Pair of Black Lacquered Midcentury Secretaires by Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in London, GBA pair of Italian midcentury Neo-Classical black lacquered secretaires by Paolo Buffa. Each with three drawers and a fall front desk compartme...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
MaterialsBeech
- Large English Water Gilded and Finely Carved SetteeLocated in London, GBA large English carved and water gilded settee of fine quality, with shell crest, scrolled corners and decorated with English roses and foliage throughout. Newly upholstered in faux ...Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Early Victorian Sofas
MaterialsGiltwood
- 2 Armchairs in Leather 'Attributed to Paolo Buffa'By Paolo BuffaLocated in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C2 armchairs in leather "Attributed to Paolo Buffa" Year 19350 Materials : Wood and leather Finish: polyurethanic lacquer Country: Italian Elegant and sophisticated armchairs. We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982.If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'View All From Seller'. And you can see more objects to the style for sale. Paolo Buffa was an Italian architect and designer best known for his designs of mid-century furniture. Characterized 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 1960s Italian Minimalist Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
$12,000 / set - 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 Walnut Sofa, 1950By Paolo BuffaLocated in Rome, ITRare curved sofa attributed to Paolo Buffa, circa 1950 walnut, original gold velvet, iron very good original condition Measures: 145.5 x 60 cm height 94 cm height seat. 41 cm.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsIron
$3,985 Sale Price20% Off - 20th Century Italian Vintage Polished Walnut Living Room Set by Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian living room set, composed with one two seater sofa, two lounge chairs and one ottoman, footrest made of hand crafted polished Walnut, designed by...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsFabric, Upholstery, Walnut, Bouclé
- Vintage Ivory Original Fabric Living Room Set of 3 Pieces by Paolo Buffa, ItalyBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Bresso, LombardyMade in Italy, 1950s. This set is very particular and interesting because both the sofa and the armchairs feature vintage brass cones feet. Their fabric is original and, as you can s...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsBrass
$2,358 Sale Price / set38% Off - Sofa "Baia" Design Antonio Citterio E Paolo Nava for B&B, 1970sBy Antonio Citterio, Paolo Nava, B&B ItaliaLocated in taranto, ITModular two-seater sofa, "Baia system" model, designed by Antonio Citterio and Paolo Nava for B&B Italia, 1970s Structure in polyurethane and upholstery in padded and completely r...Category
Vintage 1970s Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Plastic