Paolo Buffa Cabinet
View Similar Items
Paolo Buffa Cabinet
About the Item
- Creator:Paolo Buffa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 59 in (149.86 cm)Width: 42.75 in (108.59 cm)Depth: 17.75 in (45.09 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1940s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Beverly Hills, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: 0815181stDibs: LU808018261642
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.
- Paolo Buffa CupboardBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Beverly Hills, CAGorgeous massive storage cabinet attributed to Paolo Buffa - Italy, 1940s Four doors swing to reveal open shelving Original cast brass hardware Wonderful warm patina color to wood Cabinet floats...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Cabinets
MaterialsWood
$18,500 - Paolo Buffa DresserBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Beverly Hills, CAGorgeous sideboard or chest of drawers by Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1940's Signature curved lines and angular legs with ornate brass handles Black glass inlayed top Incredible detail and ...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Dressers
MaterialsMahogany
$15,500 - Paolo Buffa SideboardBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Beverly Hills, CAGorgeous sideboard by Paolo Buffa - Italy, 1940's Walnut with wood inlay trim throughout with signature tapered legs and brass accents. Cabinet has 3 drawers on each side of drop dow...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Sideboards
MaterialsBrass
$14,500 - Paolo Buffa Side TableBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Beverly Hills, CAElegant side table by Paolo Buffa - Italy, circa 1940s Constructed of walnut wood with woven wooden shelf, graceful curved legs and glass inlayed top. Circular loop detail where l...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian End Tables
MaterialsWalnut
$6,800 - Paolo Buffa Attributed ChairsBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Beverly Hills, CAPair of woven chairs attributed to Paolo Buffa - Italy, 1940s Great angular shaped wood frame and legs with original straw seat and back. Spi...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Armchairs
MaterialsStraw, Walnut
- Paolo Buffa Center TableBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Beverly Hills, CAIncredible table by Paolo Buffa - Italy, 1950s Sculptural solid brass base with fluted walnut wood and gorgeous black marble top.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Dining Room Tables
MaterialsMarble, Brass
$22,000
- Cabinet by Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in London, GBExceptional cabinet by Paolo Buffa in walnut with mahogany interior and brass detail. Italy circa 1950. Measures: height 133cm, width 26cm, dept...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsHardwood
$28,157 - Paolo Buffa cabinet late 40’s.By Paolo BuffaLocated in bari, ITPaolo Buffa cabinet in beech wood with three lockable doors and four drawers. The doors and drawers have relief decorations of marine environments. Dassi production late 1940s.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBeech
- Italian 1940s Cabinet by Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in London, GBA fine 1940s Italian cabinet by Paolo Buffa Resting on slender tapered legs with deep brass sabot feet. This piece has wonderful four panelled...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsWood
- Paolo Buffa Vintage Wood and Brass CabinetBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Milano, ITEnchanting vintage 6-door wooden cabinet designed in the 1950s by the great designer Paolo Buffa, fine Italian manufacture. The closet is made entirely in the light-colored fine woo...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- Free Standing Cabinet Bar by Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in New York, NYFine mahogany free standing cabinet bar by Paolo Buffa made in Italy, circa 1950s. Opposing doors swing open to reveal mirrored and fitted interi...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Dry Bars
- Paolo Buffa Bar Cabinet, Italy, 1950s-1960sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in New York, NYPaolo Buffa bar cabinet with gold star detailing. Incredible cabinet in perfect condition. This is a rare piece and not many of this model were made.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsMahogany