Paolo Buffa Italian 1940s oak wood cabinet
View Similar Items
Paolo Buffa Italian 1940s oak wood cabinet
About the Item
- Creator:Paolo Buffa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 46.07 in (117 cm)Width: 39.57 in (100.5 cm)Depth: 12.21 in (31 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1940s
- Condition:Repaired: minor repairs at the base and two corners. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Milan, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU952738394642
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 Wood Coffee Table, Italy 1940sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Milan, ITPaolo Buffa side table, Italy 1940s.Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsWood
- Paolo Buffa grissinato wood desk with four drawers, Italy 1940sBy Galdino Maspero, Paolo BuffaLocated in Milan, ITSplendid and essential Paolo Buffa Desk in grissinato wood with four drawers and saber legs. Iconic Paolo Buffa design manufactured by Galdino Maspero, Italy 1940sCategory
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWood
- 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
- Paolo Buffa Wooden Coffee Table with Squares Top, Italy, 1940sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Milan, ITPaolo Buffa beautifully executed wooden coffee table with squares top, Glass protective top. Italy, 1940s.Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsGlass, Wood
- Paolo Buffa High Back Armchairs in Original Ochre Upholstery, Italy, 1940sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Milan, ITPaolo Buffa high back armchairs in original ochre upholstery, Italy 1940s.Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Architects Asnago & Vender Italian Rationalist Cabinet, Italy 1940sBy Mario AsnagoLocated in Milan, ITA unique and rare Architects Mario Asnago and Claudio Vender Cabinet. Made to measure for Villa Strada / Cesano Maderno Italy 1941. The Architects duo Asnago & Vender are regarded ...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Modern Cabinets
MaterialsNickel
$24,439 Sale Price20% Off
- 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 Console Brass Wood Marbre 1940 ItalyBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Milano, ITPaul Buffa ConsoleCategory
Vintage 1940s Italian Other Cabinets
MaterialsWood
- Italian Rosewood and Parchment Cabinet by Paolo Buffa circa 1940By Paolo BuffaLocated in Philadelphia, PAA very good labeled Paolo Buffa for Arrighi Serafino rosewood and parchment front cabinet circa 1940. Having upper open shelf with sliding glas...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsRosewood, Parchment Paper
- 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
- 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
$28,023 - 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