Pair of Black Lacquered Midcentury Secretaires by Paolo Buffa
About the Item
- Creator:Paolo Buffa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 50.01 in (127 cm)Width: 35.44 in (90 cm)Depth: 17.72 in (45 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Beech,Ebonized
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:
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: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini Secrétaire and Wall ShelvesLocated in London, GBAn Italian secrétaire with three wall shelves by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini. In rosewood veneer, with brass handles and key and brushed gold legs.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
MaterialsBeech
- Italian Midcentury Black Lacquered Ocassional TableLocated in London, GBAn Italian midcentury occasional table in black lacquered wood, with a hand bevelled glass top.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBeech
- Italian Mid-Century Sideboard with Secretaire attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Traversetolo, ITThis so amazing cabinet with Secretaire of the 1950s is attributable to the design of Paolo Buffa. The external structure is refinished with glass dividers and parchment feet. Its ae...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
MaterialsGlass, Wood, Birch
- Paolo Buffa Italian Mid-Century Brass Inlaid SecretaryBy Marelli & Colico, Paolo Buffa, Giovanni GariboldiLocated in Atlanta, GAPaolo Buffa, Secretary, Italy c. 1948, Brass Intarsia by Giovanni Gariboldi, Manufactured by Marelli e Colico, Cantù. An exquisite and collectible Mid-Century secretary by esteemed ...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
MaterialsBrass
- Paolo Buffa from Cav. Arrighi Serafino Mobili d'Arte Cantu Bookcase, 1950s ItalyBy Cantu, Paolo BuffaLocated in Lucca, ITBookcase Trumeau by Paolo Buffa from Cav. Arrighi Serafino Mobili d'Arte Cantu, 1950s, Italy. Rosewood and legs and handle in original brass. It bears the mark of origin in brass ins...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsBrass
- James Mont Cinnabar Lacquered SecretaireBy James MontLocated in Hanover, MAExtremely rare, possibly one of a kind, secretary cabinet with bookcase by the godfather of exotic modernism, James Mont, circa 1950. Hand rubbed cinnabar lacquered...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
- Midcentury Danish Rosewood Secrétaire, 1960sLocated in Elshout, NLEasy does it: a writing desk when you want it to be one! This writing desk has it all is made in rosewood veneer and has a pull out desk. Could beauty up your living room and transform into a working...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsRosewood
- Chinoiserie Gilt Lacquer Table SecretaireLocated in Chicago, ILThis charming tabletop secretaire is decorated in gold and black in the Chinoiserie style. The exterior is finished with black lacquer and painted with scenic mountain landscapes, br...Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Secretaires
MaterialsWood, Lacquer
