Italian Mid-Century Modern Chest of Drawers by Paolo Buffa, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Paolo Buffa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 33.47 in (85 cm)Width: 72.05 in (183 cm)Depth: 19.69 in (50 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Traversetolo, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2964323100642
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: Traversetolo, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Italian Midcentury Sideboard or Chest of Drawers by Paolo Buffa, 1950sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Traversetolo, ITWonderful Italian sideboard or chest of drawers designed by Paolo Buffa in the 1950s. Truly refined the used wood combination in maple for the drawers and walnut for the furniture re...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsBrass
- Italian Mid-Century Sideboard by Paolo Buffa, 1950sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Traversetolo, ITIn the 1950s, Paolo Buffa designed this stylish Italian mid-century sideboard. There is a great deal of elegance in this piece. The sinuous lines of the sides and the refined combination of different shades of wood make this piece special. It's also noteworthy that the brass parts were cast in lost wax (it almost appears that they were made by a goldsmith). Very well-kept conditions, completely restored, ready to use. The large sideboard, the dining table, and the chairs are also available, currently undergoing restoration. Literature "I mobili di Paolo...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsBrass
- Paolo Buffa Mid-Century Walnut Chest of Drawers with Inlays and Mirror, 1950sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Traversetolo, ITStylish Italian Vanity dresser with mirror of the 1950s, attributed to Paolo Buffa. The dresser is made of lacquered walnut and is equipped with six drawers, finished with brass fee...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsBrass
- Italian Mid-Century Modern Chest of Drawers in Birch Briar Root, 1950sLocated in Traversetolo, ITStylish Italian Mid-Century Modern sideboard or chest of drawers in birch briar root with double top in shaped glass. Very refined sides design, lower base with a vertical curved li...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Italian Mid-Century Teak Sideboard Attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Traversetolo, ITItalian mid-century sideboard in teak, attributed to Paolo Buffa, from the 1950s. Very elegant and great executive quality piece. It has really refined design with a lot of details a...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsBrass
- Italian Mid-Century Modern Tall Sideboard Cabinet Designed by Paolo Buffa, 1950By Paolo BuffaLocated in Traversetolo, ITMagnificent Italian sideboard designed by Paolo Buffa in the 50s. Underlining the upper floor is wood veneer arranged in a herringbone pattern. The doors have three panels each embel...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern Italian Chest of Drawers by Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Miami, FLMid-Century Modern Italian chest of drawers by Paolo Buffa Six-drawer dresser, Italy circa 1940 Blonde walnut veneer with inlayed detailing, Floating loop legs and original ornat...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Pair of Vintage Walnut Sideboards Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA light-brown, vintage Mid-Century modern Italian pair of sideboards made of hand crafted polished Walnut with original hardware. The commodes have a glass top with two drawers and t...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass, Metal
- Italian Mid-Century Sideboard with Mirror by Paolo Buffa, 1950sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Rome, ITBeautiful sideboard with mirror in the style of Paolo Buffa, 1950s. The piece is really rare and important. The sideboard cabinet is supported by two major foot socks with bronze. Ha...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
- Paolo Buffa Large Sideboard in Wood, Brass and Glass Top, 1950sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Milan, ITWonderful Italian sideboard - or chest of drawers - designed by Paolo Buffa in the 1950s. Refined and unmistakably unique piece thanks to its painted glass top, its wooden structure ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsBrass
- Attributed to Paolo Buffa Mid-Century Modern Italian Walnut Round Table, 1950sBy Paolo Buffa, La Permanente Mobili CantùLocated in Puglia, PugliaAttributed to Paolo Buffa Round table with rounded poplar top, the top is covered in walnut with a herringbone pattern, central column in poplar covered in walnut with the same moti...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
MaterialsBrass
- 1960s Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern Wood, Glass and Brass Chest of DrawersBy Paolo Buffa, Guglielmo Ulrich, Melchiorre Bega, Vittorio Dassi, Ico & Luisa ParisiLocated in Carimate, ComoBeautiful Italian 1960s commode, sideboard, credenza, buffet or chest of drawers in elegant and classic wood in its natural graining with gilt brass details such as the drawers handl...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsBrass
