Items Similar to Paolo Buffa for Esposizione Permanente mobili Cantù Cabinet with Drawers

Paolo Buffa for Esposizione Permanente mobili Cantù Wall Cabinet

Midcentury Nightstand Paolo Buffa Attributed for Esposizione Mobili Cantù

Inlaid Loose Belief Attributed to Paolo Buffa from La Permanente Mobili Cantù

Art Deco chest of drawers , Walnut Root by Paolo Buffa for Permanente Mobili Cantù

Italian 1950s Credenza , Mahogany Interiors by Paolo Buffa for Permanente Mobili

Taichiro Nakay for La Permanente Mobili Cantù Wall Cabinet in Teak

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 12

Paolo Buffa for Esposizione Permanente mobili Cantù Cabinet with Drawers

About the Item

Paolo Buffa for Esposizione Permanente mobili Cantù, sideboard, chestnut, cane, brass, Italy, 1940s Crafted by the visionary Italian designer and architect Paolo Buffa (1903-1970), this rare cupboard exudes a refined decorative allure. It serves as a quintessential embodiment of the modern sensibilities prevalent in the 1940s. The structure consists of two distinct sections, with the upper portion featuring a set of shelves positioned atop a dresser with six drawers in total. The front of this exquisite piece showcases an artistic composition, skillfully crafted through the interplay of shapes and proportions. A prominent design feature is the undulating wave pattern present in the shelves and base, a motif favored by renowned Italian designers of that era, including Lina Bo Bardi, Carlo Pagani, and Mario Quarti. The upper part is adorned with cane, imparting the piece with an organic and delicate appearance. The drawers contain grissinato wooden panels with the characteristically tubular brass handles. The gracefully elevated legs not only provide structural support but also contribute to its overall elegance. Crafted from chestnut wood, the material reveals a remarkably naturalistic visual texture, showcasing the intricate wood grains and a delightful, age-appropriate patina. In every stylistic detail, this sideboard possesses the precise charm and vitality required to encapsulate the essence of 1940s Italian design. Paolo Buffa (born 1903, Milan – died 1970, Milan), a distinguished figure in the world of Italian furniture design and architecture, graced the scene with his unmistakable style for a span of almost fifty years. Buffa’s artistic repertoire is notably distinguished by his expert fusion of neoclassical and sleek Art Deco formal elements. Crafted with finesse and elegance, Buffa’s premium-quality pieces were fashioned from refined materials, with the explicit purpose of furnishing the homes of a discerning and affluent clientele. These furniture creations were tailored to meet the demands of individuals who were inclined towards contemporary aesthetics, functionalism, and comfort. Buffa’s creative repertoire extended beyond furniture design to architecture, and he undertook an array of commissions that spanned public buildings, as well as villas and country homes. Paolo Buffa’s formative years were spent amidst an artistic milieu, having been born to Giovanni Buffa, a renowned draftsman of ex- ceptional talent. Giovanni Buffa shared ownership of a highly pros- perous workshop dedicated to the creation of exquisite stained glass artistry. Among his notable works are the stained glass windows of the illustrious Duomo di Milano, a historic cathedral located in Milan. Such a creative household fostered an environ- ment of artistic excellence, which undoubtedly played a crucial role in shaping Paolo Buffa’s artistic sensibilities. Buffa’s artistic training commenced at the prestigious Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera, and he eventually obtained his degree from the Politecnico di Milano in 1927. After gaining experience working in his father’s studio, Buffa went on to work as an apprentice at the Ponti e Lancia studio, which was jointly owned by the celebrated architects Gio Ponti (1891- 1979) and Emilio Lancia (1890-1973). This experience proved to be a significant turning point in Buffa’s career, as he drew inspiration from Lombard Neoclassicism and was exposed to the ideas and concepts of some of the most prominent architects of the region. He assimilated these teachings and employed them in his own work, which was characterized by a fusion of traditional Lombard woodworking techniques and modern design aesthetics. In 1928, Paolo Buffa founded his own design studio in Milan in partner- ship with architect Antonio Cassi Ramelli (1905-1980). Here, they pro- duced an extensive collection of furniture designs that drew inspiration from the classical revival style, albeit with a softened touch. In 1936, Buffa branched out on his own to establish an independent studio. He made a name for himself by showcasing his work at exhibitions, including the prestigious Triennale di Milano. Buffa’s furnishings were numerous and varied, but always tailored to the specific needs and desires of his discerning clients. Each piece was crafted to perfection by highly skilled artisans, such as cabinetmakers Turri Mosè, Fratelli Lietti, Quarti, Serafino Arrighi, Colico, and Angelo Marelli. Buffa’s passion for design persisted throughout his life, and he remained actively engaged in the field until his death in 1970.

Creator:

Paolo Buffa (Designer),Esposizione Permanente mobili Cantù (Manufacturer)

Dimensions:

Height: 70.48 in (179 cm)Width: 64.97 in (165 cm)Depth: 18.71 in (47.5 cm)

Style:

Art Deco (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Brass,Cane,Chestnut

Place of Origin:

Italy

Period:

1940-1949

Date of Manufacture:

1940s

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use. Every item Morentz offers is checked by our team of 30 craftsmen in our in-house workshop. Special restoration or reupholstery requests can be done. Check ‘About the item’ or ask our design specialists for detailed information on the condition.

Seller Location:

Waalwijk, NL

Reference Number:

Seller: 501151251stDibs: LU933137426152

View Invoice

Shop All Paolo Buffa

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.