Paolo Buffa Walnut Server with Scalloped Bottom and Horn Legs
View Similar Items
Paolo Buffa Walnut Server with Scalloped Bottom and Horn Legs
About the Item
- Creator:Paolo Buffa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 49 in (124.46 cm)Width: 87.5 in (222.25 cm)Depth: 19.5 in (49.53 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1940s
- Condition:Excellent Condition.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: U0702287836511
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.
- Italian Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Walnut Sideboards by Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in New York, NY2 Rare, Italian Modern Neoclassical Sideboards or Buffets in Walnut with Brass Details by Paolo Buffa circa 1946 - 1955. These elegant mid-century cabinets feature an exceptional pro...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sideboards
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
$4,209 Sale Price20% Off - Italian Modern Glass Top Sideboard in the Style of Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis exquisite vintage server features beautiful Italian design with unmistakeable Mid-Century style. Unique sculpted legs, floating glass top and elega...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsGlass, Wood
$4,900 Sale Price28% Off - Italian Console Unit Sideboard 60's Style Paolo Buffa Gio Ponti WoodBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Lyon, FRItalian sideboard from the 60's very decorative in the taste of Paolo Buffa or Gio Ponti's work. The set is made of different types of wood, veneered or solid. This sideboard has fou...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsWood
- Paolo Buffa Paolo Buffa HighboardBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Milano, ITPaolo Buffa (1903-1970) Unique Italian highboard with six grinded doors and beautiful handles. Bibl. R.Rizzi, I mobili di Paolo Buffa, p 1...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Buffets
MaterialsWood
- English Late 18th Century Oak Server with Three Drawers and Cabriole LegsLocated in Atlanta, GAThis English oak server from the late 18th century features a three-plank rectangular top with beveled edge over three drawers. The central smaller drawer is flanked with two larger ...Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Buffets
MaterialsBrass