Paolo Buffa Console
About the Item
- Creator:Paolo Buffa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 36.5 in (92.71 cm)Width: 43.75 in (111.13 cm)Depth: 12 in (30.48 cm)
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:Fully restored condition.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- 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: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Set of 6 Dining Chairs by Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in New York, NYTeak, velvet fabric. Price includes full restoration of all 6 chairs and upholstering in fabric supplied by the buyer.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Velvet, Teak
- Custom Design Wall ConsoleBy DonzellaLocated in New York, NYStudio-built mahogany console table that secures itself to the wall. Thick floating glass top with rounded corners.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Console Tables
MaterialsGlass, Mahogany
- Angelo Mangiarotti Console TableBy Angelo Mangiarotti, SkipperLocated in New York, NYAngelo Mangiarotti for Skipper rare console table. Carrara marble. From the Loico series, which was produced in small numbers for only a short period of time.Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Console Tables
MaterialsCarrara Marble
- Ico Parisi ConsoleBy Ico Parisi, Brugnoli Mobili CantúLocated in New York, NYCustom wall-mounted console by Ico Parisi. Sleek wall-mounted console table of mahogany with 3 drawers and great brass hardware. From a custom commission, produced by Brugnoli, Cantú...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Console Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Stag Console Table by ArriauBy ArriauLocated in New York, NYCast brass, onyx. Islands of onyx float on top of brass with a cast horn shaped base. Made to order in France and not always available to purchase immediately.Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Console Tables
MaterialsOnyx, Brass
- Rare Custom Console by Gio PontiBy Giordano Chiesa, Gio PontiLocated in New York, NYAsh wood with brass feet. Probably produced by Giordano Chiesa. A rare, custom Gio Ponti design with two large drawers, narrow, tapering legs, & b...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Modern Console Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Paolo Buffa Console, 1940sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Saint Ouen, FRGraciousness for this ash tree console 1940 with a black glass on top. Paolo Buffa, renowned Italian designer for his midcentury furniture: Tradition, modernity in his easy living -...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Console Tables
MaterialsGlass, Ash
- Large Rosewood Console by Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Kilmarnock, VAImpressive rosewood console by Italian designer Paolo Buffa. Long rosewood console featuring elegant legs supported by brass sabots, and a marquetry neoclassical lidded tazza flanke...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Console Tables
MaterialsRosewood
- Rosewood Console Table by Paolo Buffa, 1940sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Montelabbate, PURosewood console table by Paolo Buffa, 40s.Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Console Tables
MaterialsMaple, Rosewood
- Italian Console Table by Paolo Buffa, circa 1945By Paolo BuffaLocated in Houston, TXItalian sculpted walnut console table with cross bands and bronze sabots by Paolo Buffa, circa 1945.Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Neoclassical Console Tables
MaterialsWood
- Wooden Console by Paolo Buffa circa 1930, ItalyBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Milan, ItalyA beautiful console with structure in wood and marble base designed and produced by Paolo Buffa, circa 1930, Italy. Biography Paolo Buffa (born 1903, Milan – died 1970, Milan) was a...Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Console Tables
MaterialsMarble
- Italian Console 1960s Marble Style Paolo Buffa VintageBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Lyon, FRElegant Italian console from the 1960s in the style of the work of Paolo Buffa. Solid wood and veneer structure with a nice marquetry work on the three drawers. Marble top supported ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Console Tables
MaterialsMarble, Brass
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Mid-Century Master Osvaldo Borsani Gets His Due at Donzella
The New York City gallery has devoted its latest show to the work of the modernist Italian designer.
The Ghiró Family Is on the Cutting Edge of Fine Glass Design
Father-and-son team Michele and Domenico Ghiró are setting themselves apart with unexpected techniques and superior craftsmanship.