Mid-Century Modernist Sculptural Hand-rubbed Walnut Desk Chair by Paolo Buffa
About the Item
- Creator:Paolo Buffa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30.5 in (77.47 cm)Width: 25.5 in (64.77 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)Seat Height: 19 in (48.26 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950
- Condition:Reupholstered. Refinished.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU793435721322
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 PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Luxe Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Occasional Armchairs in Hand-Rubbed WalnutLocated in New York, NYThis elegant and dynamic pair of Mid-Century Modern occasional armchairs were realized in Denmark circa 1960. They feature angular ebonzied walnut frames with smoked topaz velvet uph...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid-Century Modern Hand Rubbed Walnut Button Back Armchair in Dove Gray FabricLocated in New York, NYThis elegant and understated armchair was realized in the United States, circa 1950. It offers a gently reclined back with three button details and curvilinear arms that curve upward...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Mid-Century Modernist High Back or Desk Chair w/ New Missoni FabricLocated in New York, NYThis elegant Mid-Century Modern high back/ desk chair has cabriole ebonized walnut legs, and a subtle hourglass shaped back. It is has been newly reupholstered in Missoni fabric in t...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWalnut, Fabric
- Mid-Century Modernist Dining Chair by Danish Designer Niels KoefoedBy Niels KoefoedLocated in New York, NYMid-Century Modernist dining chair by Danish designer Niels Koefoed in a chic hand-rubbed Rosewood. This piece exemplifies the organic...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLinen, Rosewood
- Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Gondola Slipper Chairs by Harvey ProbberBy Harvey ProbberLocated in New York, NYThis beautifully proportioned and elegantly fashioned Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Gondola Slipper Chairs are by the esteemed designer Harvey Probber and originate from the United S...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern Chairs by Donghia in Ebonized WalnutBy Angelo DonghiaLocated in New York, NYThis stunning pair of Mid-Century Modern chairs were realized by the esteemed designer Donghia in the United States, circa 1980. They feature ebonized walnut bodies with circular bac...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Paolo Buffa 8 elegant walnut chairsBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Milano, ITCOD-Z200 Paolo Buffa 8 elegant walnut chairs with ebony fillets and open backs. Lietti manufacture late1930s Provenance Domus Livia, Gio Ponti 1933/1938 48 x 50 h 90 seduta 47Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Five chairs by Paolo Buffa, 1950sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Baranzate, ITStunning set of five chairs by Paolo Buffa in mahogany and upholstered fabric. Italian manufacture. C1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Paolo Buffa Set of Six Dining Chairs in WalnutBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Milano, ITPaolo Buffa (1903-1970) Set of six elegant dining chairs in walnut with nice carved back and upholsterd seat. Manifactured by Serafino Arrighi, Italy, 1950's. Bibl. Mobili di ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Four Black Lacquered Chairs by Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Kilmarnock, VAStunning modernist set of chairs by Paolo Buffa in black lacquer and full grain black leather.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Chairs
MaterialsMahogany, Lacquer, Leather
- Mid-Century Modern Chair Paolo Buffa Attributed, from Cantù in Carved MahoganyBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Vigonza, PaduaVery robust and elegant Mid-Century Modern chair Paolo Buffa attributed, from "Consorzio Esposizione Mobili Cantù" in carved Mahogany The seat upholstery is still usable; we can red...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMahogany
- Rocking Chair in Cherry Wood by Paolo Buffa, c.1950sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in London, GBItalian rocking chair in cherry wood by Paolo Buffa, circa 1950s. Dimension: H92 x W57 x D80 cm. Paolo Buffa’s (1903-1970) love of the neoclassic is incorporated into sumptuous pie...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsWood, Cherry