Rare High-back Wood Lounge Chair by Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Paolo Buffa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 43.31 in (110 cm)Width: 25.6 in (65 cm)Depth: 23.63 in (60 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Milan, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU945137252992
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: Milan, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Elegant Walnut Paolo Buffa Styled Armchair, Italy, 1950sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Milan, ITItalian 50s armchair in the style of Paolo Buffa featuring sturdy and detailed wood frame.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Armchairs
MaterialsWood
- Rare Pen Drawing by Giovanni Gariboldi for Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1940sBy Giovanni Gariboldi, Paolo BuffaLocated in Milan, ITRare pen drawing by Giovanni Gariboldi for Paolo Buffa.Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Drawings
MaterialsPaper
- Rare Pair of Lounge Chairs Model P24 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1960sBy Tecno, Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in Milan, ITLounge chairs model P24 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. Surprising combination of sleek wood armrests on metal frame. Chairs can also be connected together creating a comfortable settee.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetallic Thread
- Wood Squared Dining Table by Paolo Tilche for Arform, Italy, 1950sBy Paolo Tilche, ArformLocated in Milan, ITSquared dining table by Paolo Tiche for Arform. Black metal sturdy frame supports a thin teak wood top.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Rare "Inciso" Murano Glass Bowl by Paolo Venini for Venini, Italy, 1950sBy Venini, Paolo VeniniLocated in Milan, ITMarvellous "Inciso" bowl by Paolo Venini for Venini. Signed with three-line acid stamp to underside: Venini Murano Italia. Another piece available from the same "Inciso" collection.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Decorative Bowls
MaterialsMurano Glass
- "Rea" Minimal Leather Chair by Paolo Tilche for Arform, Italy, 1950sBy Arform, Paolo TilcheLocated in Milan, ITRare "Rea" chair by Paolo Tilche for Arform. Squared metal frame and hair-on leather cover.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- 1950s Paolo Buffa attributed Sexy Lounge Chairs ItalyBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Chula Vista, CA1950s Paolo Buffa attributed sexy lounge chairs made Italy. selling as a pair No label present, attributed Paolo Buffa. original floral pattern upholstery. sculptural solid brass le...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Cenutry Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Paolo Buffa, Italy 1950sBy Paolo Buffa, Brugnoli Mobili CantúLocated in Roma, ITGorgeous Mid-Century armchair / lounge chair with ottoman fully made in beechwood. This iconic piece was designed by Paolo Buffa and produced by Brugnoli Cantù in Italy during the 19...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWood, Cotton, Upholstery, Beech
- Paolo Buffa Pair of Lounge Chairs in Light Blue Velvet, Italy, 1950sBy Paolo BuffaLocated in New York, NYPaolo Buffa pair of lounge chairs or armchairs with curved wingback and back buttons, cushion seat, rounded armrests and elegantly tapered legs, Italy, 1950s. These incredibly chic lounge chairs or modernist wingback chairs have been fully restored and newly upholstered in a light blue cotton velvet. Beautifully proportioned with gently graceful curved lines throughout, these stylish and sophisticated lounge chairs have a more sculptural and sleek form unlike traditional wingback chairs...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsVelvet, Walnut
- Paolo Buffa Pair of Lounge Chairs, Italy, circa 1950By Paolo BuffaLocated in New York, NYA pair of Paolo Buffa lounge chairs, designed in 1950 for the Hotel Bristol, Merano, an Italian resort. The chairs are indicative of Buffa's signature style, modernist and sleek but ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Paolo Buffa Pair of Lounge Chairs, Italy, circa 1950By Paolo BuffaLocated in New York, NYA pair of Paolo Buffa lounge chairs, designed in 1950 for the Hotel Bristol, Merano, an Italian resort. The chairs are indicative of Buffa's signature style, modernist and sleek but...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Italian Lounge Chair Attributed to Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in Los Angeles, CALounge chair attributed to Italian designer Paolo Buffa. The chair features a textured linen upholstery with dark green piping at each side. The birch frame showcases beautiful bentw...Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLinen, Birch