April 23, 2019
The Italian architect and furniture designer Paolo Buffa (1903–1970) is a lesson in refinement, and inventive classicism. Whether producing furnishings a luxurious hotel or decorating sophisticated villas in the area of Lombardy, Northern Italy, Buffa’s work was marked by unmistakable polished charm and often of a bizarre and humorous appearance.
He had designed a 1930s rosewood and walnut buffet with a stacked mirrored shelving, sprouting from its top, or an Italian Empire–inspired secretary desk whose proportions are stretched and plumped, not to mention the spectacular flowering branches and butterflies intarsia wooden inlay, refinished by hand with a satin finish.
“Buffa is largely undiscovered and mostly misunderstood,” says Domenico Raimondo, a design specialist at Phillips auction house in London. “On the one hand his designs reassure people,” he adds, “and on the other hand they throw everything up in the air.”
The following pieces are readily available
Paolo Buffa Credenza
Paolo Buffa desk made of oak wood, shellac polished, semi-gloss with an upper shelf. The front is veneered in oak parquetry decor. This credenza represents the Italian Mid-Century period.
Bonheur Du Jour
Very rare, detailed “petit secretaire”, prov. Milan, Italy 1940. The exterior made of palisander wood, and has a paneled front. The interior is made of cherrywood, rose wood and thuja, contributed to the Italian architect Paolo Buffa (1903-1970).
Dining Table by Paolo Buffa
Dining or conference table by Paolo Buffa for Arrighi with a black glass top and rosewood inlays. (1903 – 1970 – Milan, Italy).
Pair of Side Boards
A pair of Paolo Buffa side boards made of polished walnut with original hardware. The pair have a glass top with two drawers, and two doors each.
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Paolo Buffa
A vintage Mid-Century modern Italian pair of armchairs made of hand carved Walnut. The back rest of the lounge chairs are spindled with x-form slats arms with a button-tufted back cushion and metal nailheads, standing on four wooden tapered legs.
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