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Mid Century Coffee Table by Paolo Buffa
Mid Century Coffee Table by Paolo Buffa

Paolo Buffa, born in 1903 and died in 1970, was a renowned Italian architect and designer known for his mid-century furniture designs. He is celebrated as one of the most influential furniture designers of the 20th century. Buffa’s creations stood out for their use of neoclassical elements, featuring elegant curves and often made with rosewood. Today, his work is highly valued by collectors, and many online marketplaces offer Paolo Buffa furniture for sale.

Archivio Paolo Buffa, courtesy Eredi Marelli s.a.s. Cantù – Italy
Archivio Paolo Buffa, courtesy Eredi Marelli s.a.s. Cantù – Italy

Educational Background and Early Influences

Buffa studied at the prestigious Polytechnic Institute of Milan, an institution known for producing some of Italy’s most prominent architects and designers. The institute’s rigorous training laid the groundwork for Buffa’s later success.

Mentorship Under Gio Ponti

After his formal education, Buffa worked under Gio Ponti, whose multidisciplinary approach to design profoundly impacted his methodology. This mentorship exposed him to diverse projects and cultivated a blend of modern and traditional styles, elements that would later become central to Buffa’s designs.

Paolo Buffa (1903-1970) for Quarti 
Trumeau cabinet, circa 1945
Paolo Buffa (1903-1970) for Quarti 
Trumeau cabinet, circa 1945

Antonio Cassi Ramelli

Paolo Buffa opened his own firm alongside Antonio Cassi Ramelli, a partnership that proved fruitful. Cassi Ramelli’s expertise in engineering complemented Buffa’s artistic designs, making for a productive collaboration.

Signature Style

Buffa’s designs were a sublime fusion of the old and the new. Using low-profile, rectilinear forms and hardwood materials, his furniture designs are classics in the realm of mid-century aesthetics. The use of ornate motifs alongside sleek, modern lines is a testament to Buffa’s ability to balance contrasting design elements.

Set Of Two Paolo Buffa Lounge Chairs In Ebonized Wood And Beige Upholstery, Italy 1940s

1948 Salon des Artistes Decorateurs

In 1948, Buffa presented his works at the Salon des Artistes Decorateurs in Paris, a platform that showcased the finest in European decorative art and design. His exhibits at the Salon garnered critical acclaim, establishing his reputation on an international stage.

Legacy and Contributions

Paolo Buffa passed away in 1970 in Milan, but not before leaving an indelible mark on Italian design. He was named one of the country’s most important designers, and his pieces remain coveted by collectors and museums alike.

Conclusion

Paolo Buffa’s contributions to mid-century Italian furniture design are irrefutable. His designs remain a touchstone for any study of the period, embodying the synthesis of tradition and modernity that marked the era. Buffa’s work reminds us that innovation often involves looking to the past as much as imagining the future.

Sources

Fiell, C., & Fiell, P. (2017). Design of the 20th Century. Taschen.

Paolo Buffa – 20 vintage design items. (n.d.). Paolo Buffa – 20 Vintage Design Items. https://www.vntg.com/designer/paolo-buffa/

Owens, M. (2013, June 1). Paolo Buffa’s Midcentury Furniture Designs. Architectural Digest. https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/designer-paolo-buffa-midcentury-furnishings-article

Paolo Buffa | Artnet. (n.d.). https://www.artnet.com/artists/paolo-buffa/

Paolo Buffa Biography | Casati Gallery. (2020, March 1). Casati Gallery. https://www.casatigallery.com/designers/paolo-buffa/

Ponti, L. (2009). Gio Ponti: The Complete Work, 1923-1978. MIT Press.

Vintage Paolo Buffa – Italian Cabinets Chairs & Tables | Incollect. (n.d.). InCollect. https://www.incollect.com/artists/paolo-buffa

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