Paolo Buffa

PAOLO BUFFA (Milan, 1903–1970).
Set of six dining chairs. Italy, 1950s.
Maple wood with fabric and velvet upholstery. Handcrafted.
In good condition. The pieces have been restored and reupholstered. They show signs of wear consistent with their age and use.
Measurements: 92 x 55 x 43 cm. Seat height: 49 cm.

Set of six dining chairs by Paolo Buffa, handcrafted from maple wood and upholstered in fabric and velvet. These chairs embody characteristic features of Paolo Buffa’s furniture, such as the reinterpretation of traditional forms through light lines and fine woodworking details. The backrests, featuring three undulating crossbars, provide a decorative rhythm recognizable in the designer’s other models, while the front legs—curved and tapering toward the floor—evoke the elegance of classic Italian furniture. Small metal accents complete a composition that combines functionality and meticulous craftsmanship, representative of his approach to adapting tradition to modern interiors.

Paolo Buffa trained in Milan under Gio Ponti and Emilio Lancia and, beginning in the 1930s, pursued an extensive career as an architect, interior designer, and furniture designer. His work is distinguished by the quality of its craftsmanship, the balance of its proportions, and the expressive use of curved profiles and cabinetry details. His work is part of institutional collections such as the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, which houses a bar cabinet designed by Buffa around 1950.