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Price category: 9,000 - 12,500 usd / eur

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Italian Modern furniture is defined by unique design, perfect execution, and exclusivity. This pair of architectural armchairs is generally attributed to Italian design icon, Paolo Buffa. His design language was always coherent with current times and congenial to the wisdom of furniture manufacturing, representing an outpost of strong innovation in the panorama of Italian craftsmanship.

The exposed architectural, tusk-shaped legs supporting the comfortable sprung seats and curved backs define the design of this model. The overall design is focused on elegant and measured proportions, balanced compositions, and refined décor elements including the exclusive materials. The versatile shapes, from the curving, rounded edges on the top to the upholstered armrests and tusk legs make these chairs stand out. The backs have an unusual shape that while curves outwards, forming “wings”, still has an architectural impression that is lightly reminiscent of Art Deco geometry. The enveloping backs become narrower towards the seats, like elegant, slim waists. The main design element however, remains the unusual shape and curve of the arms that form the back legs as well. Not only is their dynamism eye-catching, the effortless way in which they appear to hold the seats is also outstanding. The beautiful, elegant velour fabric brings out the versatility of the shapes even further, and beautifully contrasts the solid wood legs’ deep brown colour as well. The backs are decorated with horizontal sectioning lines that highlight their shape.

Paolo Buffa was especially passionate about furniture and product design, an area where he remained faithful to a figurative repertoire of substantial classicism, while not disdaining impulses of authentic modernity. He was extremely active in the Milanese design scene that was just as vibrant as these armchairs. In an atmosphere committed to the reinterpretation of the Lombard classicism and Milanese architecture, exceptional pieces were created as this pair shows.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Small scratches and marks on the wood. The chairs have been reupholstered recently in a premium velour fabric. Each of our items can be reupholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.

Dimensions:

29.33 in W x 31.88 in D x 32.48 in H; Seat height 15.74 in; Arm height 20.27 in

74.5 cm W x 81 cm D x 82.5 cm H; Seat height 40 cm; Arm height 51.5 cm

About the designer:

Paolo Buffa (born 1903, Milan – died 1970, Milan) was an Italian furniture designer who defined his own unique design aesthetic to become one of the most sought-after Italian designers of his day. Renowned for pairing elements from both the opulent Neoclassical and the streamlined Art Deco styles around a more modern sensitivity, Buffa excelled in creating high quality pieces that spoke to the well-to-do clientele of the time.

Born in Milan in 1903, Buffa trained at the Politecnico di Milano. Following his graduation in 1927, he worked briefly for Gio Ponti, and in 1928, he partnered with architect Antonio Cassi to establish their own design studio in Milan. By 1936, Paolo Buffa opened his own independent studio where he became particularly successful, in part because he had already tapped into his unique combination of stylistic elements. His incorporation of more traditionally Neoclassical motifs or materials – for example, rich rosewoods or supple, velveteen fabrics – with the relatively avant-garde forms and themes of a lighter Art Deco style made his pieces particularly attractive to the upper classes who wished to convey their connection with contemporary design trends while also upholding an air of old-world flair.

By the end of World War II, as was the case with other important Milanese designers of the time, Paolo Buffa built close collaborations with Lombardy’s craftsmen with the common objective of making furniture of exceptional quality at a larger scale. As such, many of the successful furniture pieces that Buffa designed during this time were made by prominent and entrepreneurial craftsmen that adopted more efficient production techniques. As his career progressed in the 1950s and 60s, Buffa experimented with designs that echoed the rising trends of Minimalism across the art and design fields. Some of the opulence that once dominated his creations was replaced with increasingly streamlined forms and modern materials.

Buffa continued to create designs until shortly before his death in 1970. By that time, he was recognized as one of Italy’s most accomplished designers, however for some time following his death his work and his legacy fell temporarily into relative obscurity. But over the last decade, recognition of his talents has resurfaced and Buffa’s work has returned to the place of prominence among twentieth-century Italian design masters. ~H.