Paolo Buffa for Quarti Dining Table in Oak

Paolo Buffa for Quarti, dining table, oak, Italy, early 1940s

Paolo Buffa was a prominent figure in the realm of Italian furniture design and architecture. He played a significant role in the renewal of Italian applied arts during the early twentieth century, with a career spanning almost half a century. In an unusual departure from his neoclassical designs with a modern touch, Buffa employed a rustic aesthetic to create this table, dating from the early 1940s.

The design appears to have held particular significance for Paolo Buffa, as a similar example was retained in the family home and remained in use by his daughter for a period of time, showing how much the family appreciated the design.


Quarti and the Art of Cabinetmaking

The furniture piece is distinguished by a sophisticated level of craftsmanship, featuring intricate woodcarvings. Buffa commissioned his designs to be executed according to his precise specifications by a select group of highly skilled artisans. The present work was produced by the renowned Milanese firm Quarti, one of Italy's most respected cabinetmaking workshops and a favored collaborator of many leading modern architects.

Founded by Eugenio Quarti and later directed by his son Mario, who continued the business under the name Quarti – Mobili d'Arte, the workshop earned a reputation for exceptional quality and technical excellence. Throughout the twentieth century, Quarti worked closely with prominent architects and designers, including Gio Ponti, Marcello Piacentini, Giovanni Muzio, Paolo Buffa, Emilio Lancia, Gustavo Pulitzer, and Ludovico Barbiano di Belgiojoso, creating both individual furniture pieces and complete interior schemes. The firm's expertise extended to prestigious commissions for public institutions, luxury hotels, theaters, ocean liners, banks, and private residences, establishing the Quarti name as a hallmark of refined Italian craftsmanship.


A Rustic Chapter in Buffa’s Oeuvre

Buffa's table is characterized by a distinctly rustic aesthetic and the use of natural oak, an unusual choice within the designer's oeuvre. This quality makes the design particularly intriguing, as Buffa is primarily celebrated for his refined neoclassical furniture with its elegant proportions and sophisticated detailing. Although rustic designs appear at certain moments throughout his career, they constitute only a small fraction of his overall production.

The rustic approach can also be observed in a select group of Buffa's cabinets, where sinuous forms and carved fronts evoke the texture of woven baskets. Such works demonstrate that, while Buffa was primarily associated with refined neoclassical designs, he also explored a more organic and materially expressive design language.


The Buffa Touch

Despite its apparent simplicity, the present table remains unmistakably a creation of Paolo Buffa. His restrained use of ornament allows the natural qualities of the oak to take center stage, while the undulating curve emerges as the defining feature of the design. This recurring motif appears throughout Buffa's work and serves as an immediate marker of his authorship.

The deceptively uncomplicated appearance conceals a sophisticated level of craftsmanship, combining carefully selected materials with subtle carving techniques. As with much of Buffa's furniture, refinement is achieved not through excess decoration but through an exceptional understanding of proportion, material, and form.


Biography

Paolo Buffa (born 1903, Milan – died 1970, Milan), a distinguished figure in the world of Italian furniture design and architecture, graced the scene with his unmistakable style for a span of almost fifty years. Buffa’s artistic repertoire is notably distinguished by his expert fusion of neoclassical and sleek Art Deco formal elements. Crafted with finesse and elegance, Buffa’s premium-quality pieces were fashioned from refined materials, with the explicit purpose of furnishing the homes of a discerning and affluent clientele. These furniture creations were tailored to meet the demands of individuals who were inclined towards contemporary aesthetics, functionalism, and comfort. Buffa’s creative repertoire extended beyond furniture design to architecture, and he undertook an array of commissions that spanned public buildings, as well as villas and country homes.

Paolo Buffa’s formative years were spent amidst an artistic milieu, having been born to Giovanni Buffa, a renowned draftsman of exceptional talent. Giovanni Buffa shared ownership of a highly prosperous workshop dedicated to the creation of exquisite stained glass artistry. Among his notable works are the stained glass windows of the illustrious Duomo di Milano, a historic cathedral located in Milan. Such a creative household fostered an environment of artistic excellence, which undoubtedly played a crucial role in shaping Paolo Buffa’s artistic sensibilities.

Buffa’s artistic training commenced at the prestigious Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera, and he eventually obtained his degree from the Politecnico di Milano in 1927. After gaining experience working in his father’s studio, Buffa went on to work as an apprentice at the Ponti e Lancia studio, which was jointly owned by the celebrated architects Gio Ponti (1891- 1979) and Emilio Lancia (1890-1973). This experience proved to be a significant turning point in Buffa’s career, as he drew inspiration from Lombard Neoclassicism and was exposed to the ideas and concepts of some of the most prominent architects of the region. He assimilated these teachings and employed them in his own work, which was characterized by a fusion of traditional Lombard woodworking techniques and modern design aesthetics.

In 1928, Paolo Buffa founded his own design studio in Milan in partnership with architect Antonio Cassi Ramelli (1905-1980). Here, they produced an extensive collection of furniture designs that drew inspiration from the classical revival style, albeit with a softened touch. In 1936, Buffa branched out on his own to establish an independent studio. He made a name for himself by showcasing his work at exhibitions, including the prestigious Triennale di Milano. Buffa’s furnishings were numerous and varied, but always tailored to the specific needs and desires of his discerning clients. Each piece was crafted to perfection by highly skilled artisans, such as cabinetmakers Turri Mosè, Fratelli Lietti, Quarti, Serafino Arrighi, Colico, and Angelo Marelli. Buffa’s passion for design persisted throughout his life, and he remained actively engaged in the field until his death in 1970.

Please note that we currently have matching chairs available in our collection, allowing for the creation of a complete set. Please reach out to our design specialists for more information.