Paolo Buffa Dresser for La Permanente Mobili Cantù, 1950s
Description
Paolo Buffa dresser for La Permanente Mobili Cantù, wood, Italy, 1950s.
This Paolo Buffa dresser, designed for La Permanente in the 1950s, is a refined example of the architectural sensibility that defined Italian mid-century cabinetmaking. The structure is built from mahogany shaped into a continuous bridge-like volume: two full-height solid side panels curve gently into the top, wrapping the case in a single uninterrupted band of richly figured grain and resting on a recessed plinth that makes the piece appear suspended. The front is organized as a grid of nine drawers veneered in lustrous bird's-eye maple, framed by a slim mahogany surround that sharpens the contrast between the two woods and accentuates the dresser's geometric composition. Each drawer is fitted with a round turned brass knob, whose warm patina echoes the tonal interplay between the dark mahogany shell and the luminous maple fronts. The result is a piece in which structural clarity, material refinement, and quiet elegance converge — characteristic of Buffa's work for La Permanente.
Dimensions
Height: 26.78 in (68 cm)
Width: 62.8 in (159.5 cm)
Depth: 21.26 in (54 cm)
Design
1950s
Manufacture
1950-1959
Material
Wood
Location
Lonigo, IT
Condition
Our atelier carefully restored the item, with attention to structural integrity, materials, and finish. The process was guided by deep respect for its authenticity, balancing technical intervention and historical sensitivity.