Paolo Buffa Coffee Table for Galdino Maspero, 1952

Design
1952

Manufacture
1950-1959

Location
Lonigo, IT

Paolo Buffa coffee table for Galdino Maspero, wood, Italy, 1952.

Designed by Paolo Buffa in 1952 for the Milanese craftsman Galdino Maspero, this sculptural table combines neoclassical inspiration with the rigor of Italian modernism. The carved fluted edge—reminiscent of classical architecture—contrasts with the elegant dynamism of the saber-shaped legs, creating a silhouette that is both delicate and powerful.
Buffa’s distinctive approach merges artisanal tradition and innovation, drawing from French decorative arts while embracing modern simplicity. A key figure in mid-century Italian design, Buffa collaborated with master craftsmen to produce refined, architecturally aware furniture that resisted mass production.
This piece exemplifies Buffa’s unique synthesis of form, proportion, and decorative restraint, aligning him with contemporaries such as Osvaldo Borsani and Gio Ponti, while maintaining an unmistakable personal signature.