Paolo buffa cherrywood writing desk, Italy, 1940s

An elegant cherrywood writing desk with fabric-covered drawers, design by Paolo Buffa, Italian manufacture, 1940s

This refined piece deserves to be observed from every angle to fully appreciate its design. Viewed from the front, the desk features three side-by-side drawers set just below the desktop. The drawer fronts are upholstered in a floral fabric, original from the period. The central drawer, wider than the others, is set slightly back from the side drawers—a subtle detail that reveals the thoughtful care behind the design and introduces a sense of movement, which is echoed on the reverse side of the desk.

When placed in the centre of a room, this desk reveals its most surprising feature: the soft, curved lines that define its rear. It’s not far-fetched to imagine a nautical inspiration here—its rounded back recalls the stern of a boat slicing through the water and leaving a foamy wake behind.

Only Paolo Buffa could sign a design that, in its apparent simplicity, communicates a precise idea of beauty and proportion. The Milanese architect often expressed what could be described—if we may use a touch of hyperbole—as a neo-neoclassical taste. Yet, in his most mature and refined works, it is the form itself that stands out: pure, flowing, and reminiscent of delicate classical ornaments—timeless and elegant.

The fabric finish can be replaced upon request.

Dimensions: 116w × 58d × 78h cm
(45.7w × 22.8d × 30.7h)