Paolo Buffa Pair of Sculptural Cherrywood and Rush Armchairs, Italy, 1940s

Exceptional pair of sculptural cherrywood and hand-woven rush armchairs by Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1940s. These striking armchairs are a particularly expressive example of Paolo Buffa's approach to Italian furniture design during the 1940s, combining traditional cabinetmaking with an elegant and highly sculptural vocabulary. The chairs are characterized by their tall, slightly inclined ladder backs, composed of distinctive undulating, wave-shaped crosspieces. Especially distinctive are the exceptionally long, gently curved armrests supported by pierced teardrop-shaped wooden elements. These sculptural supports form one of the most characteristic details of the design and give the chairs an elegant sense of lightness despite their generous proportions. The open construction makes the chairs particularly compelling when viewed from the side or rear, allowing them to be placed freestanding within an interior.