In 1966, Piero Ambrogio Busnelli cofounded C&B Italia, a modern Italian furniture manufacturer, with Cesare Cassina in northern Milan. From the outset, Busnelli and Cassina set about recruiting the most talented modernists in Italy to conceive of creative furnishings manufactured in modern ways. In the early 1970s, the company split, with Cassina founding his own eponymous firm and Busnelli taking leadership of what became B&B Italia.
For decades, Busnelli cultivated relationships with the world’s best design talent, resulting in furniture pieces that remain iconic today — be they Gaetano Pesce’s outwardly curvaceous Up seating (made for C&B, reintroduced by B&B) or tables from industrial designer Paolo Piva, each more sophisticated than the next in their geometrically complex steel-tube bases. B&B Italia earned four prestigious Compasso d’Oro design awards: in 1979 for Mario Bellini’s Le Bambole, in 1984 for the Sisamo wardrobe system by Studio Kairos, in 1987 for Antonio Citterio’s modular Sity sofa and, in 1989, the first award given to a manufacturing company itself.
Other notable names who designed for B&B Italia over the course of its 54-year history include Patricia Urquiola, Naoto Fukasawa, Zaha Hadid, Ettore Sottsass and Vincent Van Duysen, to name a very few. And while these names bring star power to the B&B brand, in many cases, it was B&B Italia who helped usher in their celebrity, fostering a wave of design talent on the world stage.
The company’s forward-thinking vision manifested in its own headquarters, too: In 1972, B&B Italia tapped architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers to design a steel-framed, postmodern-style home for the brand, whose crisscrossing metal exoskeleton is reminiscent of the pair’s Centre Pompidou in Paris, which was built at roughly the same time. Now, B&B Italia manages a contract division and outdoor section as well as its residential arm, and it also controls production for Maxalto, a brand spun out with furniture designs by Antonio Citterio.
At 1stDibs, find a range of vintage B&B Italia furniture — including sofas, cocktail tables and more.
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Modular Sofa for B&B Italia, 1971
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" modular sofa for B&B Italia, foam and faux-fur, Italy, 1971, set of five. The search for a new shape for upholstered furniture: all parts are shaped like...
Faux Fur, Foam
B&B Italia by Antonio Citterio Brown Velvet Richard Ottoman
By B&B Italia, Antonio Citterio
Located in Rochester, England
Originally designed by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia in 2016, the Richard sofa collection is a fantastic example of contemporary Italian design. Constructed from a tubular st...
Fabric
Rare red pouf model "Scacchi" Mario Bellini for B&B Italia 1970's
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The Chess are extra tables or seats, freely modular. In the 1970s version offered here they are made from a special material derived from rubber and plastic (Duraplum) that give a sp...
Plastic, Rubber
Green Leather Camaleonda by Mario Bellini, B&B Italia, Italy, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Antwerp, BE
Camaleonda; Mario Bellini; Green Leather; Postmodern; Lounge Chair; Lounge Sofa; Modular Sofa; One-Seater; Seating Element; Seating Unit; Italian Design Classic; Iconic Design; B&B I...
Leather
$1,884Sale Price|30% Off
B&B Italia Harry Round Ottoman
By Antonio Citterio, B&B Italia
Located in Rochester, England
Introducing the Harry Round Ottoman by renowned Italian brand B&B Italia. This luxurious ottoman features a sleek and modern design, perfect for adding a touch of elegance to any...
Fabric
Erasmo Ottomans by Afra + Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. Full leather construction.
Leather
$1,440
H 14.18 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
Mario Bellini "Gli Scacchi" Chess Side Tables 'for Cameleonda' for B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Discover the timeless charm of the Mario Bellini-designed "Gli Scacchi" Side Tables/Stools, a perfect complement to the iconic Camaleonda sofa. Crafted in 1971 for B&B Italia, th...
Plastic
$22,809Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 27.96 in W 36.62 in D 37.8 in
Set of 8 Camaleonda Sittings Designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, 1970
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Set of modular armchairs and poufs in brown corduroy, mod. Camaleonda designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia in 1970. The set consists of 8 elements: - 5 armchairs (cm 71H x 65...
Metal
$27,500 / set
H 27.5 in W 37.5 in D 37.5 in
Mario Bellini for C&B Italia First Edition 'Camaleonda' Modular Sofa, 1970
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in New York, NY
'Camaleonda' First Edition modular sofa, designed by Mario Bellini, for C&B Italia, 1970. The structure is constructed of wood and upholstery in fabric. Original label. Prod. ...
Fabric, Wood
$18,400 / set
H 23.63 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Dark Green, 1970, Set of 3
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Camaleonda” modular sofa for B&B Italia, dark green leather, 1970, set of three. “Camaleonda” is an icon, rediscovered. It was one of the truly modular sofa desig...
Leather
$28,003 / set
H 27.96 in W 36.62 in D 37.8 in
Set of 7 Camaleonda Sittings Designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, 1970
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Set of modular armchairs and poufs in brown corduroy, mod. Camaleonda designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia in 1970. The set consists of 7 elements: - 4 armchairs ( cm 71 H x ...
Metal
$30,700 / set
H 23.63 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Dark Green, 1970, Set of 5
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Camaleonda” modular sofa for B&B Italia, dark green leather, 1970, set of five. “Camaleonda” is an icon, rediscovered. It was one of the truly modular sofa design...
Leather
$32,500
H 27 in W 144 in D 38 in
4 Piece Gray Velvet Corduroy 'Camaleonda' Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
By C&B Italia, B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
4 Piece 'Camaleonda' sofa in gray velvet fabric Designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970. The modular sofa comes with three 36” wide seats and one 25” smaller seat. All seats c...
Metal
$37,200 / set
H 23.63 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Green Velvet, 1970, Set of 6
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, green velvet, Italy, 1970, set of six. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. Our atelier carefully restored this vintage...
Plastic, Velvet
$17,545 / set
H 26.38 in W 75.6 in D 37.8 in
Orange Cord Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Original
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Original early B&B Italia Organic Modern 2-piece Camaleonda sectional sofa by Mario Bellini in orange cord fabric. Consists of two lounge chairs of the largest 3x3 format in the ...
Fabric, Cord, Foam, Plywood
$4,251
H 33.08 in W 110.24 in D 36.23 in
B&B Italia Sofa Diesis Leder weiß Couch Antonio Citterio Paolo Nava
By Antonio Citterio, Paolo Nava, B&B Italia
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes und äußerst hochwertiges Zweisitzer Sofa vom italienischen Traditionshersteller B&B Italia zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Antonio Citterio un...
Aluminum, Steel
Métaphores Eden Indigo Round Ottoman
Located in Houston, TX
Bespoke round ottoman crafted with a wooden frame and newly upholstered in Métaphores Eden Indigo heavy woven jacquard fabric.
Jacquard, Wood
Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' Loveseat by B&B Italia, Suede, 1972
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mario Bellini's 'Le Bambole' lounge chair for B&B Italia is one of the most recognizable silhouettes of 1970s Italian design. The chair's fully upholstered, pillow-like form has ...
Leather
Sold
H 15.75 in W 23.25 in D 15.75 in
Frank Upholstered Ottoman in Houndstooth by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Antonio Citterio
Located in San Diego, CA
The Frank Upholstered Ottoman from B&B Italia introduces a sculptural silhouette into the room, one designed to hold, seat, or simply admire. Designer Antonio Citterio’s focus on ess...
Upholstery
Mario Bellini Le Bambole Ottoman for B&B Italia, Italy 1986
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Miami, FL
Original iconic Le Bambole ottoman, rendered in molded full foam structure with original cotton upholstery and burlap base. Ready to be reupholstere...
Fabric, Burlap, Foam
Sold
H 28.35 in W 32.68 in D 32.68 in
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Easy Chairs for B&B Italia, 1971, Set of 2
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" easy chairs for B&B Italia, foam and faux-fur, Italy, 1971, set of two. The search for a new shape for upholstered furniture: all parts are shaped like a...
Metal
Sold
H 13 in W 27.56 in D 19.69 in
Leather Ottoman Coronado by Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, Italy ca. 1960
By B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Italy / 1960 / ottoman / Coronado / Tobia Scarpa / B&B Italia / leather / mid-century / vintage / Italian design This Coronado ottoman was designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa in the ...
Leather
Sold
H 16.54 in W 39.38 in D 39.38 in
B&B Italia by Antonio Citterio Ivory Cream Leather Charles Square Ottoman
By B&B Italia, Antonio Citterio
Located in Rochester, England
Originally designed by Antonio Citterio in 1997, the Charles collection is manufactured by B&B Italia and is a fantastic example of contemporary Italian design. Inspired by and named in tribute to the legendary designer Charles Eames, the Charles sofa...
Leather
Sold
H 13.59 in W 27.56 in D 19.69 in
Italian modern brown leather pouf Coronado Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern brown leather pouf Coronado Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B, 1970s Pouf mod. Coronado lightly padded and covered in brown leather. In the central part of the top there i...
Leather, Plastic
Sold
H 17.72 in W 15.75 in D 21.66 in
B&B Italia by Antonio Citterio Houndstooth Mirto Ottomans, Set of 2
By B&B Italia, Antonio Citterio
Located in Rochester, England
Originally conceived by Antonio Citterio for outdoor use, the B&B Italia Mirto furniture collection was updated in 2016 with styles for indoors. The Mirto ottoman features a slender...
Fabric
Sold
H 15.75 in W 21.66 in D 13.78 in
B&B Italia by Antonio Citterio Ivory Fabric Frank Ottomans, Set of 2
By B&B Italia, Antonio Citterio
Located in Rochester, England
Originally designed by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia in 2015, the Frank ottoman is a compact and flexible seating solution. Constructed from flexible polyurethane foam, the ottoma...
Fabric
Sold
H 40.56 in W 47.25 in D 51.19 in
"Big Mama" Up Chair By Gaetano Pesce For B&B Italia, Italy, circa 2000
By B&B Italia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
It was 1968 when Gaetano Pesce began experimenting at his Paris atelier with vacuum-packing the hippest material of the moment: polyurethane. Soon he’d developed a gravity-defying mo...
Fabric, PVC
La Mamma Up 5 Lounge Chair & Ottoman for B&B Italia
By Gaetano Pesce, B&B Italia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
La Mamma Up 5 camel lounge chair by Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia, c.2000s, Italy. The curvaceous shape, was inspired by the silhouette of ancient fertility go...
Foam, Upholstery
Sold
H 15.75 in W 59.06 in D 59.06 in
Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia Cream Fabric Michel Effe Large Ottoman
By B&B Italia, Antonio Citterio
Located in Rochester, England
Originally designed by Antonio Citterio in 2015 for B&B Italia, the Michel Effe seating range continued to build on the design of Michel sofa from 2012, an...
Fabric
Sold
H 35.44 in W 127.96 in D 37.8 in
Charles Model by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia Beige Color Sofà and Bench Set
By Antonio Citterio, B&B Italia
Located in IT
charles Model of sofa and bench designed by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia. From 1990s period, The project’s striking features remain the essential design of the die-cast aluminium ...
Steel