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.
Set of 4 B&B Italia Nesting/Stackable Tables, “Quattro Gatti", 1960s
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This set of four white plastic "Quattro Gatti" sofas was designed by Mario Bellini in the 1960s for B & B Italia/C & B Italia and manufactured in Italy. ...
Fiberglass
Mario Bellini "Cavallo" modular element from the "Gli Scacchi" for B&B 1970 ca
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Mario Bellini "Cavallo" (Knight), a modular element from the "Gli Scacchi" (Chess) series for B&B Italia, 1971. Mario Bellini's "Scacchi" series comprises three elements inspire...
Plastic, Foam
Tobia & Afra Scarpa Tobio Low Square Table in Leather by B&B Italia 1970s
By B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Tobio low square shaped table with a leather lined wooden top cylindrical base in black plastic. Designed by Tobia and Afra Scarpa in the 1970s and produced by B&B Italia. Tobia S...
Leather, Plastic, Wood
$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
$2,800
H 14.17 in W 35.4 in D 11.81 in
Mario Bellini Gli Scacchi Black Table Elements for C&B Italy, circa 1970
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Vienna, AT
Mario Bellini 'Gli Scacchi' table/seat elements for C&B (later B&B) Italy, circa 1970 3 black polyurethane elements by Mario Bellini that can either be used as table or seats or pre...
Plastic
$575
H 19.69 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
Side Table Made In Teak By Severin Hansen For Haslev Furniture From 1960s
By Haslev Mobelsnedkeri, Severin Hansen
Located in Lejre, DK
Side table in teak of Danish design designed by Severin Hansen manufactured by Haslev Furniture in the 1960s. The table is in great vintage condition.
Teak
$2,200
H 27.5 in W 44 in D 17 in
Unusual Console Table by Lane from the "Copenhagen" Collection ca' 1950's
By Lane Acclaim
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An unusual console by Lane circa 1950s from the "Copenhagen" collection. Original cut out with planter, lower shelf, Danish meets Chinese modern with beautiful woods and patina, tape...
Wood
$5,697
H 27.56 in Dm 57.49 in
Round 'Africa' Table by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto Artona Series, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Argelato, BO
Artona dining table by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, crafted by Maxalto in Italy, 1975. Featuring a round walnut top with dark inlaid lines and a dark black finish, its graphic design is ...
Walnut, Burl
$15,580
H 28.75 in W 55.12 in D 55.12 in
Travertine Dining Table Il Colonnato by Mario Bellini for Cassina, 1970s
By Mario Bellini
Located in Brussels, BE
Travertine dining table Il Colonnato by Mario Bellini for Cassina, 1970s.
Travertine
$930
H 9.85 in W 31.89 in D 31.89 in
Mario Bellini for Cassina attributed coffee table in Mohair, Italy - circa 1970
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Square coffee table attributed to Mario Bellini for Cassina, Italy - circa 1970. Designer: attributed Mario Bellini Manufacturer: attributed Cassina Country: Italy Model: square cof...
Mohair, Glass
$1,299Sale Price|41% Off
H 13 in W 29.53 in D 29.93 in
Early Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table Bastiano by Tobia & Afra Scarpa for Gavina
By Gavina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This low coffee table was designed by the architectural duo Tobia and Afra Scarpa in 1962 and manufactured by the Italian manufacture Gavina. It is an early production table from the Bastiano series. It is made of teak wood and finished in a dark shade of brown. The top is placed loosely on a wooden frame. It is a real example of functional, yet stylish, modern Italian design. Afra and Tobia Scarpa are an award-winning duo of postmodern Italian architects. Their works can be found in museums in the United States and Europe, including collections at MoMA and the Louvre. They have cooperated with companies such as B&B Italia, San Lorenzo Silver...
Teak
$5,697
H 27.56 in Dm 57.49 in
Round 'Africa' Table by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto Artona Series, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Argelato, BO
Artona dining table by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, crafted by Maxalto in Italy, 1975. Featuring a round walnut top with dark inlaid lines and a dark black finish, its graphic design is ...
Walnut, Burl
$6,627
H 28.75 in W 66.54 in D 50.79 in
Mid-Century Artona Dining Table by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Artona Dining Table by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1970s
Wood
$10,800
H 28.15 in W 71.07 in D 32.49 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia Rare 'Polygonon' Dining Table
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, B&B Italia
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, dining table 'Polygonon', glass, electro-coated stainless steel, Italy, 1984 Behold this astonishing table with an aesthetically pleasing layout ...
Steel
$8,138 / set
H 17.33 in Dm 24.02 in
Gianfranco Frattini Set of Four 780/783 Stacking Low Tables by Cassina 1960s
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Very rare set of four low tables round-shaped, model 780/783 with a black lacquered wooden frame with a reversible top in black and white plastic laminate, designed by Gianfranco Frattini and manufactured by Cassina in 1960s. The tables present different heights so it can be possible to be stackable to form one cylindrical block. Frattini was born in Padova in 1926, he graduated in Architecture at the Politecnico di Milano in 1953, where he opened his first professional studio after working in Gio Ponti’s studio, his master and mentor. He worked in the field of architecture and design, with a particular interest in interior design, and attended many exhibitions and events. In 1956 he was between the founders of ADI (Association for Industrial Design) for which he created several pieces. His creations range from furnishing to lamps, marked by an essential and rigorous style. Wood was undoubtedly his preferred material, he knew its features and crafted it passionately. Among his best sellers, the 780/783 set of stacking tables for Cassina, the Sesann armchair for Tacchini, the Albero bookcase...
Plastic, Laminate, Beech
Paolo Piva for B&B Italian Glass and Metal Coffee Table 1970s
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury modern design coffee table designed by Paolo Piva and produced by B&B with painted metal structure and glass top, Italy 1970s Please note that the coffe table i...
Metal
Alanda Coffee Table by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Dronten, NL
The Paolo Piva Alanda Architectural Coffee Table by B&B Italia is a stunning piece of furniture that combines sleek, modern design with functionality and durability. The table is mad...
Steel
Paolo Piva Alanda Architectural Coffee Table by B&B Italia
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Dronten, NL
Iconic wire framed and glass topped 'Alanda' coffee table by designer Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, 1981. Black enameled wire metal frame with clear crystal glass top and levelling fee...
Steel
Paolo Piva Alanda Coffee for B & B Italia, 1980
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Architectural Alanda coffee table by Paolo Piva for B & B Italia. Black wire metal frame diamond shape with top glass. Very good vintage condition.
Metal
Sold
H 10.24 in W 70.87 in D 47.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Alanda Large Coffee Table by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Halle, DE
Mid-century coffee table / sofa table Alanda by Paolo Piva 1982 for B&B Italia in large Version. The design of the table is architectural and constructivistic, but minimalistic in it...
Steel
Sold
H 12.6 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Coffee Table by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, 1970s
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian "Alanda" Lacquered metal structure with glass top coffee table by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia. 1970s The glass top has some signs due to age and use but in ...
Metal
Paolo Piva Alanda Coffee for B & B Italia, 1980
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Architectural Alanda coffee table by Paolo Piva for B & B Italia. Black wire metal frame diamond shape with thick and lightly green top glass. Very good vintage condition, new top gl...
Metal
Sold
H 13.78 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
Italian White Steel and Glass Alanda Coffee Table by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian white steel and glass Alanda coffee table by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, 1979 Black powder-coated steel frame with a very heavy, thick crystal glass top. Perfect conditions.
Steel
Sold
H 13.78 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Italian Black Steel and Glass Alanda Coffee Table by B&B Italia, 1979
By B&B Italia
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian black steel and glass Alanda coffee table by B&B Italia, 1979 Black powder coated steel frame with a very heavy, thick crystal glass top. Perfect conditions.
Steel
Sold
H 14.18 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
Gli Scacchi Modular Tables by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1968
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in MIlano, IT
Gli Scacchi modular tables by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1968 Amazing set of 3 modular tables by Mario Bellini called Gli Scacchi, designed for B&B Italia in 1968, each with its ...
Plastic
Sold
H 33.08 in W 64.18 in D 26.38 in
Gaetano Pesce, 1969 for B&B Italia "Up-7 Piede" Sculpture Lounge Chair "Foot"
By B&B Italia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Munster, NRW
Designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1969 for B&B Italia. The legendary "UP-7" foot is made of flexible cold-shaped polyurethane foam with a smooth and flexible black coating. Not onl...
Foam, Coating
Sold
H 33.08 in W 64.18 in D 26.38 in
Gaetano Pesce, 1969 for B&B Italia "Up-7 Piede" Sculpture Lounge Chair "Foot"
By Gaetano Pesce, B&B Italia
Located in Munster, NRW
Designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1969 for B&B Italia. The legendary "UP-7" foot is made of flexible cold-shaped polyurethane foam with a smooth and flexible black coating. Not onl...
Foam, Coating