In 1966, Piero Ambrogio Busnelli cofounded C&B Italia, a modern Italian furniture manufacturer, with Cesare Cassina in northern Milan. The Camaleonda sofa — a darling of the design world — is an iconic C&B piece created in 1970 by Milanese architect and designer Mario Bellini, which became a hit after its star turn in the 1972 exhibition “Italy: The New Domestic Landscape” at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Soon afterward, however, the company split, with Cassina founding his own eponymous firm and Busnelli taking leadership of what became B&B Italia.
From the outset at C&B, Busnelli and Cassina set about recruiting the most talented modernists in Italy to conceive of creative furnishings manufactured in modern ways. As B&B, for decades, Busnelli cultivated relationships with the world’s best design talent, resulting in furniture pieces that remain legendary 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 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. 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 vintage C&B Italia furniture including sofas, armchairs, tables and more.
$1,399Sale Price|20% Off
Mario Bellini for C&B Italia Midcentury Amanta Velvet Armchair, 1973
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian armchair model Amanta designed by Mario Bellini and produced by C&B Italia from 1966, with corduroy upholstery and fibreglass frame, original manufacturer’s label and rel...
Metal
Early Mario Bellini Le Bambole Lounge Chair, Original Leather, C&B Italia, 1970s
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A rare first edition Mario Bellini Le Bambole lounge chair, in its original wonderfully patinated leather, produced by C&B Italia, Italy, in the early 1970s. Fast shipping worldw...
Leather
1970 Vintage Coronado Brown Leather Armchairs by Tobia Scarpa for C&B Italia
By C&B Italia, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
1970 Vintage Coronado Brown Leather Armchairs by Tobia Scarpa for C&B Italia Outstanding pair of “Coronado” armchairs, an iconic design by Tobia Scarpa for C&B Italia (Cassi...
Leather, Foam
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Bonanza” Armchairs for C&B, Cognac Leather, 1969, Set of 2
By C&B Italia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Bonanza” armchairs for C&B, cognac leather, 1969, set of 2 The "Bonanza" armchairs, designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for C&B in 1969, embody modern comfort and m...
Leather
$5,500 / set
Pair of C&B Italia Custom High Back Armchairs
By Don Powell and Robert Kleinschmidt, C&B Italia
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of C&B Italia Custom High Back Armchairs, Designed for Chicago interior by Powell Kleinschmidt, custom order pair of tilt, swivel (lock) adjustable armchairs; bronze tubular met...
Bronze
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Bonanza” Armchair for C&B, Cognac Leather, 1969
By C&B Italia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Bonanza” armchair for C&B, cognac leather, 1969 The “Bonanza” armchair, designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for C&B in 1969, emb...
Leather
Modular Sofa / Armchair Set Amanta by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia in dark brown
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in RIDDERKERK, NL
These Amanta armchairs, designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, are an iconic example of Italian design. The chair features a white synthetic base and has been reupholstered in dar...
Fabric, Plastic
$1,181Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 39.77 in D 36.62 in
'Coronado' Armchairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for C&B Anni 70s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
Iconic pair of armchairs, designed by Mr. and Mrs. Scarpa in the 1970s with foam padding and black leather upholstery. Fair condition.
Leather
$15,200 / set
H 28.75 in W 32.88 in D 34.65 in
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” Easy Chairs for B&B Italia, 1971, Set of 2
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” chairs for B&B Italia, brown leather and foam, Italy, 1971, set of two. The search for a new shape for up...
Leather, Foam
$16,000 / set
H 28.35 in W 48.04 in D 35.04 in
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” Armchairs for B&B Italia, Olive Green, 1971, Set of 2
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” armchairs for B&B Italia, olive green velvet, Italy, 1971, set of two. The search for a new shape for upholstered furniture: all parts are shaped like a l...
Velvet
$7,721Sale Price / set|19% Off
H 27.56 in W 30.32 in D 32.68 in
Le Bambole" armchairs by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia 1970
By Mario Bellini
Located in Manzano, IT
Le Bambole" armchairs by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia 1970 Attribution markThis piece has an attribution mark, I am confident that it is completely authentic and I take full responsi...
Iron
$14,800 / set
H 28.75 in W 48.04 in D 34.65 in
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” Armchairs for B&B Italia, White, 1971, Set of 2
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” armchairs for B&B Italia, steel, foam and white faux-fur, Italy, 1971, set of two. The search for a n...
Faux Fur, Foam
Mario Bellini Bambole lounge chair B&B Italia 1972
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Iconic Bambole lounge chair and poof designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in 1972. The Le Bambole collection marked a breakthrough i...
Bouclé
$5,900 / item
H 37.8 in W 34.65 in D 35.44 in
Contemporary Leather Armchair with High Back & Swivel Base
Located in New York, NY
This timeless armchair coordinates perfectly its materials in a one-of-a-kind piece, especially when presented in a cross-stitched seam. ?A powerful and embracing structure where a h...
Metal
$16,000 / set
H 28.35 in W 48.04 in D 35.04 in
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” Armchairs for B&B Italia, Mohair, 1971, Set of 2
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” armchairs for B&B Italia, mohair velvet, Italy, 1971, set of two. The search for a new shape for upho...
Velvet
Pair Of Custom Upholstered Wide Barrel Back Armchairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of custom upholstered wide barrel back armchairs with serpentine front, manchettes and resting on fluted cabriole legs. The chairs covered with custom plaid fabric, double pipin...
Fabric, Polyester, Wood
$7,600
H 28.35 in W 48.04 in D 35.04 in
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” Armchair for B&B Italia, Brown Suede, 1971
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” armchair for B&B Italia, brown suede, Italy, 1971. The search for a new shape for upholstered furniture: ...
Foam
$3,957
H 27.56 in W 85.04 in D 33.86 in
Tobia Scarpa "Coronado" Black Leather Sofa for B&B, Italy 1970 ca.
By B&B Italia, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Sacile, PN
Coronado sofa designed by Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia. The project is dated 1966. Black leather, great condition.
Iron
$3,600 / set
H 25 in W 30 in D 31 in
Mario Bellini for B&B Italia Amanta Sectional Sofa/Lounge Chairs, 1973
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A pair of 'Amanta' cognac brown leather and fiberglass lounge chairs, originally designed in Italy by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia in 1966. The design was extremely popular and i...
Leather, Fiberglass
Four Amanta armchairs by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Premariacco, IT
Four iconic Amanta armchairs designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia in the early 1970s. This model features a fiberlite shell and three cushions to provide extreme seating comfort...
Fabric, Plastic, Wood
Sold
H 28.35 in W 32.29 in D 31.11 in
Amanta Lounge chairs by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, 1960s, set of 3
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 3 orange and purple fabric armchairs with fibreglass shell. Designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia. Seat height: 44 cm. Stamped C&B Italia. They can be modular or attached t...
Wool, Fiberglass
Sold
H 25.99 in W 37.41 in D 37.41 in
Set of 2 Camaleonda modular armchairs/sofas by Mario Bellini, C&B 1970 1970s
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Set of two Camaleonda modular armchairs/sofas by Mario Bellini, C&B production, 1970s. These armchairs are part of the first edition of the C&B collection before the company became ...
Velvet
Coronado Lounge Armchairs by Tobia Scarpa for C&b Italia
By Tobia Scarpa, C&B Italia
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Coronado lounge armchaairs chairs by Tobia Scarpa for C&B Italia ( first edition ) modello Depositato original vintage upholstery. with their Structure made of steel and aluminium. ...
Aluminum, Steel
Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' armchair for C&B Italia 1970s
By C&B Italia
Located in Milano, IT
Iconic armchair model 'Le Bambole' designed by Mario Bellini for a C&B Italia production. Foam padding and leather upholstery.
Leather
Pair of Amanta Mario Bellini armchairs, original fabric, label
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Milano, IT
Imagine sinking into the comfort of a vintage armchair, surrounded by the timeless elegance of mid-century design. Now, imagine not just one, but a pair of Amanta Mario...
Fabric, Plexiglass
Pair of 2 Afra & Tobia Scarpa Coronado Chairs for C&B Italia 1960s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, C&B Italia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Pair of 2 Afra & Tobia Scarpa Coronado Chairs for C&B Italia from the 1960s are iconic examples of mid-century modern design. These chairs a...
Leather, Foam, Wood
Sold
H 25.2 in W 33.08 in D 31.5 in
Amanta Lounge chairs by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, 1960s, set of 4
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 4 woollen armchairs with fibreglass shell. Designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia. Seat height: 43 cm. Stamped C&B Italia. They can be modular or attached together. Wear due...
Fiberglass, Wool
Sold
H 27.56 in W 33.08 in D 31.5 in
Amanta Lounge chairs by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, 1960s set of 4
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 4 brown leather armchairs with fibreglass shell. Designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia. Seat height: 43 cm. Stamped C&B Italia. They can be attached together. Wear due to t...
Leather, Fiberglass
Sold
H 27.17 in W 31.11 in D 29.93 in
Mario Bellini for C&B Italia Midcentury Amanta Velvet Armchairs Set of Two 1973
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian modular armchairs sofa model Amanta set of two designed by Mario Bellini and produced by C&B Italia from 1966, with corduroy upholstery and fibreglass frame, original manufac...
Metal
Sold
H 27.17 in W 31.11 in D 29.93 in
Mario Bellini for C&B Italia Midcentury Amanta Velvet Three Armchairs 1973
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian modular armchairs sofa model Amanta set of three designed by Mario Bellini and produced by C&B Italia from 1966, with corduroy upholstery and fibreglass frame, original manuf...
Metal
Sold
H 27.17 in W 31.11 in D 29.93 in
Mario Bellini for C&B Italia Midcentury Amanta Velvet Armchairs Set of Two, 1973
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian modular armchairs sofa model Amanta set of two designed by Mario Bellini and produced by C&B Italia from 1966, with corduroy upholstery and fibreglass frame, original manufac...
Metal