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.
Coffee Table "Amanta" Fiberglass Black by Mario Bellini for C&B, Italy, 1960
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Roma, IT
This side table or coffee table is made of fiberglass (Fiberlite) in Black. It is square with an indented tabletop. It was designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia in the 1960s. Thi...
Fiberglass
Set of 3 Black Modular Tables "Gli Scacchi" by M. Bellini for C&B Italia, '71
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Varese, Lombardia
The "scacchi" are parallelepipeds in self-skinning polyurethane. finishing technique used for car dashboards. The result is that of solids soft to the touch that can be freely combin...
Plastic, Foam
Mario Bellini "Gli Scacchi" Chess Side Tables 'for Cameleonda' for B&B Italia
By C&B Italia, 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
Mario Bellini "Torre" from "Gli Scacchi" Series for B&B Italy, 1971
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Torre" modular element from "Gli Scacchi" series for B&B Italy, leather, Italy, 1971, set of one. Playful in character and identity like its name suggests, the “Scacc...
Plastic
$1,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
Mario Bellini Quattro Gatti Side Tables, Space Age Design, Italy 1967
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
1960s Space Age Side Tables, model "Quattro Gatti", Mario Bellini for C&B Italia Pair of Space Age side table in plastic material produced in Italy in the 1960s. Model "Quattr...
Plastic
$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
$5,833
H 14.97 in W 21.66 in D 47.25 in
Green Marble Rectangle Coffee Table with Bellini Style Column Legs
By Mario Bellini
Located in Amsterdam, Holland
This minimalist Green marble coffee table is made from one material, featuring a curved edge top in green marble with white veining that elegantly sits on four cylindrical columns. Sophisticated and timeless, the coffee table draws inspiration from the vintage pieces of Mario Bellini from the 1970s. The column legs...
Stone, Limestone, Travertine, Marble
$1,516 / set
H 10.04 in W 20.48 in D 20.48 in
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
Mid-Century Space Age Parsons Side Table from Syroco, 1960s
By Syroco
Located in Hamburg, DE
Schlichter Beistell- bzw. Couchtisch des US-amerikanischen Herstellers Syroco. Ein minimalistischer Entwurf, der in seiner Formgebung auch in die Postmoderne zuhause wäre. Der Tisch...
Plastic
Antique Mario Lopez Torres Jaguar Petite Stool
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, we offer this Antique Mario Lopez Torres Jaguar Petite Stool, made in natural woven and iron structure, the eyes are made in precious stone.
Iron
$2,205
H 13.78 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Mid-Century Italian Coffee Table by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1960s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
An icon of Italian modernism, this square coffee table was designed by the renowned duo Afra & Tobia Scarpa and produced by Cassina during the 1960s. Please note that this is the h...
Wood, Smoked Glass
$933
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
Antique Mario Lopez Torres Jaguar Stool
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, we offer this Antique Mario Lopez Torres Jaguar Stool, made in natural woven and iron structure, the eyes are made in brass. It has details on one ear and on the legs.
Iron
Space age bottle holder, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage space age bottle holder side table with an organe and black plastic top and chromed base. Cool decorative piece. 1960s - Belgium Good overall condition Dimensions: Height...
Chrome
$6,000 / set
H 14.17 in W 35.4 in D 11.81 in
Mario Bellini, Gli Scacchi, 5 elements, Table / Seating for C&B Italia 1971
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia, B&B Italia
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Mario Bellini set of 5 Gli Scacchi for C & B Italia, designed in 1971 Incredible modular tables or seating - end tables, coffee table or seating or sit on the table? Designed by ...
Foam, Plastic
$1,516
H 13.78 in W 33.47 in D 33.47 in
c.1972 C&B Italia Square Amanta Coffee Table by Mario Bellini Satin Black
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Very early Organic Modern coffee table by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia (before B&B Italia) dating to 1971-1973. Constructed of heavy rigid molded fiberglass, not plastic like modern ...
Fiberglass
Sold
H 14.18 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
Set of Three "Scacchi" Tables by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Milan, IT
Set of three "Scacchi" side tables by Mario Bellini for C&B. Three pieces that can be used as single ones or together. Size refers to the single element.
Plastic
Sold
H 13.78 in W 27.17 in D 27.17 in
Amanta Table by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia - Orange Fiberglass, 1960/70s
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
The Amanta Table, designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia in the 1960s, is a masterpiece of mid-century modern design. Crafted from durable fiberglass (Fiberlite), this orange coffe...
Fiberglass
Sold
H 13.78 in W 27.17 in D 27.17 in
Amanta Table by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia - Orange Fiberglass, 1960/70s
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
The Amanta Table, designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia in the 1960s, is a masterpiece of mid-century modern design. Crafted from durable fiberglass (Fiberlite), this orange coffe...
Fiberglass
Sold
H 13.78 in W 33.08 in D 33.08 in
Amanta Table by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia - Orange Fiberglass, 1960/70s
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
The Amanta Table, designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia in the 1960s, is a masterpiece of mid-century modern design. Crafted from durable fiberglass (Fiberlite), this orange coffe...
Fiberglass
Sold
H 14.18 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
Mario Bellini, Three small tables Scacchi series, prod. C&B, 1971
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Rivoli, IT
Set of three modular coffee tables from the "Chess" series, prod. C&B Italy, 1971 Playful in character, The Chess series consists of three elements inspired as the name reveals by th...
Plastic
Sold
H 10.24 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Mario Bellini 4 Gatti Brown Stacking Coffee or Side Tables for B&B, Italy 1970s
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful complete set of four interlocking tables "Quattro Gatti" model in a charming brown fiberlite. These stylish tables were designed by Mario Bellini and produced by C&B Italia...
Plastic, Fiberglass
Sold
H 14.18 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
Set Of 3 C&B Italia Gli Scacchi Sidetables Ottomans By Mario Bellini, 1970s
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Nice set of three Gli Scacchi Sidetables or ottomans designed by Mario Bellini For C&B Italia 1970s. These polyurethane “chess blocks” can either be placed in between modular sofa el...
Plastic
Sold
H 14.18 in W 35.04 in D 11.82 in
Gli Scacchi Modular Tables by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1968
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Naples, IT
Gli Scacchi modular tables by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, 1968 Amazing modular tables by Mario Bellini called Gli Scacchi, designed for C&B Italia in 1968, each with its particular...
Plastic
Sold
H 14.57 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
Set of 4 Black Modular Tables "Gli Scacchi" by M. Bellini for C&B Italia, '71
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Varese, Lombardia
The "scacchi" are parallelepipeds in self-skinning polyurethane. finishing technique used for car dashboards. The result is that of solids soft to the to...
Plastic, Foam
Sold
H 14.17 in W 35.4 in D 11.81 in
Mario Bellini Gli Scacchi 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
Sold
H 11.82 in W 35.44 in D 14.18 in
Mario Bellini Early Edition 'Gli Scacchi' Elements for C&B Italy, 1970s
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in amstelveen, NL
Mario Bellini desiged the 'gli scacchi' meaning 'the chess' in 1971. Self-skinning polyurethane was used as a material which is long lasting and easy to clean. The separated 'chess' ...
Rubber
Sold
H 14.38 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
One Black Modular Table "Gli Scacchi" by M. Bellini for C&B Italia, '71
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Varese, Lombardia
The "scacchi" are parallelepipeds in self-skinning polyurethane. finishing technique used for car dashboards. The result is that of solids soft to the to...
Plastic, Foam, Paint