B&B Italia Furniture
Italian
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.
Color: Silver
Creator: B&B Italia
B&B Italia “Ray” L-Shape Sofa in Silver Grey Italian Velvet
By B&B Italia
Located in Barrowford, GB
This is an iconic “Ray” Sectional L-Shape Sofa (composition RY002) from the world renown Italian furniture house of B&B Italia.
In a world of temporary pleasures, B&B Italia create beautiful furniture that remains a joy forever.
Recently recovered in a most-gorgeous and tactile short-pile Italian-velvet fabric in a pale silver/grey. Whilst being as robust and hard-wearing as rhino skin, its softness and texture (as illustrated in the close-up image provided) is simply divine to the touch. Supplied with numerous complimenting back cushions.
This piece is in pristine, immaculately-maintained condition, having seen light, irregular use since its recent renovations. Its handsome order reflects the TLC and considerate use afforded it at its previous home and, aside from some light-marking to the painted finish of the legs, is as unmarked and beautifully-presented as you could possibly hope to find.
Please view the images provided to confirm its exceptional condition and beguiling appearance. It is as fine-a-conditioned, stunningly-coloured example of this seating icon as you could hope to acquire.
In its current condition, it would meet the requirements of even the most-particular and, for someone looking for a piece of high-design to position at the heart of family life, it is truly heaven sent! This superb piece possesses all the beauty and majesty of the finest contemporary furniture money can buy.
Dimensions-wise, when configured as an L-Shape, it measures 331cm across its back, 160cm along the shorter...
Category
2010s B&B Italia Furniture
Materials
Velvet
Related Items
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Mario Bellini White Velvet Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, 1972, Set Of 2
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Camaleonda Modular Sofa, Set of 4, Mario Bellini for B&B Italia , Italy 1970s
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1 bid
H 26.78 in W 37.8 in D 37.8 in
Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia Maxalto Grey Velvet Two Seat Sofa, 2013
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Designed by Antionio Citterio for Maxalto B&B Italia, this two seater sofa seamlessly combines modern and traditional design.
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H 26.38 in W 71.26 in D 38.98 in
Mario Bellini Blue Cotton Velvet Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, 1972, Set Of 7
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Camaleonda sofa, designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in 1972.
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H 26.4 in W 36.2 in D 36.2 in
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In the world of vintage collecting, James Irvine's Lunar sofa for B&B Italia is a work of art that embodies the exceptional design of the 1990s.
Crafted wi...
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Mario Bellini Azure Linen Velvet Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, 1972, Set of 6
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Located in Vicenza, IT
Camaleonda sofa, designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in 1972.
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...
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H 26.4 in W 36.2 in D 36.2 in
Mario Bellini Le Bambole Sofa, Upholstered in Alpaca, B&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in London, GB
A beautiful Mario Bellini Le Bambole sofa, newly upholstered in luxury cream alpaca velvet, produced by B&B Italia, Italy in the 1970s. Marked on the underside. Fast shipping world...
Category
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Materials
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H 29.53 in W 66.93 in D 33.86 in
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Modular Sofa for B&B Italia, Blue Petrol Velvet, 1970
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, blue petrol velvet, Italy, 1970, four elements.
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B&B Italia Green Velvet George Four-Seat Sofa by Antonio Citterio
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Italian Art Deco Sofa with Curved Shape in Beige Velvet
Located in Waalwijk, NL
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Previously Available Items
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Silver leaf exterior with glossy white enameled ceramic interior add more distinction to this Nicole Aebischer’s Joker Bowl for B&B Italia.
Measures: ...
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Icon of modernity, metaphor of the female figure that is endowed with a comfortable womb and is yet a prisoner. The UP collection was designed in 1969. Great original condition, mark...
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B&b Italia furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
B&B Italia furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of fabric and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of B&B Italia furniture, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 329 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 4 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by B&B Italia were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Mario Bellini, Osvaldo Borsani, and Gianfranco Frattini. Prices for B&B Italia furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $550 and can go as high as $52,300, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,530.
Creators Similar to B&B Italia
Questions About B&B Italia Furniture
- Where is B&B Italia made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022B&B Italia makes their furniture at a company-owned factory in Novedrate, Como, Italy. The brand's headquarters are also in the city. To ensure quality, skilled artisans produce each piece by hand. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of B&B Italia furniture.
- What does R&B mean on silver?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The maker’s mark R&B is from the company Roberts & Belk. Originally known as Furniss, Poles and Turner in 1809, the company went through many different names until it landed on Roberts & Belk in 1864. Known for their silver flatware and cutlery, the brand became quite desirable. Shop a collection of authentic Roberts and Belk silver from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- Is B. Altman still in business?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, B. Altman is not still in business. The last remaining B. Altman store closed in 1990 after the company went bankrupt. Benjamin Altman founded the retail department store chain in New York, New York, in 1865. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of B. Altman apparel.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022How to clean a Bulgari B Zero ring depends on the material. You can clean the metal with a soft-bristled toothbrush, warm water and dish soap, and then rinse with lukewarm water. Use a cleaning product formulated for leather to clean leather rings. Wipe gemstones with a soft cloth. Bulgari recommends that you visit a Bulgari boutique once every year for professional cleaning. On 1stDibs, find a range of Bulgari B Zero rings.