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.
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Creator: B&B Italia
Dealer: De Heldere Morgen
Pair of ‘Tulip’ Swivel Lounge Chairs by Jeffrey Bernett for B&B Italia / Maxalto
By Jeffrey Bernett, B&B Italia
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
Striking pair of “Tulip” lounge chairs designed by Jeffrey Bernett for B&B Italia’s Maxalto collection in 2000. These chairs combine modern Italian elegance with American design sens...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern B&B Italia Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
UP5_6 armchair from the UP 2000 series, by Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia
By Gaetano Pesce, B&B Italia
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
This iconic UP5_6 armchair from the UP 2000 series, designed by Gaetano Pesce and re-released by B&B Italia in 2000, is a true design statement and a must-have for lovers of vintage and modernist furniture. Known as the "Big Mama Chair...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern B&B Italia Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Foam
Related Items
Pair of 'Amanta' Leather Lounge Chairs by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in New York, 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 in great demand, with a waitlist for eager purchasers. The 'Amanta' was produced as a modular piece so you can place the two together to form a small sofa or stand alone as lounge chairs. The flexibility was made possible by the strategically placed vertical slit in the backrest. With their original cognac brown leather upholstery that is wonderful vintage condition. The curved and molded shells that hold the cushions are made of dark chocolate brown fiberglass and rest upon chocolate brown fiberglass ball...
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"Amanta" Lounge chairs by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s, set of 2
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 2 linen lounge chairs with fiberglass shell. Designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia. Seat height: 43cm. Stamped B&B Italia. They can be attached together. Wear due to time a...
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1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage B&B Italia Furniture
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H 28.35 in W 32.29 in D 31.5 in
Feltri Armchair by Gaetano Pesce for Cassina
By Cassina, Gaetano Pesce
Located in KUTNO, PL
The legendary Italian designer's unlimited imagination has conjured up everything from onion chairs to otherworldly structures
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None of Gaetano Pesce's furniture has an internal support structure.
The frame of Gaetano Pesce's Feltri chair...
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1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage B&B Italia Furniture
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Pair of armchairs model Amanta by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1973
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in SAN PIETRO MOSEZZO, NO
Set of 2 armchairs model 'Amanta' by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s.
The frame is made of plastic material with foam padding and original period velvet upholstery.
Trademark o...
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H 26.38 in W 31.89 in D 32.29 in
Pair of B&B Italia Maxalto Imprimatur Antonio Citterio Armchairs
By B&B Italia, Antonio Citterio
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of high back B&B Italia hand made in Italy Maxalto Imprimatur armchairs designed by Antonio Citterio RRP £6000.
The chairs ar...
Category
2010s Italian Modern B&B Italia Furniture
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Chrome, Nickel
Original Sculpture/ Seat Designed by Gaetano Pesce, B&B Italia
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Seat UP7 designed by Gaetano Pesce. Italy, B&B Italia, 2000 series.
Large sculpture/ seat made of cold-shaped polyurethane foam painted black. Produced as part of the UP series, P...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern B&B Italia Furniture
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Pair of armchairs model Coronado by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, B&B Italia
Located in SAN PIETRO MOSEZZO, NO
Pair of armchairs model Coronado from the 1970s by Afra & Tobia Scarpa and produced by B&B Italia.
The pair represents an icon of Italian design from that period.
Upholstery is dar...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage B&B Italia Furniture
Materials
Leather
H 33.47 in W 38.59 in D 35.44 in
UP5 La Mamma UP 2000 Chair & UP6 Ball Ottoman by Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Izegem, VWV
Designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1969, right from the onset the Up series has been one of the most outstanding expressions of design with its expressive shapes upholstered with elastic f...
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Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern B&B Italia Furniture
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H 40.56 in W 47.25 in D 51.19 in
B and B Metropolitan Leather Swivel Chair by Jeffrey Bernett
By Jeffrey Bernett
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A Metropolitan lounge swivel chair by Jeffrey Barnett for B and B.
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Materials
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Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” Armchair for B&B Italia, 1971
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
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The search for a new shape for upholstered furniture: all parts are shaped like a large so...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage B&B Italia Furniture
Materials
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Up Du5 and Du6 Armchair and Ottoman by Gaetano Pesce for B&B, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Roma, IT
Armchair Gaetano Pesce for b&b - ITitalia series UP DU5 and DU6.
Measures: 103 x 120 x 130 cm. It includes ottoman diameter 60 cm.
An icon on international post-war design, and one...
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1970s Italian Vintage B&B Italia Furniture
Materials
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Jeffrey Bernett for Bernhardt Remy Leather Upholstered Swivel Lounge Chair, Pair
By Bernhardt, Jeffrey Bernett
Located in Germantown, MD
A pair of Jeffrey Bernett Design for Bernhardt furniture Remy light blue Leather Upholstered with Polished Aluminum Swivel X base. Measures 34" in width, 30" in depth and stands 28....
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Late 20th Century American Modern B&B Italia Furniture
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H 28.5 in W 34 in D 30 in
Previously Available Items
Vintage Alanda sofa, Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, 1980's
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
"Alanda" 2.5-seater by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, 1980s.
Black leather.
Equipped with adjustable arm and headrests.
dxhxl 88x85x210 cm
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern B&B Italia Furniture
Materials
Metal
B&B Italia Sofa Daybed by Antonio Citterio, Sity Collection, 1980s
By Antonio Citterio, B&B Italia
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
This is a very rare sofa, model Baisity, created in 1986 by Antonio Citterio who won the Compasso d’oro a year later with this design. Comfortable seat. The sofa has two wheels upfro...
Category
1980s Italian Modern Vintage B&B Italia Furniture
Materials
Leather, Fabric
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023The Camaleonda sofa was made in 1970. Mario Bellini designed this modular seat, which can double as a sculpture in any interior. The Milanese architect and designer came up with the concept in 1970 for B&B Italia (then known as C&B Italia). The piece became a hit after its star turn in the 1972 exhibition, “Italy: The New Domestic Landscape,” at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. B&B brought the design back in 2020 with a few modern upgrades (namely, all recycled materials and interchangeable seat covers). Shop a range of Camaleonda sofas on 1stDibs.
- 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.
- When was Hamilton 992B made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The Hamilton 992B Railroad Watch was first produced in November, 1940, nine years after design and research began. The 992B featured brand-new technologies and was made with gold, steel and gilt parts and the newly designed Elinvar Extra hairspring. The last Hamilton 992B was sold in 1969. Shop Hamilton 992B Railroad Watches from top sellers worldwide 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 ExpertMarch 22, 2022How you style Dior B23 sneakers is largely a matter of personal preference. High-top styles tend to look best worn with socks no higher than the collar, while low-top options work well with socks of varying heights. Feel free to get creative and wear your sneakers with everything from dresses to jeans. Shop a range of Dior sneakers on 1stDibs.
- 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024The difference between Steelcase Grade A and Grade B is condition. A previously owned chair that has been inspected by Steelcase and found to be in like-new condition receives the Grade A designation. On the other hand, a piece that has minor issues, such as scuffs on the frame, receives a Grade B classification. Shop a collection of Steelcase chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022What was most innovative about Marcel Breuer's Model B3 chair was its frame. Also known as the Wassily lounge chair, the piece featured a lightweight, sturdy tubular steel frame inspired by the artist's Adler bicycle. His use of the metal started a radical shift in furniture design. You’ll find a variety of Marcel Breuer Model B3 chairs 1stDibs.