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.
Le Bambole 2-Seat Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s, reupholstered
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Berlin, DE
The Bambole series stands as one of the defining statements of Italian design in the 1970s—an object that treats seating not as a frame with padding, but as a continuous upholstered...
Leather
Mario Bellini Bambole Bibambola LBA2 leather Sofa with ottoman for B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Skokie, IL
Mario Bellini Bambole leather Sofa for B&B Italia circa 2017. Bibambola designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia is a sofa made with flexible cold polyurethane foam padding w...
Steel
$16,900 / set
H 29.53 in W 63 in D 33.47 in
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Sofa for B&B Italia, 1971, Set of 2
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” sofa for B&B Italia, Mongolian faux-fur, Italy, 1971, set of two. This is a timeless Postmodern design icon. The starting point was a shopping bag contain...
Faux Fur, Foam
$6,167
H 28.35 in W 70.08 in D 38.59 in
Le Bambole sofa in velvet By Mario Bellini For B&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful Le Bambole sofa in coral/pink coloured velvet designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in the 1970s. This beautiful edition is reupholstered in a high quality cotton velve...
Velvet
Bambole bed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in bruxelles, BE
Bed in creamy white fabric. Model: Bambole by Mario Bellini. Stamp under the bed. No tears. Seat height: 36.5cm. Depth when closed: 127cm. Wear due to time and age of the bed. FOR SH...
Fabric
$10,985
H 29.53 in W 68.9 in D 37.41 in
Mario Bellini Le Bambole Sofa, Upholstered in Alpaca, B&B Italia, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A beautiful Mario Bellini Le Bambole sofa, produced by B&B Italia, Italy in the 1970s, newly upholstered in luxurious 100% alpaca. Marked on the underside. Fast shipping worldwide.
Alpaca
$16,000
H 29.14 in W 96.46 in D 35.44 in
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Sofa for B&B Italia, Ivory Chenille, 1972
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” three seater sofa for B&B Italia, ivory chenille, Italy, 1971. The search for a new shape for upholstered furnitur...
Foam, Chenille
$10,985
H 29.53 in W 66.93 in D 33.86 in
Mario Bellini Le Bambole Sofa, Upholstered in Alpaca, B&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
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...
Alpaca
$19,569
H 29.93 in W 90.56 in D 39.38 in
Le Bambole 3-Seater Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in amstelveen, NL
An exceptional and highly collectible “Le Bambole” sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, one of the most celebrated icons of 20th-century Italian design. This authentic vint...
Cotton
Le Bambole sofa By Mario Bellini For B&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful Le Bambole sofa in original structured fabric in aubergine tones designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in the 1970s. This beautiful edition comes in its original high q...
Fabric
$11,550
H 28.75 in W 68.12 in D 34.65 in
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Sofa for B&B Italia, Dark Brown Suede, 1971
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” sofa for B&B Italia, dark brown suede, Italy, 1971. This is a timeless Postmodern design icon. The starting point was a shopping bag containing formle...
Foam, Suede
$11,500
H 29.14 in W 96.46 in D 35.44 in
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Sofa for B&B Italia, Olive Green Velvet, 1971
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” two-seater sofa for B&B Italia, olive green velvet, Italy, 1971. This is a timeless Postmodern design icon. The starting point was a shopping bag cont...
Velvet, Foam
"Le Bambole" Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in bruxelles, BE
Sofa in red fabric, model: Le Bambole by Mario Bellini. Seat height: 42 cm. Stamped B&B Italia and with all original documents. Very good condition. Wear due to time and age. For shi...
Fabric
$29,000 / set
H 33.47 in W 27.96 in D 32.29 in
1970s Mario Bellini 5-Piece Bambole Sofa Set for B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Discover the timeless Organic Modern elegance of the original 1970s Le Bambole Italian sofa set with beige woven wool upholstery in superb condition. A Mid-Century Modern Italian masterpiece by the renowned Italian designer Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia. It was an instant success on launch in 1971. Today, it commands an extreme desirability as it's timeless playful aesthetic fits so well with both period and contemporary interiors. This vintage collection combines luxurious comfort, captivating aesthetics, and a rich history. Crafted with utmost precision, the set consists of three armchairs, one corner armchair, and one ottoman...
Wool, Upholstery
Sold
H 27.56 in W 78.75 in D 33.86 in
B&B Italia by Antonio Citterio Cream Fabric Michel Effe Two Seater Sofa
By Antonio Citterio, B&B Italia
Located in Rochester, England
Originally designed by Antonio Citterio in 2015 for B&B Italia, the Michel Effe seating range continued to build on the design of Michel sofa from 2012, an...
Fabric
B&B Italia Free Time Sofa by Antonio Citterio, 1990s
By B&B Italia, Antonio Citterio
Located in London, GB
A large, extremely comfortable and versatile sofa by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia, designed in the late 1990s. Chromed tubular steel lower frame, strap supports, loose seat cushio...
Steel, Chrome
B&B Italia by Antonio Citterio Cream Fabric Michel Effe Sofa
By Antonio Citterio, B&B Italia
Located in Rochester, England
Originally designed by Antonio Citterio in 2015 for B&B Italia, the Michel Effe seating range continued to build on the design of Michel sofa from 2012, an...
Fabric
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Settee for B&B Italia, circa 1977
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" settee for B&B Italia, 1977. This piece has been expertly restored. This settee retains it's original B&B Italia stamp to the bottom. (pair available)
Fabric
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Leather Settee for B&B Italia, 1976
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" leather settee for B&B Italia, 1976. Original leather with a nicely worn patina. This piece is stamped 1976 to the bottom.
Leather
Sold
H 28.75 in W 66.93 in D 35.44 in
Le Bambole Settee / 2-Seat Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Berlin, DE
'Le Bambole' 2-seat sofa, designed in 1970s by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in Italy in mud brown aniline leather.
Leather
B&B Italia Le Bambole Sofa in Tan Leather
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Melbourne, VIC
Designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia the series was an icon for the 1970s and won the "Compasso d'Oro" award in 1979. This all original piece has been newly upholstered in Italia...
Leather
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Settee for B&B Italia, circa 1980
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" settee for B&B Italia, circa 1980. This piece has been expertly restored in Kravet fabric. This settee retains it's original B&B Italia stamp to the bottom.
Fabric
Le Bambole 2 Seat Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Hellouw, NL
Iconic 2 seat-sofa 'Le Bambole' by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia from the 1970s. It sits very comfortable and has a timeless design breathing a relax mood in your interior. This outsp...
Fabric
Sold
H 28.35 in W 66.93 in D 35.44 in
Le Bambole Settee / 2-Seat Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Berlin, DE
'Le Bambole' 2-seat sofa, designed in 1970s by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in Italy. New upholstered in black leather.
Steel
Sold
H 28.35 in W 66.93 in L 28.35 in
Le Bambole Settee / 2-Seat Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Berlin, DE
'Le Bambole' 2-seat sofa, designed in 1970s by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in Italy. New upholstered in a mud brown aniline leather.
Steel
Sold
H 28.35 in W 66.93 in D 35.44 in
Le Bambole Settee / 2-Seat Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Berlin, DE
'Le Bambole' 2-seat sofa, designed in 1970s by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in Italy. Good original condition in brown mohair. Labeled.
Steel