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.
Black Leather Alma Chair by Roberto Barbieri for B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Barbieri e Marianelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Similar to his classic Lia chair for Zanotta, Roberto Barbieri’s late 1990s-early 2000s design for the Alma chair is perfect in its simplicity: polished aluminum metal frame, black l...
Metal
$907Sale Price / set|20% Off
Side Chairs - B&B Italia Iuta by Antonio Citterio
By Antonio Citterio, B&B Italia
Located in Highclere, Newbury
Pair of white metal mesh and fabric B&B Italia Iuta side chairs by Antonio Citterio. Antonia Citterio’s work encompasses furniture, architecture and interiors and spans the last 30 years; most notably with B&B Italia, Vitra and Kartell. The Iuta collection is a B&B Italia icon that dates back to the late 1980s and has been produced and re-introduced over the years in a number of versions. The seating range uses...
Steel, Chrome
2005 Paolo Piva for B&B ltalia Arcadia Dining Side Chair in Tan Leather
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Arcadia armless dining chairs, initially designed by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia in 1989. These particular examples date to 2005. They feature a simplistic modern design ...
Steel, Chrome
2004 Uwe Fischer for B&B Italia Sina Swivel Arm Dining / Desk Chairs in Leather
By B&B Italia, Uwe Fischer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Sina swivel arm chair by B&B Italia. The chair was designed by Uwe Fischer and introduced in 1999. These particular examples date to 2004. They are upholstered in high qual...
Aluminum
1990s Arcadia Dining Side Chair by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia in Ivory Leather
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an ‘Arcadia’ armless dining chair, initially designed by Paolo Piva for B & B Italia in 1989. This piece was produced in Italy around the same time. It features a simplis...
Steel, Chrome
2005 Paolo Piva for B&B ltalia Arcadia High Back Dining Side Chair in Leather
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Arcadia armless high back dining chairs, initially designed by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia in 1989. These particular examples date to the 2000s. They feature a simplistic...
Steel, Chrome
$5,181Sale Price|50% Off
H 28.75 in W 99.22 in D 63 in
B&B Italia Charles Sectional Sofa by Antonio Citterio
By Antonio Citterio, B&B Italia
Located in Rochester, England
The Charles Sectional Sofa by B&B Italia is an iconic piece, crafted with high quality materials and impeccable attention to detail. The sleek and modern design of the sofa is co...
Metal
Woven Rush-Backed Dining Side Chair by Mel Smilow
By Mel Smilow
Located in New York, NY
Originally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 2018, the woven rush dining side chair is classically midcentury. This collection...
Rush, Walnut
Black Leather 'CAB' Chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By Mario Bellini
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Classic leather CAB chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina. Great patina to leather. Excellent vintage condition. Priced individua...
Leather
$3,569 / set
H 35.04 in W 18.12 in D 21.26 in
B&B Italia Model Arcadia Dining Leather Chair Paolo Piva Set of 4
By Matteo Grassi
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Paolo Piva designed this dining chairs for B&B Italia. Model Arcadia in heavenblue leather colour and the insides from the feet are in black plastic. It fits well with memphis design...
Metal, Chrome
$1,010 / item
H 38 in W 19 in D 18 in
Louis XVI Style Painted Square Back Side or Dining Chair for custom order
Located in Oakville, ON
This Louis XVI style square back dining chair is one of our most popular, best seller dining chair for us. The frame is made in Italy of soli...
Wood
B&B Italia by Antonio Citterio Brown Velvet Richard Ottoman
By Antonio Citterio, B&B Italia
Located in Rochester, England
Originally designed by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia in 2016, the Richard sofa collection is a fantastic example of contemporary Italian design. Constructed from a tubular st...
Fabric
Set of Four Black Leather Chairs by Cattelan Italia
By Mario Bellini
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Set of four black leather dining chairs by Cattelan Italia similar to leather chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina.
Leather
Mario Bellini Tan Cab Side Dining Chair for Cassina
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This iconic design by Mario Bellini for Cassina designed 1977, Italy, features the original natural toned saddle leather which is wrapped atop a steel frame. The back of each leg fea...
Steel
Mario Bellini Cab Side Dining Chair for Cassina
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This iconic design by Mario Bellini for Cassina, Italy, features the original natural toned saddle leather which is wrapped atop a steel frame. The back of each leg features a black ...
Steel
Mario Bellini Cab Side Dining Chair for Cassina
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This iconic design by Mario Bellini for Cassina, designed 1977, Italy, features the original natural toned saddle leather which is wrapped atop a steel frame. The back of each leg fe...
Steel
$1,125Sale Price / set|54% Off
H 25.99 in W 24.02 in D 22.84 in
B&B Italia by Antonio Citterio Luta White and Green Accent Chairs, Set of 4
By B&B Italia, Antonio Citterio
Located in Rochester, England
Designed by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia in 2000, the Iuta chair has become an iconic design for the brand. Constructed from a light steel mesh spraye...
Metal
$720Sale Price|20% Off
H 44.75 in W 18.5 in D 23 in
Milo Baughman Curved Cane Back Dining Room Side Chair
By Milo Baughman
Located in Wayne, NJ
Milo Baughman curved cane back dining or side chair. If you are in the New Jersey, New York City Metro Area, please contact us with your delivery ...
Wood
Antonio Cittiero Set of 4 Melandra Dining Chairs
By Antonio Citterio, B&B Italia
Located in Highland, IN
An elegant minimalist design by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia, these "Melandra" dining chairs feature seats upholstered in black leather supported by crisply tapered aluminum legs....
Aluminum
Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia Canasta Chairs, Set of 2
By B&B Italia
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
The stylish pair of high back Canasta outdoor/indoor lounge chairs designed by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia are packed with personality! Outstanding design is exhibited throughou...
Aluminum
Camaleonda Lounge Chairs in Bright Orange Velvet
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Antwerp, BE
Mario Bellini, camaleonda, B&B Italia, Italy 1970s, easy chairs Newly reupholstered in bright orange velvet.
Velvet
Mini Papilio Leather Chairs by Naoto Fukasawa for B&B Italia
By Naoto Fukasawa, B&B Italia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The set includes 2 chairs only, other 2 chairs are being sold separetly. Beautiful swivel leather chair designed by Naoto Fukasawa for B&B Italia and part of the "Papilio" series. These chairs have a beautiful shape and are very comfortable, they swivel and are perfect to be used as side chairs or dining chairs. The chairs are in good condition with minor use and a few marks on the leather due to previous use. Measurements: 29" high x 21.5" wide x 21 5/8" deep x 18.5" seat height. Butterflies in flight. The design image was that of a chair that would "welcome" gracefully - with the graceful movement of a butterfly, which in Latin is called a "papilio". Grande Papilio...
Steel
Mini Papilio Leather Chairs by Naoto Fukasawa for B&B Italia
By Naoto Fukasawa, B&B Italia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful swivel leather chair designed by Naoto Fukasawa for B&B Italia and part of the "Papilio" series. These chairs have a beautiful shape and are very comfortable, they swivel and are perfect to be used as side chairs or dining chairs, we have a total of 5 chairs however we have listed only 4 and the price listed is for 4 chairs. The chairs are in good condition with minor use and a few marks on the leather due to previous use. Measurements: 29" high x 21.5" wide x 21 5/8" deep x 18.5" seat height. Butterflies in flight. The design image was that of a chair that would "welcome" gracefully - with the graceful movement of a butterfly - which in Latin is called a "papilio". Grande Papilio...
Steel
Sold
H 32 in W 19.3 in D 21.3 in
Black Leather / Bronzed Nickel Frame Charlotte Dining Chair, B&B Italia
By Antonio Citterio, B&B Italia
Located in Tulsa, OK
B&B Italia charlotte chair designed by Antonio Citterio is a tribute to lightness. The shell is completely covered, but the frame profile is visible on the chair side, thus highlight...
Metal
Afra and Tobia Scarpa Dialogo Chair for B&B Italia, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Hitchin, England
An Afra and Tobia Scarpa Dialogo chair for B&B Italia, 1970s. The pieces feature an oak angular frame with a black fibreglass se...
Fiberglass, Oak
Mario Bellini Set of Eight Model 412 Cab Chairs by Cassina
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Highland, IN
A Classic Bellini design from 1977, the model 412 "Cab" chair by Cassina has a steel skeleton wrapped in thick saddle leather. It's a comfortable seat and a great Minimalist design o...
Steel