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.
Tobia & Afra Scarpa Tobio Low Square Table in Leather by B&B Italia 1970s
By B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Tobio low square shaped table with a leather lined wooden top cylindrical base in black plastic. Designed by Tobia and Afra Scarpa in the 1970s and produced by B&B Italia. Tobia S...
Leather, Plastic, Wood
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
$2,631Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 26.19 in W 20.48 in D 16.93 in
Bevan Funnell Mahogany Side Tables Georgian Revival England, 1960s
By Bevan Funnell Ltd.
Located in Den Haag, NL
Good quality Bevan Funnell .Georgian revival side tables. Having pierced cross legs. Beautiful set with slightly raised edges. Beautiful handmade side tables. Very nice warm color. M...
Mahogany
$1,695
H 17 in W 31.75 in D 31.75 in
Coffee Table after Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina in Teak Wood, c. 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Deland, FL
This elegant Mid Century Modern coffee table draws direct inspiration from the iconic designs of Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina. Crafted in rich teak wood, the table showcases the r...
Teak
Modern Danish Table in Palisander, 1960s
Located in Aalsgaarde, DK
Modern Danish table in Palisander, 1960s. Very decorative and fine! Measures: H. 50 W. 70 D. 42 cm. H. 19.6 W. 27.5 D. 16.5 in.
Palisander
$592
H 19.69 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
Side Table Made In Teak By Severin Hansen For Haslev Furniture From 1960s
By Haslev Mobelsnedkeri, Severin Hansen
Located in Lejre, DK
Side table in teak of Danish design designed by Severin Hansen manufactured by Haslev Furniture in the 1960s. The table is in great vintage condition.
Teak
$4,577
H 27.56 in Dm 57.09 in
Round Africa Table by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto Artona Series, Italy, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A stunning Africa table designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa in the 1970s, and produced by Maxalto, Italy. Good original condition with normal minor age related signs of use and wear....
Walnut, Burl
$2,990
H 29.14 in W 39.38 in D 39.38 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Dining Table Model 778, Solid Cherry, 1970s Italy
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Dining Table Model 778 for Cassina, Italy 1970s – Square Solid Wood Italian Modern Design A rare and elegant 1970s dining table, designed by Afra & Tobia...
Cherry
$1,337Sale Price|41% Off
H 13 in W 29.53 in D 29.93 in
Early Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table Bastiano by Tobia & Afra Scarpa for Gavina
By Gavina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This low coffee table was designed by the architectural duo Tobia and Afra Scarpa in 1962 and manufactured by the Italian manufacture Gavina. It is an early production table from the Bastiano series. It is made of teak wood and finished in a dark shade of brown. The top is placed loosely on a wooden frame. It is a real example of functional, yet stylish, modern Italian design. Afra and Tobia Scarpa are an award-winning duo of postmodern Italian architects. Their works can be found in museums in the United States and Europe, including collections at MoMA and the Louvre. They have cooperated with companies such as B&B Italia, San Lorenzo Silver...
Teak
Rosewood Side Table Dutch, 1960s
By Gelderland
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice square sofa table. Square black metal legs, comes with a rosewood floating top. Good condition.
Rosewood
$3,956Sale Price|23% Off
H 28.35 in W 50.79 in D 57.49 in
Leather and Marble Dining Table by Afra and Tobia Scarpa B&B Italia, 1974
By B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Rosendahl, DE
This highly decorative dining or centerpiece table was designed by the renowned duo Afra and Tobia Scarpa and manufactured by B&B Italia in 1974. The table features a dark brown wood...
Concrete, Marble
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Coffee Table for Maxalto, 1970s
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Antwerp, BE
Pine wood coffee table by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, Italy, 1970s Postmodern coffee table by the famous children of Carlo Scarpa. Inspired by Donald Judd and Rietveld. Table...
Pine
$11,000
H 29.53 in W 59.06 in D 51.19 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia 'Tobio' Dining Table in Red Travertine
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, B&B Italia
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, 'Tobio' dining table, leather, red travertine, Italy, design 1974 Gorgeous dining table designed by the iconic duo Afra and Tobia Scarpa....
Travertine
Set 2b, Side Tables
By Andreas Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Designer and Artis Andreas Berlin created a collection of extraordinary side tables. This tables are sculptures and high end useful upcycling tables. The vases found in antiquarian s...
Aluminum, Cut Steel
Paolo Piva for B&B Italian Glass and Metal Coffee Table 1970s
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury modern design coffee table designed by Paolo Piva and produced by B&B with painted metal structure and glass top, Italy 1970s Please note that the coffe table i...
Metal
Alanda Coffee Table by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Dronten, NL
The Paolo Piva Alanda Architectural Coffee Table by B&B Italia is a stunning piece of furniture that combines sleek, modern design with functionality and durability. The table is mad...
Steel
Paolo Piva Alanda Architectural Coffee Table by B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Dronten, NL
Iconic wire framed and glass topped 'Alanda' coffee table by designer Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, 1981. Black enameled wire metal frame with clear crystal glass top and levelling fee...
Steel
Paolo Piva Alanda Coffee for B & B Italia, 1980
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Architectural Alanda coffee table by Paolo Piva for B & B Italia. Black wire metal frame diamond shape with top glass. Very good vintage condition.
Metal
Sold
H 10.24 in W 70.87 in D 47.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Alanda Large Coffee Table by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Halle, DE
Mid-century coffee table / sofa table Alanda by Paolo Piva 1982 for B&B Italia in large Version. The design of the table is architectural and constructivistic, but minimalistic in it...
Steel
Sold
H 12.6 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Coffee Table by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian "Alanda" Lacquered metal structure with glass top coffee table by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia. 1970s The glass top has some signs due to age and use but in ...
Metal
Paolo Piva Alanda Coffee for B & B Italia, 1980
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Architectural Alanda coffee table by Paolo Piva for B & B Italia. Black wire metal frame diamond shape with thick and lightly green top glass. Very good vintage condition, new top gl...
Metal
Sold
H 13.78 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
Italian White Steel and Glass Alanda Coffee Table by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian white steel and glass Alanda coffee table by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, 1979 Black powder-coated steel frame with a very heavy, thick crystal glass top. Perfect conditions.
Steel
Sold
H 13.78 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Italian Black Steel and Glass Alanda Coffee Table by B&B Italia, 1979
By B&B Italia
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian black steel and glass Alanda coffee table by B&B Italia, 1979 Black powder coated steel frame with a very heavy, thick crystal glass top. Perfect conditions.
Steel
Sold
H 14.18 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
Gli Scacchi Modular Tables by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1968
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in MIlano, IT
Gli Scacchi modular tables by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1968 Amazing set of 3 modular tables by Mario Bellini called Gli Scacchi, designed for B&B Italia in 1968, each with its ...
Plastic
Sold
H 33.08 in W 64.18 in D 26.38 in
Gaetano Pesce, 1969 for B&B Italia "Up-7 Piede" Sculpture Lounge Chair "Foot"
By B&B Italia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Munster, NRW
Designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1969 for B&B Italia. The legendary "UP-7" foot is made of flexible cold-shaped polyurethane foam with a smooth and flexible black coating. Not onl...
Foam, Coating
Sold
H 33.08 in W 64.18 in D 26.38 in
Gaetano Pesce, 1969 for B&B Italia "Up-7 Piede" Sculpture Lounge Chair "Foot"
By Gaetano Pesce, B&B Italia
Located in Munster, NRW
Designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1969 for B&B Italia. The legendary "UP-7" foot is made of flexible cold-shaped polyurethane foam with a smooth and flexible black coating. Not onl...
Foam, Coating