Mid-Century Modern Italian Two and a Half Seat White Leather Sofa B&B "Alanda"
About the Item
- Creator:Paolo Piva (Designer),B&B Italia (Author)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.53 in (75 cm)Width: 82.68 in (210 cm)Depth: 33.86 in (86 cm)Seat Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Prato, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2802325154702
Paolo Piva
Juxtaposing sleek curves with angular, geometric shapes, the sophisticated minimalism of Paolo Piva’s furniture made him one of the most significant mid-century modern designers. Using understated, classic materials such as patent leather and glass, he created furniture that is as timeless as the buildings he designed as an internationally renowned architect. Piva’s armchairs, floor lamps and other furniture pieces were built to withstand changing tastes.
Born in 1950 in Adria in northern Italy, Piva pursued his career in design and architecture at the International University of the Arts in Venice under renowned architect Carlo Scarpa. While a student, he also worked with the Akademie für Angewandte Kunst in Vienna and the Institute of History and Architecture in Venice to create a major exhibition on Viennese architecture during the socialist period.
Gaining notice during his graduate studies in Rome, Piva established himself as an up-and-coming architect. In 1980, he emerged on the international scene with an acclaimed design for the Kuwait Embassy in Qatar, which led to design commissions for buildings and factories across Western Europe. At the same time, Piva began designing furniture that reflected the clean lines and artful forms of his building style. His most popular piece was the Pyramid coffee table, with inverted pyramids supporting a glass top.
A lifelong academic, Piva began teaching at the Akademie für Angewandte Kunst in 1988, becoming a full professor in 1991. He also collaborated with top brands, including Poliform, de Sede, B&B Italia, Wittmann and Riva 1920, designing center tables, club chairs and other furniture items. He continued his design pursuits throughout his life, traveling to conferences and exhibitions internationally up until his death in 2017.
Piva gained a nomination for the Compasso d’Oro award in 1987 and was one of the architects selected to design the Science and Technology Park in Vienna in 1995. His work has been exhibited at Galerie Ulysses in Vienna and the Architekturgalerie München in Munich, as well as in the VI Mostra internazionale di Architettura della Biennale di Buenos Aires.
On 1stDibs, delve into the graceful simplicity and elegant geometry of Paolo Piva’s lighting, tables, seating, and other furniture and collectibles.
B&B Italia
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Prato, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Mid-Century Modern Italian Three-Seat "Coronado" Sofa by Tobia Scarpa for B&BBy Tobia Scarpa, B&B ItaliaLocated in Prato, ITMid-Century Modern Italian three-seat flamingo pink velvet "Coronado" sofa by Tobia Scarpa for B&B. Project from 1960s The sofa can come as a living room set together with its pair ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsVelvet, Wood
- Mid-Century Modern French Three-Seat Sofa by Gérard Guermonprez, 1970sBy Gerard GuermonprezLocated in Prato, ITMid-Century Modern French three-seat sofa with original velvet fabric designed by Gérard Guermonprez. The sofa presents some wear consistent with age and use. It can become a set ...Category
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsChrome
- Mid-Century Modern Faux Bamboo Living Room Set with its Original Cushions, 1960sLocated in Prato, ITMid-Century Modern Italian faux bamboo living room set with original velvet upholstery. The set consists of one two-seat sofa and one armchair Measurements: Sofa length cm.115, wi...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsBeech, Velvet
- Mid-Century Modern Italian Three-Seat Sofa Bed by Saporiti, 1970sBy Fratelli SaporitiLocated in Prato, ITThree-seat sofa bed by Saporiti with original fabric from 1970s. This sofa could come with another one identical but not convertible to bed as shown in the photo.. Quotation for the...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsChrome
- Mid-Century Modern Italian Leather and Stainless Steel Living Room Set. 1970sLocated in Prato, ITItalian Space Age Suede and stainless steel living Room Set consisting of one sofa and two armchairs. The set is in good vintage conditions, shows wear from previous use, but remain ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Mid-Century Modern Italian Bamboo Living Room Set with "Vienna" Straw Seat 1970sLocated in Prato, ITMid-Century Modern Italian bamboo living room set consisting of a sofa two armchairs and a smoking table. All pieces could be sold separately. The set is in really good vintage cond...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsBamboo, Rattan
- Modern Marinelli Two-Seat Black Leather Sofa, ItalyBy Marinelli Home 1Located in Voorburg, NLAmazing black leather two seat sofa manufactured by Marinelli of Italy. This sofa is very solid and extremely comfortable to sit in. The so...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Danish Brown Leather 2 Seat Mid-Century Modern Sofa Armchairs AvailableLocated in GBWe are delighted to offer for sale this lovely small Mid-Century Modern Danish brown leather two-seat sofa This sofa is a wonderful size, super art modern cool which seems to be the way with almost all the Danish leather seating...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Guglielmo Ulrich, Mid-Century Modern, Three Seat Sofa, White Boucle, Wood, 1940sBy Guglielmo UlrichLocated in Stamford, CTMid-Century Modern Italian Sofa by Guglielmo Ulrich, Art Deco Style, Boucle, 1940s Italian organic form sofa or settee by architect, designer and pa...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsTextile, Wood
- Mid Century Modern Floral Patterned 3 Seater Sofa on WheelsLocated in Freehold, NJThis mid century modern three seater sofa features vintage floral upholstery, removable seat cushions, additional seat cushions underneath, and wheels ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
- Mid-Century Brown Leather Two-seater Sofa, Italy 1970By B&B Italia, Mario BelliniLocated in DE MEERN, NLTitle: Vintage Brown Leather 2-Seater Sofa - Classic Italian Design Indulge in timeless elegance with our Vintage Brown Leather 2-Seater Sofa, crafted with meticulous attention to d...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Mid-Century Modern Black Leather and Chrome Sofa Designed by Hans EichenbergerBy Girsberger, Hans EichenbergerLocated in Antwerp, BERare large sofa three seater in stainless steel frame designed by Hans Eichenberger for Girsberger in Switzerland, 1966 with original ...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsStainless Steel
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Rooms We Love: 11 Splendid Living Rooms
Common wisdom used to declare the kitchen the hub of the house. These days, the living room seems to have assumed the role of domestic focal point. Unlike the Victorian parlor, stiffly furnished and reserved for guests, today’s living room is a central place for reading, conversation and, well, living, with furnishings that lend themselves to both casual lounging and elegant entertaining.
Vincent Van Duysen Imbues Minimalism with Warmth
The Antwerp-based designer lends his unique touch to homes, boutiques and offices in Belgium, the United States and Germany, as well as furniture for B&B Italia and Molteni.