Le Bambole in Original Fabric with Label by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
About the Item
- Creator:Mario Bellini (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.35 in (72 cm)Width: 70.08 in (178 cm)Depth: 38.59 in (98 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Buggenhout, BE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5967230525582
Mario Bellini
Milan-born architect and designer Mario Bellini just may be the closest thing to a modern-day Renaissance man: His creative output spans genres, from electronics to furniture to architecture to cars, comprising iconic designs in each. Vintage Mario Bellini sofas, dining chairs and other seating pieces are widely coveted, and the designer has been the recipient of multiple prestigious Compasso d’Oro awards. More than 20 of his works are in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
Born in 1935, Bellini studied architecture at the Polytechnic University of Milan before founding his own firm in his native city in the early 1960s. He soon branched out beyond architecture, however, first for the tech manufacturer Olivetti, where he served as chief industrial design consultant from 1963 to 1991. During that time, Bellini oversaw the design of some of Olivetti’s most popular typewriters.
His penchant for electronic design didn’t stop there: Bellini also designed cameras for Fuji, televisions for Brionvega and a slew of audio devices for Yamaha, then served as design consultant for Renault and devised the interior of the 1980 Lancia Trevi for Fiat. Meanwhile, his architecture work spans continents, including such modern gems as the Museum of Islamic Arts at the Louvre, the National Gallery of Victoria extension in Melbourne, the Dubai Creek Complex and the Milan Convention Centre in his hometown.
And then there’s the furniture: Over the last 70 years, Bellini has designed office furniture for Vitra; lamps for Artemide, Erco and FLOS; porcelain for Rosenthal and long-admired sofas and other seating for Kartell, Natuzzi, B&B Italia, Cassina and more.
His oft-imitated 1977 Cab chair for Cassina, comprising 16 individual pieces of saddle leather that create a “skin” over a minimal metal frame, remains one of the manufacturer’s best sellers today. His pudgy-legged, round tables for Cassina foreshadow Faye Toogood’s widely loved Roly Poly line. His postmodern Summa armchairs for Kartell, as well as his elegant Chiara floor lamp, still lure collectors on vintage furniture websites.
Bellini’s most famous contribution to furniture design, though, may be his 1970 Camaleonda sofa for B&B Italia (then C&B Italia). An entrant to the 1972 MoMA show “Italy: The New Domestic Landscape,” the seat takes its name from the Italian words for chameleon and wave. Its bulbous, modular form makes it infinitely flexible. The sofa was a runaway hit at the show and, once discontinued, remained so popular among vintage dealers that B&B Italia reissued it in 2020 with all recycled materials and interchangeable seat covers. “Of all the objects I have designed, Camaleonda is perhaps the best in terms of its sense of freedom,” Bellini said.
Browse an expansive collection of vintage Mario Bellini furniture — including dining tables, armchairs, mid-century sofas and more — today on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Dendermonde, Belgium
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Exceptional Le Bambole set in cognac leather by Mario Bellini by B & B ItaliaBy Mario BelliniLocated in Buggenhout, Oost-VlaanderenStunning vintage ‘Le Bambolé’ living room set in new cognac leather.Designed by Mario Bellini for B & B Italia. Le Bambole series won the Compasso ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsLeather
- Vintage Camaleonda in its original fabric by Mario Bellini for B & B ItaliaBy Mario BelliniLocated in Buggenhout, Oost-VlaanderenExceptional matching Camaleonda set in its original coral corduroy. Designed by Mario Bellini for B & B Italia. The “Camaleonda” sofa is Mario Bellini’s contemporary classic. The pl...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsVelvet
- Stunning Excelsior sofa in black leather by Mario Bellini for B&B Italy, 1985.By Mario BelliniLocated in Buggenhout, Oost-VlaanderenStunning & rare Excelsior sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italy, 1985. Full black leather! Still 100% original. No damage. The leather has some normal wear for its age. Measurement...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Stunning Vintage Pianura set - still 100% original by Mario Bellini for CassinaBy CassinaLocated in Buggenhout, Oost-VlaanderenStunning Pianura seating group. A wooden structure with high comfort cushions in their original fabric. The color is anthracite with a dark blue patina. Matching set from its firs...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWood
- Very rare ARALIA set 1983 in original fabric by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne RosetBy Ligne RosetLocated in Buggenhout, Oost-VlaanderenWhat a stunning, large & matching combination in an exceptional original condition. First owner (1983). An extremely comfortable seating group. A rare find on the market in this c...Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsVelvet
- Stunning & rare black leather Cab 423 by Mario Bellini for CassinaBy Mario BelliniLocated in Buggenhout, Oost-VlaanderenPerfect CAB 423 lounge chair by Mario Bellini for CASSINA Italy. Cab Lounge epitomizes all of the Cassina expertise in leather upholstery: the cowhide fits the tubular steel like a ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Le Bambole Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B ItaliaBy Mario BelliniLocated in Montréal, QCLe Bambole Loveseat by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s. This iconic sofa is made of a thick buffalo brown leather - polyurethane foam interior with metal frame. In good vintage ...Category
20th Century Italian Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Le Bambole - 2 seater, Mario Bellini for B&B Italia.By Mario BelliniLocated in Las Vegas, NVDesigned in 1972 by industrial designer Mario Bellini for C&B Italia (now B&B Italia). With the intention to mimic a swollen pillow resting on the floor. There was no foam available ...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Foam
- ''Le Bambole'' sofa by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, 1960sBy C&B Italia, Mario BelliniLocated in Quarrata, ITStunning two seating sofa ''Le Bambole'' designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by C&B Italia from the late 1960s. It has been newly upholstered with first quality leather and ha...Category
Vintage 1960s Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Jute
- "Le Bambole" by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia Leather Sofa, 1970sBy C&B Italia, Mario BelliniLocated in Byron Bay, NSWSet of two also sold separately. Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, 'Le Bambole' sofa, brown patinated leather, Italy, 1972. This piece is one of the very rare prototypes or early editio...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Mario Bellini for B&B Italia 'Le Bambole' Loveseat. Italy , 1972By Mario Bellini, B&B ItaliaLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis comfortable Flowers fabric settee is bulky and playful, shaped as if it is merely a large cushion and the accompanying feeling is the same. It is designed by Mario Bellini and w...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Foam
- Mario Bellini Le Bambole 2-Seater Sofa, B&B ItaliaBy Mario BelliniLocated in Toronto, CAMario Bellini's iconic 'Le Bambole' sofa, designed in 1972 for B&B Italia. Cozy softness, plush roundness, gentle harmony and playful informality are the keynotes of the Bambole . Th...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Sofas
MaterialsCotton, Foam