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Bambole Modular

Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Modular Sofa for B&B Italia, 1971
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Modular Sofa for B&B Italia, 1971

Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Modular Sofa for B&B Italia, 1971

$18,000 / set

H 28.35 in W 32.68 in D 32.68 in

Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Modular Sofa for B&B Italia, 1971

By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini

Located in Lonigo, Veneto

Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" modular sofa for B&B Italia, foam and faux-fur, Italy, 1971, set of five

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Faux Fur, Foam

Le Bambole Modular Sofa by Mario Bellini
Le Bambole Modular Sofa by Mario Bellini

Le Bambole Modular Sofa by Mario Bellini

$22,274 / set

H 26.78 in W 33.47 in D 33.47 in

Le Bambole Modular Sofa by Mario Bellini

By Mario Bellini

Located in London, GB

"Five-seat modular sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia. The Bambole series won the

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Velvet

"Le Bambole" Modular Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
"Le Bambole" Modular Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s

"Le Bambole" Modular Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s

$27,650 / set

H 28.35 in W 33.08 in D 34.26 in

"Le Bambole" Modular Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s

By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia

Located in bruxelles, BE

5-piece modular sofa in zebu leather by Mario Bellini, Le Bambole model. Stamped under the seats

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather

Le Bambole modular sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&b Italia 1972
Le Bambole modular sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&b Italia 1972

Le Bambole modular sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&b Italia 1972

By Mario Bellini

Located in Arezzo, Italy

Le Bambole 3 seats sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&b Italia , the Bambole series won the

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Mario Bellini Le Bambole Modular Sofa, Upholstered in Alpaca, B&B Italia, 1970s
Mario Bellini Le Bambole Modular Sofa, Upholstered in Alpaca, B&B Italia, 1970s

Mario Bellini Le Bambole Modular Sofa, Upholstered in Alpaca, B&B Italia, 1970s

By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini

Located in Lewes, East Sussex

A Mario Bellini Le Bambole five piece modular sofa / chair set, produced by B&B Italia, Italy in

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Alpaca

Le Bambole  modular sofa 3 seats by Mario Bellini for B&b Italia 1972
Le Bambole  modular sofa 3 seats by Mario Bellini for B&b Italia 1972

Le Bambole modular sofa 3 seats by Mario Bellini for B&b Italia 1972

By Mario Bellini

Located in Arezzo, Italy

Le Bambole 3 seats sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&b Italia , the Bambole series won the

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” Sofa for B&B Italia, Camel Velvet, 1971, Set of 3
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” Sofa for B&B Italia, Camel Velvet, 1971, Set of 3

Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” Sofa for B&B Italia, Camel Velvet, 1971, Set of 3

By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia

Located in Lonigo, Veneto

Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” modular sofa for B&B Italia, camel velvet, Italy, 1971, set of three

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Velvet, Foam

Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” Sofa for B&B Italia, Camel Velvet, 1971, Set of 2
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” Sofa for B&B Italia, Camel Velvet, 1971, Set of 2

Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” Sofa for B&B Italia, Camel Velvet, 1971, Set of 2

By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia

Located in Lonigo, Veneto

Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” modular sofa for B&B Italia, camel velvet, Italy, 1971, set of two

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Velvet, Foam

Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” Sofa for B&B Italia, Camel Velvet, 1971, Set of 4
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” Sofa for B&B Italia, Camel Velvet, 1971, Set of 4

Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” Sofa for B&B Italia, Camel Velvet, 1971, Set of 4

By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini

Located in Lonigo, Veneto

Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” modular sofa for B&B Italia, camel velvet, Italy, 1971, set of four

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Velvet, Foam

Space Age Vintage Modular Sofa Le Bambole Purple Lavender Mario Bellini 1970s
Space Age Vintage Modular Sofa Le Bambole Purple Lavender Mario Bellini 1970s

Space Age Vintage Modular Sofa Le Bambole Purple Lavender Mario Bellini 1970s

By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia

Located in Vienna, AT

Space Age vintage authentic modular sofa Le Bambole by Mario Bellini in purple and lavender striped

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Sofas

Materials

Textile, Upholstery

Recent Sales

Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' Modular Sofa ‘Six Parts’ in Dark Teal Velvet, Italy
Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' Modular Sofa ‘Six Parts’ in Dark Teal Velvet, Italy

Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' Modular Sofa ‘Six Parts’ in Dark Teal Velvet, Italy

By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini

Located in London, GB

For B&B Italia Six modular seats, use separately or together in combination Expanded polyurethane

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet

Two Model "Le Bambole" Modular Elements by Mario Bellini, 1972
Two Model "Le Bambole" Modular Elements by Mario Bellini, 1972

Two Model "Le Bambole" Modular Elements by Mario Bellini, 1972

By Mario Bellini

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Two mod. "Le Bambole" modular elements by Mario Bellini Italy, circa 1972 manufactured by B&B

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Two Model "Le Bambole" Modular Elements by Mario Bellini, 1972
Two Model "Le Bambole" Modular Elements by Mario Bellini, 1972

Two Model "Le Bambole" Modular Elements by Mario Bellini, 1972

By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Two mod. "Le Bambole" modular elements by Mario Bellini Italy, circa 1972 manufactured by B&B

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Bambole Modular Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
Bambole Modular Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s

Bambole Modular Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s

By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia

Located in Rotterdam, ZH

‘Le Bambole’ modular sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy 1972. Early edition, which varies

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather

Le Bambole Modular Sofa In Light Brown Buffalo Leather, Mario Bellini B&B Italia
Le Bambole Modular Sofa In Light Brown Buffalo Leather, Mario Bellini B&B Italia

Le Bambole Modular Sofa In Light Brown Buffalo Leather, Mario Bellini B&B Italia

By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini

Located in ABCOUDE, UT

Fantastic pair of “Le Bambole” modular sofa elements designed by Mario Bellini for B & B Italia in

Category

Vintage 1970s Sofas

Materials

Leather

Le Bambole modular sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
Le Bambole modular sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia

Le Bambole modular sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia

By Mario Bellini

Located in Milano, IT

Modular sofa Le Bambole by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, composed by six pieces. All the pieces was

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Cotton

Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Modular Seating Reverse Leather Sofa for Atelier Int.
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Modular Seating Reverse Leather Sofa for Atelier Int.

Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Modular Seating Reverse Leather Sofa for Atelier Int.

By Mario Bellini, Atelier International

Located in Los Angeles, CA

modular seating is called “Le Bambole” and maintains its original reversed leather in a beautiful brown

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather

Mario Bellini "Bambole" C&B Italia Modular Sofa in Dark Brown, Italy, 1970s
Mario Bellini "Bambole" C&B Italia Modular Sofa in Dark Brown, Italy, 1970s

Mario Bellini "Bambole" C&B Italia Modular Sofa in Dark Brown, Italy, 1970s

By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Set of 8 "Bambole" modular chairs by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, from the late 1970s with a

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Sectional Sofas

Pair Of Le Bambole Lounge Chairs By Mario Bellini For B&B Italia, 1970s
Pair Of Le Bambole Lounge Chairs By Mario Bellini For B&B Italia, 1970s

Pair Of Le Bambole Lounge Chairs By Mario Bellini For B&B Italia, 1970s

By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia

Located in ABCOUDE, UT

Beautiful pair of “Le Bambole” modular sofa elements designed by Mario Bellini for B & B Italia in

Category

Vintage 1970s Sofas

Materials

Velvet

Le Bambole 3-seater Modular Sofa by Mario Bellni for B&B Italia, 1970s
Le Bambole 3-seater Modular Sofa by Mario Bellni for B&B Italia, 1970s

Le Bambole 3-seater Modular Sofa by Mario Bellni for B&B Italia, 1970s

By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia

Located in amstelveen, NL

Le Bambole sectional sofa, Mario Bellini, honey color wool, B&B Italia The Le Bambole is an iconic

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Wool

Two Model "Le Bambole" Modular Elements by Mario Bellini
Two Model "Le Bambole" Modular Elements by Mario Bellini

Two Model "Le Bambole" Modular Elements by Mario Bellini

By Mario Bellini

Located in Milano, Lombardia

Two mod. "Le Bambole" modular elements by Mario Bellini Italy, circa 1972 manufactured by B&B

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Foam

Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Modular Set in Faux-Fur for B&B Italia, 1971
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Modular Set in Faux-Fur for B&B Italia, 1971

Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Modular Set in Faux-Fur for B&B Italia, 1971

By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini

Located in Lonigo, Veneto

Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Modular set for B&B Italia, faux-fur, 1971, set of 5. The starting

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Faux Fur

Mario Bellini Le Bambole Modular Sofa, Upholstered in Velvet, B&B Italia, 1970s
Mario Bellini Le Bambole Modular Sofa, Upholstered in Velvet, B&B Italia, 1970s

Mario Bellini Le Bambole Modular Sofa, Upholstered in Velvet, B&B Italia, 1970s

By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini

Located in Lewes, East Sussex

A Mario Bellini Le Bambole four piece modular sofa / chair set, produced by B&B Italia, Italy in

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Alpaca

Mid-Century Modern Modular Sofa Mod. Le Bambole by Mario Bellini for B&B, 1972
Mid-Century Modern Modular Sofa Mod. Le Bambole by Mario Bellini for B&B, 1972

Mid-Century Modern Modular Sofa Mod. Le Bambole by Mario Bellini for B&B, 1972

By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia

Located in MIlano, IT

Italian Mid-Century Modern modular sofa mod. Le bambole by Mario Bellini for B&B, 1972 Modular

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' Group of Four Modular Elements, Italy, 1976
Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' Group of Four Modular Elements, Italy, 1976

Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' Group of Four Modular Elements, Italy, 1976

By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini

Located in Vienna, AT

Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' Group of four modular elements, Italy, 1976. Signed B&B Italia.

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets

Materials

Fabric

Modular Sofa Le Bambole by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
Modular Sofa Le Bambole by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia

Modular Sofa Le Bambole by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia

By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia

Located in Savona, IT

Three-Seat designed by Mario Bellini and produced by B & B Italia since, 1972. Two linear and one corner modules can be arranged in a variety of ways. Metal frame covered in ex...

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Canvas

Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' Two Modular Elements, Pair of Lounge Chairs, Italy
Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' Two Modular Elements, Pair of Lounge Chairs, Italy

Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' Two Modular Elements, Pair of Lounge Chairs, Italy

By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini

Located in Vienna, AT

Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' two modular elements, pair of lounge chairs, Italy 1976. Signed B&B

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric

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Early Mario Bellini Le Bambole Lounge Chair, Original Leather, C&B Italia, 1970s
Early Mario Bellini Le Bambole Lounge Chair, Original Leather, C&B Italia, 1970s

Early Mario Bellini Le Bambole Lounge Chair, Original Leather, C&B Italia, 1970s

By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini

Located in Lewes, East Sussex

A rare first edition Mario Bellini Le Bambole lounge chair, in its original wonderfully patinated leather, produced by C&B Italia, Italy, in the early 1970s. Fast shipping worldw...

Category

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Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool

Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool

By Bertu Furniture

Located in Oak Harbor, OH

Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The stool is chunky and modern...

Category

2010s American Modern Stools

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Pink Marble Pedestal Cone Side Table
Pink Marble Pedestal Cone Side Table

Pink Marble Pedestal Cone Side Table

$2,035 / item

H 16.54 in Dm 15.75 in

Pink Marble Pedestal Cone Side Table

By Kiwano Concept

Located in Eindhoven, NB

Introduce monumental elegance and a grounded detail to your interior with the stunning pink  marble CONE side table. The sculptural geometric shape of this contemporary design piece ...

Category

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Materials

Marble

Mah Jong by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois 1st Edition Sofa
Mah Jong by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois 1st Edition Sofa

Mah Jong by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois 1st Edition Sofa

By Hans Hopfer, Roche Bobois

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Rare and iconic 1st edition circa 1971 Mah Jong modular sectional sofa consisting of ten element pillows. The sofa was designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois in this avant-garde de...

Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

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LU Swing Sconce
LU Swing Sconce

LU Swing Sconce

$1,800 / item

H 15 in W 5 in D 25.25 in

LU Swing Sconce

By Lumfardo Luminaires

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Beautiful brass LU swing sconce made by Lumfardo Luminaires in patinated brass. Wired with an E26 medium based socket. Light bulb provided as well as all mounting hardware. Priced in...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights an...

Materials

Brass

'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö

'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö

$1,155Sale Price / item|30% Off

H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in

'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö

By Örsjö Industri AB

Located in Glendale, CA

'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Textile

Organic Modern Small Table Lamp Natural Wood Handmade Ivory Fluted Shade
Organic Modern Small Table Lamp Natural Wood Handmade Ivory Fluted Shade

Organic Modern Small Table Lamp Natural Wood Handmade Ivory Fluted Shade

By Isabel Moncada

Located in San Antonio, TX

PATA DE ELEFANTE SMALL table lamp was designed for the Atomic collection by Mexican artist Isabel Moncada. Named Pata de Elefante –Elephant's Foot– for the prominent shape at its ba...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Wood, Fabric, Linen, Fiberglass

Crackle Textured Handmade Ceramic Mushroom Lamp, Blue
Crackle Textured Handmade Ceramic Mushroom Lamp, Blue

Crackle Textured Handmade Ceramic Mushroom Lamp, Blue

$1,250 / item

H 16 in W 11.5 in D 11.5 in

Crackle Textured Handmade Ceramic Mushroom Lamp, Blue

By Ethan Streicher, Streicher Goods

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Every mushroom lamp is hand-made and hand-painted by Ethan Streicher, the founder and designer behind the Streicher Goods brand in Brooklyn, NY. The lamp's silhouette is simple and c...

Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Capiz Shell Table Lamp, Model Cornelia
Capiz Shell Table Lamp, Model Cornelia

Capiz Shell Table Lamp, Model Cornelia

$690 / item

H 19 in W 17 in D 17 in

Capiz Shell Table Lamp, Model Cornelia

By Dusty Deco

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Cornelia Table Lamp is a lamp that is made from capiz shells which gives the material an irregular structure. This makes each lamp unique, something that adds to its character and pe...

Category

2010s Philippine Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Alky Chairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Artifort in Pierre Frey, 1970s, Set of 2
Alky Chairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Artifort in Pierre Frey, 1970s, Set of 2

Alky Chairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Artifort in Pierre Frey, 1970s, Set of 2

By Artifort, Giancarlo Piretti

Located in ŁÓDŹ, PL

A pair of beautiful Giancarlo Piretti "Alky" chairs reupholstered in a fluffy blend of wool, mohair and alpaca, produced by one of the world's most luxurious fabric manufacturers, Pi...

Category

Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Wool, Alpaca, Mohair

Sectional Sofa by Jorge Zalszupin for L'Atelier
Sectional Sofa by Jorge Zalszupin for L'Atelier

Sectional Sofa by Jorge Zalszupin for L'Atelier

By Jorge Zalszupin

Located in San Francisco, CA

Amazing nine-piece sectional sofa by Jorge Zalszupin for L'Atelier. Seven of the pieces are similar shaped, much like slipper chairs on their own and two are triangularly-shaped, ser...

Category

Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Warren Platner Walnut and Leather Floating Case Sofa for Lehigh Leopold, c. 1970
Warren Platner Walnut and Leather Floating Case Sofa for Lehigh Leopold, c. 1970

Warren Platner Walnut and Leather Floating Case Sofa for Lehigh Leopold, c. 1970

By Warren Platner, Lehigh Leopold

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This exceptionally rare and highly sought-after collectors piece (with celebrity provenance) is a Warren Platner Executive Leather Case Sofa designed for Lehigh Leopold in circa 1970...

Category

Vintage 1970s American Modern Sofas

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Chrome

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Black Leather, 1970, Set of 3
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Black Leather, 1970, Set of 3

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Black Leather, 1970, Set of 3

By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini

Located in Lonigo, Veneto

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, black leather, Italy, 1970, three elements. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. First designed in 1970 by Mario Belli...

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Leather, Plastic

Le Bambole sofa in velvet By Mario Bellini For B&B Italia, 1970s
Le Bambole sofa in velvet By Mario Bellini For B&B Italia, 1970s

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...

Category

Vintage 1970s Sofas

Materials

Velvet

The Howard, Custom Made Belgian Linen Armchair
The Howard, Custom Made Belgian Linen Armchair

The Howard, Custom Made Belgian Linen Armchair

$5,049 / item

H 35.44 in W 35.44 in D 31.5 in

The Howard, Custom Made Belgian Linen Armchair

Located in Jesteburg, DE

Introducing the home collection. A small selection of timeless Flemish designs made by hand for us in a small third generation workshop in Belgium. Has been used by many influent...

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Bambole Modular For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic bambole modular available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of fabric, animal skin and canvas, every bambole modular was constructed with great care. There are many kinds of the bambole modular you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 20th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. When you’re browsing for the right bambole modular, those designed in Mid-Century Modern and Modern styles are of considerable interest.

How Much is a Bambole Modular?

The average selling price for a bambole modular at 1stDibs is $12,003, while they’re typically $2,599 on the low end and $23,600 for the highest priced.

Mario Bellini for sale on 1stDibs

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.

Finding the Right Seating for You

With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.

Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.

Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.

The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.

Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.

With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.

Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.

No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.