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Mario Bellini - Camaleonda sofa - 1972 Black grained leather
By Mario Bellini
Located in Saint ouen, FR
Rare and superb Camaleonda sofa Mario Bellini Edition C & B Italia 1972 Black grained leather 5
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather

Newly Upholstered C&B 1st Edition Camaleonda Sofa, Italy 1970s
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Hellouw, NL
Introducing an exquisite piece of design history: the Camaleonda sofa by the renowned Mario Bellini
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Camaleonda Sofa, Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970
By Mario Bellini
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Modular Camaleonda sofa for B&B Italia by Italian architect Mario Bellini in original orange and
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Sectional Sofas

Materials

Velvet, Foam

Green 'Camaleonda' Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning, four Piece 'Camaleonda' sofa in emerald green corduroy fabric. Originally designed in
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Upholstery

B&B Italia Orange Velvet Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini
By Mario Bellini
Located in Basildon, London
The B&B Italia Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini in vibrant orange velvet is a striking blend of
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Velvet

Mid-Century Modern Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Camaleonda Sofa By Mario Bellini For B&B Italia - New Upholstery.
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Canapes

Materials

Fabric

Camaleonda Sofa 8 modules + Ottoman by M. Bellini for C&B Italia, Italy 1970s
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Roma, IT
Mario Bellini, Camaleonda Sofa Set 8 modules+ottoman, realized for C&B, first series 1970 ca
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Sofas

Materials

Leather

Iconic Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini – Newly Upholstered Black Cotton, 1973
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Milano, IT
This iconic Camaleonda Sofa, designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in 1973, has been newly
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Cotton

Mario Bellini for B&B Italia Camaleonda Sofa and Ottoman - Set of 4
By Mario Bellini
Located in New York, NY
Vintage authentic Mario Bellini for B&B Italia Camaleonda sofa; a designer classic. Modular design
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Sofas

Materials

Bouclé

Four Piece 1970s B&B Italia Cream Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A beautiful example of an original 1970s Camaleonda sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Sofas

Materials

Canvas, Cotton

1966 B&B Italia Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini. Four Piece Cream Canvas Sofa
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A beautiful example of an original 1970s Camaleonda sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Sofas

Materials

Canvas, Cotton

5 Section 'Camaleonda' Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in Caramel Leather
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
5 Section 'Camaleonda' sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in original caramel leather. Originally
Category

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

Materials

Leather

Blue Mario Bellini Camaleonda Sofa
By Mario Bellini
Located in London, England
velvet. Modular in nature, this set of three large Camaleonda units can be arranged in any position
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Metal

Blue Mario Bellini Camaleonda Sofa
Blue Mario Bellini Camaleonda Sofa
H 27.96 in W 113.39 in D 35.44 in
4 Piece Gray Velvet Corduroy 'Camaleonda' Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
By C&B Italia, B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
4 Piece 'Camaleonda' sofa in gray velvet fabric Designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970. The
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Metal

Mario Bellini White Velvet Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, 1972, Set Of 2
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Vicenza, IT
“Camaleonda” sofa, in white velvet upholstery, designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Sectional Sofas

Materials

Velvet, Foam, Chenille

Mario Bellini Brown Velvet Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, 1972, Set of 2
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Vicenza, IT
Camaleonda sofa, designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in 1972. The set
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Sectional Sofas

Materials

Cotton, Velvet, Foam

Mario Bellini Green Linen Velvet Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, 1972, Set of 2
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Camaleonda sofa, designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in 1972. The set
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Sectional Sofas

Materials

Cotton, Velvet, Foam

Mario Bellini Azure Linen Velvet Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, 1972, Set of 6
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Camaleonda sofa, designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in 1972. The set
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Sectional Sofas

Materials

Linen, Velvet, Foam

Mario Bellini Brown Alpaca Velvet Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, 1972, Set of 5
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Camaleonda sofa, designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in 1972. The set
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Sectional Sofas

Materials

Velvet, Foam, Alpaca

Mario Bellini Azure Linen Velvet Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, 1972, Set of 6
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Camaleonda sofa, designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in 1972. The set
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Sectional Sofas

Materials

Velvet, Foam, Linen

Mario Bellini Blue Cotton Velvet Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, 1972, Set Of 7
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Camaleonda sofa, designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in 1972. The set features
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Sectional Sofas

Materials

Cotton, Velvet, Foam

Mario Bellini Green Linen Velvet Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, 1972, Set of 2
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Vicenza, IT
Camaleonda sofa, designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in 1972. The set
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Sectional Sofas

Materials

Velvet, Foam, Linen

"Camaleonda" Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini
Located in Waasmunster, BE
The Camaleonda is a classic modular sofa designed by Mario Bellini in 1970. Known for its
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Velvet

"Camaleonda" Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in bruxelles, BE
Sofa in green fabric. There are 4 large pieces and an ottoman. Seat height: 35 cm. Dimensions of
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Brussels, BE
The Original Camaleonda modular sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia is a renowned piece of
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Velvet

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia by Rubelli, 1970
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, green velvet by Rubelli, Italy, 1970, six
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Metal

Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Antwerp, BE
Camaleonda modular sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, a timeless piece of furniture that emerged
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Velvet

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, 1970, Set of 2
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, black leather, Italy, 1970, two elements
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Metal

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa, 1970s Mid Century Modular Chair B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda", 1970's 3 piece modular sofa in original fabric with armrests. A
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Velvet

Orange Cord Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Original
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Original early B&B Italia Organic Modern 2-piece Camaleonda sectional sofa by Mario Bellini in
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Organic Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Cord, Foam, Plywood

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, 1970, Set of 5
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, Cognac leather, Italy, 1970, five elements
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Metal

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, 1970, Set of 5
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, champagne leather, Italy, 1970, five
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Metal

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, 1970, Set of 4
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, blue velvet, Italy, 1970, four elements
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Metal

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, 1970, Set of 3
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, ivory bouclé, Italy, 1970, three elements
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Metal

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, 1970, Set of 9
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, blue velvet, Italy, 1970, nine elements
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Metal

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, 1970, Set of 6
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, blue velvet, Italy, 1970, six elements
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Metal

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, 1970, Set of 4
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, ivory bouclé, Italy, 1970, four elements
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Metal

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, 1970, Set of 3
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, Cognac leather, Italy, 1970, three elements
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Metal

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, 1970, Set of 2
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, black leather, Italy, 1970, two elements
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Metal

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, 1970, Set of 8
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, black leather, Italy, 1970, eight elements
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Metal

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, 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
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Metal

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, 1970, Set of 6
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, black leather, Italy, 1970, six elements
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Metal

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, 1970, Set of 4
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, black leather, Italy, 1970, four elements
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Metal

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, 1970, Set of 2
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, ivory bouclé, Italy, 1970, two elements
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Metal

Ornate Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Antwerp, BE
Camaleonda modular sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, a timeless piece of furniture that emerged
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Camaleonda Sofa in Boucle Wool by Mario Bellini
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Antwerp, BE
Mario Bellini, 'Cameleonda' sectional sofa in bouclé wool, Italy, 1972. Re-upholstered
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Wool, Foam

Camaleonda Sofa in Boucle Wool by Mario Bellini
Camaleonda Sofa in Boucle Wool by Mario Bellini
H 26.78 in W 113.39 in D 37.8 in
Mario Bellini Modular "Camaleonda" Sofa in Four Segments for B&B, Italy 1971
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Utrecht, NL
The “Camaleonda” (Italian word play combining the words for ‘chameleon’ and ‘wave’) sofa is Mario
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Blue Velvet Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Bellini
Located in Antwerp, BE
Camaleonda modular sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, a timeless piece of furniture that emerged
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Velvet

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Wool Bouclé, 1970, Set of 2
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, ivory wool bouclé, Italy, 1970, two
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Metal

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Cognac Leather, 1970, Set of 6
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, Cognac leather, Italy, 1970, set of 6
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Metal

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Ivory Bouclé, 1970, Set of 6
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, ivory bouclé, Italy, 1970, six elements
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Metal

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Wool Bouclé, 1970, Set of 3
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, ivory wool bouclé, Italy, 1970, three
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Metal

Mario Bellini Camaleonda 2 elements sofa for B&B, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Bellini
Located in Padova, IT
Two element Camaleonda sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&B, Italy, 1970s. Exceptional Emerald
Category

Vintage 1970s Sectional Sofas

Materials

Leather

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa, 1970s Mid Century Modular Chair B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda", 1970's single modular lounge chair available in a meticulously
Category

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Bouclé

Camaleonda Sofa Set in Boucle Wool with Armrests by Mario Bellini, 1970's
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Antwerp, BE
; Postmodern; Lounge chair; Sofa; Seating element; Italian design classics; Postmodern camaleonda seating
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Wool, Foam

Mario Bellini B&B Italia Camaleonda White Bouclé Fabric Modular Sofa
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Ibiza, Spain
backrest: 96 x 96 x 40/65 (H) cm each Camaleonda sofa system upholstered with white bouclé fabric
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Bouclé

Camaleonda Lounge Chairs by Mario Bellini for B&B, Italia, (Customizable)
By Mario Bellini
Located in Argelato, BO
Camaleonda sofas in the original iconic orange fabric.The set is in fair vintage condition, with signs of
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Plastic, Foam

Mid Century by Mario Bellini Italian Camaleonda White Bouclé Fabric Modular Sofa
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Madrid, ES
/65 (H) cm each - Big foot stool. The Camaleonda sofa, designed by Mario Bellini in collaboration
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Wool, Wood

1970s 'Camaleonda' C&B Italia Seven Piece Beige Velvet Sofa Set by Mario Bellini
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 1970-1972 production 7 Piece 'Camaleonda' sofa by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia (which become
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Velvet

Mario Bellini B&B Italia 'Camaleonda' Modular Sofa in Original Red Velvet 1973
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Almelo, NL
Mario Bellini for B&B Italia 'Camaleonda' Modular Sofa in original red velvet corduroy upholstery
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Velvet, Wood

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A Contemporary Take on the Tufted Leather Sofa: Vintage Camaleonda Sofas for Sale on 1stDibs

Vintage Camaleonda sofas are the new darlings of the design world — and for good reason. 

Forward-thinking design and sensuous materials are the hallmarks of the inviting sofas and other seating of the 1970s — which feel as sexy, comfortable and radical today as they did in their heyday — and this is true of the Camaleonda sofa.

With its sumptuous tufted cushions, seductive low profile and endless rearrangement possibilities, the modular, Mario Bellini–designed Camaleonda sofa can double as sculpture in any interior. The Milanese architect and designer came up with the concept in 1970 for B&B Italia (then known as C&B Italia), and the piece became a hit after its star turn in the 1972 exhibition “Italy: The New Domestic Landscape” at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. B&B brought the design back in 2020 with a few modern upgrades — namely, all recycled materials and interchangeable seat covers.

Whether they’ve been lucky enough to score a vintage piece or are enjoying the design’s latest iteration, celebrities, designers and dealers alike are having a moment with the Camaleonda.

Chrissy Teigen’s neutral-hued Camaleonda has appeared on the model-turned-cookbook author’s Instagram account on many occasions, and each time, commenters have inundated her with the same burning question: “Where’s that sofa from?”

“I love Italian ’70s design, so I’ve been using this sofa for years,” says the founder of Night Palm Studio, Tiffany Howell. “It feels playful but timeless, and compared to traditional sofas, its shape is just so much more interesting.”

Howell suggests using the piece in a room meant for entertaining, rather than a movie or media room. “I love how sculptural and sexy it is, but it’s pretty firm and upright, with a bit of lounge flair that you achieve from the depth,” she says. “It feels more like an art piece. It can stand on its own and make a room come to life.”

Find vintage Camaleonda sofas and other alluring Mario Bellini sofas and seating on 1stDibs.

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.

Questions About Camaleonda Sofa
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    Whether or not a Mario Bellini sofa is comfortable is largely a matter of personal opinion. However, many people find that the designer's sofas provide plush support due to their thick backrests and seat cushions. With its sumptuous tufted cushions, seductive low profile and endless rearrangement possibilities, the Bellini–designed Camaleonda sofa, for example, is infinitely flexible and can double as sculpture in any interior. Shop a selection of Mario Bellini furniture on 1stDibs.