$1,440
H 14.18 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
Mario Bellini "Gli Scacchi" Chess Side Tables 'for Cameleonda' for B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Discover the timeless charm of the Mario Bellini-designed "Gli Scacchi" Side Tables/Stools, a perfect complement to the iconic Camaleonda sofa.
Plastic
$10,560 / set
H 14.18 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
Mario Bellini "Gli Scacchi" Chess Side Tables 'for Cameleonda' for B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia, C&B Italia
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Discover the timeless charm of the Mario Bellini-designed "Gli Scacchi" Side Tables/Stools, a perfect complement to the iconic Camaleonda sofa.
Plastic
$2,500
H 14.57 in W 11.82 in D 35.44 in
Mario Bellini "Torre" from "Gli Scacchi" Series for B&B Italy, 1971
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Torre" modular element from "Gli Scacchi" series for B&B Italy, leather, Italy, 1971, set of one. Playful in character and identity like its name suggests, the “Scacc...
Plastic
$2,500 / item
H 21.66 in W 11.82 in D 35.44 in
Mario Bellini "Cavallo" from "Gli Scacchi" Series for B&B Italy, 1971
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Cavallo" modular element from "Gli Scacchi" series for B&B Italy, leather, Italy, 1971, set of one. Playful in character and identity like its name suggests, the “Sca...
Plastic
$1,049
H 14.57 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
Mario Bellini "Gli Scacchi" modular low table for B&B Italia, 1970s
Located in Quarrata, IT
Modular block from the "Gli Scacchi" (The Chess) collection, designed by Mario Bellini in 1971 as the companion system for the Camaleonda sofa.
Plastic
$6,000 / set
H 14.17 in W 35.4 in D 11.81 in
Mario Bellini, Gli Scacchi, 5 elements, Table / Seating for C&B Italia 1971
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Mario Bellini set of 5 Gli Scacchi for C & B Italia, designed in 1971 Incredible modular tables or seating - end tables, coffee table or seating or sit on the table?
Foam, Plastic
$1,457
H 14.18 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
1st Edition C&B, Italy 1971 — Single Module from the “Gli Scacchi” Series Design
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Milano, IT
1st Edition C&B, Italy 1971 — Single Module from the “Gli Scacchi” Series Designed by Mario Bellini This rare first-edition piece, produced by C&B Italia in 1971, comes from the cel...
Plastic, Rubber
$23,316 / set
H 25.6 in W 37.8 in D 37.41 in
Vintage Iconic ‘Camaleonda’ Seating Set by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, 1970s
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Zagreb, HR
Iconic six-piece seating set designed by Mario Bellini and produced by C&B Italia (B&B Italia), comprising of three first-edition Camaleonda modules and three ‘Gli Scacchi’ side tabl...
Metal
Unavailable
H 21.66 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
Mario Bellini for B&B Italia Three-Element Model Gli Scacchi Side Tables
By Mario Bellini
Located in Redfern, SYDNEY NSW
Three pieces comprising two stairs and one U shape. Black plastic and duraplum, circa 1971. Can be used as both seating and side tables. Stairs W 90 x D 30 x H 55cm each. U shape ...
Unavailable
H 21.66 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
Two Mario Bellini 'Gli Scacchi' Pieces for C&B Italia, 1970
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Ongar, GB
Mario Bellini designed the Gli Scacchi pieces meaning "The Chess" in 1971 for C&B Italia.
Plastic
Superb 'Camaleonda' Sofa, first edition signed by C&B Italia
By Mario Bellini
Located in HOOFDDORP, NL
Produced in the early 70s by C&B Italia, Italy. 7 large seating elements, with back and armrests. Combined with 3 Gli Scacchi Side Tables. All parts are modular and interchangeable.
Leather
Sold
H 14.57 in W 11.82 in D 35.44 in
Gli Scacchi Mid-Century Side Table by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia
By Mario Bellini
Located in London, GB
Italy, c1970s. Gli Scacchi model. By esteemed designer Mario Bellini.
Plastic
Sold
H 35.44 in W 35.44 in D 21.66 in
Set of Four Side Tables Gli Scacchi by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This great set of four modular elements ‘Gli Scacchi,’ designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in 1971, can be combined in various ways to be used as side tables or seating units.
Sold
H 21.26 in W 35.04 in D 11.82 in
Gli Scacchi Modular Elements by Mario Bellini, B&B Italia, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Bellini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Gli Scacchi Modular Elements by Mario Bellini, B&B Italia, Italy, 1970s. Mario Bellini's Gli Scacchi Modular Elements, a masterpiece created for B&B Italia in the 1970s, redefine mod...
Leather
Sold
H 14.18 in W 35.04 in L 14.18 in
Gli Scacchi Modular Tables by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1968
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Naples, 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 21.26 in W 35.04 in D 11.82 in
Set of 7 Gli Scacchi Modular Elements by Mario Bellini, B&B Italia, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Bellini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Gli Scacchi Modular Elements by Mario Bellini, B&B Italia, Italy, 1970s. Mario Bellini's Gli Scacchi Modular Elements, a masterpiece created for B&B Italia in the 1970s, redefine mod...
Leather
Sold
H 14.18 in W 35.04 in D 11.82 in
Gli Scacchi Modular Tables by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1968
By C&B Italia, B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Naples, IT
Gli Scacchi modular tables by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, 1968 Amazing modular tables by Mario Bellini called Gli Scacchi, designed for C&B Italia in 1968, each with its particular...
Plastic
Sold
H 11.82 in W 35.44 in D 14.18 in
Mario Bellini Early Edition 'Gli Scacchi' Elements for C&B Italy, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in amstelveen, NL
Mario Bellini desiged the 'gli scacchi' meaning 'the chess' in 1971.
Rubber
Sold
H 14.18 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
Set Of 3 C&B Italia Gli Scacchi Sidetables Ottomans By Mario Bellini, 1970s
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Nice set of three Gli Scacchi Sidetables or ottomans designed by Mario Bellini For C&B Italia 1970s.
Plastic
Sold
H 21.66 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
Mario Bellini 'Gli Scacchi' Mid-Century Italian Side Table C&B Italia
Located in London, GB
A single segment of the 'Gli Scacchi' modular side tables that often accompany. Italy, c1970s. For C&B Italia. Stamped to underside. Location: Belgium Gallery. Dime...
PVC
Sold
H 14.18 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
Mario Bellini, Three small tables Scacchi series, prod. C&B, 1971
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Rivoli, IT
Set of three modular coffee tables from the "Chess" series, prod. C&B Italy, 1971 Playful in character, The Chess series consists of three elements inspired as the name reveals by th...
Plastic
Sold
H 14.97 in W 14.97 in D 35.44 in
Three Gli Scacchi Side/Coffee Tables by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Three Gli Scacchi coffee/side tables by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia.
Plastic, Rubber
Sold
H 21.26 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
" Gli Scacchi " by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia Modular Black Coffee Table
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Discover the timeless charm of the Mario Bellini-designed "Gli Scacchi" Side Tables/Stools, a perfect complement to the iconic Camaleonda sofa.
Rubber
Sold
H 26 in W 36 in D 36 in
Cameleonda Modular Sofa and Gli Scacchi Table by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Also including a rare set of red 'Gli Scacchi' Elements sculptural table by Mario Bellini.
Sold
H 25.6 in W 137.8 in D 157.49 in
Camaleonda Sofa in Green Velvet by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, 1972
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
This incredible early set consists of: 4 large elements, of which one corner and one with armrests. 4 small elements with 2 backrests. 3 Gli Scacchi side tables of which two ar...
Velvet
Sold
H 36 in W 90 in D 30 in
Pair of Mario Bellini "Gli Scacchi" Side Tables 'for Cameleonda' for B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Mario Bellini designed the "Gli Scacchi" meaning "The Chess" side tables or stools in 1971 for B&B Italia.
Plastic
Gli Scacchi by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini
Located in Wien, AT
Gli Scacchi side table by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia.
Foam
Mario Bellini for B&B Italia Side Table Element 'Gli Scacchi'
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, side table element 'Gli Scacchi', black polyurethane, Italy, 1971 Mario Bellini desiged the 'gli scacchi' meaning 'the chess' in 1971.
Plastic
'Gli Scacchi' Modular Side Tables
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Toronto, CA
Why shouldn’t arranging furniture be like playing with blocks? This set of modular tables by renowned Italian designer Mario Bellini (b.1935) proves that fluidity is fun. Part of his...
Plastic
Sold
H 14.57 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
Set of Four Side Tables Gli Scacchi by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Berlin, DE
This great set of four modular elements ‘Gli Scacchi,’ designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in 1971, can be combined in various ways to be used as side tables or seating units.
Sold
H 14.18 in W 35.04 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 Naples, 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 14.17 in W 35.4 in D 11.81 in
Mario Bellini Gli Scacchi Table Elements for C&B Italy, circa 1970
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Vienna, AT
Mario Bellini 'Gli Scacchi' table/seat elements for C&B (later B&B) Italy, circa 1970- Sold and priced individually 2 black polyurethane elements by Mario Bellini that can either ...
Plastic
Sold
H 14.17 in W 35.4 in D 11.81 in
Mario Bellini Gli Scacchi Table Elements for C&B Italy, circa 1970
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Vienna, AT
Mario Bellini 'Gli Scacchi' table/seat elements for C&B (later B&B) Italy, circa 1970 3 black polyurethane elements by Mario Bellini that can either be used as table or seats or pre...
Plastic
Sold
H 21.46 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
Red Variant 'Gli Scacchi' Tables, Mario Bellini, B&B Italia, 1971
By Mario Bellini
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Extremely rare and complete set of three sculptural form 'Gli Scaachi' table elements designed by Italian architect, Mario Bellini, in 1971.
Foam, Plastic
Sold
H 21.5 in W 35.75 in D 11.75 in
Mario Bellini "Gli Scacchi" Stair Step Side or End Table, C & B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Miami, FL
Versatile Italian modern Gli Sacchi side, end, coffee, or cocktail table designed to accompany the iconic Camaleonda modular sofa rendered in black stamped Polyurethane designed by M...
Plastic, Polyester
Mario Bellini 'Gli Scacchi' Pieces for C&B Italia, 1971
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Hitchin, England
A set of two pieces from the Gli Scacchi series, translated meaning ‘The Chess’ designed in 1971 by renowned Italian architect Mario Bellini.
Plastic
Modular Green Tables by Bellini for B&B Italia, 1968, Set of 3
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Austin, TX
Gli Scacchi modular tables by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, in vivid green. Set of three, each varying in shape. Italy, 1968 Stair Table Dimensions: H 21.5" x W 35.5" x D 11.75" U...
Polystyrene
Sold
H 14.57 in W 35.44 in D 12.21 in
Set of Gli Scacchi Coffee Tables by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini
Located in Ixelles, Bruxelles
Designer - Mario Bellini Producer - B&B Italia Model - Gli Scacchi coffee tables Design Period - Seventies Measurements - Width 90 cm x Depth 31 cm x Height 37 cm Materials - Polyur...
Plastic
Sold
H 21.26 in W 35.44 in D 12.21 in
Set of Gli Scacchi Coffee Tables by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini
Located in Ixelles, Bruxelles
Designer - Mario Bellini Producer - B&B Italia Model - Gli Scacchi coffee tables Design Period - Seventies Measurements - Width 90 cm x depth 31 cm x height 54 cm / 37 cm.
Plastic
Sold
H 11.82 in W 35.44 in D 21.66 in
Scacchi by Mario Bellini from C&B Set of Six Elements of Sofa Tables
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lucca, IT
Set of 6 pieces Gli Scacchi by Mario Bellini from C&B Italia modular and movable seating and low table.
Plastic, Foam
Sold
H 11.82 in W 35.44 in D 21.66 in
Scacchi by Mario Bellini from C&B Set of Six Elements of Sofa Tables
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lucca, IT
Set of 6 pieces gli scacchi by Mario Bellini from C&B Italia modular and movable seating and low table.
Plastic, Foam
Sold
H 14.57 in W 35.44 in D 12.21 in
Set of Gli Scacchi Coffee Tables by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini
Located in Ixelles, Bruxelles
Designer - Mario Bellini Producer - B&B Italia Model - Gli Scacchi coffee tables Design Period - Seventies Measurements - Width 90 cm x Depth 31 cm x Height 37 cm Materials - P...
Plastic
Accademia Tavolo Picoli by Cini Boeri for Artemide 1978
By Cini Boeri, Artemide
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Accademia lamp, designed by Cini Boeri in 1978, is a small-scale version of the popular table lamp created for Artemide. This lamp is an impressive example of Boeri's minimalist ...
Iron
$1,869 / set
H 21.66 in W 24.02 in D 35.83 in
Pair of Italian Mid-Century-Modern Lounge Chairs in Ochre Boucle, 1970s Italy
Located in Zagreb, HR
Pair of Vintage Italian Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs or club chairs. Modules can be used as a modular sofa or modular seating set. Beautiful and unique shape. A 1970 design and p...
Bouclé, Foam, Wood
$4,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 25 in W 25 in D 7 in
Single 'Lola' Sconce by Sergio Mazza and Guiliana Gramigna for Quatrifollio
By Sergio Mazza, Quattrifolio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Single 'Lola' Sconce by Sergio Mazza and Guiliana Gramigna for Quatrifollio. Designed and manufactured in Italy, in 1974. Four large plastic petals make up this visually striking se...
Plastic
$1,690 / item
H 35.44 in W 13.78 in D 14.97 in
Leather Bar Stools for Les Arc Ski Resort France, Selected by Charlotte Perriand
By Charlotte Perriand, Dal Vera
Located in Den Haag, NL
Leather Bar Stools for Les Arc Ski Resort France, Selected by Charlotte Perriand by Dal Vera. Charlotte Perriand was a French architect and designer. Her work aimed to create functi...
Chrome
$2,750 / item
H 17.72 in Dm 14.97 in
Soda Blown Murano Glass High Coffee Table in Amber by Yiannis Ghikas
By Yiannis Ghikas, Miniforms
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Soda was born upside-down, with a puff of air. It weighs 20 kilos, and it is blown, drawn out and shaped by three master glassmakers. The result is a single volume of glass with thre...
Blown Glass
$22,400 / set
H 29.73 in W 20.28 in D 17.72 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Monk" Chairs for Molteni, Cognac Leather, 1974, Set of 8
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Molteni & C
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Monk" dining chairs for Molteni, patinated cognac leather and beech, Italy, 1974, set of eight. The particular feature of this model is the support structur...
Leather, Beech
$9,500 / set
H 35 in W 20 in D 20.5 in
Postmodern Sculptural Steel Brown Leather French Pair of Chairs, 1980s, France
By Maria Pergay
Located in New York, NY
Sculptural steel brown leather French pair chairs, 1980s, France These are very rare leather and steel chairs form France. From the Maria Pergay, Michel Boyer Era. The leather is in...
Steel
Eight Dining Chairs by Anton Lorenz for Thonet
By Thonet, Anton Lorenz
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of 8 armchairs designed by Anton Lorenz for Thonet. Each chair has tan upholstered backrest and seat with polished chrome tubular frames. Mid-Century Modern S-37 chairs were ori...
Chrome
$3,600 / item
H 15 in W 12 in D 12 in
Cocktail Side Table Modern Hand-Shaped Geometrical Handmade Bronze Steel
By J.M. Szymanski
Located in Bronx, NY
TABLE NO. 8 - SQUARE J.M. Szymanski d. 2023 A perfectly simple side table. Solid 3/4” steel components are combined to make a dynamic form. Featured in bronze steel finish. Custom ...
Steel, Iron
Carl Auböck 'Nun' Floor Lamp in Brass
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck 'Nun' floor lamp in brass. Designed in 1950, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese lamps is executed in brass with a cast brass base and sculptural hard paper shade by ...
Brass, Iron
$19,750 / item
H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 39.38 in
Giovannetti, 1970s Anfibio Foldable Sofa in Cream Colored Fabric Project, Becchi
By Alessandro Becchi
Located in Casalguidi, IT
The bed-sofa, designed by Alessandro Becchi together with the Giovannetti staff has recently celebrated its 50 years. Its history is full of important events and participations. A p...
Wool, Cotton
$38,400 / set
H 23.63 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Two-tone Velvet, Set of 8
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, velvet, metal and plastic, Italy, 1970, eight elements. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. Our atelier carefully res...
Plastic, Velvet
$6,062
H 28.35 in W 70.08 in D 38.59 in
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...
Velvet
Italian modern Square coffee table in wood, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Square coffee table in wood, 1970s Coffee table with square top in dark wood. The 4 legs that support the top have a triangular section, also in dark wood. 1970s. Good...
Wood
$34,000 / set
H 26 in W 48 in D 36 in
Pair of Adrian Pearsall Attributed Swivel Lounge Chairs in Ivory Bouclé
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Saint Louis, MO
So sculptural so fresh, this pair of 1970s modern Adrian Pearsall attributed throne swivel chairs were professionally reupholstered in soft ivory bouclé and swivel atop walnut bases ...
Bouclé, Walnut
Osvaldo Borsani Canada chair Tecno Italy 1965
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Iconic so called 'Canada' lounge chair model P110 designed by Osvaldo Borsani and manufactured by Tecno, Italy 1965. The Canada chair is constructed by 2 moulded plywood side panels,...
Leather, Plastic, Plywood
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.
Arguably the world’s most ubiquitous man-made material, plastic has impacted nearly every industry. In contemporary spaces, new and vintage plastic furniture is quite popular and its use pairs well with a range of design styles.
From the Italian lighting artisans at Fontana Arte to venturesome Scandinavian modernists such as Verner Panton, who created groundbreaking interiors as much as he did seating — see his revolutionary Panton chair — to contemporary multidisciplinary artists like Faye Toogood, furniture designers have been pushing the boundaries of plastic forever.
When The Graduate's Mr. McGuire proclaimed, “There’s a great future in plastics,” it was more than a laugh line. The iconic quote is an allusion both to society’s reliance on and its love affair with plastic. Before the material became an integral part of our lives — used in everything from clothing to storage to beauty and beyond — people relied on earthly elements for manufacturing, a process as time-consuming as it was costly.
Soon after American inventor John Wesley Hyatt created celluloid, which could mimic luxury products like tortoiseshell and ivory, production hit fever pitch, and the floodgates opened for others to explore plastic’s full potential. The material altered the history of design — mid-century modern legends Charles and Ray Eames, Joe Colombo and Eero Saarinen regularly experimented with plastics in the development of tables and chairs, and today plastic furnishings and decorative objects are seen as often indoors as they are outside.
Find vintage plastic lounge chairs, outdoor furniture, lighting and more on 1stDibs.
The right vintage, new or antique tables can help make any space in your home stand out.
Over the years, the variety of tables available to us, as well as our specific needs for said tables, has broadened. Today, with all manner of these must-have furnishings differing in shape, material and style, any dining room table can shine just as brightly as the guests who gather around it.
Remember, when shopping for a dining table, it must fit your dining area, and you need to account for space around the table too — think outside the box, as an oval dining table may work for tighter spaces. Alternatively, if you’ve got the room, a Regency-style dining table can elevate any formal occasion at mealtime.
Innovative furniture makers and designers have also redefined what a table can be. Whether it’s an unconventional Ping-Pong table, a brass side table to display your treasured collectibles or a Louis Vuitton steamer trunk to add an air of nostalgia to your loft, your table can say a lot about you.
The visionary work of French designer Xavier Lavergne, for example, includes tables that draw on the forms of celestial bodies as often as they do aquatic creatures or fossils. Elsewhere, Italian architect Gae Aulenti, who looked to Roman architecture in crafting her stately Jumbo coffee table, created clever glass-topped mobile coffee tables that move on bicycle tires or sculpted wood wheels for Fontana Arte.
Coffee and cocktail tables can serve as a room’s centerpiece with attention-grabbing details and colors. Glass varieties will keep your hardwood flooring and dazzling area rugs on display, while a marble or stone coffee table in a modern interior can showcase your prized art books and decorative objects. A unique vintage desk or writing table can bring sophistication and even a bit of spice to your work life.
No matter your desired form or function, a quality table for your living space is a sound investment. On 1stDibs, browse a collection of vintage, new and antique bedside tables, mid-century end tables and more .