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.
Jacquard fabric Sofa, Mario Bellini, "Le stelle" B&B Italia, 1970
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Sofa by Italian designer Mario Bellini, produced by B&B Italia, model "La Stelle". Made with a metal frame and upholstered in the original linen and cotton jacquard fabric. The origi...
Metal
Mario Bellini Gli Scacchi Black 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
Le Bambole 2-Seat Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s, reupholstered
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Berlin, DE
The Bambole series stands as one of the defining statements of Italian design in the 1970s—an object that treats seating not as a frame with padding, but as a continuous upholstered...
Leather
Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of Six 'Cab' Chairs in Red Brown Leather
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of six 'cab' dining chairs, model '412', leather, plastic, Italy, design 1980 Beautiful set of 'Cab' dining chairs chairs in luxurious reddish brown le...
Leather
Le Bambole 3-Seater Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in amstelveen, NL
An exceptional and highly collectible “Le Bambole” sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, one of the most celebrated icons of 20th-century Italian design. This authentic vint...
Cotton
Mario Bellini Colonnato Persian Red Travertine Glass Dining Table
By Mario Bellini
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A striking 20th century Italian Mid-Century Modern dining table featuring a thick glass top floating over four cylindrical travertine column pier supports designed by Mario Bellini f...
Travertine
Area 50 Pendant Lamp by Mario Bellini for Artemide, Italy, 1974
By Mario Bellini, Artemide
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This iconic Area 50 pendant lamp, designed by renowned Italian designer Mario Bellini for Artemide in 1974, is a true masterpiece of modernist lighting design. Featuring a sleek and ...
Metal
Area 50 Flush Mount by Mario Bellini for Artemide, Italy, 1974
By Mario Bellini, Artemide
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This iconic Area 50 flush mount, designed by renowned Italian designer Mario Bellini for Artemide in 1974, is a true masterpiece of modernist lighting design. Featuring a sleek and m...
Metal
Mario Bellini Red Cab Lounge Chair by Cassina, 1970s Italian Design
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This iconic chair designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina c.1970s, Italy, features the original Red Russian saddle leather which is wrapped atop a steel frame. The seat has a rounded l...
Steel
Bolt Table by Mario Bellini
By Mario Bellini
Located in Doral, FL
Bolt Table by Mario Bellini 2014 / 2017 B&B Italia After experimenting with the wooden beams for table bases, Bellini chose to use steel beams for the Bolt Table designed for B&B It...
Steel
Mario Bellini lounge chair B&B Italia 1973 brown
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This exceptional ‘Bambole’ lounge chair, designed by the legendary Mario Bellini and produced by B&B Italia in 1973, stands as an icon of 1970s design. Instantly recognizable for its...
Leather
Mario Bellini Ceramic Table Lamp Area 50 by Artemide, Italy, 1976
By Artemide, Mario Bellini
Located in Vienna, AT
Mario Bellini table light Area 50 by Artemide, Italy, 1976 Rare iconic ceramic lamp. It shows a beautiful rough-edged ceramic socket-like base and the trade-mark flying piece of res...
Ceramic, Plastic, Parchment Paper
Mario Bellini, Le Bambole, Sofa, B&B Italia, 1970s brown leather
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
With its sleek lines and contemporary aesthetic, this sofa embodies modern elegance and timeless sophistication. Crafted with utmost precision and attention to detail, the Le Bambole...
Bouclé
Mario Bellini for Cassina CAB 413 Set of EIGHT Dining Chairs in Cognac Leather
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Ventura, CA
The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relationship between the skeleton and the skin; an authentic example of production excellence that ...
Leather
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 (two corners + two easy chairs). The search for a new shape for upholstered furn...
Velvet, Foam
Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of Twelve 'CAB 413' Dining Chairs in Leather
By Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of twelve armchairs model 'CAB 413', leather, Italy, 1979 The iconic ‘CAB’ chair was designed by Mario Bellini in 1979. Conceptually new was the way B...
Leather, Plastic
Cobalt Blue Modular Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in New York, NY
Made in the 1970s, this iconic sectional sofa was designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia. The sofa consists of 6 modular pieces that can be arranged in various combinations to ...
Velvet, Foam, Wood
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 includes three seating pieces and one ottoman. The ottoman was reconstructed to match the existing original seating modules. Includes three spherical pillows. Total reupholstery required. 3 Seat Sections, dimensions per piece: D: 37.75" H: 26" W: 37.75" Arm height: 21" Seat height: 15.75 Overall width of three seat sections together: 113" 1 Ottoman Section...
Bouclé
Mid-Century Modern Mario Bellini La Basilica Table in Solid Wood
By Mario Bellini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mario Bellini La Basilica Table For Cassina A designer table with an expressive name and exemplary construction, and a solid linear shape t...
Wood
Set of five dark brown modular sofa elements, by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia
By Mario Bellini
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Mario Bellini – Modular Sofa Set, C&B Italia (now B&B Italia), 1966 Set of five dark brown modular sofa elements, designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia (now B&B Italia). The time...
Fabric, Resin
Pair of "Tentazione" chairs in Black Leather by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Dallas, TX
"Tentazione, pair of chairs - model 685 represents a significant work by the acclaimed designer Mario Bellini from the 1970s for Cassina. This piece exemplifies the celebrated union ...
Steel
$1,130Sale Price / item|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Amanta 24 armchair modular sofa Mario Bellini B&B Italia 1970
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Mid-Century Modern Amanta 24 Armchair Modular Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s This exceptional set of 10 Amanta 24 lounge chairs, designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Itali...
Fabric, Plastic
Set of Four CAB 412 Chairs by Mario Bellini, Red Saddle Leather, Italy
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
The CAB chair is one of the most iconic Italian design chairs of the late 20th century and is part of Cassina’s celebrated I Contemporanei collection. The design is notable for its i...
Steel
1970s 'Camaleonda' C&B Italia Seven Piece Beige Velvet Sofa Set by Mario Bellini
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 1970-1972 production 7 Piece 'Camaleonda' sofa by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia (which become B&B Italia in 1973) in beige velvet. Comes with three black step side table pieces....
Velvet
Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' Loveseat by B&B Italia, Suede, 1972
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mario Bellini's iconic 'Le Bambole' loveseat for B&B Italia showcases the revolutionary soft form design that defined 1970s Italian modernism. The distinctive curved silhouette c...
Leather
Mario Bellini Camaleonda Lounge Chair for B&B Italia, Green Linen Velvet, 1972
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Vicenza, IT
Camaleonda modular lounge chair designed by Mario Bellini in 1970 and produced in 1972. This piece consists of one large square module (90 x 90 cm / 35.4 x 35.4 in) complete with ba...
Chrome
Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of Sixteen 'Cab' Chairs in Red Brown Leather
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of sixteen 'cab' dining chairs, model '412', leather, plastic, Italy, design 1976 Beautiful set of 'Cab' dining chairs chairs in luxurious reddish bro...
Leather, Plastic
Le Bambole 3 seater sofa designed by Mario Bellini for C&b Italia 1972
By Mario Bellini
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Le Bambole 3 seater sofa designed by Mario Bellini for C&b Italia , Polyurethane structure, bouclè cotton fabric, restored. Excellent conditions, the Bambole series won the Compasso ...
Fabric, Rubber
CAB Chair by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
The CAB chair was designed by Mario Bellini in 1977 for Cassina, Italy. Mario Bellini (1935) is an Italian designer and architect. The chair has a skeleton in tubular steel and the ...
Steel
Mario Bellini Camaleonda Sofa C&B Italia 1970s set of 3 Green Kiwi Velvet
By Mario Bellini
Located in Vigevano, PV
Mario Bellini 'Camaleonda' Sofa, C&B Italia, 1970s, set of 3. Iconic and very elegant modular sofa. This set of 3 pieces of this sofa have been completely redone. We have chosen thi...
Metal
$2,072Sale Price|20% Off
Mario Bellini for C&B Italia Midcentury Amanta Velvet Armchair, 1973
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian armchair model Amanta designed by Mario Bellini and produced by C&B Italia from 1966, with corduroy upholstery and fibreglass frame, original manufacturer’s label and rel...
Metal
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Taupe Alpaca, 1970, Set of 4
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, taupe alpaca wool, Italy, 1970, set of four "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. First designed in 1970 by Mario Bellini, i...
Velvet, Plastic
Pr. Post Modern Space Age Bellini C & B Italia Amanta Lounge Chairs c 1969
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in New York, NY
Very chic pair of vintage Amanta chairs, designed by Mario Belllini , for C&B Italia circa 1969. Executed in supple black leather, contrasted with the molded white fiberlite chair fr...
Leather, Fiberglass
Le Bambole Sofa, Mario Bellini
By Mario Bellini
Located in Los angeles, CA
Le Bambole Sofa
Leather
Mario Bellini "Colonnato" marble table by Cassina, Italy, 1977
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A beautiful and well preserved Colonnato table in Persian red travertine marble, design by Mario Bellini, produced by Cassina, 1977. In this table, the noble Persian red travertine ...
Marble
$316Sale Price|20% Off
Mario Bellini Shanghai Gold Vase for Kartell
By Kartell, Mario Bellini
Located in Miami, FL
Gold Shanghai vase designed by Mario Bellini for Kartell. A multi-faceted vase widening from the base to the top in a swirling motion. Shanghai is like ...
Plastic
Pair of CAB 413 Armchairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina in Original Bulgarian Red
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Brescia, Brescia
An elegant pair of CAB 413 armchairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina, designed in the late 1970s and presented here in their highly desirable original Bulgarian Red leather. This model ...
Metal
Mario Bellini Cab-413 Chairs for Cassina
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Nashville, TN
Item Details: listing is for one CAB-413 Chair. Three chairs available. Creator: Mario Bellini for Cassina (each chair is signed) ...
Leather
Set of 3 Amanta Lounge Chairs or Sectional Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Set of 3 iconic lounge chairs by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia 1966, winner of the prestigious Compasso d'Oro prize in 1970. Seat cushions reupholstered in bright saffron yellow velve...
Velvet, Fiberglass
1964 Original 932-Quartet Leather Sofa Sectional Mario Bellini for Cassina 2pcs
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Basel, BS
Move over, here comes the MEGA CULT CLASSIC, and Extremely rare Bellini that you can also sip Bellini's upon like a ROCK STAR! She is an absolute show stopper for any space... An ...
Leather, Canvas
$2,375Sale Price / item|25% Off
Leather "Cab" 413 Arm Chair by Mario Bellini Cassina, 1977
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Iconic vintage chair "Cab 413" by Mario Bellini for Cassina, first produced in 1977, renowned for the innovative freestanding leather structure, inspired by the relationship between ...
Steel
Mario Bellini Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, Green Linen Velvet, Set of 2
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Camaleonda modular sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in 1970 and produced circa 1972. This set is composed of one large module (90 x 90 cm / 35.4 x 35.4 in) complete wit...
Chrome
“Le Bambole” bouclè armchair by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Padova, IT
Very good condition, the upholstery has been expertly redone in an original super bouclé, only the original lower part with the signature has been kept Designed by Mario Bellini for...
Bouclé
Set of Six CAB 412 Chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina in Black Leather, 1970s
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A set of six Italian design icons in black saddle leather. When first produced in 1977, the CAB was the first chair to feature a free-standing leather structure, inspired by how hum...
Iron
Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' Daybed in Butterscotch Suede for C&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A celebrated icon of Italian design, this 'Le Bambole' daybed was designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia in 1972. The series was an immediate critical success, earning the prestigi...
Fabric, Suede, Foam
Mario Bellini B&B 'Camaleonda' Lounge Chair in leather
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Argelato, BO
Mario Bellini B&B Italia 'Camaleonda' Lounge chair in original cognac leather, 1973 The Camaleonda sofa, designed by renowned Italian architect and designer Mario Bellini in 197...
Metal
Le Bambole Bed In Buffalo Leather By Mario Bellini For B&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
The Iconic “Le Bambole” collection by Mario Bellini also features this amazing kingsize foldable bed: “The Bambolettone”. The bed can be used as a daybed, lounge sofa, dormeuse, and ...
Velvet
Mario Bellini for C&B Italia Modular 'Amanta' Seating Elements Brown Corduroy
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, 'Amanta' lounge chairs or sectional sofa, corduroy fabric and fiberglass, Italy, 1966. The Amanta lounge set, designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia ...
Textile, Polyester
Mario Bellini Set of Six 'Lira e Liuto' Dining Chairs in Cognac Leather
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of six ‘Lira e Liuto’ dining chairs, cognac leather, Italy, 1989 This set of six ‘Lira e Liuto’ dining chairs has beautiful cognac colored leather tha...
Leather
Mario Bellini for C&B Italia First Edition 'Camaleonda' Modular Sofa, 1970
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in New York, NY
'Camaleonda' First Edition modular sofa, designed by Mario Bellini, for C&B Italia, 1970. The structure is constructed of wood and upholstery in fabric. Original label. Prod. C&B,...
Fabric, Wood
Mario Bellini 'Cab Tab' Table in Leather Marble, Wood for Cassina, Italy - new
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Berlin, DE
Also available in 200cm or 240cm width.Prices vary dependent on the chosen size, color and material. The design approach that in 1977 led Mario Bellini and Cassina to clad the stru...
Marble
Mario Bellini classic Duc-Duc velvet sofa for Cassina Italy, 1976 / 2024
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Skokie, IL
New showroom sample of the classic Duc-Duc sofa in velvet originally designed by Mario Bellini in 1976 and relaunched in 2020. A perfect balance of comfort and design. The sofa retai...
Steel
Mario Bellini Cab 413 cowhide leather armchair for Cassina, Italy - new
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices are dependent on the chosen size and color. Also available in 66cm width, 57cm depth, 82cm height and 45cm seat height. Cab is the world’s first free-standing cowhide chair,...
Cowhide, Leather
Elephant Hide Grey Cab Dining Side Chair by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Dronten, NL
Side chair model Cab, designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina. Wonderful 1980 example with buttery soft, newly reconditioned, elephant hide grey leather perfectly worn in from many yea...
Steel
Mario Bellini Camaleonda Modular Sofa for B&B Italia in Brown Velvet, 1972
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Vicenza, IT
Mario Bellini’s Camaleonda sofa for B&B Italia is one of the most influential works of Italian design from the 1970s. This original vintage example consists of two modular elemen...
Chrome
Vintage 2 Seater Sofa Le Bambole by Mario Bellini produced by B&B ca. 1970s
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Geneva, CH
Vintage 2 seater sofa Le Bambole by Mario Bellini produced by B&B Italia ca. 1970s. Fully restored in light green water stop soft fabric. Signed underneath. Mario Bellini received t...
Fabric
$14,767Sale Price / item|20% Off
Tacchini Le Mura Modular Sofa designed by Mario Bellini
By Mario Bellini, Tacchini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The project Le Mura by Mario Bellini represents the manifesto of a radical design that went through all the Italian 70s: design was as an answer to questions n...
Upholstery
Footrest pouf of Le Bambole series designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia 1972
By Mario Bellini
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Footrest of Le Bambole series designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, 1972 Polyurethane structure, bouclè cotton fabric, restored. Excellent conditions, the Bambole series won the ...
Fabric, Cotton, Rubber
Mario Bellini “Le Mura” Modular Sofa for Cassina, Brown Velvet, 1972, Set of 5
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Le Mura” modular sofa for Cassina, dark brown velvet, Italy, 1972, set of five. Mario Bellini designed the “Le Mura” modular sofa for Cassina in 1972, creating an ico...
Leather
Le Bambole armchair designed by Mario Bellini for B&b Italia 1972
By Mario Bellini
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Le Bambole armchair designed by Mario Bellini for B&b Italia , the Bambole series won the Compasso d'Oro award in 1979, reupholster in cotton f...
Fabric