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.
Rare Mario Bellini for Cassina 'Le Mura' King Bed in Vibrant Green Corduroy
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, 'Le Mura' king bed, corduroy "Phlox" by Raf Simons x Kvadrat, chrome-plated steel, Italy, 1972 The 'Le Mura' line by Mario Bellini was introduced in 1972 ...
Steel, Chrome
Mario Bellini Set of Four 'CAB 413' Dining Chairs in Patinated Cognac Leather
By Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of four armchairs model 'CAB 413', leather, plastic, Italy, 1979 The iconic ‘CAB’ chair was designed by Mario Bellini in 1979. Conceptually new was th...
Leather, Plastic
Mario Bellini for C&B Italia 'Bamboletto' Daybed from 'Le Bambole' Series
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, 'Bamboletto' daybed / bed from 'Le Bambole' series, fabric, Italy, 1972 Introducing the Bamboletto bed, designed by the acclaimed Italian designer ...
Fabric
Mario Bellini for Cassina Cab 412 Chairs in Burgundy Leather, Set of 4, 1970s–80s
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in bari, IT
Designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina in 1976–77, the Cab 412 was the first chair in design history to feature a freestanding leather structure with no internal wooden or plastic she...
Steel
$3,520Sale Price / item|20% Off
Mario Bellini 'Cab' Model 414 Lounge Chair for Cassina, 1980s Italy, 4 Available
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exceptional set of four Model 414 'Cab' lounge chairs designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina, Italy, originally introduced in 1977. These authentic examples retain their embossed C...
Steel
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 Cassina Set of Eight 'Cab' Dining Chairs in Red Brown Leather
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of eight 'Cab' dining chairs, model '412', leather, plastic, Italy, design 1976 Beautiful set of 'Cab' dining chairs in luxurious reddish brown leathe...
Leather, Plastic
Mario Bellini for Artemide Table or Floor Lamp 'Circo' in Off-White Canvas
By Artemide, Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Artemide, table or floor lamp, lacquered metal, canvas, Italy, 1978. Quirky and quite unique, this 'circo' table lamp designed by Mario Bellini, is a true example...
Metal
Mario Bellini Set of Six 'CAB 413' Dining Chairs in Black Leather
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of six armchairs model 'CAB 413', leather, plastic, Italy, 1979 The iconic ‘CAB’ chair was designed by Mario Bellini in 1979. Conceptually new was the...
Leather, Plastic
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
Mario Bellini, Modular Sofa, Fabric, Metal, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Bellini
Located in High Point, NC
A green fabric and metal modular sofa, model Camaleonda, designed by Mario Bellini and produced by B&B Italia, Italy, c. 1970s. Some staining on fabric. One fastener on one seat cus...
Metal
Mario Bellini Gli Scacchi Black 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 3 black polyurethane elements by Mario Bellini that can either be used as table or seats or pre...
Plastic
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 'Le Bambole' lounge chair for B&B Italia is one of the most recognizable silhouettes of 1970s Italian design. The chair's fully upholstered, pillow-like form has ...
Leather
Area 160 Floor Lamp by Mario Bellini for Artemide, Italy, 1970s
By Artemide, Mario Bellini
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Area 160 floor lamp by Mario Bellini for Artemide, Italy, 1970s. This striking vintage floor lamp features a very slim white stem rising from a flat black square base, supporting a s...
Metal
Area table lamp by Mario Bellini for Artemide
By Artemide, Mario Bellini
Located in RIDDERKERK, NL
This Area table lamp , designed by Mario Bellini for Artemide in 1974 , is an iconic example of Italian design from the 1970s. The design is part of the well-known Area series, which...
Ceramic, Paper
Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of Sixteen 'Cab' Dining 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
Mario Bellini for Artemide “Area 160” Large Floor Lamp, Italy, 1970s
By Artemide, Mario Bellini
Located in Roma, IT
Magnificent and iconic "Area 160" floor lamp, designed by Mario Bellini and produced by Artemide in the 1970s. The lamp is signed on the bottom. Fully original and in amazing condit...
Metal
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 for Cassina Set of Eight 'Cab' Dining Chairs in Brown Leather
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of eight 'cab' dining chairs, model '412', leather, plastic, Italy, design 1976 Beautiful set of eight 'Cab' dining chairs chairs in luxurious brown l...
Leather, Plastic
$12,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Four Mario Bellini 'Cab' Model 414 Lounge Chairs for Cassina, Italy 1980s
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exceptional set of four Model 414 'Cab' lounge chairs designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina, Italy, originally introduced in 1977. These authentic examples retain their embossed C...
Steel
Set of 4 Mario Bellini for Cassina Cab chairs Model 412, black leather, 1980s
By Atelier International, Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Seattle, WA
A set of 4 Early Cab Chairs, model 412 in black saddle leather, designed by Mario Bellini, manufactured by Cassina and imported into the American Market by Atelier International in t...
Leather
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
Vintage Black Leather Cab 415 Settee by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in North Hollywood, CA
An exceptional early example of the iconic “CAB 415” settee designed by legendary Italian architect and furniture designer Mario Bellini for Cassina. Introduced in the late 1970s, th...
Steel
Mario Bellini ‘Le Bambole’ Baby Blue-Gray Suede Loveseat
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mario Bellini's Le Bambole loveseat for B&B Italia presents its immediately recognizable silhouette: a deeply cushioned, low-profile form upholstered entirely in blue-gray suede ...
Leather
Mario Bellini Amanta Longue Chair Italy 1972
By Mario Bellini
Located in Čelinac, BA
Mario Bellini Amanta Longue Chair For BB Italia 1972
Fabric, Plastic
$3,310 / item
Mario Bellini Cab 412 Chair For Cassina
By Mario Bellini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mario Bellini Cab 412 Chair For Cassina “A new kind of chair, made entirely of saddle-hide, often cloned today.” This is how Mario Bellini descr...
Plastic
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
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
Mario Bellini Cab Side Chair by Cassina in Navy Leather
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The iconic chair designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina c.1970s, Italy, features the original navy blue saddle leather which is wrapped atop the steel frame. The back legs feature a b...
Steel
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Sofa for B&B Italia, Mustard Velvet, 1971
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” two-seater sofa for B&B Italia, mustard velvet, Italy, 1971. This is a timeless Postmodern design icon. The starting point was a shopping bag containing f...
Velvet, Foam
Mario Bellini Cab Stool 410 Set of Four, Leather, Mid-Century Modern
By Mario Bellini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mario Bellini Cab Stool 410 For Cassina Designed by Mario Bellini, Cab Stool is the world’s first example of a free-standing cowhide design st...
Leather
Cab 413 Mario Bellini Cassina chairs, 1970, set of 2
By Mario Bellini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Cab 413 Mario Bellini chairs for Cassina, Italy, 1970. An iconic example of Italian design, the “Cab” chairs have a steel structure covered in thick leather, shaped and sewn to adher...
Leather
$3,944Sale Price|30% Off
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
Area Curvea table lamp by Mario Bellini for Artemide
By Mario Bellini, Artemide
Located in RIDDERKERK, NL
This Area Curvea table lamp , designed by Mario Bellini for Artemide in the 1970s, is an elegant and expressive design from Italian design of that period. The lamp features a charac...
Metal
Mario Bellini Le Bambole Lounge Chairs, Upholstered in Alpaca, B&B Italia, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A beautiful large pair of Mario Bellini Le Bambole lounge chairs, newly upholstered in a premium ivory 100% Alpaca fabric, produced by B&B Italia, Italy in the 1970s. Makers mark on...
Alpaca
$3,010Sale Price / set|20% Off
Amanta Modular Leather Sofa by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, Italy, 1970s, Pair
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Lucija, SI
A pair of 'Amanta' leather and fiberglass lounge chairs, originally designed in Italy by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia in 1966. The design was extremely popular and in great demand, w...
Leather, Fiberglass, Foam
Mario Bellini Cab 412 cowhide chair for Cassina, Italy - new
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices are dependent on the chosen sizes and color. Available sizes: 1. 33cm width x 37cm depth x 57cm height x 30cm seat height 2. 52cm width x 49cm depth x 82cm height x 45cm sea...
Cowhide
Mario Bellini Reupholstered 'Camaleonda' Lounge Chair with Ottoman White Boucle
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, reupholstered 'Camaleonda' lounge chair with ottoman, boucle, metal, Italy, design 1970 The iconic Camaleonda design is conceived by Italian master Mar...
Metal
Mario Bellini Cab 410 leather stool for Cassina, Italy - new
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices are dependent on the chosen sizes and material. Available sizes: 1. 48cm width x 51cm depth x 101cm height x 81cm seat height 2. 55cm width x 51cm depth x 101cm height x 68c...
Leather
Mario Bellini Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, Sky Blue Velvet, 1972, Set of 5
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of five Camaleonda modular sofa elements with backrest, designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia and produced in Italy in the 1970s. This iconic seating system is one of the...
Velvet, Foam
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
Mario Bellini La Basilica Dining Table in Ash Wood for Cassina, new
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Price is dependent on the chosen size and number of legs (6 or 8). A designer table with an expressive name and exemplary construction, and a solid linear shape that reflects the new...
Wood, Ash
$19,450Sale Price / set|22% Off
Original 932-Quartet Leather Sectional Sofa by Mario Bellini for Cassina, 1964
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
It doesn't get much cooler than this early year (original) collectors set of the model-932 'Quartet' sectional by Mario Bellini for Cassina. Released in 1964, this example has incredible thick leather hides in a gorgeous patinated cognac color. The leather is remarkable, and with the perfect amount of patina that you want to see - for those leather lovers out there, don't hesitate to buy this Bellini 932...
Leather, Canvas
Mario Bellini Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, Sky Blue Velvet, 1972, Set of 6
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of six Camaleonda modular sofa elements with backrest, designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia and produced in Italy in the 1970s. This iconic seating system is one of the most...
Velvet, Foam
Landeau Sofa by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. Italy. Reupholstered in plaid fabric with leather trim.
Leather, Fabric
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Green Velvet, 1970, Set of 3
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, green velvet, Italy, 1970, set of three. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. Our atelier carefully restored this vintage e...
Velvet, Plastic
Mario Bellini for C&B Italia First Edition 'Camaleonda' Modular Sofa, 1970
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
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. ...
Fabric, Wood
Model Area 50 Suspension Ceiling Light by M.Bellini for Artemide, 1970s, Italy
By Artemide, Mario Bellini
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Model Area 50 Suspension Ceiling Light by Mario Bellini for Artemide, 1970s, Italy Elegant design pendant lamp Lampshade is in good condition and very clean. This lamp works with E...
Plastic, Parchment Paper
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
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
Area Curvea Table Lamp by Mario Bellini for Artemide, 1970s
By Artemide, Mario Bellini
Located in bruxelles, BE
White metal and paper table lamp by Mario Bellini. The adjustable shade allows the light to be directed in different directions. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FO...
Metal
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Green Velvet, Set of 5
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, green velvet, Italy, 1970, set of five. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. Our atelier carefully restored this vintag...
Velvet, Plastic
Mario Bellini for Cassina 'La Rotonda' Coffee Table, circa 1977
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in New York, NY
The 'La Rotonda' cocktail table, designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina in 1977, is a stunning representation of modernist design. The thick circular beveled glass top provides for a ...
Glass, Nutwood
Le Bambole Mario Bellini armchair for B&B, 1970, light brown leather
By Mario Bellini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Le Bambole Mario Bellini armchair for B&B Italia in 1970. The project represents one of the icons of Italian design of the second half of the twentieth century, awarded for its typol...
Leather
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
$18,459 / item
Tacchini Le Mura Modular Sofa designed by Mario Bellini
By Tacchini, Mario Bellini
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
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chair for Cassina, Natural Leather, 1978
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chair for Cassina, natural leather, Italy, 1978 The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relationship betwee...
Leather
Mario Bellini Bambole Bibambola LBA2 leather Sofa with ottoman for B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Skokie, IL
Mario Bellini Bambole leather Sofa for B&B Italia circa 2017. Bibambola designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia is a sofa made with flexible cold polyurethane foam padding w...
Steel
Mario Bellini, "Le Bambole" Sofa in Leather, Italian Mid Century Modern, 1972
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Odense, DK
An exceptionally fine example of the iconic ‘Le Bambole’ two-seat sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy, in the 1970s. Upholstered in its original black leather with a...
Leather
Bed of Le Bambole series designed by Mario Bellini for B&b Italia 1972
By Mario Bellini
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Bed of Le Bambole series designed by Mario Bellini for B&b Italia 1970, reupholster in cotton velvet and linen. Carefully restored in antique pink velvet and linen to ensure b...
Cotton, Linen, Velvet