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.
Olivetti Divisumma 28 Mario Bellini Design Years '70
By Mario Bellini
Located in Biella, IT
Olivetti divisumma 28 Mario Bellini design years '70, perfect working and very good condition.
Plastic, Acrylic
$2,660Sale Price|30% Off
H 12 in W 5 in D 5.5 in
Brutalist Sculpture By Aurelio Teno Silvered Bronze, Enamel, Quartz, Marble 70's
By Aurelio Teno
Located in North Miami, FL
This Brutalist inspired signed Aurelio Teno sensational Spanish sculpture is a combination of silvered bronze, quartz, amethyst and painted enamel over the bronze. It sits on a marbl...
Quartz, Marble, Silver, Bronze, Enamel
Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti Valentine Typewriter, Italy 1960s
By Ettore Sottsass, Olivetti
Located in Naples, IT
Famous and Iconic Portable Typewriter Mod. Valentine designed by Ettore Sottsass and Peter King, for the company Olivetti in 1960, the typewriter is in very good condition with case ...
Metal
Black Polished Chest for 28 Watches
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Chest in black polished wood. A lockable box for 28 watches.
Wood
Vintage Olivetti Lexikon Electric Typewriter
By Olivetti
Located in Riverdale, NY
Vintage Olivetti Lexikon 83 DL Electric Typewriter by Ettore Sottsass? from the 1970's in original carrying case. Does start but needs servicing, ink cartridge is dry. 18" x 15" x 5"...
Plastic
$285
H 2.75 in W 2.75 in D 2.75 in
Italian Onyx Marble Desk Pen Pencil Holder, 70s Modern period, circ 1970s, Italy
Located in New York, NY
An Italian onyx marble desk pen, pencil, marker organizer, of the '70s Modern period, Italy, circa 1970s. A geometric, multi‑slot pen and pencil holder crafted in warm onyx with natu...
Onyx, Marble
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
Apple Vase by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Apple vase by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 11 cm D 11 cm H 18.5 cm Materials: polished bronze. APPLE VASE / PEN CUP FAKASAKA is a design company focu...
Bronze
Olivetti "Valentine" Typewriter by Ettore Sottsass
Located in Buffalo, NY
Designed by Ettore Sottsass and Perry King, the typewriter is housed in the permanent collection of the MoMA as an iconic example of Pop Art design. It is one of the rare typewriters...
Metal
$875
H 4.5 in W 13.5 in D 13.88 in
Vintage Olivetti Red Typewriter & Case Model "Valentine" by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Perry King, Olivetti
Located in St. Louis, MO
Very collectible Mid-Century Modern “Valentine” portable typewriter, with durable plastic storage case both in red. The Olivetti Valentine portable typewriter was designed by Perry K...
Metal
Typewriter Olivetti "M44", East Germany, 1947
Located in Praha, CZ
Oldschool typewriter "M44" made by Olivetti, in East Germany, in the year 1947. Made of metal and chrome. Repolished, cleaned, shows signs of use and age. Fully functional.
Metal, Chrome
$214Sale Price|50% Off
H 6.3 in W 9.45 in D 17.72 in
Vintage Olivetti Divisumma 14 Calculator - Iconic 1940s Mechanical Masterpiece
Located in Manzano, IT
Vintage Olivetti Divisumma 14 Calculator - Iconic 1940s Mechanical Masterpiece Discover a true gem of mid-20th-century design with this authentic Olivetti Divisumma 14 calculator from the 1940s. Crafted in Italy, this mechanical calculator epitomizes the innovative spirit and meticulous craftsmanship of its era. Whether you're a vintage collector, a design enthusiast, or seeking a striking conversation piece for your office, this rare instrument offers both functionality and timeless aesthetic appeal. Authentic 1940s Design: A genuine mechanical calculator from the 1940s, showcasing Olivetti's renowned commitment to design excellence. Iconic Italian Craftsmanship: Meticulously engineered in Italy, the Divisumma 14 reflects the pioneering innovation of post-war office technology. Collectible Office Technology: Perfect for collectors and design aficionados, this vintage calculator...
Metal
Olivetti "Valentine" Typewriter by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Olivetti
Located in Vienna, AT
Famous portable typewriter by Sottsass for Olivetti, Italy from the 1960s. Totally functional with some wear. 3 pieces available.
Steel
Sold
H 4.14 in W 13.59 in D 13.78 in
Italian postmodern typewriter Lettera 35 Italia '90 Mario Bellini Olivetti, 1990
By Olivetti, Mario Bellini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian postmodern typewriter Lettera 35 Italia '90 Mario Bellini Olivetti, 1990 Typewriter mod. Lettera 35 Italia '90 in blue plastic. The keyboard consists of white plastic buttons...
Metal