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.
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
Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' Daybed in Butterscotch Suede for C&B Italia, 1970s
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
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, 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 '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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
$2,071Sale Price|20% Off
Mario Bellini for C&B Italia Midcentury Amanta Velvet Armchair, 1973
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
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 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 ...
Polyester, Textile
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 B&B Italia Armchair Le Stelle Design Modernism 1970's
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Taranto, IT
Mario Bellini B&B Italia Armchair Le Stelle Design Modernariato 1970's. Metal frame, fabric upholstery. In good conservative condition, there is no major aesthetic or structural def...
Metal
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 Amanta Longue Chair Italy 1972
By Mario Bellini
Located in Čelinac, BA
Mario Bellini Amanta Longue Chair For BB Italia 1972
Fabric, Plastic
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Blue Velvet, 1970, Set of 3
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, blue velvet, Italy, 1970, set of three. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. First designed in 1970 by Mario Bellini, ...
Velvet, Plastic
"Le Bambole" Modular Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in bruxelles, BE
5-piece modular sofa in zebu leather by Mario Bellini, Le Bambole model. Stamped under the seats. Seat height: 46 cm. Wear due to age and time. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE T...
Leather
$6,779Sale Price / set|20% Off
Coppia di poltrone vintage anni 70 "Tentazione" design Mario Bellini per Cassina
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in None, IT
Pair of armchairs with wooden frame and beige fabric upholstery, model "Tentazione" designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina, 1970s. CONDITION: In buone condizioni, potrebbe presentare...
Fabric, Wood
Le Bambole sofa in buffalo leather By Mario Bellini For B&B Italia, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful Le Bambole sofa in original light brown buffalo neck leather designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in the 1970s. This beautiful edition comes in its original light ...
Leather
$2,393Sale 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
Set of Four CAB 412 Chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina in Black Leather, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A set of four 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 human skin fits over our skeleton. The leather upholstery is constructed from sixteen pieces of saddle leather, which are individually die-cut and sewn together. The leather is then zippered over the tubular steel frame and the polyurethane foam padded...
Iron
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
$5,825 / set
Set of 4 CAB Chairs 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 “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
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
Mario Bellini Amanta Chair Lounge Chair For B&B Italia Circa 1970
By Mario Bellini
Located in Chicago, IL
The "Amanta" modular chair by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, designed in 1966. This example is reupholstered in a Pierre Frey dark olive neutral green mohair Teddy fabric and dark bla...
Upholstery, Fiberglass
$18,736Sale Price|20% Off
Reupholstered 932 3-seater sofa by Mario Bellini for Cassina, Italy - 1960s
By Mario Bellini
Located in Berlin, DE
Reupholstered 932 3-seater sofa by Mario Bellini for Cassina. Designed 1964, price on request.
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
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 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
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 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. C&B,...
Fabric, Wood
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Russian Red Leather, Set of 10
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, Russian red leather, Italy, set of ten The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relation...
Leather
Mario Bellini “Le Mura” Modular Sofa for Cassina, Brown Velvet, 1972, Set of 3
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Le Mura” modular sofa for Cassina, dark brown velvet, Italy, 1972, set of 3. Mario Bellini designed the “Le Mura” modular sofa for Cassina in 1972, creating an iconic...
Leather
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
$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
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 "Camaleonda" Easy Chair for B&B Italia, Blue Velvet, 1970
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" easy chair for B&B Italia, blue velvet, Italy, 1970, set of 2 "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. First designed in 1970 by Mario Bellini, it was o...
Velvet, Plastic
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 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
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 Modular Sofa by C&B 1970
By Mario Bellini
Located in Cascina, Pisa
The Camaleonda sofa is one of the most iconic creations by Mario Bellini, designed in 1970 for the company B&B Italia. This sofa exemplifies how design can be functional, modular, an...
Fabric, Wood
Mario Bellini Le Bambole Lounge Chair, Upholstered in Alpaca, B&B Italia, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A beautiful large Mario Bellini Le Bambole lounge chair, newly upholstered in luxury pure Alpaca wool fabric, produced by B&B Italia, Italy in the 1970s. Marked on the underside. Fa...
Alpaca
Italian Design Mario Bellini for Cassina CAB 413 Bordeaux Red, Set of 4, 1990s
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Renens, CH
Cab 413 arm chairs in bordeaux red leather by Mario Bellini for Cassina: The Cab chair is built up as a tubular frame over which thick saddle leather is fitted; the leather skin is ...
Metal
Mario Bellini for Cassina Pianura Lounge Chairs in Walnut and Leather
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, 'Pianura' lounge chairs with armrests, walnut, leather, Italy, 1971 The ‘Pianura’ lounge chair by Mario Bellini for Cassina, designed in 1971, presents a ...
Leather, Walnut
Early Mario Bellini Le Bambole Lounge Chair, Original Leather, C&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A rare first edition Mario Bellini Le Bambole lounge chair, in its original wonderfully patinated leather, produced by C&B Italia, Italy, in the early 1970s. Fast shipping worldw...
Leather
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
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
$12,993Sale Price / set|20% Off
Cab 413 Set of Six Armchairs in Multicolor Leather by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Here is the stunning collection of Cab 413 armchairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina. The Cab 413 is an icon of Italian design, originally presented in 1977. The 413 is the progenitor ...
Steel
Brown leather Le Bambole folding bed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini
Located in amstelveen, NL
Iconic Le Bambole folding bed / daybed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in its original brown leather. A celebrated Italian design known for its soft, sculptural presence and excep...
Leather, Fabric
$1,250Sale Price / item|50% Off
Mario Bellini Post-Modern Executive Desk Chair for Vitra, Signed and Dated 1992
By Mario Bellini, Vitra
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A spectacular set of Mario Bellini signed desk chairs for the Vitra, dated 1992 production. This Post Modern set of task chairs feature soft and supple black leather in excellent condition, five star height adjustable bases on casters, and are extremely comfortable. *Note, 6 are available at the time of this listing, priced individually. We also have a 7th highback chair available as well in another listing. The black on black color combination of this set makes it perfect for Post-Modern interiors which are on-trend with upcoming design projects led by many of the worlds top interior designers. These design masterpieces are rare and hard to find, especially here in the United States, so interior designers: get this before your competition does! These Mario Bellini for Vitra leather...
Leather, Plastic
Two-seater Sofa 'Bambole' in Upholstered Leather by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Hellouw, NL
A key figure in postwar Italian design, Mario Bellini created the Bambole series for B&B Italia to challenge traditional ideas of structure and comfort. The Bibambola, a two-seater f...
Leather