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 for Cassina Pair of 'Quartet' Lounge Chairs in Beige Suede
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, pair of 'Quartet' lounge chairs, model '932', suede, Italy, 1964 Known as the Quartet, this lounge chair was designed by Mario Bellini as a reinterpretati...
Suede
$8,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
Mario Bellini Cab 413 Brown Leather Dining Chairs for Cassina - Set of Six
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Miami, FL
Set of six Cab 413 brown leather dining or side chairs designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina. Italy, 1990s. “This was a new kind of chair, constructed totally out of leather, much c...
Leather
Set of 2 Camaleonda armchairs and pouf by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in taranto, IT
Set of 3 modular elements from the famous "Camaleonda" collection by Mario Bellini, for B&B Italia, Created in 1970 by the ingenious mind of Mario Bellini and originally produced by...
Fabric
Mario Bellini Set of Four 'CAB 413' Dining Chairs in Patinated Cognac Leather
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
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 "Camaleonda" Boucle Sofa by B&B Italia Set of 5
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A rare monumental five-piece "Camaleonda" boucle modular sectional sofa, designed by Mario Bellini and made by B&B Italia in Novedrate, Como, Italy. The sofa is comprised of thre...
Steel
Le Bambole armchair in cotton by Mario Bellini for B&b Italy 1972
By Mario Bellini
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Le Bambole armchair designed by Mario Bellini for B&b Italia, 1972 Polyurethane structure, original cotton fabric. Excellent conditions, slight fading and small spots, le Bambole...
Fabric, Cotton, Rubber
Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' Sofa for C&B Italia, 1972
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An extremely rare first-year production example of Mario Bellini's iconic Le Bambole sofa, manufactured by C&B Italia in 1972, the same year Bellini introduced the design. The co...
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
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 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 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
$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 Tentazione two seater sofa B&B Italia - Italy, 1973
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in London, GB
Aptly named Tentazione, or ‘temptation’, this sofa boasts a cushioned form that seeks to comfortably envelop the sitter. Bellini designed the sofa for Cassina in 1973, a year after t...
Mohair
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
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
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
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
$3,373Sale Price|20% Off
Divano vintage anni 70 "Tentazione" design Mario Bellini per Cassina
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Three-seater sofa with wooden frame and beige fabric cover, model "Tentazione" designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina, 1970s. CONDITION: In buone condizioni, potrebbe presentare segn...
Fabric, Wood
$1,307Sale Price|25% 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 Cassina 'Pianura' Lounge Chair in Walnut
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, 'Pianura' lounge chair, walnut, fabric, Italy, 1971 The ‘Pianura’ lounge chair by Mario Bellini for Cassina, designed in 1971, presents a compact yet scul...
Fabric, Walnut
$3,275 / 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
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
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 pres...
Fabric, Suede, Foam
"Le Bambole" Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in bruxelles, BE
Sofa in red fabric, model: Le Bambole by Mario Bellini. Seat height: 42 cm. Stamped B&B Italia. Wear due to time and age. For shipping, request us for receive the best price.
Fabric
$2,973Sale Price / set|20% Off
Amanta Modular Leather Sofa by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, Italy, 1970s, Pair
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
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
8x Sage green saddle leather CAB 414 by Mario Bellini for Cassina, Italy 1980s
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Antwerp, BE
An exceptional and increasingly hard-to-find set of eight original CAB 414 armchairs, designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina. Introduced in the early 1980s as part of the iconic CAB c...
Leather
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
A Pair of Mario Bellini for Cassina Cab chairs Model 413, dark brown, 1990s
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Seattle, WA
A pair of Early Cab Chairs, model 413 in dark brown saddle leather, designed by Mario Bellini, manufactured by Cassina in late 90s early 2000s The pair is in absolutely beautiful co...
Leather
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
Set of 4 Mario Bellini for Cassina Cab chairs Model 412, black leather, 1980s
By Mario Bellini, Cassina, Atelier International
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
Mario Bellini Tentazione three seater sofa for Cassina - Italy, 1973
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in London, GB
Aptly named Tentazione, or ‘temptation’, this three-seater sofa boasts a cushioned form that seeks to comfortably envelop the sitter. Bellini designed the sofa for Cassina in 1973, a...
Mohair
Le Bambole cotton bouclè upholstery sofa by Bellini for B&B Italy 1972 modern
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 Compa...
Fabric, Rubber
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
$2,787Sale Price|50% 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
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
$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 Modular Sofa, Cameolonda, by B&B Italia
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 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
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, 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...
Metal
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. ...
Fabric, Wood
$3,005 / set
Set of 2 Ki Wood Chairs by Mario Bellini
By Horm, Mario Bellini
Located in Milan, IT
In Japanese, “ki” represents the energy found in every element. Mario Bellini takes inspiration from this concept for his refined and modern collection of chairs. Each piece is sinuo...
Other
$15,000 / set
Set of 6 Mario Bellini 413 Cab Chairs for Cassina
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Mario Bellini 413 Cab Armchairs in a very dark gray. This set is about 25 years old and have been beautifully maintained by their original owners! 2 years ago the covers were remov...
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
Tentazione Sofa by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1990s. Italy. Original upholstery. Curved and draped lines.
Upholstery
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
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
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
$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
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
$46,569Sale Price / set|28% Off
'Camaleonda' in Original Leather by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1976, Signed
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
If you are someone who seeks the absolute best of the best - this is for you. This is an all original modular Camaleonda sectional by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia made within the...
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
Pair of Le Bambole lounge chair in cotton by Mario Bellini for B&B Italy 1972
By Mario Bellini
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Le Bambole armchairs designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, the Bambole series won the Compasso d'Oro award in 1979, reupholster in cotton fabric, Le Bambole is an iconic piec...
Fabric, Cotton
Mario Bellini Le Bambole Sofa, Upholstered in Alpaca, B&B Italia, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A beautiful Mario Bellini Le Bambole sofa, produced by B&B Italia, Italy in the 1970s, newly upholstered in luxurious 100% alpaca. Marked on the underside. Fast shipping worldwid...
Alpaca
Mario Bellini B&B 'Camaleonda' Lounge Sofa in cognac leather
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Argelato, BO
Mario Bellini B&B Italia 'Camaleonda' Lounge sofa in original cognac leather, 1973 The Camaleonda sofa, designed by renowned Italian architect and designer Mario Bellini in 1970...
Metal
Mario Bellini 413 "CAB" Leather Chair for Cassina, Italy 1977
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Argelato, BO
Mario Bellini 413 "CAB" black leather chair for Cassina, 1977. Italy A true icon of Made in Italy, Cab is the first chair in the world characterized by a self-supporting leather str...
Metal
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 Set of Four 'CAB 413' Dining Chairs in Unusual Dark Blue Leather
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
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 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 B&B 'Camaleonda' Lounge Chairs in cognac leather
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
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