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.
CAB 413 Armchairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina in Original Cognac Leather
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A beautiful pair of CAB 413 armchairs designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina, presented in their original cognac saddle leather with an extraordinary, richly developed patina. Design...
Metal
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
Set of 8 CAB 412 Chairs by Mario Bellini, Original Patinated Cognac Leather
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina and introduced in 1977, the CAB 412 remains one of the purest expressions of Italian design. It was the world's first chair constructed from a s...
Iron
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 '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 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 '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 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 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 Amanta Longue Chair Italy 1972
By Mario Bellini
Located in Čelinac, BA
Mario Bellini Amanta Longue Chair For BB Italia 1972
Fabric, Plastic
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 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 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
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
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
Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of Eight 'Cab' Dining Chairs in Red 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 'Cab' dining chairs in luxurious reddish brown leathe...
Leather, 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 “CAB 413” Dining Chairs for Cassina, Blue Leather, 1977, Set of 8
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “CAB 413” dining chair for Cassina, blue leather, designed 1977, set of eight The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relati...
Steel
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 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
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
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
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 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
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
Pair of Mario Bellini Le Bambole Sofas for B&B Italia, Light Grey Canvas, 1976
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Vicenza, IT
Pair of Le Bambole two-seat sofas designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in 1972 and produced in Italy in 1976. Known individually as the Bibambola, the two-seat version is pa...
Canvas, Cotton, Foam
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Daybed for B&B Italia, Black Leather, 1972
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Daybed for B&B Italia with shearling topper, leather, Italy, 1972 Mario Bellini conceived "Le Bambole" for B&B Italia in 1972 as a direct challenge to the...
Fur, Leather
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 "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 "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 Reupholstered 'Camaleonda' Modular Sofa in White Boucle
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, reupholstered 'Camaleonda' sectional sofa, boucle, metal, Italy, design 1970 The iconic Camaleonda sofa is designed by Italian master Mario Bellini for...
Metal
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 Cab 410 leather stool for Cassina, Italy - new
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
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, Green Velvet, 1970, Set of 4
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 four. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. Our atelier carefully restored this vintage ed...
Velvet, Plastic
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
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
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
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 "Camaleonda" Easy Chair for B&B Italia, Green Velvet, 1970
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" easy chair for B&B Italia, green velvet, Italy, 1970. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. Our atelier carefully restored this vintage edition using...
Velvet, 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 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
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
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 "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Green Velvet, 1970, Set of 2
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 two. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. Our atelier carefully restored this vintage edi...
Velvet, 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
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
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
Early Mario Bellini Le Bambole Lounge Chair, Original Leather, C&B Italia, 1970s
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
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 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 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
'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
Mario Bellini “Lira & Liuto” Chair for Cassina, Bordeaux Leather, 1989
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Lira & Liuto” chair for Cassina, bordeaux leather, Italy, 1989 The "Lira e Liuto" was designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina in 1989, extending the formal logic of...
Leather
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
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 "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Natural Leather, 1978, Set of 8
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, natural leather, Italy, 1978, set of eight. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rel...
Leather
"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
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” Sofa for B&B Italia, Olive Green, 1971, Set of 5
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” modular sofa for B&B Italia, olive green velvet, Italy, 1971, set of 5 The search for a new shape for upholstered furniture: all parts are shaped like a l...
Velvet