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 "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 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
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
$5,952 / 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
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
$3,400Sale Price / set|24% Off
Mario Bellini Cassina Italian 401 Break Leather Armchairs, 1980s Pair
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Miami, FL
Mario Bellini Cassina Italian 401 Break Leather Armchairs, 1980s Pair Offered for sale is a pair of iconic chairs designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina in the 1980s. The "Break" le...
Metal
Mario Bellini for Cassina 'CAB 414' Chairs in black stitched Leather
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in London, GB
Mario Bellini for Cassina 'Cab' chairs. Model no 414. Stitched black leather. Zips onto a metal frame. In very good condition. Leather, stitching and zips on these chairs are all ...
Metal
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux Leather, 1978, Set of 2
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux leather, Italy, 1978, set of two The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relat...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux Leather, 1978, Set of 8
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux leather, Italy, 1978, set of six The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relat...
Leather
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 413” Chair for Cassina, Hazelnut Leather, 1977
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chair for Cassina, hazelnut leather, Italy, 1977 The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relationship betwe...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Tobacco Leather, 1978, Set of 8
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, Tobacco brown leather, Italy, 1978, set of eight. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by t...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chair for Cassina, Bordeaux Leather, 1977
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, bordeaux leather, Italy, 1977. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relationship bet...
Steel
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Tobacco Leather, 1978, Set of 6
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, tobacco brown leather, Italy, 1978, set of six. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chair for Cassina, China Red Leather, 1978
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, China Red leather, Italy, 1978, set of one. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rel...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413”Chairs for Cassina, Tobacco Leather, 1977, Set of 6
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, Tobacco dark brown leather, Italy, 1977, set of six. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed b...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Tobacco Leather, 1977, Set of 2
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, Tobacco dark brown leather, Italy, 1977, set of two. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed b...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Tobacco Leather, 1977, Set of 8
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, dark brown tobacco leather, Italy, 1977, set of eight. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chair for Cassina, Tobacco Leather, 1978
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, Tobacco brown leather, Italy, 1978, set of one. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the...
Leather
Mario Bellini for Cassina Cab Dining Chair Mod.412, Italy, 1978
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Naples, IT
This iconic design by Mario Bellini for Cassina, circa 1970s, features the original caramel-colored leather. The bottom of the chairs bears the inscription - Cassina.
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Hazelnut Leather, 1977, Set of 2
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, hazelnut leather, Italy, 1977, set of two. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rela...
Steel
Cab 412 Chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina, Set of Six
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Renens, CH
Set of six Cab 412 side chairs in black 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 ski...
Metal
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Tobacco Leather, 1978, Set of 4
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, Tobacco brown leather, Italy, 1978, set of four. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by th...
Steel
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, China Red Leather, 1978, Set of 6
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, China Red leather, Italy, 1978, set of six. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rel...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chair for Cassina, Hazelnut Leather, 1978
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chair for Cassina, hazelnut leather, Italy, 1978. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relationship betw...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" Chair for Cassina, Tobacco Leather, 1977
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina in dark brown Tobacco leather, Italy, 1977. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rela...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux Leather, 1977, Set of 4
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux leather, Italy, 1977, set of four. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rel...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Tobacco Leather, 1978, Set of 12
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, tobacco brown leather, Italy, 1978, set of twelve. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by ...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, China Red Leather, 1978, Set of 8
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, China Red leather, Italy, 1978, set of eight. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the r...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux Leather, 1977, Set of 10
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux leather, Italy, 1977, set of ten. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rela...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Tobacco Leather, 1978, Set of 2
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, tobacco brown leather, Italy, 1978, set of two. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, China Red Leather, 1978, Set of 4
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, China Red leather, Italy, 1978, set of four. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the re...
Steel
Mario Bellini Cab 413 Chair in Saddle Leather & Steel, Mid-Century
By Mario Bellini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mario Bellini Cab 413 Chair For Cassina “A new kind of chair, made entirely of saddle-hide, often cloned today.” This is how Mario Bellini desc...
Steel
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Tobacco Leather, 1978, Set of 10
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, Tobacco brown leather, Italy, 1978, set of ten. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Hazelnut Leather, 1978, Set of 4
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chair for Cassina, hazelnut leather, Italy, 1978, set of four. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rela...
Leather
$27,000 / set
Mario Bellini "Cab" Chairs
By Mario Bellini
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Classic leather cab chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina. Wonderful patina to black leather. Rare set of 10 available - Priced as a set
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Hazelnut Leather, 1977, Set of 8
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, hazelnut leather, Italy, 1977, set of eight. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the re...
Leather
Mario Bellini Vintage CAB 412 Duo Two Dining Chairs Brown Leather, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Bellini
Located in Vienna, AT
Mario Bellini duo pair two (2) vintage dining chairs or side chairs model CAB 412 from cognac brown leather designed 1970s, Italy. A timeless and sleek modern design icon, the CAB ...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, China Red Leather, 1978, Set of 2
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, China Red leather, Italy, 1978, set of two. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rel...
Leather
$16,000 / set
Set of Four Mario Bellini Cab Armchairs for Cassina
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An iconic set of four armchairs designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina c.1970s, Italy, feature the original rich brown saddle leather which is wrapped atop a steel frame. The back leg...
Steel
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Mustard Leather, 1977, Set of 2
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, Mustard yellow leather, Italy, 1977, set of two. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by th...
Leather
$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
Mario Bellini “CAB 413” Chair for Cassina, Mustard Leather, 1977
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chair for Cassina, Mustard yellow leather, Italy, 1977. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relationshi...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chair for Cassina, Bordeaux Leather, 1978
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chair for Cassina, Bordeaux leather, Italy, 1978 The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relationship betwe...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux Leather, 1978, Set of 10
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux leather, Italy, 1978, set of ten The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relat...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux Leather, 1978, Set of 12
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux leather, Italy, set of twelve The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relation...
Leather
Italian modern chairs Lira or CAB K5 by Mario Bellini per Cassina, 1990s
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern chairs Lira or CAB K5 by Mario Bellini per Cassina, 1990s Set of six chairs model Lira, also known as CAB K5, in black leather. The internal structure, composed of sea...
Leather, Plastic
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, China Red Leather, 1978, Set of 10
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, China Red leather, Italy, 1978, set of ten. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rel...
Leather
Mario Bellini 412 "CAB" Chairs for Cassina, China Red Leather, 1978, Set of 8
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini 412 "CAB" dining chairs for Cassina, China red leather, Italy, 1978, set of eight. One of the most iconic Bellini's creations, "CAB" i...
Steel
'Le Bambole' Lounge Chair by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s Italy
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Le Bambole chaise lounge chair by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia. Made in Italy and presented here with its original 1970s wool felt upholstery in Camel in fantastic condition...
Fabric, Foam
Cassina Cab 414 Armchairs PAIR by Mario Bellini in Dark Grey Matte Black Leather
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Basel, BS
Fabulous, RARE original Mario Bellini for Cassina 414 Cab Armchairs in gorgeous dark Grey / Black, PAIR of 2 chairs! Beautiful color, not available from Cassina anymore. All are in ...
Metal
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Hazelnut Leather, 1978, Set of 8
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, hazelnut leather, Italy, 1978, set of eight. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the re...
Leather
$11,800 / set
Quartet 932 Chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1960s. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. Original purple mohair upholstery. Extremely rare example, tagged.
Mohair
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, China Red Leather, 1978, Set of 12
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, China Red leather, Italy, 1978, set of twelve. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the ...
Leather
Two Dark Brown CAB 412 Chairs Designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By Mario Bellini
Located in Doraville, GA
A pair of dark brown, saddle leather CAB 412 side chairs designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina in 1977. This pair of chairs are of newer production. The chairs stand approximately 32...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Hazelnut Leather, 1978, Set of 6
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, hazelnut leather, Italy, 1978, set of six. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rela...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Tobacco Leather, 1977, Set of 12
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, Tobacco dark brown leather, Italy, 1977, set of twelve. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informe...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Mustard Leather, 1977, Set of 8
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, Mustard yellow leather, Italy, 1977, set of eight. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by ...
Leather
Le Piccole Tentazioni Mario Bellini Cassina
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Ghedi, IT
The "Piccola Tentazione" chair, designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina in 1973, embodies Italian modernist elegance with a seductive, inviting form. This Model 684 armchair features a...
Fabric
Amanta Modular Lounge Chairs by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1976. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. Previously reupholstered in beige leather. Rare and hard to find.
Leather, Plastic