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 Set of Six 'CAB 413' Dining Chairs in Unusual Dark Blue 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 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
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 "CAB 413" Chairs for Cassina, Black Leather, 1977, set of 4
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, black leather, Italy, 1977, set of four. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relati...
Leather
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
$4,691 / set
Cab 412 by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Wien, AT
The Cassina Cab 412, designed in 1977 by Italian architect and designer Mario Bellini, is a landmark in modern furniture design. With its revolutionary concept of “dressing” a chair ...
Leather
A Set of 4 CAB 412/413 Chairs Designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Forest Hills, NY
A set of four CAB 412/413 chairs designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina, in red leather. Self-supporting leather shell made of 16 saddle-leather panels, stitched and zipped over a tu...
Metal
$6,500 / set
412 Cab Chair by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic set of off white/bone 412 Cab Dining Chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina. Excellent condition with almost no wear to edges super clean. Produced early-mid 2000's by Cassina...
Steel
Mario Bellini for Cassina CAB 413 Set of Six Dining Chairs in Grey Leather
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of six armchairs, model 'CAB 413', leather, Italy, 1979 The iconic ‘CAB’ chairs were designed by Mario Bellini in 1979. Conceptually new was the way B...
Leather
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 “CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Russian Red Leather, 1977, Set of 6
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “CAB 413” dining chair for Cassina, russian red leather, Italy, designed 1977, set of six The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed b...
Leather
Black Leather 'CAB' Chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By Mario Bellini
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Classic leather CAB chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina. Great patina to leather. Excellent vintage condition. Priced individua...
Leather
$1,300 / item
CAB 412 Chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina, Italy
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Antwerp, BE
Designed by Mario Bellini in 1977 for Cassina, the CAB chair is a masterpiece of Italian design. Each chair features a tubular steel frame enveloped in thick saddle leather, meticulo...
Leather
Pair of Mario Bellini Cab 413 Armchairs in Leather for Cassina, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in München, Bavaria
Iconic Mid-Century Italian design: A pair of Cab 413 armchairs by Mario Bellini, designed in 1977 for Cassina in cognac-colored leather. A steel frame is wrapped in thick saddle leat...
Steel
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Natural Leather, 1977, Set of 8
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, Natural leather, Italy, 1977, set of eight. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rel...
Leather
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
Set of six CAB 412 chocolate leather chairs by Mario Bellini, Cassina
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Renens, CH
Set of four CAB 412 chocolate leather dining chairs by Mario Bellini, Cassina 1980. Elegant and timeless, the CAB 412 chair designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina has become a classi...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chair for Cassina, Natural Leather, 1977
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chair for Cassina, Natural leather, Italy, 1977. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relationship betwe...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Natural Leather, 1977, Set of 2
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, Natural leather, Italy, 1977, set of two. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relat...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Natural Leather, 1977, Set of 6
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, Natural leather, Italy, 1977, set of six. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relat...
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
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 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 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 413” Chairs for Cassina, Hazelnut Leather, 1977, Set of 4
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, hazelnut 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 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” 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 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
Set of six Break 401 armchairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina, 1976
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
Set of six Break 401 armchairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina, 1976 Polyurethane foam upholstered sheetsteel frame with removable leather covers and feather filled cushion on ABS feet....
Steel
Mario Bellini “CAB 413” Dining Chair for Cassina, Ivory Leather, 1977
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “CAB 413” dining chair for Cassina, Ivory Leather, Italy, 1977 The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relationship between ...
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 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
$3,640Sale Price / set|30% Off
Mario Bellini Vol Au Vent Chair Set of Four B&B, Italy
By Mario Bellini
Located in Čelinac, BA
Set of four dining chairs in red fabric by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia. Modern design, faboulos red dining chairs.
Fabric
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 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 "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Dark Green, 1970, Set of 3
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Camaleonda” modular sofa for B&B Italia, dark green leather, 1970, set of three. “Camaleonda” is an icon, rediscovered. It was one of the truly modular sofa desig...
Leather
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
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
$3,100 / set
Leather Cab Chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. Black leather cab chairs. Tagged.
Leather
$8,500 / set
Four Break Chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By Mario Bellini
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of four leather "Break" armchairs designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina.
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 "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 "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 413” Chairs for Cassina, Mustard Leather, 1977, Set of 6
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, Mustard yellow leather, Italy, 1977, set of six. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by th...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux Leather, 1977, Set of 2
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, bordeaux leather, Italy, 1977, set of two. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rela...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Dark Green Leather, 1977, Set of 6
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, Dark Green leather, Italy, 1977, set of six. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the re...
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
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 413” Chairs for Cassina, China Red Leather, 1977, Set of 6
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “CAB 413” dining chair for Cassina, china red leather, Italy, 1977, set of six The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relat...
Leather
Set of Four CAB 412 Chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina in Black Leather, 1970s
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
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 "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 413” Dining Chairs for Cassina, Blue Leather, Set of 4
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “CAB 413” dining chair for Cassina, blue leather, designed 1977, set of four The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relatio...
Steel
Mario Bellini Tan Cab Side Dining Chair for Cassina
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This iconic design by Mario Bellini for Cassina designed 1977, Italy, features the original natural toned saddle leather which is wrapped atop a steel frame. The back of each leg fea...
Steel
Mario Bellini “CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, China Red Leather, 1977, Set of 4
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “CAB 413” dining chair for Cassina, China red leather, Italy, 1977, set of four The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rela...
Leather
Mario Bellini “CAB 413” Dining Chairs for Cassina, Blue Leather, 1977, Set of 6
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “CAB 413” dining chair for Cassina, blue leather, designed 1977, set of six The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relation...
Steel
Early edition Cab 413 armchairs in leather by Mario Bellini for Cassina Italy
By Mario Bellini
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Cab 413 Armchairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina, 1979 – Matching Early Edition Set in Rich Burgundy Leather Iconic Free-Standing Saddle Leather Armchairs with Sculptural Elegance Des...
Leather
Pair of Chestnut Colored Cab Dining Chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Den Haag, NL
Pair of cab chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina in chestnut color, Italy. Wonderful original patina and wear. Broken in like your favorite baseball ...
Steel
Mario Bellini “CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Russian Red Leather, Set of 8
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “CAB 413” dining chairs for Cassina, russian red leather, Italy, set of eight The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relati...
Leather
Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of Eight 'Cab' Dining Chairs in Red Brown Leather
By 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 chairs in luxurious reddish brown...
Leather, Plastic
Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of 6 Chairs "CAB T4" In Black Leather, Italy 1970s
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Naples, IT
Iconic set of 6 chairs Mod. Cab designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina, circa 1970s. This was the world's first chair with a self-supporting steel frame fully covered in stitched lea...
Leather