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 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
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 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 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 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
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 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
Cab 412 leather dining chair by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in New York, NY
Mario Bellini for Cassina 'Cab' dining chair, model '412', leather, Italy, designed in 1976. Upholstered in original red brown leather.
Leather
Mario Bellini Vintage Four Cream Dining Chair Armchair Tentazione Cassina 1970s
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern vintage four ( 4 ) dining room chairs or armchairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina 1970s Italy. An amazing set of four dining room chairs or armchairs model Tentazione designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina 1970s. These very comfortable and lush upholstered armchairs or dining chairs show original cover in cream textile fabric, which is detachable. One chair shows the paper label with company´s name Cassina. Good stable and sturdy condition with signs of age and use. The original light cream textile covers show fading and some stains. approx. measures: Width 73 cm Depth 65 cm Height 86 cm Seat height 53 cm lowest armrest height 70 cm Mario Bellini ( 1935 ) Italian architect and designer He was chief designer by Olivetti, since 1973 he opened his own design office. 1986 - 1991 chief editor by the magazine Domus and professor at the Domus Academy in Milano. Mario Bellini creates so many beautiful and iconic furniture and industrial design as the famed designs Camaleonda sofa, Tentazione chairs...
Canvas, Upholstery
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
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 "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
Set of 2 Mario Bellini CAB 413 Chairs in Black Leather for Cassina
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Set of 2 Mario Bellini 414 CAB armchairs. Made by Cassina in Italy in the 1980s. Flexible steel frame covered with a skin of high quality black saddle le...
Leather
Mario Bellini Cassina Cab 412 + Cab 413 - 12 Black Leather Dining Chairs, 1980
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Vienna, AT
Wonderful set of 12 dining chairs by Mario Bellini 1980's; 2x cab 413 and 10x cab 412 by Cassina. We have a total of 4x cab 413 and 12x cab 412 at the moment, please inquire if you ...
Steel
Pair Mario Bellini CAB 412 Chairs in Cognac Saddle Leather for Cassina, Italy
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Pair of Mario Bellini CAB 412 chairs, made by Cassina in the 1980s/1990s. Flexible steel frame covered with a skin of high quality vegetable tanned cognac saddle leather. This elegan...
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
Bellini CAB 413 Armchair in Watermarked Black Saddle Leather for Cassina, Italy
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Original Mario Bellini CAB 413 armchair in black leather with purely cosmetic watermark damage. Visible as a vein across the seat bench and across the back panel. Photographed with a...
Leather
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
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
$3,005 / set
Set of 2 Ki Wood Chairs by Mario Bellini
By Mario Bellini, Horm
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, China Red Leather, 1977
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “CAB 413” dining chair for Cassina, China red leather, Italy, 1977 The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relationship betw...
Leather
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” 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, 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, 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, Natural Leather, 1977, Set of 14
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, Natural leather, Italy, 1977, set of fourteen. 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 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 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 413” Chair for Cassina, Hazelnut Leather, 1977
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
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 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, 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” 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, 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 Model 412 "CAB" Dining Chair for Cassina, Black Leather, 1977
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Model 412 "CAB" dining chair designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina and produced in Italy in 1977. Introduced in 1977, the CAB collection was the first chair in the world to feature ...
Leather
Mario Bellini 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 fe...
Steel
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Dark Green, 1970, Set of 2
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 two. “Camaleonda” is an icon, rediscovered. It was one of the truly modular sofa design...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Hazelnut Leather, 1977, Set of 6
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, hazelnut leather, Italy, 1977, set of six. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rela...
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 for Cassina Set of Ten ‘Lira e Liuto’ Dining Chairs in Leather
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of ten ‘Lira e Liuto’ dining chairs, black leather, Italy, 1989 This postmodern set of ‘Lira e Liuto’ dining chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina is ex...
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
Set of Six Black Leather Cab 412 Dining Chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in London, London
A set of six ‘Cab’ 412 dining chairs designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina, first introduced in 1977. The design is notable for its innovative construction, in which a saddle-stitche...
Leather
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 “CAB” 414 Chair for Cassina, Black Leather, 1977
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “CAB” 414 Dining Chairs for Cassina, black leather, Italy, 1977 The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair,...
Leather
Mario Bellini “CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Russian Red Leather, 1977, Set of 2
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “CAB 413” dining chair for Cassina, russian red leather, Italy, designed 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, Black Leather, 1977, Set of 8
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, black leather, Italy, 1977, set of eight. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relat...
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, 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” 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 413” Chairs for Cassina, Natural Leather, 1977, Set of 4
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, Natural 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 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 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
$3,640Sale 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 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 "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 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 413” Chairs for Cassina, Hazelnut Leather, 1977, Set of 12
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, hazelnut leather, Italy, 1977, set of twelve. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the r...
Metal
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" Chairs for Cassina, China Red Leather, 1978, Set of 18
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, china red leather, Italy, 1978, set of eighteen. One of the most iconic Bellini's creations, "CAB" is the world’s first free-stand...
Leather
Mario Bellini “CAB 413” Chair for Cassina, Russian Red Leather, 1977
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “CAB 413” dining chair for Cassina, russian red leather, Italy, designed 1977 The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relati...
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