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 Le Bambole Sofa, Upholstered in Alpaca, B&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A beautiful Mario Bellini Le Bambole sofa, newly upholstered in luxury cream alpaca velvet, produced by B&B Italia, Italy in the 1970s. Marked on the underside. Fast shipping world...
Alpaca
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 worldwide.
Alpaca
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 a beautifully soft premium, taupe, pure alpaca fabric. Marked on the under...
Alpaca
"Le Stelle" Loveseat Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"Le Stelle" loveseat sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy, circa 1970s. Newly reupholstered in white Knoll boucle, the sofa features angled arm rests and Bellini's signatu...
Bouclé
Mario Bellini Bambole 2 Seat Sofa B&B Italia, Italy, 1973
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Highly cosy so called 'Bambole' 2-seater sofa designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia, Italy 1973. This sofa was designed in 1973 and turned quickly to one of B&B It...
Leather
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 a beautifully soft premium, ivory, pure alpaca fabric. Marked on the under...
Alpaca
Mario Bellini for B&B Italia 'Le Bambole' Loveseat, Italy, 1972
By Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This comfortable brown original fabric settee is bulky and playful, shaped as if it is merely a large cushion and the accompanying feeling is the same. It is designed by Mario Bellin...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
1970s Mario Bellini for Cassina Tentazione Loveseat
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Miami, FL
1970s Mario Bellini for Cassina Tentazione loveseat, in a beautiful linen upholstery from renowned textile brand, Elitis. A true classic of midcen...
Linen
1990s Mario Bellini for Cassina Cab 414 Loveseat in White Leather
By Mario Bellini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Cab 414 Loveseat, originally designed by Mario Bellini in 1977. This example was produced by Cassina in Italy and dates back to the 1990s. The design features a tubular ste...
Steel
$6,242
H 28.35 in W 70.08 in D 38.59 in
Le Bambole sofa in velvet By Mario Bellini For B&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful Le Bambole sofa in coral/pink coloured velvet designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in the 1970s. This beautiful edition is reupholstered in a high quality cotton velve...
Velvet
$6,962
H 28.35 in W 38.59 in D 70.08 in
Le Bambole sofa in buffalo leather By Mario Bellini For B&B Italia, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful Le Bambole sofa in original light brown buffalo neck leather designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in the 1970s. This beautiful edition comes in its original light ...
Leather
$16,900 / set
H 29.53 in W 63 in D 33.47 in
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Sofa for B&B Italia, 1971, Set of 2
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” sofa for B&B Italia, Mongolian faux-fur, Italy, 1971, set of two. This is a timeless Postmodern design icon. The starting point was a shopping bag contain...
Faux Fur, Foam
$27,611 / set
H 28.35 in W 33.08 in D 34.26 in
"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
$15,006
H 27.96 in W 70.87 in D 39.38 in
Two-seater Sofa 'Bambole' in Upholstered Leather by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Hellouw, NL
A key figure in postwar Italian design, Mario Bellini created the Bambole series for B&B Italia to challenge traditional ideas of structure and comfort. The Bibambola, a two-seater f...
Leather
$29,000 / set
H 33.47 in W 27.96 in D 32.29 in
1970s Mario Bellini 5-Piece Bambole Sofa Set for B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Discover the timeless Organic Modern elegance of the original 1970s Le Bambole Italian sofa set with beige woven wool upholstery in superb condition. A Mid-Century Modern Italian masterpiece by the renowned Italian designer Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia. It was an instant success on launch in 1971. Today, it commands an extreme desirability as it's timeless playful aesthetic fits so well with both period and contemporary interiors. This vintage collection combines luxurious comfort, captivating aesthetics, and a rich history. Crafted with utmost precision, the set consists of three armchairs, one corner armchair, and one ottoman...
Wool, Upholstery
$11,550
H 28.75 in W 68.12 in D 34.65 in
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Sofa for B&B Italia, Dark Brown Suede, 1971
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” sofa for B&B Italia, dark brown suede, Italy, 1971. This is a timeless Postmodern design icon. The starting point was a shopping bag containing formle...
Foam, Suede
Le Stelle armchair by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1974.
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Athens, Attiki
Le Stelle armchair by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1974. Awards:Moma, Design Study Collection,New York. Elastic membranes, polyure...
Fabric
$2,641
H 29.53 in W 64.97 in D 29.53 in
Radical Italian Sofa Le Stelle by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Conversano, IT
Designed by Mario Bellini and produced by B&B Italia in the late 1970s, Le Stelle is one of the most emblematic creations of Italian design from that decade, an expression of the formal and technological research that defined the celebrated partnership between Bellini and the Novedrate-based company. The sofa stands out for its fluid and enveloping silhouette, built on a supporting structure in iron and steel that holds a cold-moulded polyurethane foam and Dacron® fibre padding—cutting-edge materials developed by B&B Italia in collaboration with its internal research centre during the golden age of Italian industrial design. Its profile, both soft and architectural, opens in a visual embrace: the inclined armrests unfold outward like wings, while the curved backrest and generous cushions define a deep, informal comfort. The name Le Stelle evokes a cosmic dimension, typical of Bellini’s poetic and experimental language, who at the time conceived the sofa as a microcosm of form, function and material. The upholstery is the original period fabric, an elasticised textile with diagonal stripes in shades of pink and salmon—a rare and refined chromatic combination that has preserved its authenticity. The original B&B Italia label, still present beneath the seat, certifies its provenance and the patented materials (Lycra®, Polysoft®, Dacron®), offering direct testimony to the company’s technological philosophy. Beyond its aesthetic value, Le Stelle represents a historical document of Italian radical design, where comfort and experimentation coexist in perfect balance. This example, preserved in its original integrity, is a true collector’s piece for enthusiasts and connoisseurs of 20th-century design, as well as a sculptural and poetic presence in any contemporary interior. It shows minimal signs of age, such as a few lateral marks, documented in the photographs and removable with a specific treatment, but is generally in excellent vintage condition. Product Name: Le Stelle Sofa...
Iron
"Le Bambole" Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in bruxelles, BE
Brown leather sofa, model: Le Bambole by Mario Bellini. Seat height: 41 cm. Stamped B&B Italia on the underside. Wear due to time and age of the sofa. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR ...
Leather
$10,564
H 31.5 in W 66.93 in D 33.47 in
Le Bambole Leather Sofa Design Mario Bellini 1978 for B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
cognac leather Le Bambole-seater Sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in 1978. Price per sofa, ONLY ONE SOFA STILL AVAILABLE! The Bambole series today is a true icon ...
Leather, Foam
1970s Mario Bellini for Cassina Tentazione Loveseat
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Miami, FL
1970s Mario Bellini for Cassina Tentazione loveseat, in a beautiful linen upholstery from renowned textile brand, Elitis. A true classic of midcen...
Linen
Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' Settee
By Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' is in great condition and ready to bring comfort to your space.
Leather
Mario Bellini Le Stelle Loveseat
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Toronto, CA
"Le Stelle" loveseat sofa by Mario Bellini, designed in 1974 for B&B Italia. An early Postmodern design by Mario Bellini that would work in a host of environments - especially given ...
Metal
'Le Bambole' Loveseat by Mario Bellini
By Mario Bellini
Located in Long Island City, NY
'Le Bambole' Loveseat by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, newly reupholstered in Woolen Velvet.
Wool, Velvet
Mario Bellini ‘Le Bambole’ Blue-Grey Suede Loveseat for B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mario Bellini for B&B Italia 'le Bambole' blue-grey suede loveseat. Iconic and distinctive soft form sofa with curved silhouette. In original condition with visible signs of wear inc...
Suede
Sold
H 28 in W 65.5 in D 34.5 in
Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' Dark Brown Leather Loveseat for B&B Italia, 1972
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic 'Le Bambole' dark brown leather loveseat designed by legendary Italian designer Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1972 and awarded with the Compasso d'Oro in 1979. An absolute ico...
Leather
Sold
H 28 in W 65.5 in D 34.5 in
Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' Dark Brown Leather Loveseat for B&B Italia, 1972
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Le Bambole' brown leather loveseat designed by legendary Italian designer Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1972 and awarded with the Compasso d'Oro in 1979. An absolute icon of timeles...
Leather
"Le Stelle" Loveseat by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Skokie, IL
"Le Stelle" Loveseat by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia This is a beautiful example of a "Le Stelle" loveseat sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia. "Le Stelle" was originally designed ...
Wool
1972 Mario Bellini Leather 'Le Bambole' Sofa for B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dark brown leather soft form sofa 'Le Bambole' designed by legendary Italian designer Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1972 and awarded with the Compasso d'Oro in 1979. An absolute icon...
Leather
Sold
H 28 in W 65 in D 33 in
Le Bambole Sofa in Original Checkered Velvet by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini
Located in Chicago, IL
Le Bambole sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in 1972. This iconic sofa retains its original checkered velvet upholstery. Stamped ‘B&B Italia’ under base. Sourced in Italy...
Upholstery
Mario Bellini for Cassina Tentazione Loveseat, Made in Italy, 1970s
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in West Hartford, CT
Vintage Tentazione loveseat's sculptural curves offer refined elegance and luxurious comfort. Designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by Cassina...
Textile, Velvet, Wood
Sold
H 28.35 in W 66.93 in D 37.41 in
Two-Seater Sofa 'Le Bambole' in Leather by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1972
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Hellouw, NL
The 'Bambole' line is a famous mid-century design classic designed by the legendary Italian designer Mario Bellini. It was awarded the Compasso d'Oro in 1979. This specific two-seate...
Leather
Vintage Le Bambole Sofa Designed by Mario Bellini, B&B Italia, 1978
By Mario Bellini
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Vintage Le Bambole sofa Designed by Mario Bellini. Produced by B&B Italia, C. 1978. The body of the vintage Le Bambole is more sculptural than...
Fabric