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.
$17,440Sale Price|20% Off
Blue Velvet Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Bellini
Located in Antwerp, BE
Camaleonda modular sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, a timeless piece of furniture that emerged in the design scene during the 1970s. Comprising two large seating elements equipp...
Velvet
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Easy Chair for B&B Italia, Blue Velvet, 1970
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" easy chair for B&B Italia, blue velvet, Italy, 1970, set of 2 "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. First designed in 1970 by Mario Bellini, it was o...
Velvet, Plastic
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Blue Velvet, 1970, Set of 3
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, blue velvet, Italy, 1970, set of three. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. First designed in 1970 by Mario Bellini, ...
Velvet, Plastic
Mario Bellini Azure Linen Velvet Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, 1972, Set of 6
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Camaleonda sofa, designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in 1972. The set features six modules with backrest. High quality Italian azure linen velvet upholstery. ...
Linen, Velvet, Foam
Ornate Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Antwerp, BE
Camaleonda modular sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, a timeless piece of furniture that emerged in the design scene during the 1970s. Comprising three large and three smaller...
Fabric
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Ivory Bouclé, 1970, Set of 6
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, ivory bouclé, Italy, 1970, set of six. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. It was one of the truly modular sofa design...
Bouclé, Plastic
Camaleonda sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970
By Mario Bellini
Located in Misinto, IT
Camaleonda, designed by Mario Bellini in 1970, is the sofa that defined the interior design aesthetic of an entire era, becoming an icon of Italian design. Camaleonda achieved succe...
Chenille, Rubber
$31,960Sale Price / set|26% Off
Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Antwerp, BE
Camaleonda modular sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, a timeless piece of furniture that emerged in the design scene during the 1970s. Comprising four large and two smaller seatin...
Velvet
Customizable Tacchini Le Mura Modular Sofa by Mario Bellini
By Mario Bellini, Tacchini
Located in New York, NY
price listed for starting fabric 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 ...
Textile
Mario Bellini Amanta B&B Italia Modular Sofa Four Seats in Fabric Italy 1970
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Almelo, NL
Mario Bellini Amanta B&B Italia Modular Sofa/ Five Seats, Italy 1970s Looking for a grand and comfortable sofa that can accommodate your entire family? Look no further than the "Ama...
Fabric, Fiberglass
Le Bambole Modular Sofa in cotton by Bellini, Mid-Century Modern, Italy 1975
By Mario Bellini
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Le Bambole 3 seats sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&b Italia , the Bambole series won the Compasso d'Oro award in 1979, reupholster in cotton fabric, Le Bambole is an iconic ...
Fabric
Tacchini Le Mura sectional in chenille fabric sofa designed by Mario Bellini
By Tacchini, Mario Bellini
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
in 1972 famous architect Mario Bellini designed the Le Mura sectional sofa for Cassina. after 50 years, in 2022 , famous Italian manufacturer launched this re-edition, celebrating on...
Fabric, Foam, Plywood
Mario Bellini Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, Sky Blue Velvet, 1972, Set of 2
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of two 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 Sectional Sofa Model 'Amanta' by B&B Italia, Italy 1970s
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Wien, AT
Iconic set of 5 Amanta lounge chairs by Mario Bellini manufactured by C&B Italia. A fascinating Italian design piece celebrating innovative modularity and 1970s style. Each chair...
Fabric
Le Bambole modular sofa in cotton by Mario Bellini for B&B Italy 1972
By Mario Bellini
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Le Bambole 3 seater modular sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&b Italia,70s Polyurethane padding, reupholstered in cotton fabric, excellent condition. The Bambole series won the C...
Fabric
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Taupe Alpaca, 1970, Set of 4
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, taupe alpaca wool, Italy, 1970, set of four "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. First designed in 1970 by Mario Bellin...
Velvet, Plastic
Mario Bellini Amanta B&B Italia Modular Sofa Four Seats in Fabric Italy 1970
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Almelo, NL
Mario Bellini Amanta B&B Italia Modular Sofa/ Four Seats, Italy 1970s Looking for a grand and comfortable sofa that can accommodate your entire family? Look no further than the "A...
Fabric, Fiberglass
Mario Bellini Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, Sky Blue Velvet, 1972, Set of 3
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of three 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 th...
Velvet, Foam
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 mos...
Velvet, Foam
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Taupe Alpaca, 1970's, Set of 2
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, taupe alpaca velvet, Italy, 1970's, set of 2 "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. First designed in 1970 by Mario Bellini, ...
Velvet, Plastic
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Black Leather, 1970, Set of 6
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, black leather, Italy, 1970, set of 6. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. First designed in 1970 by Mario Bellini, it...
Leather, Plastic
Vintage Iconic ‘Camaleonda’ Seating Set by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, 1970s
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Zagreb, HR
Iconic six-piece seating set designed by Mario Bellini and produced by C&B Italia (B&B Italia), comprising of three first-edition Camaleonda modules and three ‘Gli Scacchi’ side tabl...
Metal
Mario Bellini Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, Green Linen Velvet, Set of 2
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Camaleonda modular sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in 1970 and produced circa 1972. This set is composed of one large module (90 x 90 cm / 35.4 x 35.4 in) complete...
Chrome
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Butter Alpaca, 1970's, Set of 2
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, butter alpaca wool, Italy, 1970's, set of 2 "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. First designed in 1970 by Mario Bellini, i...
Velvet, Plastic
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Blue Velvet, 1970, Set of 4
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, blue velvet, Italy, 1970, four elements. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. First designed in 1970 by Mario Bellini,...
Leather, Plastic
Mid-Century "Amanta" 24 Leather Modular Sofa by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in North Hollywood, CA
An iconic expression of Italian modern design, this original mid-century Amanta 24 modular seating system was designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia in the early 1970s. Widely rega...
Leather, Fiberglass
Mario Bellini Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, Sky Blue Velvet, 1972, Set of 2
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Mario Bellini’s Camaleonda sofa for B&B Italia is one of the most influential works of Italian design from the 1970s. This original vintage example consists of two modular elemen...
Velvet, Foam
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Blue Velvet, 1970, Set of 9
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, blue velvet, Italy, 1970, nine elements. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. First designed in 1970 by Mario Bellini,...
Leather, Plastic
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Two-tone Alpaca, 1970, Set of 6
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, two-tone alpaca wool, Italy, 1970, set of six "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. First designed in 1970 by Mario Bellini,...
Velvet, Plastic
Mario Bellini “Camaleonda” Modular Sofa in Red Corduroy - Early B&B Italia ed.
By Mario Bellini
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Mario Bellini “Camaleonda” Modular Sofa in Red Corduroy – Early B&B Italia Edition (1973) A rare and historically significant early B&B Italia production of the iconic “Camaleonda”...
Velvet
$32,655 / item
Customizable Tacchini Le Mura by Mario Bellini
By Mario Bellini, Tacchini
Located in New York, NY
price listed for starting fabric The project Le Mura by Mario Bellini represents the manifesto of a radical design that went through all the Italian 70s: desi...
Textile
Mario Bellini Red Cotton Camaleonda Modular Sofa for B&B Italia, 1972, Set of 5
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Vicenza, IT
“Camaleonda” sofa, in red cotton upholstery, designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in 1972. Fully restored and reupholstered in Italy. The sofa is very comfo...
Velvet, Foam, Cotton
Mario Bellini White Velvet Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, 1972, Set Of 2
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Vicenza, IT
“Camaleonda” sofa, in white velvet upholstery, designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in 1972. Fully restored and reupholstered in Italy. The sofa is very comfort...
Velvet, Foam, Chenille
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Taupe Alpaca, 1970's, Set of 3
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, taupe alpaca wool, Italy, 1970's, set of 3 "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. First designed in 1970 by Mario Bellini, it...
Velvet, Plastic
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Ivory Bouclè, 1970, Set of 3
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, ivory bouclé, Italy, 1970, set of three. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. It was one of the truly modular sofa des...
Bouclé, Plastic
5 Section 'Camaleonda' Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in Caramel Leather
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
5 Section 'Camaleonda' sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in original caramel leather. Originally designed in 1970 and commercially released in 1972, Bellini combined two terms tha...
Leather
Camaleonda Sofa Set in Boucle Wool with Armrests by Mario Bellini, 1970's
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Antwerp, BE
Camaleonda, Mario Bellini, vintage; modular camaleonda, newly reupholstered in bouclé wool; white; Postmodern; Lounge chair; Sofa; Seating element; Italian design classics; Postmod...
Wool, Foam
Mario Bellini Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, Sky Blue Velvet, 1972, Set of 4
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of four 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
Camaleonda Three-Seater in Boucle Wool with 2 Armrests by Mario Bellini, 1970's
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Antwerp, BE
Camaleonda, Mario Bellini, vintage; modular camaleonda, newly reupholstered in bouclé wool; white; Postmodern; Lounge chair; Sofa; Seating element; Italian design classics; Postm...
Wool, Foam
Mario Bellini Green Linen Camaleonda Modular Sofa for B&B Italia, 1972, Set of 2
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Vicenza, IT
Camaleonda sofa, designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in 1972. The set features two modules with backrest, and one armrest. Green Italian linen velvet uphol...
Cotton, Velvet, Foam, Linen
4 Piece Gray Velvet Corduroy 'Camaleonda' Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
4 Piece 'Camaleonda' sofa in gray velvet fabric Designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970. The modular sofa comes with three 36” wide seats and one 25” smaller seat. All seats c...
Metal
Mario Bellini Amanta B&B Italia Modular Sofa Five seats in original blue velvet
By Mario Bellini
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful Amanta 5 seater modular sofa by Mario Bellini. Original blue velvet fabric, well preserved. If you are looking for a great modular sofa this is a real gem; elegant and a mo...
Velvet
Camaleonda Sectional Sofa by Mario Bellini, Bouclé Wool, Italy, 1972
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Antwerp, BE
Mario Bellini, 'Cameleonda' sectional sofa in bouclé wool, Italy, 1972. Re-upholstered Camaleonda piece by Mario Bellini. The listing includes two seating cushions, two back cush...
Wool, Foam
Mario Bellini Camaleonda Lounge Chair for B&B Italia, Sky Blue Velvet, 1972
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Camaleonda modular lounge chair designed by Mario Bellini in 1970 and produced in 1972. This piece consists of one module (90 x 60 cm / 35.4 x 23.6 in) complete with backrest. Origi...
Velvet, Foam
Mario Bellini Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, Green Linen Velvet, 1972, Set of 2
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Camaleonda modular sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in 1970 and produced in 1972. This set is composed of one large module (90 x 90 cm / 35.4 x 35.4 in), one smalle...
Chrome
Mario Bellini Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, Green Linen Velvet, 1972, Set of 2
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Vicenza, IT
Camaleonda modular sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in 1970 and produced in 1972. This set is composed of one large module (90 x 90 cm / 35.4 x 35.4 in), one smalle...
Chrome
$52,967 / set
Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B, 13 modules
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Torino, IT
Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini for C&B / B&B An extremely rare and enormous modular sofa from the Camaleonda series. Consisting of 13 modules that can be arranged as desired, thi...
Fabric
Mario Bellini Green Linen Velvet Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, 1972, Set of 2
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Camaleonda sofa, designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in 1972. The set features two big modules with two backrests and one armrest. Green linen velvet upholster...
Cotton, Velvet, Foam
Camaleonda Lounge Chair in Boucle Wool by Mario Bellini
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Antwerp, BE
Mario Bellini, 'Cameleonda' lounge chair in bouclé wool, Italy 1972. Re-upholstered Camaleonda piece by Mario Bellini. We can supply several pieces. This design became famous al...
Wool, Foam
Mario Bellini Brown Velvet Pianura Modular Sofa for Cassina, 1970, Set of 3
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Vicenza, IT
Pianura sectional sofa, designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by the Italian brand Cassina in 1970. The set is composed of a three seater sofa. It features a brown velvet upho...
Velvet, Foam, Walnut
Camaleonda Lounge Chair in Boucle Wool by Mario Bellini, Sectional Sofa, 1970's
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Antwerp, BE
Camaleonda, Mario Bellini, vintage; modular camaleonda, newly reupholstered in bouclé wool; white; Postmodern; Lounge chair; Sofa; Seating element; Italian design classics; Postm...
Wool, Foam