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.
Le Bambole modular sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&b Italia 1972
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 bouclè fabric, Le Bambole is an iconic piec...
Fabric
$49,800Sale Price / set|26% Off
Early 'Camaleonda' Sectional by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, c 1971, Signed
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This monumentally sized modular 'Camaleonda' sectional living room set (fourteen pieces in total) by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, each section signed with labels as can be seen in the photos. Included in the set are eight (8) full-sized seat sections, each is quite large and spacious which adds to the incredible comfort. And six (6) full-sized seat backs leaving two of the seat sections to be used as ottomans or free-floating seat elements to open the sectional to either side. This set has been previously professionally reupholstered with only light use and in very good condition. Designed by Mario Bellini in 1970 for C&B Italia, later produced after 1973 by B&B Italia after Piero Busnelli bought out Cassina and changed the name to B&B. This set consists of six sections labelled with C&B labels and two sections with B&B labels, meaning that most of this set was produced between 1970 and 1973 - the original production years of the Camaleonda, and making this set ideal for collectors and investors of art and design. *We have a large quantity of other Camaleonda elements (C&B Italia and B&B Italia examples, both in mohair fabric and in leather including some sets ready for reupholstery to a new fabric or leather of your choice) if you are looking for a larger set, contact us to discuss. MEASUREMENTS: *This is a modular set with fourteen (14) total pieces and can be configured in many ways as each seating section can be placed wherever you desire and the seat backs can be fixed to the seating elements where you want. You can configure as one large sectional sofa, three-seat couch with loveseats...
Fabric
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, Blue Velvet, 1970, Set of 2
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 2 "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. First designed in 1970 by Mario Bellini, it was...
Plastic, Velvet
Newly Pierre Frey Upholstered Amanta Lounges by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Set of 2 iconic vintage Mid Century Modern Amanta lounges by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia. Newly upholstered in spectacular Pierre Frey fabric: CHROMA F4019017 - Pêche. Very sturdy a...
Fabric, Fiberglass
Mario Bellini "Pianura" Three-seater Sofa for Cassina, 1971
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Pianura" three-seater modular sofa for Cassina, argilla velvet and wood, Italy, 1971. The “Pianura” living room set is a great expression of the minimalism and elegan...
Wood, Fabric
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
Le Bambole modular sofa 3 seats by Mario Bellini for B&b Italia 1972
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
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
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
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 "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Wool Bouclé, 1970, Set of 3
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, ivory wool bouclé, Italy, 1970, three elements. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. It was one of the truly modular sofa ...
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
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Taupe Alpaca, 1970, 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, set of 3 "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. First designed in 1970 by Mario Bellini, it w...
Velvet, 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 for Cassina Modular Sofa Pianura in White Fabric
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Madrid, ES
Two-seater modular sofa, model Pianura. Designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by Cassina in the 1970s. The sofa's structure and armrests are made of lacquered wood and it has be...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
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
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Black Leather, 1970, Set of 8
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, black leather, Italy, 1970, eight elements. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. First designed in 1970 by Mario Belli...
Leather, Plastic
$24,869Sale Price / set|20% Off
''Le Bambole'' sofa by Mario Bellini for C&B/B&B Italia, 1970s, set of 5
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Quarrata, IT
Modular sofa model ''Le Bambole'' by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, B&B Italia, 1970s. Composed of 5 elements of which two corner elements can form different compositions.
Leather, Rubber
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
$17,336 / set
Mario Bellini Pianura Seating Group Cassina 1971
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Complete Pianura seating group, designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina in 1971. The set consists of five seating elements and four matching coffee/side tables, forming a cohesive and...
Fabric, Walnut
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
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
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 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 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
$17,336 / set
Camaleonda B&B Sofa in Blue Velvet by Mario Bellini
By Mario Bellini
Located in Cerignola, IT
Gorgeous Camaleonda sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B in blue velvet. The sofa consists of 5 modules with backrest.The upholstery is blue velvet. Each module attaches to the other via me...
Velvet
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Wool Bouclé, 1970, Set of 2
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, ivory wool bouclé, Italy, 1970, two elements. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. It was one of the truly modular sofa de...
Bouclé, Plastic
Mario Bellini Brown Velvet Pianura Armchair for Cassina, 1970, Set of 2
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of 2 Pianura lounge chair, designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by the Italian brand Cassina in 1970. It features a brown velvet upholstery and a solid walnut structure. ...
Velvet, Foam, Walnut
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
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Black Leather 1970, Set of 2
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, black leather, Italy, 1970, set of 2 "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. First designed in 1970 by Mario Bellini, it w...
Leather, Plastic
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
Camaleonda brown modular sofa by Mario Bellini, B&B Italy, 1970 set pf 4
By Mario Bellini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Brown chameleon, set of 4, design by Mario Bellini, produced by B&B, Italy, 1970, internal structure in wood, padding in polyurethane foam, new upholstery in brown velvet, three modu...
Velvet
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
Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Brussels, BE
The Original Camaleonda modular sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia is a renowned piece of furniture from the 1970s. It comprises three large and two smaller seating elements with ...
Fabric, Velvet
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
Mario Bellini Midcentury Brown Velvet Pianura Living Room Set for Cassina, 1970
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 and two lounge chairs. It featur...
Velvet, Foam, Walnut
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 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
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
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