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 "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 “Le Bambole” Easy Chairs for B&B Italia, Black, 1971, Set of 2
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” easy chairs for B&B Italia, black leather, Italy, 1971, set of two. The search for a new shape for upholstered furniture: all parts are shaped like a larg...
Leather, Foam
Le Mura - Sofa in fabric by Mario Bellini for Tacchini W 288 cm (113.3 in)
By Tacchini, Mario Bellini
Located in Alcamo, IT
Le Mura is more than a sofa: it is a true modular system, a manifesto of radical design from the 1970s. With its bold aesthetic and versatile structure, Le Mura allows infinite compo...
Fabric
Le Mura Modular Sofa in fabric by Mario Bellini - Tacchini W 384 cm (151.18 in)
By Tacchini, Mario Bellini
Located in Alcamo, IT
Le Mura is more than a sofa-it is a true modular system and a manifesto of radical 1970s design. Its bold aesthetic and versatile structure allow it to adapt seamlessly to any space,...
Fabric
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Living Room Set for B&B Italia, 1971, Set of 3
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" living room set for B&B Italia, sofa and two armchairs, faux-fur, foam and metal, Italy, 1971, set of three. The search for a new shape for upholstered fu...
Faux Fur, Foam
Modular Sofa "Camaleonda", Design Mario Bellini for B&B, Italy, 1970
By Mario Bellini
Located in Napoli, IT
Modular sofa "Camaleonda", covered with original striped velvet fabric, design Mario Bellini for B&B, Italy 1970. The modular elements with which the sofa was made can be used freel...
Velvet, Wood
$5,238 / item
C&B Gold Camaleonda Modules
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in London, England
Listed price is per module. Three units are available and can be purchased separately. This is a vintage item in its original fabric, showing signs of use, including smoke staining ...
Steel
Mario Bellini for B&B Italia "Camaleonda" White Bouclé Fabric Modular Sofa
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Madrid, ES
Camaleonda modular sofa designed by Mario Bellini (1935-) for B&B Italia in 1972. Composed of large modular seats with backrest, 3 small modular seats with backrest and 1 shoe re...
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Wood
1980s Mario Bellini for Cassina Black Leather Software Tilbury Sofa
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a circa 1980s production Tilbury three seat sofa (part of the Software collection), designed by Mario Bellini and produced by Cassina in Italy. This example is one of a few s...
Leather, Fabric, Plastic, Foam
Camaleonda by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Wien, AT
The Camaleonda sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, designed in 1970, is a seminal work of radical Italian design, defined by its fully modular system and soft, sculptural artic...
Velvet, Foam
Le Bambole sofa and lounge chair By Mario Bellini For B&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful Le Bambole sofa and lounge chair in original beige jute and linnen upholstery, designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in the 1970s. This stunning pair brings warmth and ...
Jute, Linen
An Italian "Amanta" 4-Piece Modular Sofa By Mario Bellini For B&B Italia c.1980
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A rare four-piece “Amanta” modular seating system designed by Mario Bellini in 1966 and produced by C&B Italia (later B&B Italia), dating from the 1980s. Each module features...
Fabric
Mario Bellini "Tentazione" Leather Sofa or Loveseat for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in The Hague, NL
This lounge two-seat sofa or loveseat designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina manufacture in 1970s period, Italy. Model No: 685, Creme color leather original upholstery, steel frame ...
Steel
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” Sofa for B&B Italia, Camel Velvet, 1971, Set of 6
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” modular sofa for B&B Italia, camel velvet, Italy, 1971, set of six (two corners + four easy chairs). The search for a new shape for upholstered furnitur...
Velvet, Foam
Mario Bellini “Le Mura” Modular Sofa for Cassina, Brown Velvet, 1972, Set of 3
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Le Mura” modular sofa for Cassina, dark brown velvet, Italy, 1972, set of 3. Mario Bellini designed the “Le Mura” modular sofa for Cassina in 1972, creating an iconic...
Leather
Mario Bellini, Tentazione Sofa, Fabric, Italy, 1973
By Mario Bellini
Located in High Point, NC
A fabric "Tentazione" sofa or loveseat designed by Mario Bellini in 1973 and produced by Cassina, c. 1970s. Dimensions: 29.5” H x 60” W x 33” D Seat Height (inches): 16.75" All it...
Fabric
set of 3 Mario Bellini, Le Bambole Armchair, B&B Italia, 1970s, brown leather
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Introducing the Le Bambole sofa by renowned designer Mario Bellini, upholstered in luxurious bouclé fabric, an exquisite addition to elevate any interior space. With its sleek lines ...
Bouclé
Le Bambole Leather pouf foot rest Design Mario Bellini 1978 for B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
Le Bambole leather pouf or foot rest, designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia. Price for the foot rest only ! The Le Bambole Sofas are available i...
Leather, Foam
Mario Bellini, Duc-Duc two-seater sofa
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Baranzate, IT
Duc-Duc model sofa 405 12. Fabric upholstery. Cassina production, Meda 1976. Bibliography: Giuliana Gramigna, Repertory 1950/1980 p. 425
Fabric
Divano Le tentazioni di Mario Bellini per Cassina
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Ghedi, IT
Divano “Le Tentazioni” a due posti, modello 685, disegnato da Mario Bellini per Cassina nel 1973, capolavoro del design italiano che incarna la rivoluzione organica degli anni ’70: u...
Fabric
Le Bambole Two Seat Sofa (LBA2) by Mario Bellini
By Mario Bellini
Located in New York, NY
Rare and iconic Bambole sofa, designed in 1973, featuring bold, sculptural lines and unmistakable Italian flair. Upholstered in its original cotton twill fabric, this piece captures ...
Canvas
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Taupe Alpaca, 1970, 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, set of 2 "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. First designed in 1970 by Mario Bellini...
Velvet, Plastic
Space Age Vintage Modular Sofa Le Bambole Purple Lavender Mario Bellini 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage authentic modular sofa Le Bambole by Mario Bellini in purple and lavender striped colors from textile fabric 1970s, Italy. A great design icon modular sofa elements Le Bambole by Mario Bellini designed 1972 for B & B Italia consists of two ( 2 ) corner elements and one ( 1 ) seater. Two modular elements show labels, all elements show underneath original jute fabric stamped with company´s name. Beautiful original striped textile fabric in purple and lavender colors. These modular sofa elements gives a lot of options for installing a space and could perfectly create a thrilling contrast with contemporary environments. The condition is fair, it shows signs of age and use like stains, abrasions, fading, damages at the fabric and worn corners. Perfect for design connoisseurs, who love and appreciate preloved authentic design icons. Images are part of the description approx. measures: 2 corner elements: width 90 cm, depth 87 cm, height 71 cm, seat height 44 cm 1 one seater: width 79 cm, depth 87 cm, height 71 cm, seat height 44 cm Mario Bellini ( 1935 ) Italian architect and designer Mario Bellini designed many important furniture designs throughout its organic and complex shapes as Le Bambole Sofa, Amante or CAB Chair. This sofa design Le Bambole features cuddly and organic spirit and helps B & B Italia to earn many awards. Also the provocative advertising campaign with the female model Donna Jordan...
Textile, Upholstery
Italian Mid-Century Leather Sofa in China-Red by Mario Bellini for Cassina 1970s
By Mario Bellini
Located in Salzburg, AT
Designer: Mario Bellini Manufacturer: Cassina Design period: 1970 to 1979 Production period: 1980 to 1989 Country of Manufacture: Made in Italy Marking present: This piece has a mark...
Leather, Wood
"Le Bambole" Modular Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
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...
Fabric
Le Mura - Sofa in fabric by Mario Bellini for Tacchini W 256cm (100.78 in)
By Mario Bellini, Tacchini
Located in Alcamo, IT
Le Mura is more than a sofa: it is a true modular system, a manifesto of radical design from the 1970s. With its bold aesthetic and versatile structure, Le Mura allows infinite compo...
Fabric
Le Mura - Sofa in luxury fabric by Mario Bellini for Tacchini W 288 cm(113.3 in)
By Mario Bellini, Tacchini
Located in Alcamo, IT
Le Mura is more than a sofa: it is a true modular system, a manifesto of radical design from the 1970s. With its bold aesthetic and versatile structure, Le Mura allows infinite compo...
Fabric
Mid-Century Modern Sofa Model Le Bambole by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Sofa Model Le Bambole by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia,1970s - New Upholstery
Fabric
$10,298Sale Price / set|30% Off
Nine Amanta Armchairs by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, Italy 1973
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Roma, IT
Nine Amanta Armchairs by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, Italy 1973. Manufacturer label under the base. Plastic and padded leather. Very rare set manufactured by C&B, then replaced ...
Metal
Cassina Cab 415 Neck Saddle Leather Sofa China Red / Ox Red
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This Cab 415 sofa was designed by Mario Bellini for Italian manufacturer Cassina. It´s the thick padding cushions with comfortable seat. Neckleather was used...
Steel
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Pouf for B&B Italia, 1971
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” pouf for B&B Italia, lapin fur, Italy, 1971. This timeless Postmodern design icon came into being between 1970 and 1972. The...
Fur, Foam