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.
1960s Mario Bellini Design First Edit Scacchi Two "Horse" C&B Italy
By Mario Bellini
Located in Biella, IT
Mario Bellini design first edit two horse "scacchi" for C&B italy production years 1968 this is very rare set first edition from C&B Italy and not for the after b&b. auction ...
Acrylic
$3,068
H 12.6 in W 36.23 in D 21.66 in
1960s Italian Chrome and Rosewood Coffee Cocktail Table Mario Bellini Attributed
By Mario Bellini
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Italian minimalist midcentury chrome coffee or cocktail table with the top in rosewood, Mario Bellini attributed. Rounded-edge design in lovely Minimalist form. Measures cm: H 32 x W 92 x D 55 Mario Bellini (born February 1, 1935, Milan) is an Italian architect and designer. He graduated from the Milan Polytechnic - Faculty of Architecture in 1959 and began working as an architect himself in the early 1960s. He is the winner among others of 8 Compasso d’Oro and prestigious architecture awards including the Medaglia d’Oro conferred on him by the President of the Italian Republic. Like many other Italian architects, his activities range from architecture and urban planning to product and furniture design. His early international success grew rapidly during the first two decades, especially in the design sector, and reached its peak in 1987 with the greatest acknowledgement expressed in a personal retrospective exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art of New York, which at the time already included 25 of his works in its Permanent Collection, including a remarkable set of Olivetti machines as well as the furniture for B&B and Cassina - such as the famous "Cab" chair - and the innovative office chairs designed for Vitra. His career as a product and furniture designer began in 1963. From 1963 to 1991 he was chief design consultant for Olivetti. For many years he designed furnishing products and systems for B&B Italia and Cassina, TV sets for Brionvega, and hi-fi systems, headphones and electric organs...
Steel
$1,440
H 14.18 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
Mario Bellini "Gli Scacchi" Chess Side Tables 'for Cameleonda' for B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Discover the timeless charm of the Mario Bellini-designed "Gli Scacchi" Side Tables/Stools, a perfect complement to the iconic Camaleonda sofa. Crafted in 1971 for B&B Italia, these ...
Plastic
$1,062
H 14.18 in W 33.08 in D 33.08 in
Coffee Table "Amanta" Fiberglass Black by Mario Bellini for C&B, Italy, 1960
By C&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Roma, IT
This side table or coffee table is made of fiberglass (Fiberlite) in Black. It is square with an indented tabletop. It was designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia in the 1960s. Thi...
Fiberglass
$2,065Sale Price|30% Off
H 11.82 in W 34.65 in D 34.65 in
Low Square Table Mario Sabot Willy Rizzo design 1960s Black and Silver
By Mario Sabot
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Elegant square table beveled corners made by Mario sabot in about 1960s probable design by Willy Rizzo, in the center square recessed licquor and glass holder.
Laminate
$2,313Sale Price|64% Off
H 15.75 in W 51.19 in D 51.19 in
Large Coffee Table Mirrored Mario Bellini B&B, 1970
By Saporiti
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Large coffee table mirrored Mario Bellini B&B 1970, including shipping worldwide.
Chrome
Kartell Modern Tray By Mario Bellini Italian Design "Dune" Model
By Kartell, Mario Bellini
Located in Palermo, IT
Kartell Modern Tray By Mario Bellini Italian Design "Dune" model. Intact and in good condition.
Plastic
$944
H 9.85 in W 31.89 in D 31.89 in
Mario Bellini for Cassina attributed coffee table in Mohair, Italy - circa 1970
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Square coffee table attributed to Mario Bellini for Cassina, Italy - circa 1970. Designer: attributed Mario Bellini Manufacturer: attributed Cassina Country: Italy Model: square cof...
Mohair, Glass
$2,800
H 14.17 in W 35.4 in D 11.81 in
Mario Bellini Gli Scacchi Black Table Elements for C&B Italy, circa 1970
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Vienna, AT
Mario Bellini 'Gli Scacchi' table/seat elements for C&B (later B&B) Italy, circa 1970 3 black polyurethane elements by Mario Bellini that can either be used as table or seats or pre...
Plastic
$3,186 / set
H 14.57 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
Set of 3 low tables/pouf “Gli Scacchi” by Mario Bellini per B&B Italia 70’s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Padova, IT
With a playful character, the Gli Scacchi series is made up of three inspired elements as the name reveals at most classic game, in particular the Queen, Knight and Tower pieces. Lig...
Acrylic
$1,534
H 13.78 in W 33.47 in D 33.47 in
c.1972 C&B Italia Square Amanta Coffee Table by Mario Bellini Satin Black
By C&B Italia, B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Very early Organic Modern coffee table by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia (before B&B Italia) dating to 1971-1973. Constructed of heavy rigid molded fiberglass, not plastic like modern ...
Fiberglass
$2,800
H 4.34 in W 63 in D 15.75 in
Mario Bellini "Pianura" Rectangular Coffee Table for Cassina, 1971
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Pianura" rectangular coffee table for Cassina, brown mohair velvet and wood, Italy, 1971. The “Pianura” living room set is a great expression of the minimalism and el...
Wood
Mario Bellini "Pianura" Square Coffee Table for Cassina, 1972
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Pianura" square coffee table for Cassina, wood, Italy, 1972. The “Pianura” living room set is a great expression of the minimalism and elegance of Mario Bellini’s cre...
Wood