Mario Bellini ''Camaleonda'' Sofa, First Edition for C&B, 1960s
View Similar Items
Mario Bellini ''Camaleonda'' Sofa, First Edition for C&B, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Mario Bellini (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 26.78 in (68 cm)Width: 38.59 in (98 cm)Depth: 38.59 in (98 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 6
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Quarrata, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7860232820752
Mario Bellini
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. He has been the recipient of multiple prestigious Compasso d’Oro design awards, and 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 Mario Bellini furniture — including dining tables, armchairs, mid-century sofas and more — today on 1stDibs.
- ''Le Bambole'' sofa by Mario Bellini for C&B/B&B Italia, 1970s, set of 5By B&B Italia, Mario BelliniLocated in Quarrata, ITModular 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.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Sectional Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Rubber
- ''Le Bambole'' sofa by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, 1960sBy C&B Italia, Mario BelliniLocated in Quarrata, ITStunning two seating sofa ''Le Bambole'' designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by C&B Italia from the late 1960s. It has been newly upholstered with first quality leather and ha...Category
Vintage 1960s Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Jute
- Divano ''Le Bambole'' di Mario Bellini per B&B Italia, 1970sBy B&B Italia, Mario BelliniLocated in Quarrata, ITDivano di Mario Bellini, modello ''Le Bambole'' per B&B Italia prodotto negli anni '70 e nuovamente rivestito con pelle di prima qualità.Category
Vintage 1970s Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Wicker stools, 1960s, set of 2Located in Quarrata, ITWicker stools, 1960s, set of 2Category
Vintage 1960s Stools
MaterialsWicker, Rattan, Rush
$2,730 / set - Office chair by Ettore Sottsass and Hans Von Klier for Design Centre, 1960sBy Design Centre, Hans Von Klier, Ettore SottsassLocated in Quarrata, ITSwivel office chair by Ettore Sottsass and Hans Von Klier, in aluminum, glass resin and leather, mod. Progress for Design Centre Poltronova 1960sCategory
Vintage 1960s Italian Swivel Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Wicker armchairs, 1960s, green bouclé seat, set of 2Located in Quarrata, ITWicker armchairs, 1960s, green bouclé fabric seat.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Armchairs
MaterialsBouclé, Rattan, Rush
- Mario Bellini for B&B Italia 'Camaleonda' Modular SofaBy B&B Italia, Mario BelliniLocated in Waalwijk, NLMario Bellini for B&B Italia, 'Camaleonda' sectional sofa, fabric, metal, Italy, design 1970 This iconic sofa is designed by Italian master Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in 1970. The...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsMetal
$44,000 / set - Mario Bellini for C&B Italia 'Camaleonda' Modular Sofa, 1970By C&B Italia, Mario BelliniLocated in New York, NY'Camaleonda' modular sofa, designed by Mario Bellini, for C&B Italia, 1970. The structure is constructed of wood and upholstery in fabric. Original label. Prod. C&B, Italia, Noved...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Modular Sofa for B&B Italia, 1970By B&B Italia, Mario BelliniLocated in Lonigo, VenetoMario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, velvet, metal and plastic, Italy, 1970, four elements. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscover...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Modular Sofa for B&B Italia, 1970By B&B Italia, Mario BelliniLocated in Lonigo, VenetoMario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, Italy, 1970, four elements. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. A special project made possible this limited edition of "...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Modular Sofa for B&B Italia, 1970By B&B Italia, Mario BelliniLocated in Lonigo, VenetoMario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, velvet, metal and plastic, Italy, 1970, three elements. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscove...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Modular Sofa for B&B Italia, 1970By Mario Bellini, B&B ItaliaLocated in Lonigo, VenetoMario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, velvet, metal and plastic, Italy, 1970, four elements. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscover...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsMetal