“Amanta” Sectional Sofa by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, 1960
About the Item
- Creator:C&B Italia (Manufacturer),Mario Bellini (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 26.38 in (67 cm)Width: 31.5 in (80 cm)Depth: 31.5 in (80 cm)Seat Height: 14.57 in (37 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 5
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Amsterdam, NL
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Wilnis, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- “Bambole” Daybed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970By Mario Bellini, B&B ItaliaLocated in Amsterdam, NLAn eye-catching “Bambole” daybed, designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in Italy around 1970. This exquisite Italian daybed / sleepi...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Benches
MaterialsFabric
- Sleeping Sofa by Rob Parry for Gelderland, Netherlands 1960By Rob ParryLocated in Amsterdam, NLA luxurious sleeping sofa designed by Rob Parry, manufactured by Gelderland in the Netherlands around 1960. This eye-catching sofa has a beautiful steel base, warm brown wooden armr...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Eugenio Gerli Leather Sofa for Tecno, circa 1960By Tecno, Eugenio GerliLocated in Amsterdam, NLStunning cream white two-seat sofa designed by Eugenio Gerli, manufactured by Tecno in Italy, circa 1960. This eye-catching sofa has a black lacquered wooden base. It is upholstered...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWood, Leather
- Spokeback Sofa by Børge Mogensen for Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1963By Fritz Hansen, Hans J. WegnerLocated in Amsterdam, NLBeautiful spokeback sofa designed by Børge Mogensen, manufactured by Fritz Hansen in Denmark, 1963. This piece is made of high quality beechwood and is newly upholstered in light grey kvadrat fabric. The sofa has a very "open" design, showing it's structure and the used techniques from every angle. The details are really impressive, so is the unique feature of one reclining side and the leather streps that keep that side in place. The spokeback sofa has a unique history: it was designed in 1945, but didn't fit the fashion of that time. It turned out that Wegner was a true visionair, because after the sofa did get produced in 1963, it would grow to be one of Wegner most populair designs. It was copied many times, this original piece is a very rare find. A beautiful piece of Scandinavian design history that would make a true eye-catcher in any modern or Scandinavian interior! It remains in very good, vintage condition with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving an amazing patina. In 1958, Børge Mogensen and his family travelled to Spain. For the hardworking designer, the trip became more than just a holiday. In Andalucia he fell in love with an old chair with a wide seat and broad armrests. Once back in Denmark, he created the Spanish chair. The chair he fell in love with is a traditional type of chair and is very common in areas influenced by ancient Islamic culture from Spain to northern India. Børge Mogensen modernised the design by removing the elaborate carvings, and thus he created his own version with his customary geometrical precision. Yet he retained the most important feature: the broad armrests that give the chair its distinctive character. The broad armrests also serve as a practical place to place a cup or a glass. By designing The Spanish chair Mogensen...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Fabric, Beech
- “Bocca” Sofa by Studio 65 for Edra, Italy, 1999By Studio 65, EdraLocated in Amsterdam, NLA 1990s “Bocca” sofa designed by Studio 65 and manufactured by Edra in Italy. The Bocca Sofa, also known as the Lips Sofa, is a design icon that has gained international fame for ...Category
1990s Italian Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- 1970s 3-Seater sofa by Kho Liang Ie for Artifort, NetherlandsBy Kho Liang IeLocated in Amsterdam, NLA nice 3-seater sofa designed by Kho Liang Ie and manufactured by Artifort in the Netherlands around 1970. This iconic piece has a bent white metal base. The seat, back and cushions...Category
Vintage 1970s Dutch Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Amanta Modular Sofa Designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, Italy, 1970s, PairBy C&B Italia, Mario BelliniLocated in Lucija, SIMid Century Amanta modular sofa, made in the 70s in Italy. Designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italy. Pair In good vintage condition with some minor traces of use and age on the plasti...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Fiberglass, Foam
- Amanta Modular Leather Sofa by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, Italy, 1970s, PairBy Mario Bellini, C&B ItaliaLocated in Lucija, SIA pair of 'Amanta' leather and fiberglass lounge chairs, originally designed in Italy by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia in 1966. The design was extremely popular and in great demand, with a waitlist for eager purchasers. The 'Amanta' was produced as a modular piece so you can place the two together to form a small sofa or stand alone as lounge chairs. The flexibility was made possible by the strategically placed vertical slit in the backrest. With their original leather upholstery that is wonderful vintage condition. The curved and molded shells that hold the cushions are made of white fiberglass and rest upon black fiberglass ball...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Fiberglass, Foam
- Mario Bellini 'Amanta' Sectional Lounges for B&B Italia, Italy 1960s, SignedBy B&B Italia, Mario BelliniLocated in Torino, PiemonteSet of two "Amanta" lounges by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1960s, they can be used as single lounge chairs or combined to be a loveseat, fiberglass frame, cushions reupholstered in...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Fiberglass
- Early Mario Bellini “Amanta” SofaBy C&B Italia, Mario BelliniLocated in Chicago, ILby C&B Italia c. 1968 and fully restored in leather. This piece has been signed + dated by the manufacturing team. The original maker’s insignia is also present on each piece. The fi...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Fiberglass
- Nine Amanta Armchairs by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, Italy 1973By C&B Italia, Mario BelliniLocated in Roma, ITNine 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 ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- ''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