Mario Bellini for Cassina 'Tentazione' Leather Sofa
View Similar Items
Mario Bellini for Cassina 'Tentazione' Leather Sofa
About the Item
- Creator:Mario Bellini (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.25 in (74.3 cm)Width: 91 in (231.14 cm)Depth: 30 in (76.2 cm)Seat Height: 17.25 in (43.82 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Mid-1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Phoenix, AZ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU85327530473
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.
- Phenomenal Saporiti Stainless Steel & Mercedes Leather SofaBy SaporitiLocated in Phoenix, AZAll original Saporiti stainless steel and special ordered perforated Mercedes leather 'Wave' sofa by Giovanno Offreddi. This is the nicest example of this sofa that we have ever seen...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Sofas
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Early Mid-Century Florence Knoll Sofa with Magazine HolderBy Florence KnollLocated in Phoenix, AZFlorence Knoll for Knoll Associates sofa with built in magazine holder, circa early 1950s. This example is upholstered in a pumpernickel Knoll boucle which pops beautifully next to t...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWalnut
- Sculptural Sofa in Walnut & Bouclé by Henry Glass, 1960'sBy Henry GlassLocated in Phoenix, AZHenry Glass 1960s 'Intimate Island' walnut and upholstered bouclé sofa. This exquisite piece has been expertly refinished and upholstered in an off-white Turkish bouclé. Red Modern a...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBouclé, Walnut
- Frank Lloyd Wright S.C. Johnson 617 Desk licensed by CassinaBy Cassina, Frank Lloyd WrightLocated in Phoenix, AZFrank Lloyd Wright for Cassina 617 desk. Originally designed in 1936 for the S.C. Johnson Wax Company in Wisconsin. This all original example dates from the l...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass, Enamel, Steel
- Eames for Herman Miller Time Life Walnut StoolBy Herman Miller, Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Phoenix, AZCharles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller time life stool, circa mid-1960s. This solid walnut example has incredible graining and has been newly detai...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsWalnut
- Globe Chair for Artifort by Pierre Paulin, 1960sBy Pierre PaulinLocated in Phoenix, AZA memorable early swivel 'Globe' chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort newly upholstered in pink Knoll Cato fabric.Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsIron
- Mario Bellini "Tentazione" Leather Sofa or Loveseat for Cassina, 1970sBy Cassina, Mario BelliniLocated in The Hague, NLThis 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 ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel
- 1970s Mario Bellini for Cassina Tentazione LoveseatBy Cassina, Mario BelliniLocated in Miami, FLLooking for a statement piece that's as stylish as it is comfortable Check out our 1970s Mario Bellini for Cassina Tentazione loveseat, in a luxuri...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
MaterialsLinen
- Mario Bellini "Tentazione" Crème Leather Living Room Set for Cassina, 1970sBy Mario Bellini, CassinaLocated in The Hague, NLStunning Italian design living room set (two-seat sofa/ loveseat and 2 lounge chairs) designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina manufacture in 1970s period, Italy. Sofa- Model No: 685. ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel
- 1980s Tentazione Two-Seater Sofa / Settee by Mario Bellini for Cassina Model 685By Cassina, Mario BelliniLocated in Philadelphia, PAThis is a Tentazione two-seater sofa, model 685, originally designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina in 1973. Its frame is made of steel, and the seat and back are formed from pliant mo...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel
- 1980s Mario Bellini for Cassina Black Leather Software Tilbury SofaBy Cassina, Mario BelliniLocated in Philadelphia, PAThis 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...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Fabric, Plastic, Foam
- Sofa Model "Landeau" by Mario Bellini for Cassina, ItalyBy Mario Bellini, CassinaLocated in Padova, IT"Landeau" model sofa. Cassina production, Meda, Italy. Production from 1976 to 1991. Cover in raw linen fabric (code 134163) with leather profiles and hinges for joining the pane...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Fabric