‘Pianura’ Modular Sofa by Mario Bellini for Cassina, Italy 1970s
About the Item
- Creator:Mario Bellini (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 23.5 in (59.69 cm)Width: 34 in (86.36 cm)Depth: 36 in (91.44 cm)Seat Height: 14 in (35.56 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 4
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Good vintage condition.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- 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: Chicago, IL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Marenco Sofa in Original Cognac Leather by Mario Marenco for Arflex, Italy 1970sBy Mario Marenco, ArflexLocated in Chicago, ILA two-seat Italian Marenco sofa designed by Mario Marenco for Arflex in 1970. This utterly plush sofa retains its original patinated cognac leather upholstery with elegant stitch det...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Il Colonnato Table in Red Persian Travertine by Mario Bellini for Cassina, ItalyBy Mario BelliniLocated in Chicago, ILAn ‘Il Colonnato’ dining table designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina in the 1970s. This table was inspired by the colonnades of classical architecture, in which a sequence of columns...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Dining Room Tables
MaterialsTravertine
- Bamboo + Cane Sofa in White Boucle, Italy 1970sLocated in Chicago, ILA 1970s Italian sofa featuring a bamboo frame with a double arch back and cane detailing. This sofa has an impressive presence and was newly reupholstered in a beautiful white boucle...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBouclé, Bamboo, Cane
- Cannaregio Sofa Attributed to Gaetano Pesce for Cassina, Italy 1990sBy Gaetano PesceLocated in Chicago, ILA Cannaregio sofa designed by Gaetano Pesce for Cassina in 1987. The Cannaregio sofa is composed of ten modular sections, which can be placed together ...Category
1990s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsTextile, Upholstery
- Modular Postmodern Conversation Sofa, Italy 1980sLocated in Chicago, ILA 1980s Italian postmodern conversation sofa featuring three sections with circular seats and backs. This sofa has a metal base with casters, allowin...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Le Bambole Sofa in Original Checkered Velvet by Mario Bellini for B&B ItaliaBy Mario BelliniLocated in Chicago, ILLe Bambole sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in 1972. This iconic sofa retains its original checkered velvet upholstery. Stamped ‘B&B Italia’ under base. Sourced in Italy...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Loveseats
MaterialsUpholstery
- Mario Bellini Anthracite Gray Pianura Modular Sofa for Cassina, 1970, Set of 6By Cassina, Mario BelliniLocated in Vicenza, ITPianura sofa, designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by the Italian brand Cassina in 1970. The set is composed of six modules. It features an an...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsCanvas, Foam, Walnut
- Bambole Modular Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970sBy Mario Bellini, B&B ItaliaLocated in Rotterdam, NL‘Le Bambole’ modular sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy 1972. Early edition, which varies from the newer production; the original shape is mor...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Rare Original Mario Bellini Le Mura Modular Sofa, Cassina, 1970sBy Mario BelliniLocated in London, GBAn original and very rare Mario Bellini Le Mura modular sofa (can also be used as two chairs), made by Cassina, Italy, 1970s. Two large seating element...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- 1970s Italian Cab Settee by Mario Bellini for CassinaBy Mario Bellini, CassinaLocated in Sagaponack, NYA black leather "Cab" settee, in the original leather.Category
Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Settees
MaterialsLeather
- 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