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.
Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of Six 'Cab' Chairs in Red Brown Leather
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of six 'cab' dining chairs, model '412', leather, plastic, Italy, design 1980 Beautiful set of 'Cab' dining chairs chairs in luxurious reddish brown le...
Leather
$3,283 / item
Mario Bellini Cab 412 Chair For Cassina
By Mario Bellini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mario Bellini Cab 412 Chair For Cassina “A new kind of chair, made entirely of saddle-hide, often cloned today.” This is how Mario Bellini descr...
Plastic
Cab 413 Mario Bellini Cassina chairs, 1970, set of 2
By Mario Bellini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Cab 413 Mario Bellini chairs for Cassina, Italy, 1970. An iconic example of Italian design, the “Cab” chairs have a steel structure covered in thick leather, shaped and sewn to adher...
Leather
Mario Bellini Cab 412 cowhide chair for Cassina, Italy - new
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices are dependent on the chosen sizes and color. Available sizes: 1. 33cm width x 37cm depth x 57cm height x 30cm seat height 2. 52cm width x 49cm depth x 82cm height x 45cm sea...
Cowhide
Mario Bellini “Lira & Liuto” Chair for Cassina, Bordeaux Leather, 1989
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Lira & Liuto” chair for Cassina, bordeaux leather, Italy, 1989 The "Lira e Liuto" was designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina in 1989, extending the formal logic of...
Leather
Mario Bellini “Lira & Liuto” Chair for Cassina, Bordeaux Leather, 1989, Set of 6
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Lira & Liuto” chairs for Cassina, bordeaux leather, Italy, 1989, set of 6 The "Lira e Liuto" was designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina in 1989, extending the formal l...
Leather
Mario Bellini “Lira & Liuto” Chair for Cassina, Bordeaux Leather, 1989, Set of 4
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Lira & Liuto” chairs for Cassina, bordeaux leather, Italy, 1989, set of 4 The "Lira e Liuto" was designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina in 1989, extending the formal l...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" Chairs for Cassina, Black Leather, 1977, set of 4
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, black leather, Italy, 1977, set of four. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relati...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Mustard Leather, 1977, Set of 2
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, Mustard yellow leather, Italy, 1977, set of two. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by th...
Leather
Mario Bellini for Cassina 'CAB 414' Chairs in black stitched Leather
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in London, GB
Mario Bellini for Cassina 'Cab' chairs. Model no 414. Stitched black leather. Zips onto a metal frame. In very good condition. Leather, stitching and zips on these chairs are all ...
Metal
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Natural Leather, 1978, Set of 10
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, natural leather, Italy, 1978, set of ten. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relat...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Natural Leather, 1978, Set of 8
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, natural leather, Italy, 1978, set of eight. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rel...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux Leather, 1978, Set of 2
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux leather, Italy, 1978, set of two The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relat...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Hazelnut Leather, 1978, Set of 6
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, hazelnut leather, Italy, 1978, set of six. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rela...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Hazelnut Leather, 1978, Set of 4
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chair for Cassina, hazelnut leather, Italy, 1978, set of four. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rela...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Hazelnut Leather, 1978, Set of 2
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chair for Cassina, hazelnut leather, Italy, 1978, set of two. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relat...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chair for Cassina, Hazelnut Leather, 1977
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chair for Cassina, hazelnut leather, Italy, 1977 The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relationship betwe...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Natural Leather, 1977, Set of 14
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, Natural leather, Italy, 1977, set of fourteen. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the ...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" Chairs for Cassina, China Red Leather, 1978, Set of 18
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, china red leather, Italy, 1978, set of eighteen. One of the most iconic Bellini's creations, "CAB" is the world’s first free-stand...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chair for Cassina, China Red Leather, 1978
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, China Red leather, Italy, 1978, set of one. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rel...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Tobacco Leather, 1978, Set of 8
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, Tobacco brown leather, Italy, 1978, set of eight. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by t...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux Leather, 1977, Set of 2
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, bordeaux leather, Italy, 1977, set of two. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rela...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, China Red Leather, 1978, Set of 4
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, China Red leather, Italy, 1978, set of four. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the re...
Steel
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" Chair for Cassina, Tobacco Leather, 1977
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina in dark brown Tobacco leather, Italy, 1977. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rela...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chair for Cassina, Bordeaux Leather, 1977
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, bordeaux leather, Italy, 1977. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relationship bet...
Steel
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux Leather, 1978, Set of 6
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux leather, Italy, 1978, set of six The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relat...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, China Red Leather, 1978, Set of 2
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, China Red leather, Italy, 1978, set of two. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rel...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux Leather, 1978, Set of 8
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux leather, Italy, 1978, set of six The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relat...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, China Red Leather, 1978, Set of 6
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, China Red leather, Italy, 1978, set of six. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rel...
Leather
$3,005 / set
Set of 2 Ki Wood Chairs by Mario Bellini
By Mario Bellini, Horm
Located in Milan, IT
In Japanese, “ki” represents the energy found in every element. Mario Bellini takes inspiration from this concept for his refined and modern collection of chairs. Each piece is sinuo...
Other
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Tobacco Leather, 1978, Set of 6
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, tobacco brown leather, Italy, 1978, set of six. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Tobacco Leather, 1978, Set of 12
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, tobacco brown leather, Italy, 1978, set of twelve. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by ...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Hazelnut Leather, 1977, Set of 4
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, hazelnut leather, Italy, 1977, set of four. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rel...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chair for Cassina, Tobacco Leather, 1978
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, Tobacco brown leather, Italy, 1978, set of one. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Tobacco Leather, 1978, Set of 4
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, Tobacco brown leather, Italy, 1978, set of four. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by th...
Steel
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" Chairs for Cassina, Black Leather, 1977, Set of 8
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, black leather, Italy, 1977, set of eight. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relat...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Tobacco Leather, 1977, Set of 2
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, Tobacco dark brown leather, Italy, 1977, set of two. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed b...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Mustard Leather, 1977, Set of 6
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, Mustard yellow leather, Italy, 1977, set of six. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by th...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Tobacco Leather, 1977, Set of 8
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, dark brown tobacco leather, Italy, 1977, set of eight. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, China Red Leather, 1978, Set of 8
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, China Red leather, Italy, 1978, set of eight. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the r...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Mustard Leather, 1977, Set of 2
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, Mustard yellow leather, Italy, 1977, set of two. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by th...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux Leather, 1977, Set of 4
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux leather, Italy, 1977, set of four. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rel...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Hazelnut Leather, 1977, Set of 8
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, hazelnut leather, Italy, 1977, set of eight. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the re...
Leather
Mario Bellini “CAB 413” Chair for Cassina, Mustard Leather, 1977
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chair for Cassina, Mustard yellow leather, Italy, 1977. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relationshi...
Leather
$8,900 / set
Tentazione Chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. Italy. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. Original navy silky upholstery.
Upholstery
Mario Bellini for Cassina Cab Dining Chair Mod.412, Italy, 1978
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Naples, IT
This iconic design by Mario Bellini for Cassina, circa 1970s, features the original caramel-colored leather. The bottom of the chairs bears the inscription - Cassina.
Leather
Quartet 932 Chair by Mario Bellini for Cassina in Mohair
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1960s. Italy. Original purple mohair upholstery. Extremely rare example, tagged.
Mohair
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chair for Cassina, Black Leather, 1978
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chair for Cassina, black leather, Italy, 1978 The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relationship between ...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Natural Leather, 1978, Set of 4
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, natural leather, Italy, 1978, set of four The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relat...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 413” Chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux Leather, 1977, Set of 8
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 413" dining chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux leather, Italy, 1977, set of eight. The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the re...
Leather
Cassina Cab 414 Armchairs PAIR by Mario Bellini in Dark Grey Matte Black Leather
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Basel, BS
Fabulous, RARE original Mario Bellini for Cassina 414 Cab Armchairs in gorgeous dark Grey / Black, PAIR of 2 chairs! Beautiful color, not available from Cassina anymore. All are in ...
Metal
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux Leather, 1978, Set of 12
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux leather, Italy, set of twelve The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relation...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux Leather, 1978, Set of 10
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux leather, Italy, 1978, set of ten The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relat...
Leather
$2,500
Mario Bellini Cab Chair
By Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mario Bellini cab chair manufactured by Cassina Italy, circa 1970’s Buttery soft Oxblood leather Light surface markings on the seat Perfectly ...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Russian Red Leather, Set of 10
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, Russian red leather, Italy, set of ten The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relation...
Leather
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Natural Leather, 1978, Set of 2
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, natural leather, Italy, 1978, set of two The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the relati...
Leather
Mario Bellini Cab 413 Chair in Saddle Leather & Steel, Mid-Century
By Mario Bellini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mario Bellini Cab 413 Chair For Cassina “A new kind of chair, made entirely of saddle-hide, often cloned today.” This is how Mario Bellini desc...
Steel
'Le Bambole' Lounge Chair by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s Italy
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Le Bambole chaise lounge chair by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia. Made in Italy and presented here with its original 1970s wool felt upholstery in Camel in fantastic condition...
Fabric, Foam
Mario Bellini "CAB 412” Chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux Leather, 1978, Set of 4
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "CAB 412" dining chairs for Cassina, Bordeaux leather, Italy, 1978, set of four The "CAB" is the world's first free-standing cowhide design chair, informed by the rela...
Leather
Mario Bellini 412 "CAB" Chairs for Cassina, China Red Leather, 1978, Set of 8
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini 412 "CAB" dining chairs for Cassina, China red leather, Italy, 1978, set of eight. One of the most iconic Bellini's creations, "CAB" i...
Steel