A “Camaleonda” armchair designed by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia, Italy, circa 1970, upholstered in green fabric. This sculptural, modular design is defined by its deep, generous cushioning and distinctive tufted sections, held together by Bellini’s signature hook and ring system that allows infinite reconfiguration. Originally conceived as part of Bellini’s revolutionary “Camaleonda” modular sofa system, the piece embodies the designer’s focus on flexibility, comfort, and organic form.

Mario Bellini (b. 1935) is one of Italy’s most influential architects and designers, whose work helped shape the visual and functional language of postwar Italian design. A graduate of the Politecnico di Milano, Bellini began his career in the 1960s, quickly gaining recognition for his experimental approach that balanced sculptural form with ergonomic intelligence. His designs for companies such as Cassina, B&B Italia, and Olivetti earned him international acclaim, as did his numerous Compasso d’Oro awards. Bellini’s “Camaleonda” system, first introduced in 1970, became an icon of modular seating, redefining the modern living space through its flexibility and inviting organic form. Beyond furniture, his influence extends to architecture and exhibition design, including projects for major museums such as the Louvre and MoMA, where several of his pieces are held in the permanent collection.

C&B Italia (now B&B Italia) was founded in 1966 by Cesare Cassina and Piero Ambrogio Busnelli, merging craftsmanship with the industrial capabilities of the modern era. The company was among the first to apply advanced technologies such as cold-moulded polyurethane foam to furniture production, allowing designers like Bellini to realise bold, sculptural forms that were previously impossible to produce on a large scale. C&B Italia quickly became synonymous with Italian design innovation, collaborating with some of the most significant creative minds of the 20th century, including Afra and Tobia Scarpa, Gaetano Pesce, and Antonio Citterio. When Busnelli took full control of the company in the early 1970s, it was rebranded as B&B Italia, continuing its legacy of pioneering contemporary furniture that marries comfort, form, and technological advancement.

Condition: very minor fading to fabric but overall very good vintage condition, commensurate with light domestic use. Please refer to photographs

Dimensions: 90cm wide, 68cm high, 90cm ⁠deep; seat height: 34cm