4 ‘Amanta’ armchairs by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia

4 modular “Amanta” armchairs designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, circa 1970.

• Polyester structure in very good condition with small marks of normal wear (superficial scratches), cushions covered with velvet
• W 79 CM X D 78 CM X H 71 C M.
• H sitting 42 CM.
• Some scratches on the hulls, a stain on a cushion (see photo).

Mario Bellini, B&B Italia, and the ‘Amanta’ armchairs

Designed by Mario Bellini in the late 1960s for B&B Italia, the ‘Amanta’ armchairs are among the most emblematic creations of radical Italian design. The project accompanied the beginnings of the Italian publisher, founded in 1966 as C&B Italia before becoming B&B Italia a few years later. This period marked a profound renewal of domestic furniture, driven by the emergence of new industrial materials and a freer approach to living spaces.

The Amanta model perfectly illustrates this evolution. Mario Bellini developed a modular seating system where the structure and cushions became completely independent. The large Fiberlite shells, a composite material combining fiberglass and resin, accommodate generous removable cushions, creating a characteristic contrast between rigorous geometry and enveloping comfort. This innovative design is among the first uses of industrial molded structures in Italian domestic furniture.

The armchairs can be used individually or freely assembled to create various lounge configurations. This modularity, which became central to 1970s design, links Bellini’s research on Amanta to his later developments with the ‘Camaleonda’ and ‘Gli Scacchi’ collections for B&B Italia.

This set consists of four ‘Amanta’ armchairs upholstered in russet brown velvet, providing a warm presence that contrasts with the sculptural character of the shells. The low proportions, generous volumes, and very horizontal lines fully embody the Italian lounge aesthetic of this period.

Awarded the Compasso d’Oro eight times, Mario Bellini holds a major place in the history of contemporary design today. Several of his creations are featured in the permanent collections of MoMA in New York, which also dedicated a significant retrospective to him in 1987.

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