An "Amanta" 4-piece modular sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy, circa 1980
An "Amanta" 4-piece modular sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy, circa 1980
A 1980s C&B Italia “Amanta” modular or sectional four piece sofa designed by Mario Bellini in 1966. The four chairs are made from an enamelled Fiberlite structure raised from the ground on four round hard black rubber feet. Each chair has three separate cushions. The removable foam block base cushion is secured in place with a small black toggle which slots into the base which stops it from sliding. The back and upper base cushion are extremely comfortable with three feature buttons on each. The fibreglass shells are in good order with no chips. The original red corduroy shows some minor wear but is in exceptional condition considering its age. By virtue of the label, it is possible to ascertain that this example predates 1973 when C&B Italia becomes B&B Italia following the acquisition of Cassina’s shares by Busnelli. A wonderful mid century set, rare to find in such good original condition. Easy to transport and well-designed for upper floor apartments or tight spots where a large sofa off equivalent size would struggle to fit. It also gives the versatility of a modular sofa whereby a whole host of different arrangement options are available. Perfect for a TV room, den, or living room setting.
Mario Bellini is an internationally renouned architect and designer. He received the Golden Compass Award eight times and 25 of his works are in the permanent design collection of the New York MoMA, which dedicated to him a personal retrospective in 1987. He was editor of Domus magazine (1985-1991) and has designed countless art, design and architecture exhibitions over the years, both in Italy and abroad.
In 2015 the Milan Triennale awarded him the Gold Medal for his career in architecture and in 2017 they dedicated to him a retrospective exhibition which was then the subject of a world tour. Since 1980, he has mainly devoted himself to architecture with numerous prestigious creations including: the Portello Trade Fair district in Milan, the Villa Erba Exhibition and Convention Centre in Cernobbio (Como), the Tokyo Design Centre in Japan, the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, the Department of Islamic Art at the Louvre in Paris, the new Milan Convention Centre, the new international Airterminal T3 in Rome Fiumicino.
Some information about the company: C&B Italia (a joint venture between Cassina and Busnelli) is founded in 1966 by Piero Ambrogio Busnelli. A modern industrial and technological approach that shakes the world of upholstered items. in 1973 Piero Ambrogio Busnelli purchases Cassina’s shares and changes the name of the company to B&B Italia with a new headquarters building designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers. By the early 1970s the company had already designed some of the most classic and timeless items of furniture, amongst which the Camaleonda sofa and the Le Bambole sofa, winer of the "Compasso d'Oro" in 1979, the most important award in the field of Italian industrial design. it is hard to overstate the innovation in design that is spearheaded by this company. The Camaleonda sofa is now already over half a century old and looks as modern and relevant now as it has ever been, so much so that the company has recently relaunched the item in its product range. It has always collaborated with some of the most influential architects and designers in Italy, keeping the company at the cutting edge of design and technology.
Condition: some light staining to the seating area, seat cushions can be flipped upside down as they are the same underneath, structurally sound and overall very good vintage condition. Please refer to photographs
Dimensions (each seat): 80cm wide, 80cm deep, 70cm high; seat height: 38cm
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Email: info@alessiolorenzi.com
Phone: +44 7701 088 288
REFERENCE: E2331