Mario Bellini Le Bambole for C&B Italia, Italy 1972

First edition element sofa Le Bambole by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia in 1972. An original early edition by C&B Italia, marked underneath with the fabrication number and year of manufacture 1973. High quality large element sofa with characteristic lines, made of thick brown leather. The five elements, three corner pieces and two armless pieces can be placed in different ways. The original dark brown leather has gained a beautiful patina during the years and is still in good condition. Some weak spots (on three elements) are professionally restored and fortified on the inside. Besides these, the overall condition is good, without tears and ready for many more years to use.

The legendary photographer Oliviero Toscani’s was responsible for the original campaign at the release of the Le Bambole at Salone del Mobile in Milan in 1972. The picture of bleach-blonde bare-breasted model Donna Jordan nestling seductively in a Bambole chair, caused a scandal when it was unveiled. The president of the Salone was furious about the display of nudity in the furniture fair’s halls and ordered the breasts to be covered up with black tape. This only increased the attention the chair received and Le Bambole has been in continuous production ever since.