LCS7 - Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 'Gli Scacchi' element in black polyurethane, Italy, 1972

Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 'Gli Scacchi' element in black polyurethane, Italy, 1971.

These versatile 'chess' building blocks can be used both as tables or seats. Signed with manufacturer's marks B&B and are made out of self-skinning polyurethane. The blocks are meant to be playful without having the function in a predesigned scheme. In that manner, the user can adapt the pieces to their individual use and taste.

Mario Bellini (1935-) is trained as an architect and became one of the leading designers in postwar Italian style. In the beginning of his career, he worked together with Olivetti and Cassina which resulted in an early knowledge of synthetic resins and polyurethanes. His furniture is exciting, both in its use of material as in the originality of his designs. Bellini did not believe in precise boundaries of design, instead, he designed for the relationship of man and environment. It is impossible to pigeon hole Bellini's oeuvre, as his work is so complex and original.