Italian Sculptural Metafora Coffee Table by Vignelli for Martinelli Luce, 1979
View Similar Items
Italian Sculptural Metafora Coffee Table by Vignelli for Martinelli Luce, 1979
About the Item
- Creator:Massimo and Lella Vignelli (Designer),Martinelli Luce (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 8.67 in (22 cm)Width: 39.38 in (100 cm)Depth: 39.38 in (100 cm)
- Style:Post-Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1979
- Condition:
- Seller Location:MIlano, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4860217754132
Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Massimo Vignelli and Lella Vignelli’s legacy can be seen everywhere in the logos of Bloomingdale’s, Ford and American Airlines, among others. In addition to their work in branding, they were prolific creators of modernist home furnishings, products and interiors, and the duo’s collaborations, which span 50 years, have left a profound mark on design and wider visual culture.
After meeting in Italy, Lella (1934–2016) and Massimo (1931–2014) began working together in 1961 and a decade later formed Vignelli Associates in New York. A self-described “information architect,” Massimo was committed to streamlining complex ideas into clear, visually arresting forms. (Witness the graphic identity that he cocreated with Bob Noorda for the New York City Transit Authority as well as his influential 1972 subway map.) The Vignellis’ most recognizable piece, for example, may be the Handkerchief chair, a stackable office chair made of compression-molded plastic that has the look of a cloth floating in air. It was created for Knoll in 1983 after they designed the brand’s logo.
Evidence of the couple’s influence can also be found in their Saratoga line (1964), the first collection of lacquered furniture, which helped herald in the trendy “glossy” look of the decade (and beyond). When the Vignellis created the Poltrona Frau Interview chair in 1988 for an Italian television station, it became widely sought after, “which goes to show you the power of the TV media,” the couple once said. Much like their elemental graphic designs, the Kono (1984) and Pisa tables (1985) — both created for Casigliani — cull the form of the table down to geometric shapes.
Vignelli furniture is often labeled as Massimo Vignelli’s alone, though he fought to have Lella recognized for her work, even throwing away magazines that neglected to give her due credit. As he wrote of their lifelong collaboration in his book Designed By: Lella Vignelli: “It is not holding a pencil with four hands that makes a partnership; it is sharing the creative act and exercising creative criticism which is reflected in the end result.”
Find vintage Massimo and Lella Vignelli seating, tables and other furniture today on 1stDibs.
- Mid-Century Modern Wood Coffee Table Mod. Ara by Vignelli for Driade, 1970sBy Massimo and Lella Vignelli, DriadeLocated in MIlano, ITItalian Mid-Century Modern wood coffee table mod. Ara by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Driade, 1970s Wood coffee table, mod. Ara with wooden slats structure. Designed in the 1970s b...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWood
$3,340 Sale Price20% Off - Italy modern Coffe table Metafora by Massimo and Lella Vignelli Casigliani 1980sBy Lella & Massimo Vignelli for CasiglianiLocated in MIlano, ITItaly modern Coffe table Metafora by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Casigliani, 1980s Coffee table mod. Metafora with square top in thick aquamarine green glass. The 4 legs are made ...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsCrystal, Marble
- Italian Mid-Century Black Woood Saratoga Coffee Table Vignelli Poltronova, 1960sBy Poltronova, Massimo and Lella VignelliLocated in MIlano, ITItalian mid-century Black woood Saratoga coffee table by Vignelli for Poltronova, 1960s Saratoga square coffee table with rigid structure made by assembling three elements of equal ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWood
- Italian Midcentury Glass, Iron and Brass Coffee Table by Angelo Ostuni, 1950sBy Angelo OstuniLocated in MIlano, ITItalian midcentury glass, iron and brass coffee table by Angelo Ostuni, 1950s Coffee table with rhomboidal section iron structure that hol...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Center Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Italian space age Table lamp Serpente by Elio Martinelli Martinelli Luce, 1970sBy Elio Martinelli, Martinelli LuceLocated in MIlano, ITItalian space age Table lamp Serpente by Elio Martinelli for Martinelli Luce, 1970s Table lamp mod. 599 Serpente with adjustable metal tub...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Italian Space Age Anaconda smoked Glass Coffee Table by Paul Tuttle, 1970sBy Paul TuttleLocated in MIlano, ITItalian Space Age Anaconda smoked glass coffee table by Paul Tuttle, 1970s Chromed tubular steel base and smoked glass round top Anaconda coffee table...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Martinelli Luce Metafora 1979 Table by Lella and Massimo VignelliBy Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Martinelli LuceLocated in Brooklyn, NYThe four forms of the Euclidean geometry, the cube, the cylinder, the sphere and the pyramid, made of four different marbles, represent the basis of the table finished with a big she...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Tables
MaterialsCarrara Marble
From $10,295 / item - Massimo & Lella Vignelli 'Metafora' coffee table for Casigliani, Italy 1979.By Massimo and Lella VignelliLocated in Renens, CHA stunning and sculptural Metafora coffee table designed by Lella and Massimo Vignelli. Inspired by the four forms of Euclidean geometery, the cube, the pyramid, the cylinder and th...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMarble
- 'Vignelli' Metafora coffee table in Marquina marble for Casigliani, Italy 1970sBy Massimo and Lella VignelliLocated in London, EnglandMassimo and Lella Vignelli were influential Italian designers who made significant contributions to the fields of graphic design, industrial design, and architecture. They were known...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMarble
- 'Vignelli' Metafora coffee table in white marble for Casigliani, Italy 1970sBy Massimo and Lella VignelliLocated in London, EnglandMassimo & Lella Vignelli, 'Metafora' coffee table, Casigliani, Italy, 1970s The four forms of the geometry, the cube, the cylinder, the sphere and the pyramid, made of white marble,...Category
Vintage 1970s Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMarble
- Metafora Coffee Table by Lella & Massimo VignelliBy Massimo and Lella VignelliLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLMetafora coffee table By Lella and Massimo Vignelli, made in Italy. Marble and travertine shapes: Cube, pyramid, sphere and cylinder. New glass.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMarble
- Metafora coffee table by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Casigliani Italy, 1970sBy Massimo and Lella VignelliLocated in amstelveen, NLSculptural Metafora travertine coffee table designed by Lella and Massimo Vignelli. in the 1970s. Inspired by the four forms of Euclidean geometry, the cube, the pyramid, the cylinde...Category
Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsTravertine, Marble
