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.
Multicolor Massimo Vignelli for Heller Dinnerware - Service for Four
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Heller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Winner of the prestigious Compasso d'Oro award for Good Design in 1964, Massimo Vignelli's iconic dinnerware for Heller (likely designed with his equally talented wife Lella) has bee...
Plastic
One Venini Alphabet Letters "Neon" Massimo Vignelli Design Years 1984
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Biella, IT
Venini Italy alphabet letters "neon" by Massimo Vignelli every letter in original lether bag, hand bent letters in transparent rods with colored c...
Art Glass
Massimo Vignelli for Heller Mid Century Modern Plates and Mugs for Six
By Heller, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Iconic sixties design by Massimo and Lella Vignelli of stacking plates and mugs manufactured by Heller. This set consists of 6 dinner plates and 6 mugs in a sunshine yellow color. Al...
Plastic
Blue, Purple and Black Massimo Vignelli for Heller Dinnerware - Set of 18
By Heller, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Winner of the prestigious Compasso d'Oro award for Good Design in 1964, Massimo Vignelli's iconic dinnerware for Heller (likely designed with his equally talented wife Lella) has been in near constant production for over 50 years. This is a 18 piece set in purple, blue and black, including 4 blue dinner plates, 4 purple dinner plates...
Plastic
Black, White and Yellow Massimo Vignelli for Heller Dishes - Set of 24
By Heller, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Winner of the prestigious Compasso d'Oro award for Good Design in 1964, Massimo Vignelli's iconic dinnerware for Heller (likely designed with his equally talented wife Lella) has bee...
Plastic
Purple and Yellow Dinnerware by Vignelli for Heller - Service for 6
By Heller, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Winner of the prestigious Compasso d'Oro award for Good Design in 1964, Massimo Vignelli's iconic dinnerware for Heller (likely designed with his equally talented wife Lella) has bee...
Plastic
Green, Yellow and White Dinnerware by Vignelli for Heller, Set of 32
By Massimo Vignelli, Heller, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Winner of the prestigious Compasso d'Oro award for Good Design in 1964, Massimo Vignelli's iconic dinnerware for Heller (likely designed with his equally talented wife Lella) has bee...
Plastic
Massimo Vignelli for Venini Yellow Onion Glass Uplighter Wall Sconce
By Venini, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Hanover, MA
Since yellow Murano glass wall lamp designed by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, mid-1950s. Original hefty brass wall bracket. Porcelain socket for single standard Edison screw lightbulb...
Brass
Ralph Lauren Academy Platinum Dinnerware, 4 Place Settings Set
By Ralph Lauren
Located in New York, NY
A set of 4 (four) place settings in the academy platinum pattern by Ralph Lauren Home collection. Bone china. Signed. Imported, production period 1995-2002. Features a platinum/silv...
Porcelain
$1,900 / set
H 1 in Dm 10.75 in
Yellow Bordallo Pinheiro Cabbage Leaf Dinnerware Set of Fifty Four Pieces
By Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro
Located in Bradenton, FL
Set of yellow 20th Century Bordallo Pinheiro Dinnerware. Set is a vivid warm shade of yellow that includes: 14 Dinner plates (10.75" Diameter) 1 Platter (13.25" Diameter) 12 saucers...
Ceramic
$1,775 / set
H 9.06 in W 3.55 in D 3.55 in
Colorful Set of Six Mid-Century Modern Glass Decanters by Empoli
By Empoli
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Very colorful and decorative set of six Italian glass decanters. There is one white decanter, one red, two brown and two blue ones. All carafes have a ...
Glass
Rare and Fine Copeland Spode Dinnerware Service For 12
By Copeland Spode
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Copeland Spode dinnerware with ivory color china, rose band flanked by gilt gadroon trim, gold filigree embellishments. Included in this service: (12)...
Porcelain
Ralph Lauren Spectator Cadet Dinnerware ~ 8 place settings
By Ralph Lauren
Located in New York, NY
A 40 (forty) piece dinnerware set in the Spectator Cadet pattern by Ralph Lauren Home. Features two wide blue bands with gold trim on white. Pattern is currently discontinued; orig...
Porcelain
Set of 14 Antique French Porcelain Dishes
By Edmé Samson
Located in Katonah, NY
A set of 14 antique French porcelain dishes made in the last quarter of the 19th century circa 1870-1880. Attributed to the factory of ...
Porcelain
Casa Cubista Cabana Pink Striped Terracotta Dinnerware Bowls
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This luxurious terracotta dinnerware is handmade from ceramic with fair trade and locally sourced materials from Europe. Each piece is crafted with meticulous attention to detail for...
Ceramic
Wedgwood Porcelain Tableware Dinner Service For 12 People
By Wedgwood
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautiful Wedgwood porcelain tableware dinner service for twelve people with coffee serving set with hand painted design details. The service is in great condition. Maker's mark undersigned. Include 87 pieces all-together. 12 dinner plate 10 3/4" D. 12 Salad plate...
Gold
$1,920Sale Price / set|50% Off
Vintage Limoges Porcelain Dinnerware Set - 80 Pieces
By Limoges
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite vintage dinnerware set, likely crafted in fine Limoges porcelain, features delicate floral patterns and gold accents. Each piece...
Porcelain
Set of 13 plates Blue and White 18th Century China
Located in New York, NY
A set of 13 porcelain plates of excellent quality med in China during the Qing dynasty Qian Long 1736-1795. Richly decorated on both sides.
Porcelain
$4,500 / set
H 10 in Dm 10.13 in
Mid-Century Romanze Porcelain Dinner Service by Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal
By Rosenthal, Bjørn Wiinblad
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine, near complete Mid-Century modern porcelain dinner service. By Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal. In the Romanze form and Medley pattern. Consisting of: 10 Large Dinner Plates ...
Porcelain
$1,800 / set
H 0.75 in W 16.25 in D 12.75 in
Ralph Lauren Home Spectator Black Dinnerware ~ Set of 8 Place Settings
By Ralph Lauren, Wedgewood
Located in New York, NY
A set of 8 (eight) place settings in the Spectator black pattern by Ralph Lauren Home Collection. Porcelain. Signed, circa 1995-1996. This pattern is currently out of production. ...
Porcelain
Yellow Dinnerware by Vignelli for Heller, Service for 8
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Heller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Winner of the prestigious Compasso d'oro award for Good Design in 1964, Massimo Vignelli's iconic dinnerware for Heller (likely designed with his equally talented wife Lella) has been in near constant production for over 50 years. This 43 piece set in yellow provides a service for eight with eight dinner plates, eight salad plates, eight bowls, two bowl lids, seven mugs, eight saucers, one creamer, and a serving bowl with lid...
Plastic
Sold
H 1 in W 9.5 in D 9.5 in
Multicolor Massimo Vignelli for Heller Salad Plates and Bowls - Set of 16
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Heller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Winner of the prestigious Compasso d'Oro award for Good Design in 1964, Massimo Vignelli's iconic dinnerware for Heller (likely designed with his equally talented wife Lella) has been in near constant production for over 50 years. This is a 16 piece set of 8 black bowls, 2 blue salad plates, 2 yellow salad plates, 2 orange salad plates, and 2 green salad plates...
Plastic
Multicolor Massimo Vignelli for Heller Dishes - Service for 4
By Heller, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Winner of the prestigious Compasso d'Oro award for Good Design in 1964, Massimo Vignelli's iconic dinnerware for Heller (likely designed with his equally talented wife Lella) has bee...
Plastic
Blue and White Massimo Vignelli for Heller Dishes - Service for 6
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Heller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Winner of the prestigious Compasso d'Oro award for Good Design in 1964, Massimo Vignelli's iconic dinnerware for Heller (likely designed with his equally talented wife Lella) has bee...
Plastic
Blue, White and Yellow Massimo Vignelli for Heller Dishes - Service for 4
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Heller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Winner of the prestigious Compasso d'Oro award for Good Design in 1964, Massimo Vignelli's iconic dinnerware for Heller (likely designed with his equally talented wife Lella) has bee...
Plastic
Multicolor Massimo Vignelli for Heller Plates - Set of 12
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Heller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Winner of the prestigious Compasso d'Oro award for Good Design in 1964, Massimo Vignelli's iconic dinnerware for Heller (likely designed with his equally talented wife Lella) has bee...
Plastic
Multicolor Massimo Vignelli for Heller Dinnerware - Set of 24
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Heller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Winner of the prestigious Compasso d'Oro award for Good Design in 1964, Massimo Vignelli's iconic dinnerware for Heller (likely designed with his equally talented wife Lella) has bee...
Plastic
White Dinnerware by Vignelli for Heller - Set of 32
By Heller, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Winner of the prestigious Compasso d'Oro award for Good Design in 1964, Massimo Vignelli's iconic dinnerware for Heller (likely designed with his equally talented wife Lella) has bee...
Plastic
Multicolor Massimo Vignelli for Heller Plates - Set of 12
By Heller, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Winner of the prestigious Compasso d'Oro award for Good Design in 1964, Massimo Vignelli's iconic dinnerware for Heller (likely designed with his equally talented wife Lella) has bee...
Plastic
White and Green Massimo Vignelli for Heller Dinnerware - Set of 12
By Heller, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Winner of the prestigious Compasso d'Oro award for Good Design in 1964, Massimo Vignelli's iconic dinnerware for Heller (likely designed with his equally talented wife Lella) has bee...
Plastic
Green and Yellow Massimo Vignelli for Heller Plates - Set of 16
By Heller, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Winner of the prestigious Compasso d'Oro award for Good Design in 1964, Massimo Vignelli's iconic dinnerware for Heller (likely designed with his equally talented wife Lella) has bee...
Plastic
Blue and Orange Massimo Vignelli for Heller Dinnerware - Set of 13
By Heller, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Winner of the prestigious Compasso d'Oro award for Good Design in 1964, Massimo Vignelli's iconic dinnerware for Heller (likely designed with his equally talented wife Lella) has bee...
Plastic