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
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
Blue, Purple and Black Massimo Vignelli for Heller Dinnerware - Set of 18
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 18 piece set in purple, blue and black, including 4 blue dinner plates, 4 purple dinner plates...
Plastic
Purple and Yellow Dinnerware by Vignelli for Heller - 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
Green, Yellow and White Dinnerware by Vignelli for Heller, Set of 32
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Massimo 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
H 1 in W 11 in D 11 in
Vintage Mikasa Intaglio Tracings Stoneware Dinnerware
By Mikasa
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Elegant Mikasa Intaglio Tracings tableware service in luminous white stoneware, distinguished by refined embossed detailing. A timeless modern classic, coveted for elevated dining, s...
Stoneware
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
H 11.75 in W 6 in D 4 in
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
H 0.5 in Dm 10.75 in
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
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
H 0.5 in W 10.25 in D 10.25 in
Ralph Lauren Farmstead Ticking Dinnerware ~ 12 piece set
By Ralph Lauren
Located in New York, NY
A 12 piece dinnerware set in the Farmstead blue and white pattern by Ralph Lauren Home collection. Signed. Ironstone. Made in England; cir...
Ceramic
H 0.75 in W 16.25 in D 12.75 in
Ralph Lauren Home Spectator Black Dinnerware ~ Set of 8 Place Settings
By Wedgewood, Ralph Lauren
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
H 10.5 in W 8 in D 4.5 in
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
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
Sarreguemines Palmyre Green Floral French Antique Dinnerware Set – 26 pieces
By Sarreguemines
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This charming French antique dinnerware set from Sarreguemines, model Palmyre, features a delicate green floral transferware pattern on creamy white ceramic. Made in the late 19th ce...
Ceramic, Faience, Paint
H 10 in W 9.5 in D 15 in
Meissen Porcelain Dinnerware Service for 12 People
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautiful German Meissen dinnerware service for twelve people with serving pieces. The dinnerware service is in great condition. Just exquisite & ve...
Gold
H 10 in Dm 10.13 in
Mid-Century Romanze Porcelain Dinner Service by Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal
By Bjørn Wiinblad, Rosenthal
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
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
H 1 in W 11 in D 11 in
Multicolor 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
H 1 in W 11 in D 11 in
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
H 1 in W 11 in D 11 in
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
H 1 in W 10 in D 10 in
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
H 1 in W 11 in D 11 in
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
H 1 in W 11 in D 11 in
White Dinnerware by Vignelli for Heller - Set of 32
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
H 1 in W 11 in D 11 in
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
H 1 in W 11 in D 11 in
White and Green Massimo Vignelli for Heller Dinnerware - 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
H 1 in W 11 in D 11 in
Green and Yellow Massimo Vignelli for Heller Plates - 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 bee...
Plastic
H 1 in W 11 in D 11 in
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
H 1 in W 11 in D 11 in
Yellow 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 bee...
Plastic