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.
Pair of Lella and Massimo Vignelli Saratoga Chairs, 1960s
By Poltronova, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Raleigh, NC
Pair of Saratoga chairs designed by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Poltronova, featuring the distinctive wraparound frame construction that defines th...
Leather, Lacquer
$2,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Intl 'Handkerchief' Set w Unique Provenance, Signed
By David Law, Knoll, Massimo Vignelli, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This classic Post-Modern design by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Knoll International is called the 'Handkerchief' stacking chair, labelled underneath with early production (original) year labels. Great for stacking when you need more open space in the room and easy to unstack when you have guests. Perfect for those who require versatility in their space. Priced as a set of five (5). Unique provenance on this set - as it was ordered by David Law who worked with Vignelli Associates and participated in many of the designs they created for Knoll and Acerbis including the Serenissimo Table...
Steel
$1,280Sale Price / set|20% Off
Lella and Massimo Vignelli Handkerchief Chairs for Knoll, Set of Four
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
Black high-gloss lacquered Handkerchief chairs on black lacquered frames by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Knoll. In 1968 Vignelli was contracted by Knoll to re-envision the corpo...
Steel
$495Sale Price / item|23% Off
Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Intl 'Handkerchief' Stacking Chairs, Signed, 19 Avail
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Massimo Vignelli, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This classic Post-Modern design by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Knoll International is called the 'Handkerchief' stacking chair, labelled underneath with early production (original...
Steel
Set of 4 Impeccable Handkerchief Chairs by Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Knoll
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 stacking 'Handkerchief' chairs designed by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Knoll International. This set was produced in 1991 and retains its original tags. Massimo and Lella Vignelli both studied architecture before founding the Vignelli Office of Design and Architecture in 1960. In 1971 they established Vignelli Associates, a vehicle for focusing on projects that incorporated their industrial, furniture and graphic design talents. Their diverse portfolio includes corporate identity work for IBM, American Airlines, and Bloomingdales as well as signage for the New York Subway system and Washington, D.C. Additionally, Vignelli Associates contributed two furniture designs to the Knoll portfolio: the Handkerchief chair (designed together with David Law) and the Paperclip table...
Chrome
Divano 'Saratoga' di Lella e Massimo Vignelli per Poltronova, nero, Anni 2000
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Milano, IT
Divano a due posti con struttura in legno laccato nero, cuscini con imbottitura in espanso e rivestimento in pelle nera. Presente il marchio della manifattura 'Centro Studi Poltronov...
Leather, Wood
Saratoga Sofa Set by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova, Italy, 1968
By Poltronova, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Melbourne, VIC
The Saratoga sofa, designed by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova, is a modernist masterpiece. The sofa features a bold, cubic form that is both elegant and functional, adding...
Fabric, Wood, Lacquer
Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova 'Saratoga' Two-Seater Sofa
By Poltronova, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova, 'Saratoga' two-seat sofa, polyester lacquered wood, leather, Italy, 1964. This two-seat sofa named 'Saratoga' is designed by Italian desig...
Leather, Polyester
Massimo Vignelli Pair of "Intervista" Chairs in Vermillion Leather (1989)
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltrona Frau
Located in New York, NY
Designed in 1989 by husband and wife design team Massimo and Lela Vignelli for Italian furniture maker Poltrona Frau, the Intervista chair is the modernist designers' interpretation ...
Leather, Upholstery
$8,297Sale Price|25% Off
Sofa "Saratoga" Poltronova 70s White frame and light blue velvet cushions
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in Milano, MI
The Saratoga Sofa was launched by Poltronova in 1964 from a design by Lella and Massimo Vignelli. Geometric wooden frame lacquered in white polyester with seats and backs reupholster...
Velvet, Wood
$1,600Sale Price / item|27% Off
1 of 5 Intervista Club Chairs by Poltrona Frau in Chartreuse Leather, Italy 1989
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltrona Frau
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find 5 very rare postmodern club chairs model "Intervista" designed by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltrona Frau...
Leather
$43,672Sale Price / set|20% Off
Saratoga Living Set in Black Lacquer and Silk Velvet Upholstery, 1969
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Cheyenne, WY
Designed by Italian couple Massimo and Lella Vignelli, this striking Saratoga Living set manifests uninhibited cool, its rigid lines juxtaposed against sumptuous lacquered surfaces a...
Silk, Velvet, Lacquer
Massimo & Lella Vignelli Black Saratoga Living Room Set by Poltronova 1960s
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Saratoga living room set composed by a three-seater sofa, two-seater sofa, two armchairs and a low table with a structure in black lacquered wood, padded leather cushions and metal d...
Metal
$1,600Sale Price / item|27% Off
1 of 8 Intervista Club Chairs by Poltrona Frau in Pink Leather, Italy 1989
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltrona Frau
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find very rare postmodern club chairs model "Intervista" designed by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltrona Frau. ...
Leather
$9,379Sale Price / set|35% Off
Massimo and Lella Vignelli "Saratoga" Living Room Set Poltronova, 1960s
By Poltronova, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Padova, IT
Exceptional Saratoga set designed by Massimo and Lella Vignella, produced by Poltronova, Italy 1960s. A beautiful living room set composed of two sofas (three-seater/two-seater) and...
Leather, Wood
Massimo Vignelli Black-on-Black Saratoga Sofa, Poltronova, Italy, 1964
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in Dronten, NL
An exceptional and rare black-on-black edition of the Saratoga sofa, designed by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova in 1964. A landmark of 20th-century design, the Saratoga co...
Leather, Wood
$720Sale Price / item|20% Off
Club Lounge Chair by Massimo and Lella Vignelli
By Sunar, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Pasadena, TX
High back club lounge chairs Designed by Massimo & Lella Vignelli for Sunar 2 in black 1 in blue Plastic gliders This ad is for (1) chair
Fabric
Armchair Interview by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltrona Frau, Italy 1989
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltrona Frau
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
By Poltrona Frau the "Intervista" model designed by Massimo and Lella Vignelli in 1989 , which originated as a television studio armchair. Proposed here in a beautiful brick orange c...
Leather
Modern Handkerchief Chair
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Minneapolis, MN
A durable, wide chair with an undulating seat and back.
Steel
MCM Massimo & Lella Vignelli for Knoll Internat Handkerchief Chairs - Set of 4
By Knoll, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Knoll International Handkerchief Chairs in Red - 4 Piece Set This Handkerchief chair was designed by the husband and wife team of M...
Steel
Set of Six Mid-Century Modern Knoll Style Armchairs
By Florence Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This set of six Mid-Century armchairs features wonderful vintage fabric, sturdy metal frames and comfortable design. Perfect for dining, conference or waiting room these versatile ch...
Metal
$3,000Sale Price / set|33% Off
H 30.5 in W 20.5 in D 22 in
Early Set of Four Harry Bertoia Molded Shell Side Chairs for Knoll, Labeled
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Set of four molded shell side chairs designed by Harry Bertoia and manufactured by Knoll. Originally debuted in 1960, this very early set is from 1963 and...
Metal
Donald Knorr Chair for Knoll Associates, 1948
By Donald Knorr, Knoll
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration to of six Knorr chairs. Comprised of sheet metal bolted to steel rod legs. This chair is exceptionally rare (a set of six in simply unheard of) Model #132 cha...
Metal
Pair of Jens Risom 666 Side Chairs for Knoll
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Jens Risom chairs made in the 1940s, model “666” of the 600 series from 1941.
Birch
Set of Four Chrome Dining Chairs by Bertoia for Knoll
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Set of matching Bertoia side, or dining, chairs in chrome with original white pad seat covers. This nice set is in very fine, original, clean and ready to use condition, the only cav...
Chrome
$5,411
H 29.93 in W 70.87 in D 23.63 in
Bauhaus Style S3002 Tub Sofa by Christoph Zschoke for Thonet, 2000s
By Thonet
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Bauhaus style S3002 sofa. Design by Christoph Zschoke for Thonet. Striking German design from the 2000s. Original plywood and tubular steel frame, reupholstered ...
Chrome
2000s Royalton Two-Seater Sofa by Philippe Starck for Driade in Fabric
By Philippe Starck
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Royalton Sofa, designed by Philippe Starck and produced by Driade shortly after the design's introduction in 1988. In the late 1980s, Starck was approached by hotelier Ian ...
Steel, Aluminum
$7,455 / set
H 31.89 in W 19.3 in D 20.87 in
Set of 5 Tulip chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, 1970s
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Renens, CH
The Tulip chair, designed by Eero Saarinen in 1956 for Knoll International, is a key piece of mid-century modern design. Saarinen aimed to create a chair that removed the clutter of ...
Steel
Don Albinson Stacking Side Chairs by Knoll Set of 14
By Knoll, Don Albinson
Located in Highland, IN
Important industrial designer Don Albinson, a Cranbrook peer of Charles and Ray Eames, Ralph Rapson, Harry Bertoia and Eero Saarinen worked in the Eames office as head designer for 1...
Aluminum
Pair of Danish Lounge Chairs, 1960s
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of lounge chairs on a smooth wooden frame with elegantly curved armrests and slatted backrests. The armchairs are each fitted with a seat and backrest cushion. The cushions have...
Fabric, Beech
$6,012 / set
H 31.89 in W 19.3 in D 20.87 in
Set of four vintage Tulip chairs - Eero Saarinen for Knoll
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Baambrugge, NL
A stunning set of four vintage Tulip chairs, attributed to Eero Saarinen for Knoll. These iconic chairs, renowned for their elegant organic shape and minimalist pedestal base, are tr...
Metal
$11,800
H 24.41 in W 59.06 in D 39.38 in
Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova 'Saratoga' Two-Seater Sofa
By Poltronova, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova, 'Saratoga' two-seat sofa, polyester lacquered wood, leather, Italy, 1964. This two-seat sofa named 'Saratoga' is designed by Italian desig...
Leather, Polyester
Sold
H 29 in W 23 in D 21.5 in
Set of 4 Vintage Knoll Black Handkerchief Chairs by Massimo and Lella Vignelli
By Knoll, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in New York, NY
Vintage knoll set of 4 black Handkerchief Chairs designed by Massimo and Lella Vignelli. The ergonomic seat made of molded fiberglass resembles a handkerchief in the wind . Very comf...
Steel
Sold
H 25.99 in W 118.12 in D 94.49 in
'Saratoga' Living Room Set by Lella and Massimo Vignelli Poltronova 1970s-80s
By Poltronova, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of sofas, one two-seater and one three-seater, 'Saratoga' model with black lacquered wooden frame, newly reupholstered cushions with foam padding and fabric upholstery in shades...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 23.63 in W 106.3 in D 37.41 in
Huge “Saratoga” 4 seater sofa by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova 60s
By Poltronova, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Padova, IT
Thanks to a scholarship obtained in 1958, Lella studied Architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology school of architecture and worked as a junior designer in the presti...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 23.63 in W 35.44 in D 106.7 in
Saratoga living room set designed by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova
By Poltronova, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Piacenza, Italy
The Saratoga living room set, designed by Massimo and Lella Vignella and produced by Poltronova, Italy, in the 1960s, is an iconic example of modular and modern design. The set inclu...
Leather, Wood
Massimo & Lella Vignelli Circolo Sofa for Sunar
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Greensboro, NC
Scarce Vignelli Circolo Sofa, produced by Sunar. Retains original tag. Via the Vignelli Center: "This comfy lounge chair was designed by Lella Vignelli. Although officially marketed...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 26.5 in W 106.5 in D 37 in
4-Seat 'Saratoga' Sofa by Massimo & Lella Vignelli for Poltronova, 1960s
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Coronado, CA
A stunning "Saratoga" sofa designed by Massimo & Lella Vignelli and manufactured by Poltronova in the 1960s. This example is particularly special as it is a very rare, custom 4-seat ...
Leather, Foam, Wood
Pair of Rotunda Chairs by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Hauserman, 1979
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Sacramento, CA
Pair of 1979 postmodern purple Rotunda chairs, designed by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Hauserman. The chairs are in very good vintage condition, with minimal wear, consistent with...
Steel
Sold
H 24 in W 59 in D 35.5 in
Post Modern Saratoga Loveseat by Lela and Massimo Vignelli for Poltronova 1960's
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in New York, NY
Voguish, and sophisticated Saratoga loveseat, sofa, designed by Lela and Massimo Vignelli, for Poltronova, made in Italy, circa 1960's. This chic sofa features comfy thick leather...
Leather, Lacquer
Sold
H 24.02 in W 58.67 in D 35.44 in
Italian modern wood leather Saratoga sofa Massimo Lella Vignelli Poltronova 1980
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Massimo Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern glossy black lacquered wood and brown leather Saratoga sofa by Massimo and Lella Vignelli, for Poltronova, 1980s. Wide two-seater sofa, Saratoga model, with a square s...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 24.02 in W 26.78 in D 35.44 in
Poltrona "Saratoga" - Massimo e Lella Vignelli per Poltronova - Italia Anni '60
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Milano, IT
La poltrona proposta è un esemplare del celebre modello “Saratoga” progettato da Massimo e Lella Vignelli nel 1964. Questo pezzo iconico di design ital...
Leather, Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 24.02 in W 59.06 in D 35.44 in
Divano "Saratoga" - Massimo e Lella Vignelli per Poltronova - Italia - Anni '60
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Milano, IT
Il divano 2 posti proposto è un esemplare del celebre modello “Saratoga” progettato da Massimo e Lella Vignelli nel 1964. Questo pezzo iconico di desig...
Leather, Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 24.02 in W 82.68 in D 35.44 in
Divano "Saratoga" - Massimo e Lella Vignelli per Poltronova - Italia - Anni '60
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Milano, IT
Il divano proposto è un esemplare del celebre modello “Saratoga” progettato da Massimo e Lella Vignelli nel 1964. Questo pezzo iconico di design italia...
Leather, Wood, Lacquer