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.
$2,200 / set
Pair of Post Modern Acorn Arm Chairs by Vignelli
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Sunar
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Clean, oversized pair of arm chairs by Vignelli. Simple, modern lines that allow for maximum versatiliy, use them in any design application. Across from a desk, at a game table, at...
Beech
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
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
Post Modern Italian Lacquered Set of Four Dining Chairs
By Saporiti
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Set of 4 Postmodern lacquered white dining room chairs. Marked made in Italy, in the style of Saporiti. Minor blemishes to the lacquer is at a...
Naugahyde, Hardwood
$5,681 / set
H 43.31 in W 17.33 in D 22.84 in
Four Post-Modern Italian Dining Chairs by Pierre Cardin, 1980s
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Four dining chairs by Pierre Cardin, 1980s. Absolutely rare production designed by Pierre Cardin in Italy. Back in curved cherry with a cut and a hole that makes it absolutely unique...
Brass
Post Modern Perforated Steel and Chrome Arm Chair c. 1980's
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in New York, NY
Chic perforated steel and chrome arm chair, in excellent original, clean and ready to use condition. The chair features a perforated steel seat, back and arms, which are supported by...
Steel, Chrome
$7,338 / 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
Post Modern Leather Chair Made in Germany by Schillig
By Willi Schillig
Located in New York, NY
Post modern leather arm chair made in Germany by noted maker Schillig. The chair is executed in top quality black leather ( shows minor wear )...
Leather
IKEA ‘Vilbert’ Chair by Verner Panton, 1993, Post-Modern
By Verner Panton
Located in CULEMBORG, GE
Verner Panton was one of the most influential figures in design history, pushing the boundaries of form and materials in the 1960s and 1970s. Launched in 1993 by IKEA and only in pro...
Wood
$1,120Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 29.25 in W 22 in D 20.5 in
Lella and Massimo Vignelli Handkerchief Chairs for Knoll, Set of Four
By Knoll, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
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
$1,950Sale Price / set|22% Off
H 29.25 in W 22 in D 20.5 in
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
$4,450Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.56 in W 59.06 in D 37.41 in
'Saratoga' sofa by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Poltronova, black, 2000s
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Milano, IT
Two-seater sofa with black lacquered wooden frame, cushions with foam padding and black leather upholstery. The manufacture's trademark 'Poltronova Study Center' is present.
Leather, Wood
$9,232Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 23.63 in W 82.68 in D 35.44 in
Massimo and Lella Vignelli "Saratoga" Living Room Set Poltronova, 1960s
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
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
Pair of Lella and Massimo Vignelli Saratoga Chairs, 1960s
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
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
Post Modern Side or Dining Chair by Maurice Villency
By Maurice Villency, Pierre Cardin
Located in New York, NY
Chic high style post modern side, or dining chair, often attributed to Pierre Cardin, we believe it is actually Maurice Villency. This example is in very good, original estate condit...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 47.64 in W 18.12 in D 19.69 in
Large Set of Eight Chairs by Lella & Massimo Vignelli, circa 1980
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Here is a rare and substantial suite of eight "La Serenissima" model chairs, designed by the renowned duo Lella and Massimo Vignelli. These chairs feature a striking high, perforat...
Aluminum
Sold
H 27.5 in W 35.5 in D 35.5 in
Pair of Massimo & Lella Vignelli "Saratoga" Cube Chairs for Poltronova
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in Long Island City, NY
Massimo and Lella Vignelli's "Saratoga" cube chair manufactured by Poltronova, Italy. The chair features a wood base that has a thick polyester lacquer and finished with brown distre...
Fabric, Acrylic, Wood
A Pair of Italian Modern Cube Chairs
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Pair of Italian Modern Cube Chairs. The chair features a wood base that has a thick polyester lacquer and newly reupholstered in vintage tapestry.
Leather, Acrylic, Wood
Set of Four Knoll "Handkerchief" Chairs
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Knoll
Located in Dronten, NL
Handsome set of four Knoll handkerchief armchairs in recent grass green upholstery. These chairs where designed by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for ...
Chrome
Sold
H 47.2 in W 14.2 in D 15.7 in
Set of 4 Italian High Back Pine Chairs by Lella & Massimo Vignelli, 1974
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Driade
Located in Odense, DK
Rare set of 4 Italian modern high back pine chairs by Lella & Massimo Vignelli, for Driade, 1974. Honorable mentions in smilar style include Roland Wilhelmsson, Pierre Chapo, and ...
Pine
Sold
H 55.12 in W 12.21 in D 16.93 in
Italian Solid Wood Chair Mod Ara by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Driade, 1974
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Driade
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian solid wood chair mod Ara by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Driade, 1974 Solid wood chair mod. Ara with particular very high backrest. Drawing by Lella and Massimo Vignelli ...
Wood
Set of Four Knoll "Handkerchief" Chairs
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Knoll
Located in Dronten, NL
Handsome set of four Knoll Handkerchief chairs designed by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Knoll, circa 1996. This particular set is in wonde...
Chrome
Pair of Italian Postmodern Chairs by Massimo Vignelli
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Miami, FL
Set of two Postmodern chairs rendered in black lacquered wood frame with black stitched saddle leather seats, attributed to Massimo Vignelli.
Leather, Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 29 in W 23 in D 21 in
Knoll Handkerchief Side Chairs in Gray by Massimo & Lella Vignelli a Pair
By Knoll, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome pair of Knoll handkerchief side chairs in gray with chromed steel wire base. This chair was designed by the husband and wife team of Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Knoll, ci...
Chrome