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.
Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova 'Saratoga' Cabinet
By Poltronova, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova 'Saratoga', cabinet, polyester lacquered wood, Italy, 1964. Chest of drawers made in a reflective polyester lacquer. The Vignelli's were kn...
Wood, Lacquer
Granpiano mobile container of Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Bernini 2005
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Misinto, IT
Granpiano is a piece of furniture that comes from the hand of the couple Lella & Massimo Vignelli and formally summarizes the whole philosophy of the Vignellis, pure geometric shapes...
Ebony
Futura Bar Cabinet by Jorgen Hansen and Jens Thuesen for Romweber
By Romweber Furniture Co.
Located in West Chester, PA
A rare and exquisite Jorgen Hansen and Jens Thuesen "Futura Bar Cabinet" for Romweber Furniture Co. circa 1959. The unique deep relief propeller sculpted so...
Brass
$9,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 33 in W 33 in D 18 in
Burl and Walnut Edward Wormley for Dunbar Marble Cabinet
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful green marble and burl cabinet, believed to be an Ed Wormly piece for Dunbar. Beautiful condition. Same era as: Charlotte Perriand, Jean Prouve, Pierre Pauline, Serge Moui...
Marble
Cabinet by Jiri Jiroutek for Interier Praha, 1960s
By Jiri Jiroutek
Located in Wien, AT
Designed by Jiri Jiroutek for Interier Praha. Manufactured in the 1960s. Completely restored and repainted. With the removable shelves...
Oak, Mahogany
Torbecchia sideboard by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in Ravenna, IT
Furniture designed by Michelucci and manufactured by Poltronova. The cabinet consists of two lower hinged doors, which can be opened by a handle, and two upper hinged doors, which ca...
Walnut
$550Sale Price|35% Off
H 82.5 in W 33.25 in D 22 in
Jay Spectre for Century Oak and Chrome Media Cabinet
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Astoria, NY
Jay Spectre for Century Oak and Chrome Media Cabinet, with power strip, three drawers, and metal plaque label to drawer interior. 82.5" H x 33.25" W x 22" D. Provenance: From an U...
Metal, Chrome
360 Container 5 Drawers by Konstantin Grcic for MAGIS
By Konstantin Grcic, Magis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The 360° collection consists of a chair, a stool, a table and two containers on wheels, which open the way to a new concept of office work. The stool 360° (and also the chair) is unc...
Plastic
Gianfranco frattini cabinet by Bernini Italy 1957
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Behold the exquisite craftsmanship of the small sideboard or cabinet, a testament to the visionary design of Gianfranco Frattini and the masterful production of Bernini, Italy, in 19...
Walnut
$26,000
H 32.25 in W 105.5 in D 22 in
George Nakashima Walnut and Brass Monumental Cabinet for Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in New York, NY
A very rare Monumental triple dresser, sideboard, or credenza By George Nakashima for Widdicomb Furniture, "Origins" Collection, USA, 1950s. Made with sculpted walnut, with original ...
Brass
Mogens Koch Cabinet for Rud. Rasmussen
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch cabinet in Oregon Pine. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen Reverse with paper label ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/KØBENHAVN/DANMARK.
Pine
$4,021 / item
H 40.95 in W 39.38 in D 39.38 in
DeCastelli Cube104 Container in Steel by R & D De Castelli
By DeCastelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Cube is a line of containers with absolute formal sobriety, where the completeness of the cube is combined with different finishes abounding in personality. Rigor and creative impetu...
Stainless Steel
Ward Bennett Burlwood Cabinet for Brickel Associates Inc.
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates, Geiger International
Located in Amarillo, TX
Ward Bennett nine drawer cabinet Brickell Furniture burlwood USA c 1960s Nine drawer cabinet with inset chrome ring handles, includes two...
Olive
$12,890
H 31.5 in W 39.38 in D 25.6 in
20th Century, Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini Cabinet with Desk mod. 804
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Frattini graduated in architecture from the Milan Polytechnic in 1953. He opened his professional studio in Milan, after working in the studio of his teacher and mentor Gio Ponti. Hi...
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 46.07 in W 82.68 in D 22.84 in
Massimo and Lella Vignelli 'Saratoga' Sideboard in Black High Gloss Lacquer
By Poltronova, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova, Saratoga sideboard, black lacquered wood, Italy, 1964. This sideboard is part of the 'Sartoga' livingroom collection, designed by Italian...
Wood
Sold
H 24.02 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Cassettiera Saratoga - Massimo e Lella Vignelli per Poltronova - Italia Anni '60
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Milano, IT
Questa elegante cassettiera fa parte della storica linea Saratoga, un’iconica collezione di mobili moderni progettata negli anni ‘60 dai designer Massimo e Lella...
Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 35.44 in W 82.68 in D 23.63 in
Lella & Massimo Vignelli Saratoga Living Room Set Poltronova, 1960s
By Poltronova, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Cascina, Pisa
A beautiful living room set composed of two sofas (three-seater/two-seater) one armchair and a chest of drawers model Saratoga. The sofas and the armchair present a black lacquered w...
Leather, Wood