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.
Lella & Massimo Vignelli Ara Console Table in Wood and Glass by Driade 1970s
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Driade
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Ara console table with a wooden structure and a glass top, was designed by Lella and Massimo Vignelli and manufactured by Driade in 1974. Licterature: G. Gramigna, Repertorio del De...
Glass, Wood
From $10,295 / item
+ 1 moreH 8.67 in W 47.25 in D 47.25 in
Martinelli Luce Metafora 1979 Table by Lella and Massimo Vignelli
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Martinelli Luce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The four forms of the Euclidean geometry, the cube, the cylinder, the sphere and the pyramid, made of four different marbles, represent the basis of the table finished with a big she...
Carrara Marble
$5,129
H 9.85 in W 47.25 in D 47.25 in
Metafora coffee table by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Casigliani Italy, 1970s
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in amstelveen, NL
Sculptural Metafora travertine coffee table designed by Lella and Massimo Vignelli. in the 1970s. Inspired by the four forms of Euclidean geometry, the cube, the pyramid, the cylinde...
Travertine, Marble
$3,700
H 31.7 in W 47.25 in D 47.25 in
Serenissimo Dining Table by Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Acerbis, Italy, 1970s
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Acerbis
Located in Antwerp, BE
The Serenissimo dining table is an iconic design by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Acerbis, dating from the 1970s. It features a square turquoise-green glass top paired with cylindri...
Metal, Steel
Italian Mid-Century Brass, Wood and Glass Console Table
Located in Vilnius, LT
Vintage Italian very solid and heavy, brass, wood and glass console table from 1970's. The top of this console is in glass. The structure is combined with laquered dark brown color w...
Brass
Vintage Console in Brass , 1970s design Renato Zevi
By Willy Rizzo
Located in taranto, IT
console in brass from the 70s, made of polished brass tubing , designed by Renato Zevi it measures 130 cm in length, approximately 70 cm in height an...
Brass
$6,842
H 37.8 in W 55.91 in D 15.75 in
Italian Midcentury Lacquered Wood, Glass and Bronze Console Table with Birds
Located in Vilnius, LT
Italian midcentury lacquered wood and bronze metal birds console table with glass top in Antonio Pavia design from 1970s. The bace is in glossy lac...
Bronze
Vintage Brass and Glass Console Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish mid-century style console table. Brass colored frame with a glass insert serving as the tabletop. Please confirm item location with dealer (NJ or NY).
Glass
$6,378
H 8.67 in W 38.59 in D 38.59 in
Massimo and Lella Vignelli 'Metaphora' Coffee Table in Carrara Marble and Glass
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Echt, NL
Impressive Metaphora coffee table in very good condition. This coffee table is designed by Massimo & Lella Vignelli in 1979 Four forms of the Euclidean geometry, the cube, the cyli...
Carrara Marble
1970s Yellow Bamboo Console Table with Glass Top
Located in Marbella, ES
1970s yellow bamboo console table with glass top.
Bamboo
$4,291
H 28.35 in W 63 in D 19.69 in
Mid-Century Italian Chrome - Bronze - Bakelite Console Table by Romeo Rega 1970s
By Romeo Rega
Located in Salzburg, AT
Mid-Century Italian chromed and bronzed console table by Romeo Rega. Straight design of a modern console table with chromed brass and bronzed brass frame - Fuchsia colored bakelite ...
Bronze, Chrome
$2,319Sale Price|20% Off
H 38.98 in W 33.86 in D 12.6 in
Italian Mid Century Console Table in Wood and Glass Top
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
This Italian design console table from 1950 is truly special. Made of black lacquered wood with a wavy line on the front. Equipped with a practical drawer. The top is in decorated gl...
Glass, Poplar
$4,639Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.35 in W 70.87 in D 47.25 in
Important Vintage Table by Enzo Mari for Driade, 1970s
By Driade, Enzo Mari
Located in Milano, IT
Wonderful table designed by Enzo Mari for the fine Italian manufacturer Driade in the 1970s. The table is made of plywood, with a soft wood color that highlights the beautiful grain...
Laminate, Plywood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 43.31 in D 19.69 in
Lella & Massimo Vignelli Italian Slate and Marble Console Model Ambiguità, 1980s
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian console table model Ambiguità designed by Lella and Massimo Vignelli and produced by Casigliani in the 1980s, composed of three elements in Slate and Marble, the parts can be...
Marble, Carrara Marble, Slate