Massimo Vignelli and Lella Vignelli are legendary names in branding and were prolific creators of home furnishings, products and interiors. The duo’s modernist furniture collaborations, which span 50 years, have also left a profound mark on design and wider visual culture. Furniture created by the couple 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 Massimo 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.”
After meeting in Italy, Lella (1934–2016) and Massimo 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.
Many of the Vignellis’ designs are considered modern masterpieces and are included in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York and other important institutions.
Find vintage Massimo Vignelli furniture today on 1stDibs.
VENINI - MASSIMO VIGNELLI - Murano glass chandelier - ITALY 1950s.
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Milano, IT
VENINI -MASSIMO VIGNELLI - beautiful original murano glass chandelier 1950s . Perfect condition ,has been electrified and cleaned the brass
Brass
Table lamp 526, designed by Massimo Vignelli. Italy, Arteluce, 1965.
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Table lamp 526, designed by Massimo Vignelli. Italy, Arteluce, 1965. Chromed metal base with opaque perspex diffuser, divided into three sections. Includes 3 E14 light sockets. Ple...
Metal
Set of 3 Multicolor Pendants by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, Italy, Mod. 4035
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Argelato, BO
Rare and extraordinary set of 3 hand-blown multicolour Model 4035 pendants designed by Massimo Vignelli at the start of his impressive career in design and produced by Murano glass s...
Murano Glass
Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Postmodern Handkerchief Chair, 7 Available
By Massimo Vignelli, Knoll
Located in South Bend, IN
A stylish postmodern stacking "handkerchief" chair By Massimo Vignelli for Knoll International USA, 1980s Molded fiberglass seat, with powder coated steel base. Measures: 23.5"W ...
Steel
Massimo Vignelli for Knoll International Postmodern Handkerchief Chairs, Twelve
By Massimo Vignelli, Knoll
Located in South Bend, IN
A stylish set of twelve Postmodern stacking "handkerchief" chairs By Massimo Vignelli for Knoll International USA, 1980s Molded fiberglass seat...
Steel
Murano glass pendant in white, red & blue by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, 1950's
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Hand-blown No. 011.13 glass pendants with red and blue, designed by Massimo Vignelli at the start of his impressive career in design and executed by Murano glass specialist Venini. O...
Brass
Green, Yellow and White Dinnerware by Vignelli for Heller, Set of 32
By Massimo Vignelli, 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
Set of 4 Handkerchief Armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll
By Massimo Vignelli, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 handkerchief armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll. In 1968 Vignelli was contracted by Knoll to re-envision the corporate identity ...
Steel, Chrome
No. 4029 Pendant by Massimo Vignelli for Venini
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in New York, NY
Blown glass, brass. Internally decorated blown glass shade. Brass mounts and 1 x E26 socket.
Brass
"N" "E" "O" "N" Crystal Letters by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, Italy, 1980s
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Milan, IT
N, E, O, N crystal and colored capital letters by Massimo Vignelli for Venini. Complete display set for Neon collection.
Murano Glass
Set of 4 Handkerchief Armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll
By Knoll, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 handkerchief armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll. In 1968 Vignelli was contracted by Knoll to re-envision the corporate identity ...
Steel, Chrome
Arteluce, Model 526G Table Lamp by Massimo Vignelli from 60s
By Arteluce, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Catania, CT
Large table lamp model 526G (grande) for Arteluce by Massimo Vignelli. Very good and working condition consistent with age and use. Made in Italy during the 60s.Rare 1st edition with the chromed brass base and the old original "Ticino" switch. Full working with EU standard, adaptable on demand for USA standard. Documentation: *Gramigna, G. Repertorio del Design Italiano, 2 vols. p 121, illustrated. *Italian Light 1960...
Brass, Chrome
1965 Arteluce Large Chrome & Acrylic Table Lamp by Massimo Vignelli Italy
By Arteluce, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern 1965 Arteluce Model 526/G large Chrome & Acrylic table lamp by Massimo Vignelli Italy. Concave chrome base holds 3 Light socket and topped with large white Lucite...
Chrome
Set of 4 Handkerchief Armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll
By Knoll, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 handkerchief armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll. In 1968 Vignelli was contracted by Knoll to re-envision the corporate identity ...
Steel, Chrome
Massimo Vignelli Venini 4029 pendants Italy 1954
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This stunning set of three Model 4029 pendant lamps, designed by Massimo Vignelli and manufactured by Venini in Italy in 1954, is a remarkable example of mid-century Italian lighting...
Glass
"F" Crystal Letter by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, Italy, 1980s
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Milan, IT
"F" crystal and colored capital letter by Massimo Vignelli for Venini. Part of the "NEON" collection, with original fabric case. Also available from the same collection four other le...
Murano Glass
Set of 8 Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Handkerchief Chairs
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in New Orleans, LA
These curvy monochrome chairs add sophistication and contemporary charm. All items offered are antique, vintage, or mid-century and sold as-is. Expect natural wear, patina, and impe...
Metal
Orange Murano glass pendant by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, 1950s
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Hand-blown glass orange pendant designed by Massimo Vignelli at the start of his impressive career in design and produced by Murano glass specialist Venini. This model was made in t...
Metal
Large Orange Hand Blown Fungo Table Lamp by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, 1950s
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Rotterdam, NL
A hand blown orange colored glass Fungo table lamp designed by Massimo Vignelli at the start of his impressive career in design and executed by Murano glass specialist Venini. This is the largest size of the Fungo table lamp. The Fungo lamp...
Murano Glass
Italian mid-century modern glass chandelier Massimo Vignelli Venini, 1950s
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern Murano glass chandelier by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, 1950s Round chandelier in white inside and gray outside Murano glass. Square black ceiling fitting....
Murano Glass
White and Blue Glass Pendant by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, 1950s
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Hand blown white and blue glass pendant no. 011.11 designed by Massimo Vignelli at the start of his impressive career in design and executed by Murano glass specialist Venini. One...
Brass
Pair of red glass pendants by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, 1950s
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Rotterdam, NL
A pair of hand-blown red no. 011.11 glass pendants designed by Massimo Vignelli at the start of his impressive career in design and executed by Murano glass specialist Venini. One of...
Brass
White and Red Glass Pendant by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, 1950s
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Hand blown white and red glass pendant no. 011.11 designed by Massimo Vignelli at the start of his impressive career in design and executed by Mura...
Brass
Massimo Vignelli, Pendant lamp, prod. Venini anni '50
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Rivoli, IT
Opal and colored glass pendant lamp designed by Massimo Vignelli and produced by Venti ì, 1950s
Brass
21st Century Fungo Massimo Table Lamp in Grey/Milk-White by Vignelli
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in murano, IT
How can such a complex and sophisticated technique like "Canne" (canes) give life to such a natural and spontaneous shape? Only Massimo Vignelli knows. Designed in 1956, this unique ...
Glass
Rara coppia di lampade da tavolo mod. "Fungo", Massimo Vignelli, Venini 1955
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Rivoli, IT
Rara coppia di lampade da tavolo in vetro opalino bianco a canne larghe in vetro verde Il manufatto, noto anche come "Fungo" o "Zaffiro", fu segnalato al Compasso d'Oro del 1956 La l...
Glass