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.
Large and rare white Murano glass pendant lamp by Massimo Vignelli for Venini
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This large white blown glass pendant lamp was designed by Massimo Vignelli for Venini in the 1960's. It was made in 2 sizes with a height of 35 cm and 51 cm. This lamp is the large a...
Glass, Murano Glass
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
Large yellow Murano glass pendant lamp by Massimo Vignelli for Venini
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This yellow glass cylindrical pendant lamp was designed by Massimo Vignelli for Venini in the 1960's. It was made in 2 sizes with a heig...
Glass, Murano 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
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
Pair of Postmodern Tub Chairs by Massimo Vignelli
By Sunar, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage pair of postmodern Rotonda tub chairs by Massimo Vignelli for Sunar Hauserman , 1979. These feature a gently curved back and sides with floating seat fully upholstered in lig...
Upholstery, Foam
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
Very large Cipolla Murano glass pendant by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, 1950s
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Very large Cipolla pendant, white with subtle blue stripes, designed by Massimo Vignelli at the start of his impressive career in design and executed by Murano glass specialist Venin...
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
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
"N" "E" "O" "N" Crystal Letters by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, Italy, 1980s
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
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
"Striade" Murano Glass Floor Lamp by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, Italy, 1950s
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Milan, IT
"Striade" standard lamp by Massimo Vignelli for Venini. A large hand blown milky glass shade with red, green and blue stripes on crystal top edge.
Metal
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
Italian Black Marble and Glass Dining Table by Massimo Vignelli 1980s
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Amazing clean lines and beautiful materials used to design this stunning table in black marble and crystal glass Massimo Vignelli Highlight the simplicity but striking with this bre...
Carrara Marble
Set of three pendants by Massimo Vignelli for Venini in Murano Glass
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Set of Three pendants mod. 4041 in light blue etched Murano Glass designed by Massimo Vignelli and produced by Venini since 1954. Perfect condition, original electrical system and or...
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
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
20th Century Two-Seater Sofa by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Poltronova
By Poltronova, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A lovely two seater sofa designed by the Italian designer couple Lella and Massimo Vignelli. Produced by Poltronova of Florence, the sofa is a design classic with a wonderful off-white and red combination for the frame and cushions respectively. Although the original cushions show some signs of distress, they are still supple and have no rips and tears, ready to be enjoyed by the new owner for many years still. CONDITION In Good Condition - Some wear and tear to the leather consummate with age. However no rips or tears, a good distressed look which has plenty of use still...
Leather