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.
Orange Murano glass pendant by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, 1950s
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
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 yellow Murano glass pendant lamp by Massimo Vignelli for Venini
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
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
Lella and Massimo Vignelli Handkerchief Stacking Chairs, Set of 4 Knoll Chairs
By Massimo Vignelli, Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 4 Knoll Handkerchief Chairs, Lella and Massimo Vignelli Handkerchief Chairs Introduced in 1983, these chairs are very resilient wit...
Steel
Massimo Vignelli Pendant Lamp for Venini, Italy, 1950s
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Milan, IT
Massimo Vignelli pendant lamp for Venini, Italy, 1950s.
Murano Glass
Handkerchief Chairs in White by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Post Modern
By Knoll, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Iconic design by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll. These ethereal chairs, seeming floating in air are fully labeled with an embossed Knoll, Vignelli design and a paper Knoll Label.
Fiberglass
Single ceiling light by Massimo Vignelli - Venini Murano
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Uccle, BE
Single ceiling light by Massimo Vignelli, Venini, Murano, Italy (founded in 1921). Cigar-shaped in clear sandblasted glass decorated with multi-colored bands. Referenced in the Venin...
Blown 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
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
Massimo Vignelli for Venini Yellow Murano Glass Chandelier "4035," Italy
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Naples, IT
Suspension "reed" lamp, model 4035, designed by Massimo Vignelli for Venini around 1954-1955. This design piece is made of blown Murano glass, featuring a vertical glass rod pattern...
Murano Glass
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
$360Sale Price / set|20% Off
1964 MoMA Massimo & Lella Vignelli 11 Stackable Color Plates Heller Design
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1964 MoMA Massimo & Lella Vignelli 11 Stackable Color Plates Heller Design 9.88 diameter x 1 h Preowned vintage condition See all images.
Plastic
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
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
Pair of white glass pendants by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, 1950s
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Rotterdam, NL
A pair of hand-blown white 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. It...
Glass
Venini Fungo Pendant Light in Gray and White by Massimo Vignelli
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Glass hanging pendant or suspension light with an interesting shape and two-tone coloring. Its sleek design and muted color pallette make it a modern, simple and understated lighting...
Art Glass
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
Pair of Postmodern Tub Chairs by Massimo Vignelli
By Massimo Vignelli, Sunar
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
Venini Blue Glass Chandelier
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A beautiful blue, cased glass, onion shaped shades-M.Vignelli for Venini, Italy, 1950's, chandelier. Three shades, stripes, slight differences, teak tripod shaped mount, canopy repla...
Art Glass
Green, Yellow and White Dinnerware by Vignelli for Heller, Set of 32
By Heller, Massimo Vignelli, 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 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
No. 4029 Pendant by Massimo Vignelli for Venini
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in New York, NY
Blown glass, brass. Internally decorated blown glass shade. Brass mounts and 1 x E26 socket.
Brass
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
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
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
Massimo Vignelli Pendent Lamp for Venini
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in San Francisco, CA
Massimo Vignelli design pendent lamp for Venini, Italy. Striking design and unusual colors in this example of his iconic signature swirling glass pendent lamp. Newly rewired and read...
Art Glass
Set of three pendants by Massimo Vignelli for Venini in Murano Glass
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
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
Pair of red glass pendants by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, 1950s
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
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 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
"Striade" Murano Glass Floor Lamp by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, Italy, 1950s
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
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
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
Massimo Vignelli, Pendant lamp, prod. Venini anni '50
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Rivoli, IT
Opal and colored glass pendant lamp designed by Massimo Vignelli and produced by Venti ì, 1950s
Brass