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.
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
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
Very large Cipolla Murano glass pendant by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, 1950s
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
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
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
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
$1,125Sale Price / set|25% Off
Mid-Century Modern Handkerchief Chairs by Massimo Vignelli, USA
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Lomita, CA
This is a beautiful trio -- Massimo Vignelli for Knoll. To know these is to love them. Handkerchief chairs are my favorite outdoor seating picks. They are beautiful in gray, with tha...
Acrylic
Massimo Vignelli 259/2 wall lamps for Arteluce Italy 1964
By Arteluce, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
A rare and exquisite set of 259/2 wall lights designed by the legendary Massimo Vignelli for Arteluce in 1964. These iconic sconces are a stunning example of mid-century Italian desi...
Aluminum
"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
"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
$2,400Sale Price / set|38% Off
Vintage Set of Six Handkerchief Armchairs by Vignelli for Knoll
By Massimo Vignelli, Knoll
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage set of (8) eight Knoll Handkerchief armchairs by Massimo Vignelli Inspired by the lightness and organic ease of a handkerchief drifting ...
Chrome
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
Orange Murano Glass Pendant Light by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, 1960
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Rijssen, NL
A beautiful and unique orange and white glass pendant light, made in the 1960s by Massimo Vignelli for Venini. The lampshade is made of orange and white opaline glass with an inner w...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Opaline Glass
Yellow Murano Glass Pendant Light by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, 1960
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Rijssen, NL
A beautiful yellow glass pendant light, made in the 1960s by Massimo Vignelli for Venini. The lampshade is made of yellow opaline glass with an inner white glaze. Real murano glass, ...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Opaline 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
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
Massimo Vignelli Kono Table in Carrara Marble and Copper by Casigliani 1970s
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Kono coffee table designed by Massimo Vignelli and manufactured by Casigliani in 1970s. Low table with supports in oxidized copper and white Carrara marble and ground glass on top. ...
Carrara Marble, Copper
$624Sale Price|34% Off
Massimo Vignelli x Supreme x Heller Bowls, Red, White, 1964, Spring 2023
By Supreme, Heller, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Massimo Vignelli x Supreme x Heller Bowls, Red, White, 1964, Spring 2023. New in original boxes. Set of 12. 6 red + 6 white (as pictured). Made exclusively for Supreme. Spring Summer 2023. This iconic dinnerware design was originally released in 1964 by designer Massimo Vignelli in Italy and won that year’s Compasso d’Oro award for good design. It swiftly became a touchstone of modern design and has been called an “icon of sixties utilitarian chic.” It was introduced to the United States in 1971 and has never been out of production, with the manufacturer still using its original molds. According to Vignelli, the inspiration for Hellerware came from seeing a client using plastic molds...
Plastic
Large Orange Hand Blown Fungo Table Lamp by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, 1950s
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
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
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
"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
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
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
21st Century Fungo Pendant Light in Grey/Milk-White by Massimo 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
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