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.
$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
1 of the 7 Murano Glass Pendant Lights by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, 1960
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 7 beautiful pendant lights, made in the 1960s by Massimo Vignelli for Venini. The lampshades are made of opaline glass with an inner white glaze. Real Murano glass, made in...
Glass, Opaline 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
Space Age 1970s Heller by Massimo Vignelli Mixed set 4 plates, 5 cups, 2bowls
By Massimo Vignelli, Heller
Located in San Diego, CA
Colorful set of 4 dinner plates, 5 cups and 2 bowls, designed by Massimo Vignelli for Heller circa 1970s, in a navy blue color, yellow, pink, and purple. 11 pcs set total.
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
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
"F" Crystal Letter by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, Italy, 1980s
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
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
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 Pendant lamp
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Massimo Vignelli fasce pendant lamp manufactured by venini
Blown Glass
Green, Yellow and White Dinnerware by Vignelli for Heller, Set of 32
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Heller, Massimo 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
$3,120Sale Price / set|20% 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 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.
Metal
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 Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in New York, NY
Blown glass, brass. Internally decorated blown glass shade. Brass mounts and 1 x E26 socket.
Brass
$7,713Sale Price|30% Off
Poltrona Frau CEO Cube Meeting Table
By Poltrona Frau, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Basildon, London
Introducing the CEO Cube Meeting Table by Poltrona Frau, a luxurious addition to any modern office space. Crafted with the finest materials, this sleek and sophisticated table exudes...
Metal
Massimo Vignelli for Venini Murano Pendant Glass Lamp, 1960s
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Milan, IT
This mid-century pendant lamp was designed by Massimo Vignelli for Venini in the 1960s and features 3 exceptionally refined Murano glass diffusers mounted on a brass structure.
Metal, Brass
Model 526/p table lamp by Massimo Vignelli for Arteluce, 1960s Italy.
By Massimo Vignelli, Arteluce
Located in Landgraaf, NL
Model 526/p table lamp by Massimo Vignelli for Arteluce, 1960s Italy. This iconic lamp is design for Gino sarfatti’s Arteluce in 1965. Made of 3 bent chrome metal sheets that each ho...
Metal, Chrome
"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
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
Pair of A Fasce Verticale Ceiling Lamps, Model 4040 Venini
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Massimo Vignelli hanging pendants. Model #4040 with affixed original stickers marked 9132. Additional information: Materials: Glass Documentation: Ample Provenance Notes: Ve...
Glass
"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
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
Venini Ceiling Pendant by Massimo Vignelli
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in New York, NY
Fasce Verticale ceiling lamp, model #4038 Venini Cataogue, c. 1955. Beige on white. This pendant works well as a single or could be paired with other Vignelli for Venini pendants w...
Brass
1965 Arteluce Large Chrome & Acrylic Table Lamp by Massimo Vignelli Italy
By Massimo Vignelli, Arteluce
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
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
21st Century Fungo Massimo Table Lamp in Grey/Milk-White by Vignelli
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
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 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