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.
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
"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
"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
$1,059
H 1.19 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
Black and Brown Stoneware Ceramic Plate or Dish by Barbara Delfosse Design
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Barbara Delfosse Elegant and Brutalist stoneware ceramic plate 20th century Brutalist french design Black and brown ceramic glazes colors Original good condition Reali...
Ceramic
$3,061 / item
H 30.32 in W 13.78 in D 9.45 in
Frida Ceramic Sculpture by Massimo Giacon for Superego Editions, Italy
By Superego Editions, Massimo Giacon
Located in Milan, Italy
Frida model glazed ceramic sculpture from the new collection École d'Art s by Massimo Giacon for Superego Editions. The sculpture is made up of three separable elements Limited edition of 50 pieces. Signed and numbered. Biography Massimo Giacon was born in Padova in 1961. Since 1980 he has been working in Milan, as a comic strip writer, illustrator, designer, artist and musician. Since the early 1980 he has contributed in the renovation of the Italian comic...
Ceramic
$506 / item
H 3.94 in W 9.85 in D 1.97 in
Contemporary Three Stacked, Oblong Golden Bronze Stack Trays by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Bronze Stack Trays by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 25 x D 5 x H 10 cm Materials: Bronze The stack trays are sold in a set of three that can be used toget...
Bronze
Large Beige 10th Basket by Massimo Castagna
By Massimo Castagna, Exteta
Located in Milan, IT
A splendid piece that will infuse a modern interior with refined sophistication, this basket will serve as a magazine rack beside a coffee table, sofa, or chaise longue. Designed by ...
Leather, Mahogany
$2,943 / item
H 14.57 in W 20.87 in D 11.82 in
Masocane Ceramic Sculpture by Massimo Giacon for Superego Editions, Italy
By Superego Editions, Massimo Giacon
Located in Milan, Italy
Ceramic sculpture part of the 'Pop Will Eat Himself' designed by Massimo Giacon and produced by Superego Editions. Limited edition of 50 copies. Signed and numbered. Biography Ma...
Ceramic
Moroccan Ceramic Plate, Hand-Painted Moorish Design, Circa 1920s
By Berber Tribes of Morocco
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Early 20th century blue Moroccan Ceramic plate hand made in Fez. Handcrafted and glazed decorative ceramic bowl from Fez, Morocco. Featuring an elaborate hand-painted Moorish pattern...
Ceramic
$1,412 / item
H 8.67 in Dm 19.69 in
Pisolino Ceramic Sculpture by Massimo Giacon for Superego Editions, Italy
By Superego Editions, Massimo Giacon
Located in Milan, Italy
Limited edition ceramic part of "The Pop Will Eat Himself" designed by Massimo Giacon and produced by Superego editions, Italy. Signed and numbered. Biography Massimo Giacon was bo...
Ceramic
Large Venini Plate 'Coreano', Designed by Tapio Wirkkala in 1966
By Venini, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Venini Plate 'Coreano', Designed by Tapio Wirkkala in 1966 A blue and green a fasce a spirale plate from the Coreani series. Designed in 1966 by Tapio Wirkkala for Venini. Pro...
Art Glass
$3,061 / item
H 23.63 in W 23.63 in D 10.24 in
Pablo Ceramic Sculpture by Massimo Giacon for Superego Editions, Italy
By Superego Editions, Massimo Giacon
Located in Milan, Italy
Pablo model glazed ceramic sculpture from the new collection École d'Arts by Massimo Giacon for Superego Editions. Limited edition of 50 pieces. Signed and numbered. Biography Massi...
Ceramic
$188Sale Price / set|64% Off
H 5.91 in W 3.15 in D 7.88 in
Glass Duck Sculptures, Crystal with 24-Carat Gold, Italy, 1980s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Two adorable little ducks. Made in Italy, 1980s. Hollywood Regency style. Chrystal glass with 24-carat gold. Very nice set. Excellent condition.
Crystal
$353
H 7.68 in W 5.12 in D 1.97 in
Italian modern Murano glass fish sculpture by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini, 1990s
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Murano glass fish sculpture by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini, 1990s Fantastic and vintage fish-shaped sculpture, entirely made of Murano glass. The open mouth is yellow, ...
Glass, Murano Glass
$763Sale Price|63% Off
H 2.37 in W 12.6 in D 10.24 in
Bowl Daum Design France, 1960 Transparent Color Rectangular Form Signed
By Daum
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Bowl Daum design France, 1960 transparent color rectangular form signed.
Art Glass
Sold
H 9.85 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
Massimo Vignelli Centerpiece in White and Black Carrara Marble, 1970s
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Milano, IT
Modern and particular centrepiece designed by Massimo Vignelli in the 1970s. The centrepiece is made of two marble pieces. The centrepiece is also a container, thanks to the extracti...
Carrara Marble
Massimo Vignelli Silvered Metal Box with Murano Mouth Blown Glass Lid
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Uccle, BE
A silvered metal box with Murano mouth blown glass lid, the lid with "battuto" edge. This box is the perfect combination of glass and metal designe...
Art Glass
Massimo Vignelli by Venini 1960s Murano Glass Silver Metal Christofle Box
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Brescia, IT
Massimo Vignelli by Venini Italia 1960s. Murano glass and metal christofle "Venini Italia" acid signed. Lit. Domus 404 _ pag 39.
Metal