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
"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
"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
Art Glass Sculpture by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini 1949
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Art Glass Sculpture by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini 1949 A rare art glass sculpture from the 'Nudes' series made of green glass with an iridescent surface. Manufactured in the 1950s b...
Art Glass
$500 / 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
$348
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
$186Sale 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
Ceramic Plate with Animal Design, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Ceramic Plate with Animal Design, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Color: Black Item Type: Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned Di...
Ceramic
Antique Vintage Plate, 11 Inch Diameter, Decorative Ceramic Dish
Located in Coral Gables, FL
Late 19th century glazed terracotta plate from Puglia, Southern Italy, featuring a hand-painted rooster motif at the center, rendered with vivid yellow, red, cobalt blue, and dark br...
Ceramic
$2,908 / item
H 14.57 in W 20.87 in D 11.82 in
Masocane Ceramic Sculpture by Massimo Giacon for Superego Editions, Italy
By Massimo Giacon, Superego Editions
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
$440Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.5 in W 10.38 in D 10.5 in
Midcentury French Decorative Ceramic Plate with Floral Design
Located in Miami, FL
A handsome midcentury French decorative plate or large vide poche. The apparent very talented ceramist used textures that resemble that of a painting of flowers. The wonderful form and colors on the beige background reflect the artist's painterly attention to detail. A beautiful addition to a collection of Mid-Century Modern French pottery...
Ceramic
$1,395 / item
H 8.67 in Dm 19.69 in
Pisolino Ceramic Sculpture by Massimo Giacon for Superego Editions, Italy
By Massimo Giacon, Superego Editions
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
Murano Glass Egg by Venini for 50° Anniversary Confartigianato, Italy 1997
By Venini
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing egg with white and grey twisted cane decorations by Venini for 50th anniversary of Confartigianato in 1997. A classic Murano manufacture, the egg remains a status symbol for...
Murano Glass, Art Glass
$1,744 / item
H 14.57 in W 16.54 in D 16.54 in
Crucified Ceramic Sculpture by Massimo Giacon for Superego Editions, Italy
By Superego Editions, Massimo Giacon
Located in Milan, Italy
Limited edition ceramic sculpture part of the "Pop Will Eat Himself" designed by Massimo Giacon and produced by Superego editions, Italy. Signed and numbered. Biography Massimo Gia...
Ceramic
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