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.
$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
MOMA Sculptural Slice Bowl by Peter Hewitt Museum of Modern Art
Located in Lambertville, NJ
The MoMA Slice Bowl is a clever ceramic fruit dish designed by Peter Hewitt in 2017 for the Museum of Modern Art. It uses an optical illusion to look like the cross-section of a trad...
Ceramic
$320 / item
H 3.94 in W 9.85 in D 1.97 in
Contemporary Three Stacked, Oblong Silver Aluminium Stack Trays by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Aluminum Stack Trays by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 25 x D 5 x H 10 cm Materials: Aluminum The stack trays are sold in a set of three that can be used...
Aluminum
$492 / 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
Olive Wood Sculptural Plate or Dish circa 1950 French Design Bowl
By Alexandre Noll
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
French design - 20th century - In the style of Alexandre Noll Realised circa 1950 Olive wood sculptural plate or dish / vide poche Original g...
Wood
Large Beige 10th Basket by Massimo Castagna
By Exteta, Massimo Castagna
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 ...
Mahogany, Leather
$858
H 1.97 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
20th century design large yellow ceramic plate decorative dish style of Ruelland
By Jacques and Dani Ruelland
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
In the style of Jacques and Dani Ruelland Large yellow ceramic plate or dish original perfect condition circa 1970 Height 5 cm Large 30 cm
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
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
Giade Bowl by Tony Zuccheri for Venini, Murano, 1964
By Toni Zuccheri, Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A bowl of the Giade series designed by Tony Zuccheri in 1964 and manufactured by Venini, Venice, Italy ca. 1960s. Multilayered glass with copper inclusions against a dark blue opaque background. The artglass is with incised signature 'venini italia' on the base. Venini model number 8667. Inside there is an open air bubble caused during production - see pictures. Measures: Height: 1.97" (5cm) Diameter: 4.72" (12cm) Literature Reference: Marino Barovier with Carla Sonego, Toni Zuccheri at Venini, Milano 2021, page 98. Toni Zuccheri (1936 – 2008) was the artist with the special spirit for birds and nature. His passion is reflected in many of his glass artworks. During his education he had the chance to work with Carlo Scarpa, Franco Albini and Ignazio Gardella. Animals and especially birds (such as hens...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
$156Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.5 in W 14 in D 14 in
Vintage Plate with Mushroom Design with Interesting Glaze
Located in Seattle, WA
Vintage plate with mushroom design with interesting glaze Dimensions. Diameter 14 ; 2 1/2 H.
Ceramic
Sold|$503
H 0.79 in W 5.52 in D 5.52 in
"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
Olive Wood Sculptural Plate or Dish circa 1950 French Design
By Alexandre Noll
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
French design - 20th century - In the style of Alexandre Noll Realised circa 1950 Olive wood sculptural plate or dish / vide poche Original p...
Wood