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.
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Massimo Vignelli for Heller Dinnerware 20 Large Plates and 20 Small Plates Light
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful set of 20 large 10-inch dinner plates and 20 smaller 8-inch salad plates in light yellow by Massimo Vignelli for Heller. Beautiful conditio...
Plastic
1970s by Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani Marble Smoking Ashtray, Set of 3
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Brescia, IT
Marble smoking set Rare series Perfect condition Measures: Ashtray: Height 8 cm / diameter 22 cm Ashtray: Height 9 cm / diameter 13 cm Ashtray: Height 8 cm / diameter 10 cm.
Marble
Massimo Vignelli x Supreme x Heller Bowls, Red, White, 1964, Spring 2023
By Massimo Vignelli, Supreme, Heller
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
Space Age 1970s Heller by Massimo Vignelli Mixed set 4 plates, 5 cups, 2bowls
By Heller, Massimo Vignelli
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
Green, Yellow and White Dinnerware by Vignelli for Heller, Set of 32
By Heller, Massimo Vignelli, Massimo and Lella 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
Ralph Lauren Academy Platinum Dinnerware, 4 Place Settings Set
By Ralph Lauren
Located in New York, NY
A set of 4 (four) place settings in the academy platinum pattern by Ralph Lauren Home collection. Bone china. Signed. Imported, production period 1995-2002. Features a platinum/silv...
Porcelain
Smoking Set, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Smoking Set is a decorative object realized in the 1970s. A ceramic blue colored smoking set composed by a lighter and an ashtray. Dimensions: Lighter: h.7.5 x 7 cm Ashtray: h. ...
Ceramic
$1,900 / set
H 1 in Dm 10.75 in
Yellow Bordallo Pinheiro Cabbage Leaf Dinnerware Set of Fifty Four Pieces
By Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro
Located in Bradenton, FL
Set of yellow 20th Century Bordallo Pinheiro Dinnerware. Set is a vivid warm shade of yellow that includes: 14 Dinner plates (10.75" Diameter) 1 Platter (13.25" Diameter) 12 saucers...
Ceramic
Fruit Salad Plates Design by Giovanna Amoruso Manzari for Limoges France
By Limoges Elite Porcelain 1
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Giovanna Amoruso Manzari hand painted partial table service for Limoges, decorated with fruit, flowers, and butterflies. Measure 8.66 inches / 22 cm * Request info for flatware pric...
Ceramic
Vintage Villeroy & Boch Luxembourg Dinnerware Set 12 settings, 28 pcs
By Villeroy & Boch
Located in Bastogne, BE
Vintage Villeroy & Boch Luxembourg dinnerware set! Circa 1970-80s The set includes: a stunning soup tureen (10.2 in - 26cm wide, 6.7 in - 17cm high) and a magnificent larger soup tu...
Porcelain
$480 / set
H 2.75 in Dm 4.72 in
1970s Stunning Purple Smoking Set By Antonio Imperatore in Murano Glass.
By Cristallerie Antonio Imperatore
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Stunning purple smoking set by Antonio Imperatore in Murano glass. Made in Italy The items are in excellent condition. The table lighter works perfectly, This smoking set is go...
Murano Glass
$803 / set
H 25.99 in Dm 10.56 in
Set of Two "Griglia" Floor Ashtrays by Enzo Mari for Danese, Italy, 1970s
By Danese Milano, Enzo Mari
Located in Milan, IT
Set of two Griglia floor ashtrays by Enzo Mari for Danese. Upper part can be also used as a table ashtray.
Aluminum
$238 / item
H 2.75 in Dm 6.06 in
Rock Handmade Pottery Cereal/Soup Bowls - Set of 2 - Black & White Splatterware
By OWO Ceramics
Located in Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, AR
Beautiful breakfast handmade ceramic bowls carefully crafted to meet the demands of everyday use. Designed to enrich your table setting and daily rituals, these handmade pottery bowls blur the line between functionality and ornament. Their size makes it perfect for serving cereals, fruits, snacks, soups or dips. Sold as a set of two, each pottery bowl is meticulously crafted by hand and coated in a matte glaze featuring hand-painted black splatters that evoke Pollock’s artistic work. Due to the handcrafted nature, each ceramic bowl is one-of-a-kind, and hand washing is recommended. Try combining them with our dipping and salad bowls from the Rock Collection to create your own unique handcrafted ceramic splatterware set...
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery
Mushroom Handpainted in Italy Dessert Plate
By Bertrando Di Renzo
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Italian craftsmanship meets Les-Ottomans in this beautifiul mushroom collection of handpainted plates The charme of the woods on your table in a u...
Ceramic
Mushroom Handpainted in Italy Dinner Plate
By Bertrando Di Renzo
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Italian craftsmanship meets Les-Ottomans in this beautifiul mushroom collection of handpainted plates The charme of the woods on your table in a un...
Ceramic
Rare and Fine Copeland Spode Dinnerware Service For 12
By Copeland Spode
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Copeland Spode dinnerware with ivory color china, rose band flanked by gilt gadroon trim, gold filigree embellishments. Included in this service: (12)...
Porcelain
Mushroom Handpainted in Italy Dessert Plate
By Bertrando Di Renzo
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Italian craftsmanship meets Les-Ottomans in this beautifiul mushroom collection of handpainted plates The charme of the woods on your table in a un...
Ceramic
Space Age 1970s Heller by Massimo Vignelli Rare Water Pitcher in Melamine
By Heller, Massimo Vignelli
Located in San Diego, CA
Great example of Postmodern design by Massimo Vignelli for Heller circa 1978, in yellow, nice color a small crack under the lid lip as shown not noticable very hard to find .
Plastic
Massimo Vignelli Stackable Dinnerware for Heller ( 33 pieces ), USA, c.1980
By Heller, Massimo Vignelli
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Massimo Vignelli Stackable Dinnerware for Heller ( 33 pieces ), USA, c.1980. 7 Cups / Each Measures: 4.63" deep x 3.13" wide x 4" tall 8 Bowls / Each Measures: 5" diameter x 2.25"...
Plastic
Massimo Vignelli for Heller Dinner Set, 39 Pcs.
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Astoria, NY
Massimo Vignelli (Italian, 1931-2014) for Heller polychrome plastic dinnerware set twelve (12) small plates, six (6) handled cups, eight (8) bowls, ...
Plastic
Space Age 1970s Heller by Massimo Vignelli Set of Dinnerware in Melamine
By Heller, Massimo Vignelli
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice set of 13pieces designed by Massimo Vignelli for Heller circa 1970s, in a navy blue color set consist of 2 coffee cups, 3 bowls and 8 dinner plates.
Plastic
Multicolored Dinnerware by Vignelli for Heller, Set of 33
By 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
Multicolored Dinnerware by Vignelli for Heller, Set of 32
By Heller, Massimo and Lella Vignelli, 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
White & Black Dinnerware by Vignelli for Heller, Set of 22
By 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 been in near constant production for over 50 years. This is 22 piece set with 10 dinner plates (five white and five black), six white mugs, and six white coasters...
Plastic
Green Dinnerware by Vignelli for Heller, Set of 17
By 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
Yellow Dinnerware by Vignelli for Heller, Set of 16
By 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
Yellow Dinnerware by Vignelli for Heller, Service for 6
By 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 been in near constant production for over 50 years. This 23 piece set in yellow provides a service for fix with six dinner plates, six salad plates, six bowls, two bowl lids, a serving platter, and a serving bowl with lid...
Plastic
Massimo Vignelli Stackable Dinnerware Set, Heller 1964
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Las Vegas, NV
31 piece stackable dining set by Massimo Vignelli for Heller, 1964. Innovative and versatile design in a rare and vibrant pink plastic. Purple set also available.
Plastic
Massimo Vignelli Stackable Tableware for Heller, 1964
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Las Vegas, NV
33 Piece stackable dinnerware setup by Massimo Vignelli for Heller, 1964 in a vibrant, and rare, purple plastic. Impeccable space saving design gives th...
Plastic