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.
1979 Box of 4 Lella&Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani Design Kyoto Small Dish Set
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Kyoto Small Dish Set, initially designed by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani in 1971, with the line's official debut in 1979. These particular examples were produc...
Laminate
1979 Box of 4 Lella&Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani Design Kyoto/Dish Plate Set
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Kyoto Medium Dish / Plate Set, initially designed by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani International Design in 1971, with their debut in 1979. These particular exam...
Laminate
1979 Box of 4 Lella&Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani Design Kyoto Large Dish Set
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Kyoto Dish Set, initially designed by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani in 1971. The design was officially released in 1979. These particular examples were produced...
Laminate
$2,136 / set
H 1.34 in W 13.78 in D 14.18 in
Plates Platters Serveware Set of 3 White Onyx Marble Collectible Design Italy
By Barberini & Gunnell, Pieruga Marble
Located in Ancona, Marche
Hand carved presentation plates in white onyx. Multiple use as plates, platters and placers. The polished finishing underlines the transparency of the onyx making this a very preciou...
Onyx
Augusta Glasses Large - Set of four
By Akua Objects
Located in København K, DK
4 pieces handcrafted Venetian Glassware Made in Murano For a whimsical burst of colour and excitement to grace any table setting, perfect for serving water, wine or lemonade The ...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$2,749 / set
H 0.79 in W 13.78 in D 7.09 in
Set of Three Satin Trays Designed by Chiara Andreatti for Mingardo
By Mingardo, Chiara Andreatti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A family of trays covered by copper and brass that wink at Bauhaus period silvers. Available in natural brass top or natural copper top. Octagonal tray 18 x 35 cm. Exagonal tray ...
Satin
Hermès Paris Toucan Porcelain Small Cup Bowl & Dish
By Hermès
Located in Forney, TX
Add a touch of whimsical elegance and sophistication at your next dinner party with these charming Hermès Paris table articles! Comprising a scarce diminutive handleless cup / bowl,...
Porcelain
Set of 3 Pino Boxes by Antrei Hartikainen
By Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 pino boxes by Antrei Hartikainen Materials: Oak, natural oil wax Dimensions: D 9, W 9, H 5 / 9,5 / 14cm A set of three vertical and two horizontal stacking boxes constructe...
Oak
Set of 5 Pino Boxes by Antrei Hartikainen
By Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 5 pino boxes by Antrei Hartikainen Materials: Oak, natural oil wax Dimensions: D 9, W 9, H 5 / 9,5 / 14cm A set of three vertical and two horizontal stacking boxes constructe...
Oak
Vintage Silver Plate Snail Salt Dish Spice Dish with Glass Inlay
Located in Miami, FL
A vintage salt or spice dish designed as a snail with a glass tray inside. Label silver plated on the bottom. Makes the perfect timeless gift! A-816-335
Silver Plate
Large Pino Boxes by Antrei Hartikainen
By Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Pino boxes by Antrei Hartikainen Materials: Oak, natural oil wax Dimensions: D 9, W 9, H 5 / 9,5 / 14cm A set of three vertical and two horizontal stacking boxes constructed o...
Oak
$689Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 5.52 in W 9.06 in D 9.06 in
Oriental porcelain - Small tureen with serving dish
Located in Porto, PT
Oriental porcelain - Small tureen with serving dish. Made of Chinese porcelain; Guangxu reign (1875-1908). Polychrome and gilded Mandarin decoration; with oriental figures. Dimension...
Porcelain
$321 / item
H 2.96 in Dm 3.15 in
Plume Set Of Four Small Glass in Mouth Blown Glass Designed by Aldo Cibic
By Aldo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Small glass in mouth blown glass. Plume is a handcrafted glassware collection designed by Aldo Cibic, in his style characterized by the love for i...
Blown Glass
Box Set of English Silver Cutlery for Six
By Walker & Hall
Located in New York, NY
Boxed English Silver Serving Set for Six. Antique Sheffield Silver Plated Cutlery Set for Six retailed by Walker & Hall with accompanyi...
Silver Plate, Stainless Steel
$374 / set
H 0.5 in W 9.5 in D 9.5 in
Set of Four Limoges Porcelain Dinner Plates, Floral Design, France, 1930
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A delicate set of four Limoges France porcelain dinner plates, decorated with soft floral sprays in shades of pink, purple, blue, and green over a luminous white porcelain ground. Each plate features a graceful scalloped rim and a light floral pattern, giving the set a romantic French table presence with an elegant, collected quality. The floral decoration is soft and airy, with small sprays placed across the porcelain rather than a heavy allover pattern. The scalloped edges add movement and delicacy, while the white porcelain body keeps the set refined and easy to mix with other pieces. They pair beautifully with silver plate, linen, crystal, floral china, white porcelain, transferware, and romantic country house table settings. Presented in vintage condition consistent with age and use, with light wear appropriate to porcelain tableware. Minor surface marks, gentle wear, or age-related variation may be present. A charming and useful set of four Limoges France dinner plates...
Porcelain
Remarkable Large Modern Glass Dish
By Roberto Giulio Rida
Located in NYC, NY
A beautifully executed large glass dish with an incised pattern of squares. Beautiful when paired with the dark version listed.
Glass
$3,446 / set
H 3.15 in Dm 8.67 in
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
$275 / set
H 1 in Dm 10 in
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
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
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
Sold
H 1 in Dm 9.75 in
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
Twelve 1970s Heller Dinnerware Sets, Two of Each of the Six Original Colors
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Kansas City, MO
12 place settings of original 1970s Heller plastic multi-color dinnerware by Massimo Vignelli. Each set consists of a dinner plate, salad plate, bowl, a...
Plastic
Sold
H 8.27 in W 9.85 in D 14.57 in
Midcentury Melamine Dinnerware Set Designed by Massimo Vignelli for Heller
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Dinnerware set made of melamine designed in 1964. Because of its material, compactness, stackability and looks this has become an iconic design. It is in the permanent collection of ...
Plastic
Massimo Vignelli Heller Dinnerware 20 Large Plates and 20 Small Plates Yellow
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Topeka, KS
Set of 20 large 10-inch dinner plates and 20 small 8-inch salad plates in light yellow by Massimo Vignelli for Heller, circa 1964. They are all in wonderful vintage condition. Thi...
Plastic
Large Set of Staking Tableware by Massimo Vignelli for Heller Design
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large set of staking tableware by Massimo Vignelli for Heller design. Stamped, circa 1960. Bowls: Dia 5'/height 3'. Big plates: Dia 10'/height 1'. Small plates: Dia 8' /height 1...
Plastic
Sold
H 8 in W 1.5 in D 2 in
Stainless Steel Modernist Y. Kono Vignelli for Sasaki 4 Place Tableware Set
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in North Miami, FL
These vintage modernist stainless steel table settings is signed. It is from the late 1960s-early 1970s and was produced in Korea by Y. Kono Vignelli for...
Stainless Steel
Plastic Dish Set by Massimo Vignelli for Heller
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Ferndale, MI
Large Set Pop Era Yellow Plastic Dish Set by Massimo Vignelli for Heller. 10 Pieces Each: Large and Small Plates, Mugs, Bowls