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.
"Striade" Murano Glass Floor Lamp by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, Italy, 1950s
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Milan, IT
"Striade" standard lamp by Massimo Vignelli for Venini. A large hand blown milky glass shade with red, green and blue stripes on crystal top edge.
Metal
Massimo Vignelli, Paolo Venini, Pendant lamp, prod. venini 1950s
By Venini, Paolo Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Rivoli, IT
Suspension lamp mod. "Cipolla" designed by Massimo Vignelli and Paolo Venini, prod. Venini anni '50 Paralume in vetro incamiciato latino e colorato, struttura in ottone
Brass
$5,887
H 17.72 in Dm 17.33 in
Very large Cipolla Murano glass pendant by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, 1950s
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Very large Cipolla pendant, white with subtle blue stripes, designed by Massimo Vignelli at the start of his impressive career in design and executed by Murano glass specialist Venin...
Metal
Single ceiling light by Massimo Vignelli - Venini Murano
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Uccle, BE
Single ceiling light by Massimo Vignelli, Venini, Murano, Italy (founded in 1921). Cigar-shaped in clear sandblasted glass decorated with multi-colored bands. Referenced in the Venin...
Blown Glass
Massimo Vignelli Pendant Lamp for Venini, Italy, 1950s
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Milan, IT
Massimo Vignelli pendant lamp for Venini, Italy, 1950s.
Murano Glass
$1,200Sale Price|60% Off
H 62 in Dm 15.5 in
Floor Lamp Massimo and Lella Vignelli in the style of Venini, circa 1970
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian floor lamp , chrome base and a large glass shade. The glass bowl got crack but still functional. I post the photo of the crack .Hand Blown glass shade is 15.5 Diameter .On t...
Chrome
$1,042
H 7.49 in Dm 5.52 in
‘Fungo’ Murano Glass Table Lamp by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, Italy, 1950s
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This beautiful ocean blue Murano glass table lamp, model 'Fungo', was designed by Massimo Vignelli for Venini in Italy in the 1950s. It was in production for several decades. These l...
Glass, Murano Glass
Rare Brass and Murano Glass Floor Lamp by Venini, Italy circa 1950s
By Venini
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
Rare Brass and clear Murano Glass Floor Lamp by Venini, Italy circa 1950s. Socket: 2 x E27 or E26 (US) for standard screw bulbs.
Brass
$2,371 / set
H 11.82 in Dm 7.88 in
Set of 2 Cobalt Murano Glass Pendant Lights by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, 1960
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Rijssen, NL
A beautiful and unique set of cobalt blue glass pendant lights, made in the 1960s by Massimo Vignelli for Venini. The lampshade is made of blue opaline glass with an inner white glaz...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Opaline Glass
Massimo Vignelli Pendent Lamp for Venini
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in San Francisco, CA
Massimo Vignelli design pendent lamp for Venini, Italy. Striking design and unusual colors in this example of his iconic signature swirling glass pendent lamp. Newly rewired and read...
Art Glass
Massimo Vignelli for Venini Murano Pendant Glass Lamp, 1960s
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Milan, IT
This mid-century pendant lamp was designed by Massimo Vignelli for Venini in the 1960s and features 3 exceptionally refined Murano glass diffusers mounted on a brass structure.
Metal, Brass
$2,121
H 13.78 in Dm 9.85 in
Large Orange Hand Blown Fungo Table Lamp by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, 1950s
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Rotterdam, NL
A hand blown orange colored glass Fungo table lamp designed by Massimo Vignelli at the start of his impressive career in design and executed by Murano glass specialist Venini. This is the largest size of the Fungo table lamp. The Fungo lamp...
Murano Glass
Large yellow Murano glass pendant lamp by Massimo Vignelli for Venini
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This yellow glass cylindrical pendant lamp was designed by Massimo Vignelli for Venini in the 1960's. It was made in 2 sizes with a heig...
Glass, Murano Glass
Table Lamp Model No. 526/P by Massimo Vignelli for Arteluce, 1965
By Massimo Vignelli, Arteluce
Located in Rotterdam, NL
This elegant lamp model No. 526/P was designed in 1965 by Massimo Vignelli for Italian lighting manufacturer Arteluce. Model No. 526 is a table lamp with a base that consists of t...
Metal
Sold
H 17.875 in Dm 11.875 in
Pair of 1960s Massimo Vignelli Model 526/g Table or Floor Lamps for Arteluce
By Massimo Vignelli, Arteluce
Located in Glendale, CA
1960s Massimo Vignelli Model 526/g table or floor lamp for Arteluce. Executed in chromed metal and acrylic. The simplicity of Vignelli's design and the sculptural shaping of the mate...
Metal, Chrome
1960s Massimo Vignelli Model 526/g Table or Floor Lamp for Arteluce
By Massimo Vignelli, Arteluce
Located in Glendale, CA
1960s Massimo Vignelli Model 526/g table or floor lamp for Arteluce. Executed in chromed metal and acrylic. The simplicity of Vignelli's design and the sculptural shaping of the materials make for an incredibly refined example of his highly influential conceptual approach. Retains the original Arteluce...
Metal, Chrome
Table Lamp Model No. 526/P by Massimo Vignelli for Arteluce, 1965
By Massimo Vignelli, Arteluce
Located in Rotterdam, NL
This elegant lamp model No. 526/P was designed in 1965 by Massimo Vignelli for Italian lighting manufacturer Arteluce. Model No. 526 is a table lamp with a base that consists of t...
Metal