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.
Massimo Vignelli for Arteluce Pair of '259/2' Wall Lights
By Arteluce, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Massimo Vignelli for Arteluce, pair of '259/2' wall lights, aluminum, fabric, Italy, 1964 In the 259/2 wall lights, designed by Massimo Vignelli for Arteluce in 1964, the interplay...
Aluminum
Massimo Vignelli 259/2 wall lamps for Arteluce Italy 1964
By Massimo Vignelli, Arteluce
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
A rare and exquisite set of 259/2 wall lights designed by the legendary Massimo Vignelli for Arteluce in 1964. These iconic sconces are a stunning example of mid-century Italian desi...
Aluminum
Pair of 'Sigaro' Sconces by Massimo Vignelli for Venini
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 'Sigaro' Sconces by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, Italy, 1960s Murano glass chalice shape sconce comprising of ruby and true red inlays at the bottom end. Black enameled and ...
Brass
Wall Sconces by Massimo Vignelli, Italy, c. 1960s
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This elegant pair of wall sconces exemplifies the refined modernist language of Massimo Vignelli, combining disciplined geometry with rich material texture. Each sconce features a re...
Metal
Massimo Vignelli for Venini Yellow Onion Glass Uplighter Wall Sconce
By Venini, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Hanover, MA
Since yellow Murano glass wall lamp designed by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, mid-1950s. Original hefty brass wall bracket. Porcelain socket for single standard Edison screw lightbulb...
Brass
Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce "SP15" Wall Lamp, Italy 1960s
By Gino Sarfatti, Arteluce
Located in Naples, IT
Wall lamp model SP15, designed by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce in Italy in the 1950s/1960s. It is made of polished chrome-plated metal, has a very sturdy construction, and can be use...
Metal
Arteluce "Triana" Italian Wall Lamp or Sconce
By Arteluce
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This lamp is a fine example of Arteluce's ”Triana” wall lamp featuring two sets of interchangeable Murano glass. One set is white while the other features lined white strips over tra...
Steel
Murano Glass Sconce or Wall Lamp, 1960s Italy
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Murano Glass Sconce or Wall Lamp, 1960s The wall lamp come with 1 x E14 / E15 Edison screw fit bulb holder, is wired and in working condition. It runs both on 110/230 Volt. Deliver...
Metal
Table lamp 526, designed by Massimo Vignelli. Italy, Arteluce, 1965.
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Table lamp 526, designed by Massimo Vignelli. Italy, Arteluce, 1965. Chromed metal base with opaque perspex diffuser, divided into three sections. Includes 3 E14 light sockets. Ple...
Metal
$1,919
H 1.78 in W 25.6 in D 2.76 in
White Metal 5-Lights Wall Lamp Mod. 50 by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, '68
By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This wall lamp was designed by Gino Sarfatti in 1968 for bath mirror and it belongs to the early production. The simplicity of its design and its rarity al...
Metal
$1,856Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 6.3 in W 14.97 in D 10.24 in
Pair of "Cocktail" Jill Wall Lamps by King and Miranda for Arteluce, 1980s
By Perry King and Santiago Miranda, Arteluce
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beautiful pair of Italian White Wall Sconces from 1980s. These pieces were made during the 1980s in Italy by Perry King and Santiago Miranda. The name of the manufacturer "Arteluce"...
Metal
Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce Mod. 36 Wall Lamp, Italy 1955
By Gino Sarfatti, Arteluce
Located in Naples, IT
Wall sconce Mod. "36" in chromed metal designed by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, Italy 1955. The lamp is structured with a horizontal chromed arm connected to a square metal plate, wh...
Metal
Pair of Gino Sarfatti Model #10 Sconces for Arteluce
By Gino Sarfatti, Arteluce
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of 1950s Gino Sarfatti Model #10 sconces for Arteluce. Executed in painted aluminum and custom fabricated period-styled brass backplates designed to mo...
Brass, Aluminum
Gino Sarfatti Wall Lamp Sconce for Arteluce, Italy 1950s
By Gino Sarfatti, Arteluce
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular and iconic sconce designed by Gino Sarfatti and Archimede Seguso and produced by Arteluce in Italy during the 1950s. This incredibly elegant and unique sconce is in fabu...
Steel, Chrome
$4,071 / set
H 9.85 in Dm 4.34 in
1950's Gino Sarfatti Arteluce Pair of Wall Lights Sconces Appliques Metacrylate
By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of Wall Lights, Model No. 167 px, 1952 Opaline methacrylate diffuser with holder in lacquered metal. Manufactured in Italy by Arteluce. Dimensions: 11 W x 25 H cm / 4.3 W x 9.8...
Metal
Large Massimo Vignelli Model 526g Table lamp for Arteluce
By Arteluce, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Milan, IT
Massimo Vignelli Model 526g table lamp for Arteluce. Large Version Carries 3 bulbs Original labels
Metal
Pair of Sconces by Massimo Vignelli for Venini
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Sconces by Massimo Vignelli for Venini. Designed in Italy, circa the 1960s. Gorgeous Murano glass is the main focus of these two colored glass cylinders, consisting of drippe...
Brass
Sold
H 11.03 in W 8.27 in D 9.45 in
rare italian wall lamp by massimo vignelli for venini 1954 Model 4040
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Rare wall sconce created in 1954 by Italian designer Massimo Vignelli for Venini, model 4040. Metal structure and double shade in khaki Murano glass. Very fine vintage condition, wit...
Metal
Sold
H 8.67 in W 5.12 in D 6.3 in
Massimo Vignelli for Venini Murano Italian Glass Brass Sconces Wall Lamps, 1950s
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern design set of three scones wall lamps designed by Massimo Vignelli and produced by Venini with Murano adjustable glass diffusers and brass frame, Italy, 19...
Brass
Pair of Sconces by Massimo Vignelli for Venini
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of Murano glass sconces by Massimo Vignelli edited by Venini. Designed and manufactured in Italy circa the 1960s. Primary colored Murano glass with brass fixture. Holds one E2...
Brass
Sold
H 13.39 in W 5.12 in D 7.09 in
Massimo Vignelli Italian Glass Sconces for Venini Murano Italy, 1960s
By Murano 5, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern design couple of sconces wall lamps designed by Massimo Vignelli and produced by Venini with Murano glasses and lacquered brass structure, 1960s Please ...
Metal
Hand Blown Venini Wall Lamp by Massimo Vignelli
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Rare hand blown glass wall lamp designed by Massimo Vignelli at the start of his impressive career in design and executed by Murano glass specialist Venini. One of the most charac...
Murano Glass
Massimo Vignelli Italian Glass Pendant Lamp Sconces Set for Venini, 1950s
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian famous glass set of pendant lamp and wall lamps or sconces designed by Massimo Vignelli for Venini Murano, midcentury design, circa 1950s....
Brass
Sold
H 10.63 in W 6.3 in D 5.12 in
Massimo Vignelli for Venini Murano Italian Glass Sconces Set, 1950s
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian glass wall lamp or sconces set designed by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, Murano, midcentury design, 1950s. Please note that the lamps are original of the period and this sh...
Metal