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.
‘Fungo’ Murano Glass Table Lamp by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, Italy, 1950s
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
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
Venini Fungo Table Lamp in Gray and White by Massimo Vignelli
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Glass table lamp with an interesting shape and two-tone coloring. Its sleek design and muted color pallette make it a modern, simple and understated lighting option for any space. Al...
Art Glass
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
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
Large Blue Hand Blown Fungo Table Lamp by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, 1950s
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Rotterdam, NL
A hand blown blue 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 ...
Murano Glass
Arteluce, Model 526G Table Lamp by Massimo Vignelli from 60s
By Massimo Vignelli, Arteluce
Located in Catania, CT
Large table lamp model 526G (grande) for Arteluce by Massimo Vignelli. Very good and working condition consistent with age and use. Made in Italy during the 60s.Rare 1st edition with the chromed brass base and the old original "Ticino" switch. Full working with EU standard, adaptable on demand for USA standard. Documentation: *Gramigna, G. Repertorio del Design Italiano, 2 vols. p 121, illustrated. *Italian Light 1960...
Brass, Chrome
"FUNG0" Mushroom Glass Table Lamp by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, Murano Italy
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Midcentury Modern Design "FUNGO" Fungi Mushroom Blue Glass Table lamp by Massimo Vignelli for Venini. Made in Italy, Murano 1950's. Blue handblown opaline glass mushroom shap...
Glass
Rara coppia di lampade da tavolo mod. "Fungo", Massimo Vignelli, Venini 1955
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Rivoli, IT
Rara coppia di lampade da tavolo in vetro opalino bianco a canne larghe in vetro verde Il manufatto, noto anche come "Fungo" o "Zaffiro", fu segnalato al Compasso d'Oro del 1956 La l...
Glass
Model 526/p table lamp by Massimo Vignelli for Arteluce, 1960s Italy.
By Massimo Vignelli, Arteluce
Located in Landgraaf, NL
Model 526/p table lamp by Massimo Vignelli for Arteluce, 1960s Italy. This iconic lamp is design for Gino sarfatti’s Arteluce in 1965. Made of 3 bent chrome metal sheets that each ho...
Metal, Chrome
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
1965 Arteluce Large Chrome & Acrylic Table Lamp by Massimo Vignelli Italy
By Massimo Vignelli, Arteluce
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern 1965 Arteluce Model 526/G large Chrome & Acrylic table lamp by Massimo Vignelli Italy. Concave chrome base holds 3 Light socket and topped with large white Lucite...
Chrome
21st Century Fungo Massimo Table Lamp in Grey/Milk-White by Vignelli
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in murano, IT
How can such a complex and sophisticated technique like "Canne" (canes) give life to such a natural and spontaneous shape? Only Massimo Vignelli knows. Designed in 1956, this unique ...
Glass
Massimo Vignelli, Paolo Venini, Pendant lamp, prod. venini 1950s
By Massimo Vignelli, Paolo Venini, Venini
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
Gino Sarfatti & Arteluce Table Lamp Model 569/N Italy, 1956
By Gino Sarfatti, Arteluce
Located in La Teste-de-Buch, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Table lamp model 569 N by Gino Sarfatti & Arteluce Designed in 1956 and made in Italy. Adjustable reflector in aluminium lacquered black, cast iron trumpet-shaped base lacquered ...
Aluminum, Brass
$8,192 / set
H 16.93 in W 17.33 in D 10.24 in
Pair of 1964 Massimo Vignelli 259/2 Wall Sconces by Arteluce
By Arteluce, Massimo Vignelli
Located in TOURS, FR
Pair of wall sconces model 259/2 designed by Massimo Vignelli and made by Arteluce in 1964. Each sconce is made of two aluminium square frames from where hang fabric fringes surroun...
Metal
Venini Fungo Pendant Light in Gray and White by Massimo Vignelli
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Glass hanging pendant or suspension light with an interesting shape and two-tone coloring. Its sleek design and muted color pallette make it a modern, simple and understated lighting...
Art Glass
$5,781
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
Antonio Macchi Cassia Table lamp, model 610 Arteluce Italy, 1973
By Arteluce, Antonio Pio Macchi Cassia
Located in Skokie, IL
Angelo Lelii Cobra table lamp model 12919 for Arredoluce Italy, c. 1962 Dimensions: 24 1/2" h × 4 1/2" w × 4 1/2" d Materials: brass, enameled ste...
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
$2,071 / item
H 13 in Dm 10.24 in
21st Century Fungo Pendant Light in Grey/Milk-White by Massimo Vignelli
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in murano, IT
How can such a complex and sophisticated technique like "Canne" (canes) give life to such a natural and spontaneous shape? Only Massimo Vignelli knows. Designed in 1956, this unique ...
Glass
Massimo Vignelli Venini 4029 pendants Italy 1954
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This stunning set of three Model 4029 pendant lamps, designed by Massimo Vignelli and manufactured by Venini in Italy in 1954, is a remarkable example of mid-century Italian lighting...
Glass
Massimo Vignelli for Venini Multicolor Glass Pendant Light
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Norwood, NJ
A rare and visually arresting pendant light designed by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, Italy, circa 1950s–60s. This sculptural handblown Murano glass fixture features Vignelli’s signat...
Brass
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
Gino Sarfatti Model 596 Table Lamp Arteluce, 1968
By Arteluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Large sized table lamp model 596 designed by Gino Sarfatti and manufactured by Arteluce, Italy 1968. This large mushroom shaped table lamp has a diffuser cup in white opaline methacr...
Aluminum
$1,500Sale Price|40% Off
H 16.4 in Dm 9.05 in
Massimo Vignelli Style Striped Murano Glass Pendant Lamp, Midcentury, Italy
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Vienna, AT
Large glass tear-drop pendant light, Italy, probably circa 1960's Well-sized glass pendant fixture consisting of a beautiful blown glass shade with white on white stripes which al...
Brass
Large "Fungo" table lamp by Massimo Vignelli, Venini 1950's
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Renens, CH
Large "Fungo" table lamp by Massimo Vignelli, Venini 1950's Iconic Fungo table lamp designed by Massimo Vignelli for Venini also called Zefiro in the Venini catalogue. This is the ...
Murano Glass, Blown Glass
Sold
H 23.82 in Dm 15.95 in
Midcentury table lamp mod. 526 by Massimo Vignelli for Arteluce, Italy 1965
By Massimo Vignelli, Arteluce
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Huge and elegant Massimo Vignelli table lamp model 526 for Arteluce, Italy, 1965. Designed by Massimo Vignelli for Arteluce in 1965, the Model 526 table lamp is a refined expression ...
Chrome
Sold
H 13.78 in Dm 9.85 in
Large Amber Hand Blown Fungo Table Lamp by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, 1950s
By Venini, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Rotterdam, NL
A hand blown amber 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...
Murano Glass
Massimo Vignanelli 2049/4 Flush Mount by Arteluce
By Arteluce, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Ceiling light model 2049/4 designed by Massimo Vignanelli and made by Gino Sarfatti's Arteluce in 1964. Made of four aluminium square frames from where hang fabric fringes surroundi...
Aluminum
Sold
H 23.82 in Dm 18.9 in
Midcentury pair of lamps 526 model G and P by Massimo Vignelli for Arteluce
By Massimo Vignelli, Arteluce
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Pair of lamps 526 model G and model P designed by Massimo Vignelli for Arteluce. Original structure with chrome-plated brass base and lampshade composed of three concave, chrome-plat...
Brass
Table Lamp Model 526/P by Massimo Vignelli for Arteluce, 1965
By Arteluce, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Rotterdam, NL
This elegant lamp model 526 was designed in 1965 by Massimo Vignelli for Italian lighting manufacturer Arteluce. Model 526 is a table lamp with a base that consists of three concave...
Metal
Jacques Biny, Table Lamp, Brass, Metal, France, 1950s
By O-Luce, Massimo Vignelli
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and black-painted metal table lamp designed by Jacques Biny and produced by Luminalite, France, 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 21” H x 9.25” W x 16” D Stated dimensions...
Metal, Brass
Table Lamp Model No. 526 by Massimo Vignelli for Arteluce, 1965
By Arteluce, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Rotterdam, NL
This elegant lamp model 526 was designed in 1965 by Massimo Vignelli for Italian lighting manufacturer Arteluce. Model 526 is a table lamp with a base that consists of three concave...
Metal
Sold
H 23.82 in Dm 16.15 in
Table Lamp in White Round Plastic Shade and Chromed Plated Brass for Arteluce
By Massimo Vignelli, Arteluce
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Table lamp mod. 526G designed by Massimo Vignelli for Arteluce. Base in chromed brass and perplex lampshade. Bibliography The Complete Designers’ Lights 1950 – 1990, p. 203, Clémenc...
Brass
Table Lamp Model No. 526 by Massimo Vignelli for Arteluce, 1965
By Arteluce, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Rotterdam, NL
This elegant lamp model 526 was designed in 1965 by Massimo Vignelli for Italian lighting manufacturer Arteluce. Model 526 is a table lamp with a base that consists of three conca...
Metal
Table Lamp 526 Massimo Vignelli for Arteluce
By Massimo Vignelli, Arteluce
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Table lamp in chromed metal and perspex.
Metal
Vintage Table Lamp 1970s Massimo Vignelli, Italy, Mid Century
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
Large and rare table lamp designed by Massimo Vignelli in 1965. This sculptural and timeless piece. Base in white painted metal with white plexiglass lamp...
Metal