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.
Single Handkerchief Chair Designed by Vignelli for Knoll Studio
By Knoll, Massimo Vignelli
Located in San Diego, CA
Single iconic chair designed by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll, circa 1996, for Knoll studio great condition complete with rubbers, the seats are very clean this chair is nice and comfy....
Metal
Upholstered Cesca Chair by Marcel Breuer for Knoll Studio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Iconic cantilevered chair features a tubular chrome-plated steel frame with upholstered seat and back in a neutral beige fabric. Originally designed in 1928, the Cesca chair is a hal...
Chrome
$7,258 / set
H 31.89 in W 19.3 in D 20.87 in
Set of 5 Tulip chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, 1970s
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Renens, CH
The Tulip chair, designed by Eero Saarinen in 1956 for Knoll International, is a key piece of mid-century modern design. Saarinen aimed to create a chair that removed the clutter of ...
Steel
Marcel Breuer Red Canvas Wassily Lounge Chair by Knoll Studio
By Knoll, Marcel Breuer
Located in Vilnius, LT
Wassily lounge chair, designed by Marcel Breuer, circa 1925. In red canvas upholstery, chromed steel tube frame. Marked/stamped on the metal frame: KnollStudio with Marcel Breuer sig...
Chrome
$1,950Sale Price / set|22% Off
H 29.25 in W 22 in D 20.5 in
Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Intl 'Handkerchief' Set w Unique Provenance, Signed
By Knoll, Massimo Vignelli, Massimo and Lella Vignelli, David Law
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This classic Post-Modern design by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Knoll International is called the 'Handkerchief' stacking chair, labelled underneath with early production (original) year labels. Great for stacking when you need more open space in the room and easy to unstack when you have guests. Perfect for those who require versatility in their space. Priced as a set of five (5). Unique provenance on this set - as it was ordered by David Law who worked with Vignelli Associates and participated in many of the designs they created for Knoll and Acerbis including the Serenissimo Table...
Steel
Desk Chair by Charles Pollock for Knoll, 1963
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A vintage Pollack executive chair on five leg pedestal base featuring his ‘rim technology’ of metal edge banding around the chair’s periphery s...
Aluminum
$1,120Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 29.25 in W 22 in D 20.5 in
Lella and Massimo Vignelli Handkerchief Chairs for Knoll, Set of Four
By Knoll, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Miami, FL
Black high-gloss lacquered Handkerchief chairs on black lacquered frames by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Knoll. In 1968 Vignelli was contracted by Knoll to re-envision the corpo...
Steel
$1,400 / item
H 29.93 in W 33.86 in D 29.53 in
Diamond Chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Brussels, BE
Diamond chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International, 6 available Sold par piece 1200€.
Chrome
Diamond Chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Brussels, BE
Diamond chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International, 6 available Sold par piece 1200€.
Chrome
Mandarin Chairs by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll (up to 30)
By Knoll, Ettore Sottsass
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Iconic Postmodern Mandarin chairs designed by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll in amazing period Uphostery original and in good condition. Black enamel steel legs and sculptural undulating ...
Steel
Knoll Mid Century Hat Trick Chair Single
By Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Knoll Mid Century Hat Trick Chair Single This chair measures: 19.75 wide x 21 deep x 34 inches high, with a seat height/chair clearance of 18 inches Fair Vintage Condition - Chair ...
Wood
$800 / set
H 29 in W 22 in D 22 in
Handkerchief Chairs in White by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Post Modern a Pair
By Massimo Vignelli, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Iconic design by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll. These ethereal chairs, seeming floating in air are fully labeled with an embossed Knoll, Vignelli design and a paper Knoll Label. This...
Fiberglass
$3,275 / set
H 31.5 in W 22.5 in D 20.5 in
Pair Knoll #72 chairs designed by Eero Saarinen for the GM Styling Studio
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to reach out for efficient shipping quote to your location. Pair Knoll #72 chairs. Designed by Eero Saarinen for the GM Styling Studio 1956.
Steel
Sold
H 29 in W 26 in D 22.5 in
Pair of Handkerchief Armchairs Designed by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Studio
By Knoll, Massimo Vignelli
Located in San Diego, CA
A great pair of armchairs designed by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll, circa 1983, for Knoll studio in great condition, black on black the seats are very clean these chairs are nice and c...
Metal
Sold
H 29 in W 26 in D 22.5 in
Set Handkerchief 4 Chairs in Black &Chrome Designed by Vignelli for Knoll Studio
By Knoll, Massimo Vignelli
Located in San Diego, CA
A great set of 4 chairs designed by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll, circa 1983, for Knoll studio great condition complete with rubbers chrome has been polished, the seats are very clean ...
Chrome
Massimo Vignelli for Knoll "Handkerchief Chairs" 4
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Astoria, NY
Massimo Vignelli (Italian 1931 -2014) for Knoll, four (4) stacking Handkerchief chairs (designed 1983) with fibreglass-reinforced polyester seats on...
Fiberglass
Sold
H 29 in W 26 in D 22.5 in
Set of 4 Handkerchief Chairs in Black & Chrome Designed by Vignelli for Knoll
By Knoll, Massimo Vignelli
Located in San Diego, CA
A great set of 4 chairs designed by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll, circa 1983, for Knoll studio great condition complete with rubbers chrome has been polished, the seats are very clean ...
Chrome
Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Postmodern Handkerchief Chair
By Knoll, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Astoria, NY
Postmodern handkerchief chair designed by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll International in the 1980s. Label on the bottom. The piece is in great vintage ...
Metal
Set of 6 Red Knoll Handkerchief Chairs by Massimo Vignelli
By Knoll, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Houston, TX
Beautiful sculptural chairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll. Chairs are in excellent vintage condition.
Pair of Tiffany Blue Accent Chairs by Massimo Vignelli
By Massimo Vignelli
Located in Westport, CT
Fabulous pair of Italian lounge chairs newly upholstered in light blue textured silk / linen blend. Designed by Massimo Vignelly.
Wood, Upholstery