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Massimo Vignelli Dining Room Chairs

Italian, 1931-2014

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.

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Creator: Massimo Vignelli
Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Intl 'Handkerchief' Set w Unique Provenance, Signed
Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Intl 'Handkerchief' Set w Unique Provenance, Signed

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...

Category

1990s American Post-Modern Massimo Vignelli Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Steel

Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Intl 'Handkerchief' Stacking Chairs, Signed, 19 Avail
Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Intl 'Handkerchief' Stacking Chairs, Signed, 19 Avail

Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Intl 'Handkerchief' Stacking Chairs, Signed, 19 Avail

By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Massimo Vignelli, Knoll

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...

Category

1990s American Post-Modern Massimo Vignelli Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Steel

Handkerchief Chairs in White by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Post Modern
Handkerchief Chairs in White by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Post Modern

Handkerchief Chairs in White by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Post Modern

By Knoll, Massimo Vignelli

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.

Category

Late 20th Century European Post-Modern Massimo Vignelli Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Handkerchief Chairs in White by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Post Modern a Pair
Handkerchief Chairs in White by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Post Modern a Pair

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...

Category

Late 20th Century European Post-Modern Massimo Vignelli Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Set of 8 Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Handkerchief Chairs
Set of 8 Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Handkerchief Chairs

Set of 8 Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Handkerchief Chairs

By Massimo Vignelli

Located in New Orleans, LA

These curvy monochrome chairs add sophistication and contemporary charm.

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Post-Modern Massimo Vignelli Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Metal

Massimo Vignelli for Knoll International Postmodern Handkerchief Chairs, Twelve
Massimo Vignelli for Knoll International Postmodern Handkerchief Chairs, Twelve

Massimo Vignelli for Knoll International Postmodern Handkerchief Chairs, Twelve

By Massimo Vignelli, Knoll

Located in South Bend, IN

A stylish set of twelve Postmodern stacking "handkerchief" chairs By Massimo Vignelli for Knoll International USA, 1980s Molded fiberglass seat...

Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Massimo Vignelli Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Steel

Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Postmodern Handkerchief Chair, 23 Available
Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Postmodern Handkerchief Chair, 23 Available

Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Postmodern Handkerchief Chair, 23 Available

By Knoll, Massimo Vignelli

Located in South Bend, IN

A stylish postmodern stacking "handkerchief" chair By Massimo Vignelli for Knoll International USA, 1980s Molded fiberglass seat, with powder coated steel base. Measures: 23.5"W ...

Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Massimo Vignelli Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Steel

Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Postmodern Handkerchief Chair, 7 Available
Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Postmodern Handkerchief Chair, 7 Available

Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Postmodern Handkerchief Chair, 7 Available

By Massimo Vignelli, Knoll

Located in South Bend, IN

A stylish postmodern stacking "handkerchief" chair By Massimo Vignelli for Knoll International USA, 1980s Molded fiberglass seat, with powder coated steel base. Measures: 23.5"W ...

Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Massimo Vignelli Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of 4 Handkerchief Armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll
Set of 4 Handkerchief Armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll

Set of 4 Handkerchief Armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll

By Massimo Vignelli, Knoll

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Set of 4 handkerchief armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll. In 1968 Vignelli was contracted by Knoll to re-envision the corporate identity ...

Category

1980s American International Style Vintage Massimo Vignelli Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Set of 4 Handkerchief Armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll
Set of 4 Handkerchief Armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll

Set of 4 Handkerchief Armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll

By Knoll, Massimo Vignelli

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Set of 4 handkerchief armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll. In 1968 Vignelli was contracted by Knoll to re-envision the corporate identity ...

Category

1980s American International Style Vintage Massimo Vignelli Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Set of 4 Handkerchief Armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll
Set of 4 Handkerchief Armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll

Set of 4 Handkerchief Armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll

By Knoll, Massimo Vignelli

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Set of 4 handkerchief armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll. In 1968 Vignelli was contracted by Knoll to re-envision the corporate identity ...

Category

1980s American International Style Vintage Massimo Vignelli Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

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Massimo Vignelli dining room chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Massimo Vignelli dining room chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of plastic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Massimo Vignelli dining room chairs, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original dining room chairs by Massimo Vignelli were created in the modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider dining room chairs by Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Frank Gehry, and Kreiss. Prices for Massimo Vignelli dining room chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $360 and can go as high as $6,975, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,600.
Questions About Massimo Vignelli Dining Room Chairs
  • 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 19, 2025
    Massimo Vignelli was perhaps most famous for the Handkerchief chair, a stackable office chair made of compression-molded plastic that has the look of a cloth floating in the air. It was created for Knoll in 1983. Vignelli and his wife, Lella Vignelli, are also legendary names in branding and were prolific creators of home furnishings, products and interiors. The duo’s modernist furniture collaborations, which spanned 50 years, also left a profound mark on design and wider visual culture. Furniture created by the couple is often labeled as Massimo Vignelli’s alone. However, he fought to have Lella recognized for her work, even throwing away magazines that neglected to give her due credit. Explore a range of Massimo Vignelli furniture on 1stDibs.