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Massimo Vignelli Office Chairs and Desk 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
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 Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

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 ...
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1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Massimo Vignelli Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

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Steel

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 Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

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Fiberglass

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...
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1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Massimo Vignelli Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

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Steel

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 ...
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1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Massimo Vignelli Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

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Vintage Set of Six Handkerchief Armchairs by Vignelli for Knoll
By Knoll, Massimo Vignelli
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage set of (8) eight Knoll Handkerchief armchairs by Massimo Vignelli Inspired by the lightness and organic ease of a handkerchief drifting ...
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Late 20th Century American Massimo Vignelli Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

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Chrome

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Massimo Vignelli office chairs and desk chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Massimo Vignelli office chairs and desk 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 office chairs and desk chairs, although white editions of this piece are particularly popular. Prices for Massimo Vignelli office chairs and desk chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $380 and can go as high as $4,200, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,350.
Questions About Massimo Vignelli Office Chairs and Desk 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.

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