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.
H 25 in W 35.25 in D 36.25 in
Pair of Lella and Massimo Vignelli Saratoga Chairs, 1960s
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in Raleigh, NC
Pair of Saratoga chairs designed by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Poltronova, featuring the distinctive wraparound frame construction that defines th...
Leather, Lacquer
H 28 in W 32 in D 28 in
Pair of Postmodern Tub Chairs by Massimo Vignelli
By Massimo Vignelli, Sunar
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage pair of postmodern Rotonda tub chairs by Massimo Vignelli for Sunar Hauserman , 1979. These feature a gently curved back and sides with floating seat fully upholstered in lig...
Upholstery, Foam
H 20.5 in W 32.5 in D 27.5 in
Club Lounge Chair by Massimo and Lella Vignelli
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Sunar
Located in Pasadena, TX
High back club lounge chairs Designed by Massimo & Lella Vignelli for Sunar 2 in black 1 in blue Plastic gliders This ad is for (1) chair
Fabric
H 30 in W 28.5 in D 27 in
Massimo Vignelli Pair of "Intervista" Chairs in Vermillion Leather (1989)
By Poltrona Frau, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in New York, NY
Designed in 1989 by husband and wife design team Massimo and Lela Vignelli for Italian furniture maker Poltrona Frau, the Intervista chair is the modernist designers' interpretation ...
Leather, Upholstery
H 29 in W 23 in D 22.5 in
Set of 4 Impeccable Handkerchief Chairs by Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Knoll
By Knoll, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 stacking 'Handkerchief' chairs designed by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Knoll International. This set was produced in 1991 and retains its original tags. Massimo and Lella Vignelli both studied architecture before founding the Vignelli Office of Design and Architecture in 1960. In 1971 they established Vignelli Associates, a vehicle for focusing on projects that incorporated their industrial, furniture and graphic design talents. Their diverse portfolio includes corporate identity work for IBM, American Airlines, and Bloomingdales as well as signage for the New York Subway system and Washington, D.C. Additionally, Vignelli Associates contributed two furniture designs to the Knoll portfolio: the Handkerchief chair (designed together with David Law) and the Paperclip table...
Chrome
H 28.5 in W 26 in D 22 in
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of chairs in Jacaranda and upholstered in black faux leather, made in Brazil, circa 1950 by Joaquim Tenreiro. A total of four chairs are available.
Faux Leather, Jacaranda
H 28 in W 27 in D 31 in
Pair of Midcentury Lounge Chairs by Karpen of California
By Karpen of California
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of midcentury lounge chairs by Karpen of California. This chic pair of Karpen lounge chairs will look great floating in a room. Stunning from all angles!
Chenille, Wood
H 26 in W 28 in D 26 in
Pair of Minimalist Floating Back Cube Chairs in Blue Velvet
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of stunning lounge chairs. Features a floating cut-out backrest and chromed steel base. Upholstered in blue velvet. These chairs would complement any Regency, Mid-Century Modern...
Chrome
H 29 in W 23 in D 20.5 in
MCM Massimo & Lella Vignelli for Knoll Internat Handkerchief Chairs - Set of 4
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Knoll International Handkerchief Chairs in Red - 4 Piece Set This Handkerchief chair was designed by the husband and wife team of M...
Steel
H 19.69 in Dm 15.75 in
Set of 2 Tensa Chairs, Dark Blue by Ries
Located in Geneve, CH
A set of 2 tensa chairs, dark blue by Ries Dimensions: W 40 x D 49.5 x H 82 cm Materials: Round steel tube, laser cut metal sheet, high density foam, velvet upholstery, aluminum/b...
Steel
Set of Ebonized Ladder-Back Chairs w/ Brass Accents, C. 1950s
Located in Westport, CT
This set of vintage ladder-back chairs has been meticulously restored by the expert craftsmen at Stamford Modern. Each chair has been newly ebonized, revealing a rich, lustrous finis...
Brass
Highback Accent Chair in Ivory Mohair, C. 1950s
Located in Westport, CT
A stunning Mid-Century Modern lounge chair featuring a high-back for head support and button details. The exposed walnut details and legs have been restored and ebonized, reupholster...
Mohair, Walnut
The Big Chair and Ottoman by Jens Risom in Navy Blue Velvet, C. 1950s
By Jens Risom
Located in Westport, CT
This iconic Jens Risom lounge chair and ottoman set embodies the elegance and comfort of mid-century American design. Fully restored by our expert workshop, the chair features its di...
Velvet, Walnut
Set of Slipper Chairs by Adrian Pearsall in Navy Mohair, 1950s
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Westport, CT
Sculptural set of slipper chairs designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, circa 1950s. Walnut bases fully restored, reupholstered in na...
Mohair, Walnut
Wingback Lounge Chairs by Adrian Pearsall, C. 1950s
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Westport, CT
Set of vintage wingback lounge chairs by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, circa 1950–1959. These iconic chairs feature sculpted walnut bases and dramatic arm details, refinished...
Linen, Walnut
Set of Lounge Chairs by Ole Wanscher in Sangria Leather, Denmark, C. 1960s
By Ole Wanscher, Cado
Located in Westport, CT
An exquisite set of Scandinavian Modern lounge chairs by renowned Danish designer Ole Wanscher for Cado. Crafted from rich mahogany, these chairs exude sophistication and elegance. P...
Leather, Mahogany
