Massimo Vignelli and Lella Vignelli’s legacy can be seen everywhere in the logos of Bloomingdale’s, Ford and American Airlines, among others. In addition to their work in branding, they were prolific creators of modernist home furnishings, products and interiors, and the duo’s collaborations, which span 50 years, have left a profound mark on design and wider visual culture.
After meeting in Italy, Lella (1934–2016) and Massimo (1931–2014) 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.
Vignelli furniture 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 he 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.”
Find vintage Massimo and Lella Vignelli seating, tables and other furniture today on 1stDibs.
Massimo Vignelli for Venini Yellow Onion Glass Uplighter Wall Sconce
By Venini, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Hanover, MA
Since yellow Murano glass wall lamp designed by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, mid-1950s. Original hefty brass wall bracket. Porcelain socket for single standard Edison screw lightbulb...
Brass
One Venini Alphabet Letters "Neon" Massimo Vignelli Design Years 1984
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Biella, IT
Venini Italy alphabet letters "neon" by Massimo Vignelli every letter in original lether bag, hand bent letters in transparent rods with colored c...
Art Glass
$840Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.97 in Dm 8.08 in
Minimal Venini Round Blu Bowl Glass Murano 1984 Signed Italian Design
By Venini
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Minimal Venini round blu bowl glass Murano 1984 signed Italian Design.
Murano Glass
Venini Art Glass Bowl 'Diamante' by Paolo Venini, Murano 1930s
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Venini Art Glass Bowl 'Diamante' by Paolo Venini, Murano 1930s A rare Venini art glass bowl of the 'Diamante' series. Heavy transparent glass with a ...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Venini Art Glass Vase with Inciso Decoration Paolo Venini, Murano 1956
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Venini Art Glass vase with Inciso Decoration Paolo Venini, Murano 1956 A vintage art glass vase in erba pesante (grass green) glass with layered...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
$2,125
H 3.35 in Dm 20.08 in
Very Large Vetro Soffiato Glass Dish by Vittorio Zecchin for Venini Murano
By Venini, Vittorio Zecchin
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Very large Vetro Soffiato glass dish by Vittorio Zecchin for Venini Murano ca. 1925 A very large 'vetro soffiato' glass dish in amethyst transparent glass, designed by Vittorio Zecchin in 1925 and manufactured by Venini, Murano Venice. Acid stamped signature 'venini murano' on the base. Venini model number 1306. The dish has been manufactured in different sizes, this is the larges version which is very rare. One of the early 20th century designs of Zecchin for Cappellin and Venini which motivated the muranese glass companies to set out for new shores. Good condition with some surface scratches. The last picture shows it together with a mid size version with 14.29" inches as comparison of the sizes. Measures: Height: 3.35" (8.5 cm) Diameter: 20.08" (51 cm) Literature Reference: Marino Barovier, Vittorio Zecchin: Transparent Glass for Cappellin and Venini, Milano 2017, pages 326, 336 and 357 Vittorio Zecchin (1878 - 1947) was a native Muranese and son of a glasswork technician. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice. Together with the painter Teodoro Wolf Ferrari...
Art Glass
$1,224Sale Price|58% Off
H 11.03 in Dm 5.91 in
Round Venini Vase Murano Glass 1985 Multi-Color Italian Design
By Venini
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Round Venini vase Murano glass 1985 multi-color Italian design.
Murano Glass
Massimo Vignelli for Heller Mid Century Modern Plates and Mugs for Six
By Heller, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Iconic sixties design by Massimo and Lella Vignelli of stacking plates and mugs manufactured by Heller. This set consists of 6 dinner plates and 6 mugs in a sunshine yellow color. Al...
Plastic
$1,675
H 11.82 in W 5.52 in D 4.45 in
Vetro Soffiato Glass Vase by Vittorio Zecchin for Venini Murano ca. 1950
By Venini, Vittorio Zecchin
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vetro Soffiato Glass Vase by Vittorio Zecchin for Venini Murano ca. 1950 A 'Vetro Soffiato' glass vase in red and transparent glass with slightly iridised surface, designed by Vittorio Zecchin in 1920 and manufactured by Venini Murano Venice ca. 1950. Acid etched signature 'venini murano ITALIA' on the base. Venini model number 1465. Very good condition with slight inside deposit. Vittorio Zecchin (1878 - 1947) was a native Muranese and son of a glasswork technician. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice. Together with the painter Teodoro Wolf Ferrari...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Paolo Venini Inciso Glass Bottle Manufactured by Venini 1990s
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Paolo Venini Inciso Glass Bottle Manufactured by Venini 1990s A vintage "Inciso" glass bottle designed by Paolo Venini in 1956 and manufactured by...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Large Venini Vase 'Kukinto', Designed by Timo Sarpaneva in 1991
By Venini, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Venini Vase 'Kukinto', Designed by Timo Sarpaneva in 1991 A monumental vase from the Kukinto series. Designed in 1991 by Timo Sarpaneva and produced 1992 by Venini, Murano. In...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
$7,200 / set
H 4.5 in W 10 in D 4.25 in
Signed Venini Murano Blue Birds Doves Designed by Tyra Lundgren
By Venini
Located in Great Barrington, MA
Designed by Tyra Lundgren circa 1930s, this signed pair of whimsical full sized doves was made by Venini in Murano, Italy. The pair are well proportioned, each one unique in design i...
Art Glass
Glass Vase by Tomaso Buzzi for Venini
By Venini, Tomaso Buzzi
Located in New York, NY
"Incamiciato" Italian art glass vase by Tomaso Buzzi for Venini. Cased glass, clear, white and grey, deep purple foot. Marked: Venini itali...
Art Glass
Large Bohemian Vase Years 1950
Located in Madrid, ES
Large Bohemian vase years 1950 Bohemian vase from the 1950s in red glass with decorated flowers in relief perfect condition measurements: 50 cm in height and 25 cm in diameter.
Glass