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.
$200 / set
H 0.79 in Dm 7.49 in
Massimo Vignelli for Heller, Italy, a Set of 4 Plates in Yellow Melamine
Located in København, Copenhagen
Massimo Vignelli for Heller, Italy. A set of 4 plates in yellow melamine. 1970/80s. Stackable. In excellent condition. Marked. D 19,5 x H 2,0 cm.
Other
$360 / set
H 0.79 in Dm 9.85 in
Massimo Vignelli for Heller, Italy, a Set of 6 Dinner Plates in Yellow Melamine
Located in København, Copenhagen
Massimo Vignelli for Heller, Italy. A set of 6 dinner plates in yellow melamine. 1970/80s. Stackable. In excellent condition. Marked. D 25.0 x H 2.5 cm.
Other
$240 / set
H 0.79 in Dm 9.85 in
Massimo Vignelli for Heller, Italy. A set of 4 dinner plates in yellow melamine
Located in København, Copenhagen
Massimo Vignelli for Heller, Italy. A set of 4 dinner plates in yellow melamine. 1970/80s. Stackable. In excellent condition. Marked. D 25.0 x H 2.5 cm.
Other
$300 / set
H 0.79 in Dm 7.49 in
Massimo Vignelli for Heller, Italy, a Set of 6 Plates in Yellow Melamine
Located in København, Copenhagen
Massimo Vignelli for Heller, Italy. A set of 6 plates in yellow melamine. 1970/80s. Stackable. In excellent condition. Marked. D 19,5 x H 2,0 cm.
Other
$300 / set
H 0.79 in Dm 7.49 in
Massimo Vignelli for Heller, Italy, a Set of 8 Plates in Yellow Melamine
Located in København, Copenhagen
Massimo Vignelli for Heller, Italy. A set of 8 plates in yellow melamine. 1970/80s. Stackable. In excellent condition. Marked. Measures: D 19,5 x...
Other
$480 / set
H 0.79 in Dm 9.85 in
Massimo Vignelli for Heller Italien, a Set of 8 Dinner Plates in Yellow Melamine
Located in København, Copenhagen
Massimo Vignelli for Heller, Italien. A set of 8 dinner plates in yellow melamine. 1970/80s. Stackable. In excellent condition. Marked. Measures:...
Other
$450 / set
H 1 in W 11 in D 11 in
Green, Yellow and White Dinnerware by Vignelli for Heller, Set of 32
By Heller, Massimo Vignelli, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Winner of the prestigious Compasso d'Oro award for Good Design in 1964, Massimo Vignelli's iconic dinnerware for Heller (likely designed with his equally talented wife Lella) has bee...
Plastic
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
$295 / set
H 1 in W 11 in D 11 in
Black, White and Yellow Massimo Vignelli for Heller Dishes - Set of 24
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Heller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Winner of the prestigious Compasso d'Oro award for Good Design in 1964, Massimo Vignelli's iconic dinnerware for Heller (likely designed with his equally talented wife Lella) has bee...
Plastic
$850Sale Price / set|34% Off
H 1 in Dm 6.5 in
Set of Eight Modern Yellow Glazed Stoneware Plates by Rupert Spira, UK
By Rupert Spira
Located in Astoria, NY
Set of Eight Rupert Spira (English, b. 1960) Yellow Glazed Stoneware Bread and Butter Plates, marked "RS" to the underside. 6.5" Diameter. Provenance: Property from an Upper East Sid...
Stoneware
Mid-Century Modern Trays Round White Plastic Splatter Platters by Sabe’s
Located in Topeka, KS
Incredible and fun Mid-Century Modern white plastic trays called Splatter Platters and manufactured by Sabe’s of Fort Smith, Arkansas. There are 8 and they are in wonderful condition...
Plastic
Asian Tabletop Set 4 Bamboo Tumblers 4 Saki Cups 4 Dessert Plates Made In Japan
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage tabletop set of 4 natural bamboo tumblers, 4 yellow ceramic saki cups, & 4 porcelain dessert plates with plate stands, all with hand painted Asian details & made in...
Ceramic, Porcelain, Bamboo
Georges Briard Glass 6 Pc Set 1 Tray 2 Square Platters 2 Bowls & 1 Relish Dish
By Georges Briard
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage Mid Century Modern Georges Briard glass 6-piece set from 3 different patterns; including 1 bread tray and 2 square serving plat...
Glass
MCM 1 Dorothy Thorpe Serving Bowl & 3 Nasco Ceruse Wood & Chrome Nesting Trays
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful Mid-20th Century MCM (Mid Century Modern) serving set including a Dorothy Thorpe serving bowl with original label & 3 “Masterpiece in Wood” black ceruse wood nesting trays with chrome corners by Nasco, Made in Japan. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear even if it has been refinished or restored. Specifically, no chips, cracks, chiggers, in the bowl. The trays do so some wear including scratches & water rings. Please see photos, zoom in for details, and see long description as they are part of the condition report. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Mid-20th Century. Well, well, well… what have we here?? We call this… serve-ware EXTRAORDINAIRE!!!! This is a lovely vintage set including a marvelous Dorothy Thorpe serving bowl with her signature silver band and original label plus three “Masterpiece in Wood” black ceruse wood nesting trays with rounded chrome corners labeled with their gold crest logo on the bottom… by Nasco, made in Japan. The silver band surrounding the bowl bears a bit of wonderful, vintage patina which we chose to leave alone as we LOVE the appearance & stories it could tell… but it could be polished if you prefer that look. The name Dorothy Thorpe is simply mid-century modern and Hollywood Regency glamour at its finest and this incredible glass serving bowl represents her iconic style while these marvelous Nasco nesting trays compliment it’s exemplary existence. The silver band on the glass bowl simply explodes as it sits beside the trays & those marvelous chrome corners… it’s quite a STUNNING set up!!! The trays would be an exceptional way to present snacks or beverages to your guests, or a table or bar hosting a lovely set of vintage glasses...
Silver, Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Trays Round Black Plastic Splatter Platters by Sabe’s
Located in Topeka, KS
Incredible and fun Mid-Century Modern black plastic trays called Splatter Platters and manufactured by Sabe’s of Fort Smith, Arkansas. There are 12 and they are in wonderful conditio...
Plastic
Mid-Century Modern Pair Couroc Trays & Orange Vintage Plastic Salad Serving Set
By The Couroc Company, Culver Ltd.
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage mid-century modern 6 gold embossed owl Tom Collins Culver glasses (2 with signatures) & a black resin Couroc tray with wood owl, brass, gold, and rhinestone inlays....
Gold
