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 for the likes of Casigliani and other brands. 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 the Vignellis' elemental graphic designs, the couple's Kono (1984) and Pisa tables (1985) cull the form of the table down to geometric shapes. Both pieces were created for Casigliani — Lella and Massimo began to collaborate with the Italian brand during the late 1970s. The company’s founder, Maurizio Casigliani, personally visited the couple in New York City and invited them to design a line of furnishings made with Carrara marble for the brand.
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 tables designed for Casigliani and other furniture today on 1stDibs.
Poltronova SUPERONDA POIS Dynamic Sofa by Archizoom Associati
By Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani, Poltronova
Located in Brooklyn, NY
In 2017 Poltronova pays tribute to Superonda –an anti–design iconic piece of furniture that fully preserves its outrageously playful nature– by calling on all members of the Radical ...
Leather
Poltronova SUPERONDA Dynamic Sofa in Black by Archizoom Associati
By Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani, Poltronova
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed in 1967 by the Florentine Radical group Archizoom, this was the first sofa without a conventional frame. It is composed of two waves made from a polyurethane block cut into ...
Leather
Poltronova SARATOGA Armchair by Lella and Massimo Vignelli
By Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani, Poltronova
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The series is composed of an armchair and sofas with two, three or four seats. The rigid structure, made by assembling four parts of equal thickness, with rounded edges, contains sli...
Leather, Wood
Poltronova SARATOGA Medium Sofa by Lella and Massimo Vignelli
By Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani, Poltronova
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The series is composed of an armchair and sofas with two, three or four seats. The rigid structure, made by assembling four parts of equal thickness, with rounded edges, contains sli...
Leather, Wood
Poltronova SARATOGA Large Sofa by Lella and Massimo Vignelli
By Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani, Poltronova
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The series is composed of an armchair and sofas with two, three or four seats. The rigid structure, made by assembling four parts of equal thickness, with rounded edges, contains sli...
Leather, Wood
1998 Knoll Handkerchief Chairs by Massimo & Lella Vignelli in Black
By Knoll, Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Handkerchief Chair, Model 4901, designed by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Knoll in 1983. The listed price includes one chair, and we have several available for purchase. These examples date to 1998. Their design features a wavy molded seat in black, perched atop a black powder-coated steel sled base. The Vignelli’s were some of the most influential designers of the 20th century, perhaps most famous for their work with the New York City subway maps...
Steel
Poltronova SUPERONDA Dynamic Sofa in Red by Archizoom Associati
By Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani, Poltronova
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed in 1967 by the Florentine Radical group Archizoom, this was the first sofa without a conventional frame. It is composed of two waves made from a polyurethane block cut into ...
Leather
Poltronova SARATOGA Small Sofa by Lella and Massimo Vignelli
By Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani, Poltronova
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The series is composed of an armchair and sofas with two, three or four seats. The rigid structure, made by assembling four parts of equal thickness, with rounded edges, contains sli...
Leather, Wood
Poltronova SUPERONDA NO-STOP Dynamic Sofa by Archizoom Associati
By Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani, Poltronova
Located in Brooklyn, NY
In 2017 Poltronova pays tribute to Superonda –an anti–design iconic piece of furniture that fully preserves its outrageously playful nature– by calling on all members of the Radical ...
Fabric
Poltronova SUPERONDA STRIPES Dynamic Sofa by Archizoom Associati
By Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani, Poltronova
Located in Brooklyn, NY
In 2017 Poltronova pays tribute to Superonda –an anti–design iconic piece of furniture that fully preserves its outrageously playful nature– by calling on all members of the Radical ...
Leather
Poltronova SUPERONDA SPOTS Dynamic Sofa by Archizoom Associati
By Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani, Poltronova
Located in Brooklyn, NY
In 2017 Poltronova pays tribute to Superonda –an anti–design iconic piece of furniture that fully preserves its outrageously playful nature– by calling on all members of the Radical ...
Fabric
Poltronova SUPERONDA DRESSING Dynamic Sofa by Archizoom Associati
By Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani, Poltronova
Located in Brooklyn, NY
In 2017 Poltronova pays tribute to Superonda –an anti–design iconic piece of furniture that fully preserves its outrageously playful nature– by calling on all members of the Radical ...
Fabric
Poltronova SUPERONDA BABELE DECODED Dynamic Sofa by Archizoom Associati
By Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani, Poltronova
Located in Brooklyn, NY
In 2017 Poltronova pays tribute to Superonda –an anti–design iconic piece of furniture that fully preserves its outrageously playful nature– by calling on all members of the Radical ...
Fabric
Poltronova SUPERONDA Dynamic Sofa in White by Archizoom Associati
By Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani, Poltronova
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed in 1967 by the Florentine Radical group Archizoom, this was the first sofa without a conventional frame. It is composed of two waves made from a polyurethane block cut into ...
Leather
$1,589Sale Price / set|30% Off
Italian Armchairs 'Incontro 5080' by Vignelli for Bernini, 1990
By Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani
Located in Valladolid, ES
Gorgeous and very refined pair of armchairs model "Incontro 5080" designed by Massimo & Lella Vignelli for Bernini. Simple structure typical of modern Italian design. Since its f...
Leather, Wood
1992 Knoll Handkerchief Stacking Chairs by Massimo & Lella Vignelli 12+ Avail
By Knoll, Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Knoll Handkerchief Chair by Lella and Massimo Vignelli in Red, introduced in 1983. The price listed is for each chair. These chairs are very resilient, and stackable with a...
Steel
$9,500 / set
H 29.14 in W 24.41 in D 20.48 in
Armchairs by Umberto Brandigi for Poltronova Set of Six Beech & Fabric
By Poltronova, Umberto Brandigi
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Set of six beech and fabric armchairs by Umberto Brandigi for Poltronova. Poltronova is an Italian design company known for its contributions to the world of modern and contemporar...
Fabric, Beech
$1,288 / set
H 26.78 in W 21.66 in D 21.26 in
3x Original Locus Solus Stühle Poltronova Gae Aulenti Metall design
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen von drei wunderschönen und sehr seltenen Armlehnstühlen des italienischen Traditionsherstellers Poltronova aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Das Design stammt vo...
Metal
$15,665
H 31.5 in W 51.58 in D 29.14 in
Armchair with Ottoman Mies Model by Archizoom Associati for Poltronova, Italy
By Archizoom Associati
Located in Asti, Piemonte
The structure is in chromed metal, the seat in latex sheet that deforms in response to the weight of the body. Ottoman size: W 105 cm x D 20 cm x H 34 cm. Bulbs: 3 x LED E14 3W [ma...
Metal
Sofa Sofo Model by Superstudio for Poltronova, Italy
By Superstudio, Poltronova
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Sofa in polyurethane with base in molded plastic and upholstery in cotton and viscose. The Sofo is a seat to be placed in a row, like a train, or to be stacked to build solid colored mountains. It is just a block, obtained by means of an “S” cut, from a polyurethane cube, covered with a fabric crossed by two large lines. It is the result of a very simple operation, without waste, neither material nor thought. It is presented as a compact, abstract and colorful object...
Cotton, Plastic
Knoll Bertoia Diamond Chair in Matte Black
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Stamford, CT
Renowned sculptor Harry Bertoia was invited by Florence Knoll to explore how his artistic experiments might translate into furniture design. There was no specific brief, only an open...
Metal, Steel
$9,051Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 23.63 in W 82.68 in D 35.44 in
Massimo and Lella Vignelli "Saratoga" Living Room Set Poltronova, 1960s
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in Padova, IT
Exceptional Saratoga set designed by Massimo and Lella Vignella, produced by Poltronova, Italy 1960s. A beautiful living room set composed of two sofas (three-seater/two-seater) and...
Leather, Wood
$46,416 / set
H 25.6 in W 102.37 in D 84.65 in
Midcentury Safari sofa by Archizoom for Poltronova, Italy 1968
By Archizoom Associati, Poltronova
Located in HAARLEM, NL
An icon, vintage Safari sofa by Archizoom Associati for Poltronova. A base made of white-coated fibreglass reinforced plastic, integrated seats arranged in the form of a flower, newl...
Fiberglass
''Elisa'' sofa by Giovanni Battista for Poltronova, 1960s
By Poltronova, Giovanni Battista
Located in Quarrata, IT
Two-seater ''Elisa'' sofa by Giovanni Battista for Poltronova, 1960s.
Velvet, Wood
$1,280Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.25 in W 22 in D 20.5 in
Lella and Massimo Vignelli Handkerchief Chairs for Knoll, Set of Four
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
Black high-gloss lacquered Handkerchief chairs on black lacquered frames by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Knoll. In 1968 Vignelli was contracted by Knoll to re-envision the corpo...
Steel
$11,548
H 24.01 in W 82.51 in D 35.51 in
Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova 'Saratoga' Three-Seater Sofa
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Corby, GB
I have for sale the striking silhouette that is the Saratoga sofa, or the 'case' or 'cube' sofa, designed by Massimo & Lella Vignelli, for Poltronova, in the early 1960s. All can...
Acrylic, Hardwood
$800 / set
H 29 in W 22 in D 22 in
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...
Fiberglass
$9,283
H 39.38 in W 80.71 in D 35.83 in
Hans Hollein Mitzi Sofa in Poplar and Wool Cloth by Poltronova 1981
By Hans Hollein, Poltronova
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Mitzi sofa presents a poplar plywood base with erable finish, semi-gloss water–based varnish, iron inner structure, polyurethane cushions, wool cloth uphol...
Iron
Sold
H 23.63 in W 59.06 in D 35.44 in
Saratoga Loveseat designed by Lela and Massimo Vignelli by Poltronova
By Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani
Located in Long Island City, NY
Saratoga Loveseat designed by Lela and Massimo Vignelli by Poltronova of Florence, with a red wooden box frame and reupholstered in brown mohair fabric
Mohair, Wood
Sold
H 23.63 in W 82.68 in D 35.44 in
Vintage Saratoga sofa in original leather -Massimo & Leila Vignelli - Poltronova
By Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Casigliani
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Minimal, clear, stylish Saratoga sofa. Still 100% original. By Massimo & Lella Vignelli for Poltronova Italy 1964. Crafted in Italy in 1964, this sofa epitomizes the Vignellis' si...
Leather