Pair of Handkerchief Armchairs Designed by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Studio
About the Item
- Creator:Knoll (Manufacturer),Massimo Vignelli (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 26 in (66.04 cm)Depth: 22.5 in (57.15 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Post-Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1980's
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU936638468592
Massimo Vignelli
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.
Knoll
As a company that produced many of the most famous and iconic furniture designs of the 20th century, Knoll was a chief influence in the rise of modern design in the United States. Led by Florence Knoll, the firm would draw stellar talents such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Eero Saarinen into its compass. Their work would help change the face of the American home and office.
The company was formed in 1938 by the German immigrant Hans Knoll. He first worked with his fellow ex-pat, the Danish designer Jens Risom, who created furniture with flowing lines made of wood. While Risom served in World War II, in 1943 Knoll met his future wife, Florence Schust. She had studied and worked with eminent emigré leaders of the Bauhaus, including Mies, Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer. She won Knoll over with Bauhaus notions of industrial arts, and an aesthetic that featured flat and tubular metal frames and angular forms. When Hans died in a car crash in 1955, Florence Knoll was appointed head of the company. It was as much through her holistic approach to design — a core division of the firm was dedicated to planning office systems — as Knoll's mid-century modern furnishings themselves that she brought about the sleek and efficient transformation of the American workplace.
Today, classic Knoll furnishings remain staples of modern design collections and decor. A history of modern design is written in pieces such as the elegant Barcelona chair — created by Mies and Lilly Reich — Saarinen’s pedestal Tulip chair, Breuer’s tubular steel Wassily lounge chair and the grid-patterned Diamond chair by Harry Bertoia.
As you can see from the collection of these designs and other vintage Knoll dining chairs, sofas and tables on 1stDibs, this manufacturer's offerings have become timeless emblems of the progressive spirit and sleek sophistication of the best of modernism.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: San Diego, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- American Midcentury Knoll Studio Armchair by Linda & Joseph RicchioBy Joe & Linda Ricchio, KnollLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful single armchair by Knoll great condition solid and sturdy. retains medallion with signature and date.Category
20th Century American Post-Modern Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Beech
- Space Age 1970s Heller by Massimo Vignelli Set of 4 Dinner Plates in MelamineBy Heller, Massimo VignelliLocated in San Diego, CAColorful set of 4 plates designed by Massimo Vignelli for Heller circa 1970s, in a navy blue color, yellow, pink, and purple.Category
20th Century American Space Age Dinner Plates
MaterialsPlastic
- Set of Four Armchairs by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll Memphis EraBy Ettore Sottsass, KnollLocated in San Diego, CANice set of four Mandarin chairs designed by Sottsass for Knoll, in red fabric on foam black enameled tubular legs and silver pipping arms, simple and elegant by this master architect.Category
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of Danish Modern Bullhorn Rare Armchairs by Harry OstergaardBy Randers MøbelfabrikLocated in San Diego, CAImmerse yourself in the timeless elegance of mid-century Danish design with this exquisite pair of 'Bull Horn' chairs crafted by Harry Østergaard for Randers Møbelfabrik in the 1950s...Category
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsTeak, Wool
- Set of Eight Archline Armchairs by Charles Hollis JonesBy Charles Hollis JonesLocated in San Diego, CAGreat set of eight Archline lucite armchairs by Charles Hollis Jones, circa 1980s. The chairs have been recovered in a wonderful beige snake skin fabric and measure 25"W x 27"D x 37"...Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Lucite
- Pair of Large Bowls Designed by Timo Sarpaneva for Rosenthal StudioBy Rosenthal, Timo SarpanevaLocated in San Diego, CANice design simple elegant porcelain bowl designed by Timo Sarpaneva for Rosenthal studio, circa 1970's excellent condition no chips or cracks Buyer has the option to buy 1 or 2.Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsPorcelain
- Set of 4 Handkerchief Armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for KnollBy Massimo Vignelli, KnollLocated in Los Angeles, CASet of 4 handkerchief armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll. In 1968 Vignelli was contracted by Knoll to re-envision the corporate identity ...Category
Vintage 1980s American International Style Armchairs
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Set of 4 Handkerchief Armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for KnollBy Knoll, Massimo VignelliLocated in Los Angeles, CASet of 4 handkerchief armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll. In 1968 Vignelli was contracted by Knoll to re-envision the corporate identity ...Category
Vintage 1980s American International Style Armchairs
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Set of 4 Handkerchief Armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for KnollBy Knoll, Massimo VignelliLocated in Los Angeles, CASet of 4 handkerchief armchairs by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll. In 1968 Vignelli was contracted by Knoll to re-envision the corporate identity ...Category
Vintage 1980s American International Style Armchairs
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Postmodern Handkerchief Chair, 7 AvailableBy Massimo Vignelli, KnollLocated in South Bend, INA 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 ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Massimo Vignelli for Knoll International Postmodern Handkerchief Chairs, TwelveBy Massimo Vignelli, KnollLocated in South Bend, INA stylish set of twelve Postmodern stacking "handkerchief" chairs By Massimo Vignelli for Knoll International USA, 1980s Molded fiberglass seat...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Postmodern Handkerchief Chair, 29 AvailableBy Knoll, Massimo VignelliLocated in South Bend, INA 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 x 21"D x 28.75"H. Seat height 17.5". Newly professionally powder coated bases and power washed seats. Very good condition. Priced individually. 29 chairs...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The Italian Husband-and-Wife Duo Who Redefined Design in America
For six decades, the multidisciplinary New York City studio of Massimo and Lella Vignelli produced some of the most powerful visual expressions of our age, from graphics to jewelry to furniture.
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.