Italian glass artist Flavio Poli’s innovative use of the sommerso technique during the 1950s added a dimension of exquisite beauty and refined elegance to mid-century-era Murano glass design. Today Poli’s vintage table lamps, glass vases, ashtrays and other objects are highly collectible.
Born in Chioggia in 1900, Poli attended the prestigious Istituto d’Arte di Venezia where he trained as a ceramist before turning his attention toward glass art. His career in glass began in 1929 when he worked at the Industrie Vetrerie Artistiche Murano, designing and creating large-scale glass sculptures, urns and bowls.
During the 1930s, Poli was a glass artist for manufacturer Barovier, Seguso and Ferro (later known as Seguso Vetri d’Arte), where he worked alongside pioneering glass master Archimede Seguso. Poli was later appointed artistic director at the Venetian glassworks.
Inspired by Seguso, Poli began to experiment with his own glassblowing techniques. In the 1950s, he helped popularize the decades-old sommerso style, which sees overlapping layers of transparent handblown glass melded through a heating process and immersed in pots of molten colored glass. The style yields a sophisticated and mesmerizing effect — it's as if colored fluids have been trapped inside the layers of clear glass. Poli made use of variations on the technique in many of his pieces, including in designs for vases, bowls, sculptures and more.
Poli’s unparalleled designs and innovative work with the sommerso technique garnered numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. He won five Grand Prix awards at the Milan Triennale and was awarded the Compasso d’Oro prize in 1954. Poli’s designs were also presented at the World’s Fair in Brussels and the Venice Biennale in 1958.
Today, Poli’s work can be found in museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Murano Glass Museum in Venice, Museo Boncompagni Ludovisi in Rome and the National Gallery of Victoria in Australia.
Find vintage Flavio Poli decorative objects, serveware and lighting on 1stDibs.
Red Italian Murano Sommerso Block Vase by Flavio Poli for Seguso
By Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Vienna, AT
This amazing clear , yellow and red handblown Sommerso Murano Glass block vase or bowl was designed and manufactured by Flavio Poli for seguso Murano Italy in the 1960s. It is in ex...
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte Blown Glass Vase Model 7609, Italy, 1940s
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in New York, NY
Seguso Vetri d'Arte elegant glass vase model 7609, Italy, circa 1942. This Murano blown glass vase was made using the cordonato ritorto technique of gently twisting ribbed glass in a...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Flavio Poli for Seguso Monumental, Murano Glass Table Lamp
By Flavio Poli, Archimede Seguso
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great Murano lamp by Flavio Poli. Over all measures diameter 14 total high 27 inches. Shade not included.
Glass
Space Age Table Lamp by Flavio Poli , Murano Glass. Italy 1970s.
By Flavio Poli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A bold and sculptural Space Age table lamp by Flavio Poli from Italy, circa 1970s. The design features a striking amber Murano glass globe, deeply cut to reveal a glowing inner cavit...
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Sommeroso lavender plum and cream Murano art glass bowl
By Flavio Poli
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a handblown art glass bowl from Murano Italy. This bowl has soft tones of lavender, plum and cream incased in clear glass. This thick heavy bowl was made by flavio poli in Mu...
Glass
Flavio Poli Seguso, Sculptural Purple Murano Glass Table Lamp
By Flavio Poli, Angelo Seguso
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Flavio Poli Seguso sculptural murano glass table lamp crafted in Italy during the 1970s. This striking piece features a bold teardrop silhouette in vivid amethyst glass, masterfull...
Murano Glass
Ceiling lamp designed by Flavio Poli for Seguso 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Rare 14463 ceiling lamp designed by Flavio Poli for Seguso in the 1960s, chromed brass structure, thick smoked glass. Excellent conditions, perfectly working. Bibliography: Marc Heir...
Chrome, Brass
Large 1960s Murano Glass Sommerso Single-Stem Vase by Flavio Poli, Italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass vase Design: Flavio Poli Origin: Murano, Italy Decade: 1970s These original Murano glass vases was produced in the 1970s in Italy. T...
Ceramic
Flavio Poli 'Sea Shell' Sommerso Bowl Seguso Vetri D'Arts, Murano
By Flavio Poli
Located in Sharon, CT
From the 'Sea Shell' series of abstract bowls influenced by natural shell forms, designed by Flavio Poli and executed by Seguso Vetri d'Arts, Murano.
Blown Glass
$1,960Sale Price|20% Off
Large Murano Flavio Poli for Seguso Sommerso 1950s Aubergine Fin Lamp
By Flavio Poli
Located in San Francisco, CA
An exceptionally rare size, this Murano glass lamp using the Sommerso technique of layered colored glass, height 28" (top of glass) 43" (top of shade),...
Art Glass
$1,076Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Vetri d'Arte Seguso Glass Art by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in bari, IT
Gorgeous submerged glass vase from the 1960s Flavio Poli for Seguso.
Murano Glass
Seguso Flavio Poli Chandelier n 6 light adjustable Glass Metal 1960 italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
ECCEZIONALE LAMPADARIO a sei luci di SEGUSO Autore FLAVIO POLI DEL 1960 PROVENIENTE DA UNA VILLA DI VENEZIA. IM BUONO STATO
Glass
Large 1960s Murano Glass Sommerso 29cm Single-Stem Vase by Flavio Poli, Italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass vase Design: Flavio Poli Origin: Murano, Italy Decade: 1970s These original Murano glass vases was produced in the 1970s in Italy. This elegant Italia...
Ceramic
Murano sommerso glass faceted vase by Flavio Poli , 1970s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Delft, NL
Murano sommerso glass faceted vase by Flavio Poli , 1970s
Glass
$6,503Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Flavio Poli Pendant Lamps for Scavo Corroso Italy, 1950s
By Flavio Poli, Scavo Corroso
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare pair of Seguso Vetri d'Arte pendant lamps by Flavio Poli for Scavo Corroso. Italy 1950s. Made out of Alexandrit Glass. One of the metal pieces on t...
Metal
Archimede Seguso sculptured fish designed by Flavio Ploi
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in SYDNEY, AU
A pair of Murano fish sculpture. The main body in red glass and tail in clear glass with gold fleck.
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Vase Murano Glass 1955 Italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
Flavio Poli.
Murano Glass
Smoked Glass & Chrome Plated Metal 1960s 3-lights pendant by F. Poli for Seguso
By Flavio Poli, Seguso
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Important 3-light pendant lamp with Murano smoked glass shades and chrome plated metal structure made by the Seguso glassworks based on a design by Flavio Poli. Excellent condition...
Metal, Brass, Chrome
Seguso “Flavio Poli “ Murano Glass Gold 1950 Italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
Seguso Centerpiece.
Murano Glass
$1,312Sale Price|30% Off
Flavio Poli Murano Tear Drop Glass Bowl Red, Sapphire Blue, White, 1960's, Italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in North Miami, FL
This gorgeous vintage Italian Murano Flavio Poli triple cased glass bowl has luscious colors of red and sapphire blue double cased with white. The sha...
Blown Glass
Flavio Poli Sommerso Murano Glass Vase 3 Encased Colors Red, Green Clear Seguso
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Miami, FL
Original Flavio Poli Sommerso Glass Murano Seguso Vase encased with 3 different colors, dark red, green and transparent. Made in Italy in the late 1960. Looks stunning in any angle. ...
Murano Glass, Blown Glass
Rare pair of Flavio Poli wall lights for Seguso
By Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in London, GB
Wonderful pair of Flavio Poli sconces for Seguso. Italy c1967 In excellent condition.
Brass
Large, Heavy Flavio Poli Sommerso Murano Ashtray 1950s Faceted Red Blue Glass
By Flavio Poli, Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Stockholm, SE
Cool and beautiful multifaceted Murano Glass ashtray by Flavio Poli. He was born in 1900 in Chioggia, Italy, Poli and received his formal training at the Istituto d'Arte di Venezia...
Art Glass
Seguso Flavio Poli Table Lamp Murano Glass Brass Lampshade 1950s italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
Outstanding Seguso Flavio Poli Table Lamp
Murano Glass
“Valva” Murano Glass Vase by Flavio Poli for Seguso, Italy, 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The “Valva” vase designed by Flavio Poli for Seguso is a refined example of Murano glass artistry, distinguished by its organic, sculptural form and masterful sommerso technique. The...
Murano Glass
Yellow art glass vase by Flavio Poli for Murano
By Flavio Poli, Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Yellow art glass vase by Flavio Poli for Murano in very good original condition. Signed with sticker on the bottom.
Art Glass
Flavio Poli Vase Murano Glass 1950 Italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
Flavio Poli.
Murano Glass
Mid Century Modern Vintage Soft Blue Yellow Blown Murano Glass Table Lamp Italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage table lamp from Murano blown glass in pastel blue and soft orange color by Flavio Poli 1950s Italy. A charming and dreamy table lamp in pastel blue and so...
Blown Glass
$2,339Sale Price|20% Off
Great Bowl Seguso Flavio Poli Italian Design Cristallo Incrociato Transparent
By Flavio Poli
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Great bowl Seguso Flavio Poli Italian design Cristallo Incrociato Trasparent. Years circa 1935. Very elegant and special piece.
Murano Glass
Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl by Flavio Poli, Handmade, Italy, 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in London, England
Height: 6.5cm Width: 16cm Depth: 14cm Designer: Flavio Poli Manufacturer: Seguso Date: 1960s Materials: Glass Description: Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl by Flavio Poli Crafted from ...
Blown Glass
$4,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
Scrumptious Pair of Flavio Poli Orange Murano Lamps Mid-Century Modern
By Flavio Poli
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Scrumptious pair of Flavio Poli orange Murano lamps. Now the lamps are two different sizes but I absolutely love that about them-they can be used in the same room but on different height tables. This hot citrus orange color is very rare and quite beautiful - I really, really want to keep them!! But we are all about bringing you the most beautiful things...
Brass
Murano glass vase by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Uccle, BE
Murano glass vase by Flavio Poli. Saucer-shaped vase in blown glass. Referenced under number 13306 in the Seguso archives The model designed in 1962. In sommerso glass, the gray body...
Blown Glass
Flavio Poli Murano Italy Sommerso Glass Double Gourd Shaped Table Lamp
By Flavio Poli
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Rare double gourd table lamp form designed by Flavio Poli and made by Seguso, Murano. Beautiful sommerso technique with yellow - red - bronze layers of glass. Classic table lamp for...
Glass
Seguso Italy production by Flavio Poli design in years '70 glass lighter
By Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Biella, IT
Seguso Italy production by Flavio Poli design in years '70 glass lighter in perfect condition with label , handworked glass
Metal
Pair of Flavio Poli Murano Italy Sommerso Glass Bulbous Shaped Table Lamps
By Flavio Poli
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
A fantastic pair of bulbous shaped table lamps designed by Flavio Poli and made by Seguso, Murano. Beautiful sommerso technique with green - blue - clear layers of glass. Height ...
Glass
Flavio Poli For Seguso Vetri D’arte Large Sommerso Vase From The 1960s
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Parma, IT
Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d’Arte Murano, large fusing glass vase from the 1960s. Made of thick fusing glass, with a clear base and fusing of light blue and bright yellow glass. In...
Murano Glass
1960s Flavio Poli Design for Seguso Design Glass Submerged Vase
By Flavio Poli
Located in Biella, IT
Flavio Poli for Seguso design vase glass years 1955 submerged glass vase Perfect condition a, very rare.
Art Glass
$598Sale Price / item|20% Off
Flavio Poli Sommerso Vase, Faceted Murano Glass, Reddish Violet, 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, AR
Here is a wonderful Venetian glass vase, made on the island of Murano, near Venice, Italy. Several Murano factories have made sommerso glassware in this faceted style
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Vintage Murano Vase by Flavio Poli, Deep Red & Blue Glass, Italy, 1960
By Flavio Poli
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Vintage Murano geometric shaped deep red and blue "Sommerso" faceted glass vase designed by Mandruzzato, Italy.Original label.Perfect condition. Mandruzzato was founded in 1934 on th...
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Sommerso “Teardrop” vase Murano glass Seguso Italy 1960
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Beautiful “teardrop” glass vase designed by Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte and made in Murano, close to Venetia, Italy 1950. This captivating Sommerso vase showcases the masterf...
Glass
Large Flavio Poli Murano glass amber circa 1950 center piece.
By Flavio Poli
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible center piece amber in Murano glass by Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri dArte circa 1950.
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d’Arte, three-light etched glass chandelier from th
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Parma, IT
Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d’Arte Murano, rare three-light chandelier from the 1950s. Three blown and etched glass pieces suspended at different heights, with a wooden and brass ce...
Murano Glass
$334Sale Price|20% Off
Flavio Poli Murano Glass Ashtray, Red and Blue, Italy, 1960s Design
By Flavio Poli
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, AR
Amazing red and blue ashtray by Flavio Poli in Murano glass. Made in Italy. It is a sculpture The item is in very good condition.
Crystal
Flavio Poli Wall Sconces, Murano Glass & Brass, Mid-Century Modern
By Flavio Poli
Located in Cerignola, IT
Beautiful pair of Murano glass and chrome-plated brass wall sconces designed by Flavio Poli for Seguso Italia. Glass frame in perfect condition and original electrical parts
Brass
Sommerso vase by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
Mid-Century Modern glass vase with clear, red, green, and violet blue shades.
Art Glass
Flavio Poli Wall Sconces, Murano Glass & Brass, Mid-Century Modern
By Flavio Poli
Located in Cerignola, IT
Beautiful pair of bi-color, gray and green Murano glass wall sconces and chrome-plated brass designed by Flavio Poli for Seguso Italia. Original electrical parts
Brass
Pair of Wall Lamps in Glass by Flavio Poli for Seguso Italy 1970
By Flavio Poli
Located in Biella, IT
Seguso Italy Flavio Poli design two wall lamp glass years ’70 structure painted and lampshade in glass, perfect condition.
Metal
Italian Glass Murano Table Lamp by Flavio Poli for Seguso
By Flavio Poli, Seguso
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Glass table lamp designed by Flavio Poli and produced by Seguso, 1950s. Biography Designer, businessman, ceramic artist. Born in Chioggia, he attended the Istituto d'Arte di Venezia...
Murano Glass
Vintage Set of 3 Wall Lamp Gold Inclusion Seguso Flavio Poli, Italy, 1960
By Flavio Poli
Located in Biella, IT
Seguso Italy Flavio Poli design, one of three wall lamp gold inclusion glass years ’60. Structure brass, in perfect condition A.
Brass
$2,631 / item
Pair of Wall Lamp by Flavio Poli for Seguso, 1950s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of Wall Lamp by Flavio Poli for Seguso, 1950s
Metal