While Venini & Co.'s co-founder, Paolo Venini (1895–1959), was himself a highly talented glassware designer, his true genius was to invite forward-thinking Italian and international designers to Murano’s hallowed workshops to create Venini pieces — among them Gio Ponti, Massimo Vignelli, Finnish designer Tapio Wirkkala, Thomas Stearns of the United States and Fulvio Bianconi.
Beginning in the 1930s — and throughout the postwar years especially — Venini & Co. played a leading role in the revival of Italy’s high-end glass industry, pairing innovative modernist designers with the skilled artisans who created extraordinary chandeliers, sconces and other lighting in the centuries-old glass workshops on the Venetian island of Murano.
Paolo Venini trained and practiced as a lawyer for a time, though his family had been involved with glassmaking for generations. After initially buying a share in a Venetian glass firm — he and antiques dealer Giacomo Cappellin established Vetri Soffiati Cappellin Venini & C. in 1921 — Venini took over the company as his own in 1925, and under his direction, it produced mainly classical Baroque designs.
In 1932, Venini hired the young Carlo Scarpa— who would later distinguish himself as an architect — as his lead designer. Scarpa, working in concert with practiced glass artisans, completely modernized Venini, introducing simple, pared-down forms; bright primary colors; and bold patterns such as stripes, banding and abstract compositions that utilized cross sections of murrine (glass rods).
Paolo Venini’s best designs are thought to be his two-color Clessidre hourglasses, produced from 1957 onward, and the Fazzoletto (“handkerchief”) vase, designed with Bianconi in 1949. Bianconi’s masterworks are considered by many to be his Pezzato works — colorful vases with patterns that resemble those of a patchwork quilt.
Other noteworthy and highly collectible vintage Venini works include Ponti’s dual-tone stoppered bottles (circa 1948); rare glass sculptures from the Doge series by Stearns, the first American to design for the firm; Vignelli’s striped lanterns of the 1960s; the Occhi vases with eyelet-shaped patterns by Tobia Scarpa (son of Carlo); and, with their almost zen purity, the Bolle (“bubbles”) bottles designed by Wirkkala in 1968.
With these works — and many others by some of the creative titans of the 20th and 21st centuries — Venini has produced one of the truly great bodies of work in modern design.
Find antique and vintage Paolo Venini chandeliers, serveware, table lamps, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
$5,500
Tomaso Buzzi Vase
By Paolo Venini
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Tomaso Buzzi Vase Manufactured by Venini 3 Line Acid Stamp Catalog model 3439 originally designed in 1935 This example made C. 1955
Art Glass
"Cane" Stopper Bottle by Paolo Venini
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in New York, NY
Blown glass bottle form created with canes of blue & green colors.
Blown Glass
Morandiana bottle in Venini and Gio Ponti glass for Iveco
By Gio Ponti, Paolo Venini
Located in Busnago, IT
This elegant and refined 1989 Murano glass bottle by Venini is inspired by the paintings of Giorgio Morandi. Conceived in 1956 by Adv. Paolo Venini was made with the collaboration of...
Glass
$600Sale Price / set|33% Off
Venini Murano Signed Tiffany Blue Teal Italian Art Glass Teardrop Ring Dishes
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage set of 3 Murano hand blown Tiffany blue / teal green Italian art glass small bowls or dishes. The pieces are documented to the Venini company, circa 1950s. One of t...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass
Venini Art Glass Vase with Inciso Decoration Paolo Venini, Murano 1956
By Venini, Paolo 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
Large Venini Art Glass Vase with Inciso Decoration Paolo Venini, Murano 1956
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Venini Art Glass vase with Inciso Decoration Paolo Venini, Murano 1956 A large vintage art glass vase in notte (night) blue pesante glass ...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Paolo Venini Inciso Glass Bottle Manufactured by Venini 1990s
By Paolo Venini, 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
Gio Ponti for Venini Morandiane Murano Glass Bottle with Stopper, Signed
By Paolo Venini, Gio Ponti
Located in Chicago, IL
A striking Gio Ponti and Paolo Venini for Venini tall “A Canne” striped bottle or decanter with matching stopper. 18” tall. Created in the Venini workshop in Murano Italy, an island ...
Glass, Blown 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
Gio Ponti Paolo Venini Murano Glass Bottle Morandiana Series 1982
By Paolo Venini, Gio Ponti
Located in Paris, IDF
Rare Gio Ponti and Paolo Venini bottle for Venini designed in the 1950s, “ A Canne” model from the Morandiana series. This example is a 1980s edition, signed Venini 82, with its orig...
Glass
Riccio model vase, Venini production, Designer Gae Aulenti
By Gae Aulenti, Paolo Venini
Located in Busnago, IT
Some objects rely on contrast rather than complexity. The 'Riccio' vase by Gae Aulenti for Venini, designed in 2006, exemplifies this approach—merging sculptural form with refined te...
Glass
Venini Incisi Short Glass Vase in Steel Blue by Paolo Venini
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Incisi glass vase collection, designed by Paolo Venini and manufactured by Venini, feature an engraved surface. Originally designed in 1956. Numb...
Glass
Venini Blue Murano Glass Flacon, 1968
By Paolo Venini
Located in Munich, DE
Elegant Venini flacon designed by Paolo Venini in 1968. Blue casted glass with incised surface in battuto technique, engraved signature underside wit...
Murano Glass
$1,487Sale Price|55% Off
Bottle Paolo Venini 1950 Blu Color Murano Art Glass Serie Inciso made in Italy
By Paolo Venini
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Rare Murano glass bottle, museum piece in cobalt blue, Inciso series.
Murano Glass
Venini Incisi Thin Glass Vase in Marine Blue by Paolo Venini
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Incisi glass vase collection, designed by Paolo Venini and manufactured by Venini, feature an engraved surface. Originally designed in 1956. Numb...
Glass
1950 Paolo Venini Olivetti Murano Glass Blue Paperweight
By Paolo Venini
Located in Brescia, IT
Olivetti Paperweight Paolo Venini Murano, 1950 "Inciso" Turquoise Glass Paperweight "Olivetti" Brand Grindstone Engraved Rare object produced for Olivetti Yellow Paper Box included ...
Murano Glass
Large Vase of the 'Pesanti' Series, Paolo Venini for Venini, Murano 1952
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A large vase in thick amethyst glass with circular decoration on the neck. Designed by Paolo Venini in 1952, manufactured by Venini, Murano Venezia. Model number 1522. Acid stamp "ve...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Venini Incisi Short Glass Vase in Marine Blue by Paolo Venini
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Incisi glass vase collection, designed by Paolo Venini and manufactured by Venini, feature an engraved surface. Originally designed in 1956. Numbered edition per year, marine blue ve...
Glass
Venini Art Glass Bottle with Fasce Decoration in Yellow, Murano 1950s
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Venini art glass bottle with Fasce decoration in yellow, Murano 1950s A large art glass bottle in white opaque glass with yellow stopper and a yellow "a fascia" band on the body as ...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Gio Ponti and Paolo Venini A Canne Morandiane Series Glass for Venini, 1955
By Paolo Venini, Gio Ponti
Located in Milan, IT
Large Gio Ponti and Paolo Venini A Canne Morandiane series murano glass for Venini, 1955 Signed with three-line acid stamp to underside 'Venini Murano ...
Murano Glass
Puntini Murrine Glass Bowl, Paolo Venini, Venini Murano Italia
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Uccle, BE
Bowl in glass with “talpa” (mole grey) and “lattimo” (milk white) murrine. The name of this particular murrine is known as “a puntini” which means “dotted” in Italian. It’s in fac...
Blown Glass
$2,095 / set
Venini Glass Murano Glass, 1940, Italy
By Paolo Venini
Located in Milano, IT
Glass Paolo Venini.
Murano Glass
Five Turqoise Opalino Bowls by Paolo Venini, Murano circa 1950
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in London, GB
Five small turquoise opaline hand blown bowls by Paolo Venini (1895-1959) circa 1950 for Venini, opaque glass, acid stamp to each 'Venini Murano Italia'. Dimensons; each height 1 1/...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Opaline Glass
Pair of Hourglasses by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Busnago, IT
Pair of Acquamarina and Grigio murano glass hourglasses by Paolo Venini & Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini. A large one and a small one. Little grains of sand, impalpable and unnoticea...
Glass
Venini Zanfirico Flared Vase, Mid-Century Modern Art Glass, Italy
By Paolo Venini
Located in London, England
This stunning flared vase showcases the intricate Venetian Zanfirico technique with elegance. Its delicately swirling patterns and meticulous craftsmanship make it a captivating piec...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Mid-Century Modern Vase by Paolo Venini, Cased Glass, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Roma, IT
Very rare vase designed by Paolo Venini in cased glass, white and glossy, a must for Murano glass collectors. The item also displays a circular trademark "Venini Murano, Italy". Th...
Glass
$838Sale 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
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 6 in W 3.5 in D 4.75 in
Paolo Venini Signed Murano Sommerso Blue Inciso Technique Italian Art Glass Vase
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful Murano hand blown Sommerso navy blue Italian art glass flower vase. Documented to designer Paolo Venini for the Venini Company, circa 1950s. It is fully signed with the "Ve...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass
$7,000
H 8 in Dm 5.5 in
Fasce Ritorte Red Blue Green Murano Glass Vase Fulvio Bianconi Attributed Venini
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous hand blown Murano glass vase in the fasce ritorte model 4410 style and attributed to Fulvio Bianconi for Venini. This vase is, however, not signed. It is in fabulous condition without chip, crack, or chigger. It does have some shelf wear to bottom, circa 1950s. Holy cow...
Blown Glass
Paolo Venini Inciso Vase
By Venini
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This is a clean example with pleasing proportions
Art Glass
$5,544 / set
H 9.45 in Dm 3.35 in
Set of 12 Esagonali Tumblers and Pitcher. Murano Glass Rigadin Fumè, Coral Red
By Salviati, Paolo Venini
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
Elegant set of 12 handmade Murano glass with a matching jug in warm amber fume color. Each piece is decorated with the refined rigadin ritorto pattern, a classic Murano design that g...
Murano Glass
Italian Murano Art Glass Bowl
Located in New York, NY
This is a substantial and gorgeous Italian Murano iridescent art glass bowl with fluted design, circa mid-20th century, Italy. Art glass hue ...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Italian Murano Art Glass Handkerchief Vase Venini Style
By Venini
Located in New York, NY
An Italian Murano art glass 'handkerchief' vase in the style of Venini, circa mid to late-20th century, Italy. This is a finely handcrafted Murano art glass vase in clear/transparent...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Italian Murano Art Glass Bowl Minimalist, Signed
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Italian Murano art glass bowl from Italy. Bowl's design is in the Minimalist style. Murano glass colors include clear, gold-yellow, black, 'smoked' taupe, and ribbons of ...
Art Glass, Murano Glass, Blown 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
$1,222Sale 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
$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
Gio Ponti for Venini Morandiane Murano Glass Bottle with Stopper, Signed
By Paolo Venini, Gio Ponti
Located in Chicago, IL
A striking Gio Ponti and Paolo Venini for Venini tall “A Canne” striped bottle or decanter with matching stopper. 18” tall. Created in the Venini workshop in Murano Italy, an island ...
Glass, Blown Glass
Sold
H 18.75 in Dm 3.5 in
Mid Century Italian Murano Glass Morandiane Bottle Gio Ponti & Paolo Venini 1955
By Gio Ponti, Paolo Venini
Located in Portland, OR
A fine original tall Gio Ponti for Venini "Morandiane" Murano Glass Bottle with Stopper, Signed and dating from 1955. A striking & elegant Gio Ponti & Paolo Venini for Venini, tall ...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Sold
H 2.5 in W 5.85 in D 5.85 in
Vintage Venini Murano Glass Pedestal Glass Bowl With Latticino Ribbons
By Paolo Venini
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage mid century modern Italian Murano glass bowl has rainbow colors of twisting Zanfirico Latticino ribbons cascading. The colors range from pinky red, light yellow, light g...
Blown Glass
Italian Murano Glass Centerpiece Cup by Paolo Venini
By Paolo Venini
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Murano Glass Centerpiece Cup by Paolo Venini. Signed under the base and with original label. Biography Paolo Venini was an Italian glass designer, important for his propagation of Murano glass and 20th-century glassware...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 7.25 in W 4.5 in D 4.5 in
Paolo Venini Murano Inciso Carved Sommerso Decanter in Vibrant blue acid signed
By Paolo Venini
Located in Ann Arbor, MI
Paolo Venini Murano Inciso Carved Sommerso Decanter in Vibrant blue acid signed With faint 3 line signature “Venini Murano Italia”
Blown Glass
Paolo Venini Pair of Opalino Vases for Venini in Light Grey, Italy 1950s
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Milan, IT
Monumental Paolo Venini vase model 3556 for Venini in light grey Opalino glass. The second smaller vase measures Diameter 13 x H 38 cm. Both vases carry the Venini label and are Acid etched Venini Murano Italia...
Murano Glass
Venini Murano Italy Glass Green Bottle Serie “Velati”, 1981
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Amazing and fabulous Italian handmade and blown bottle in green color glass with stopper, from the “Velati” series designed and produced by Venini Murano in 1981. Original Venini Murano label...
Glass
Venini Mid-Century Murano Glass Mirrored Tray
By Paolo Venini
Located in Winter Park, FL
A mid century Italian Murano glass perfume or vanity tray by Paolo Venini. Clear glass twisted rope frame is attached to mirror tray with ribbed stamped brass bands.
Brass
Vintage Mid Century Hour Glass by Paolo Venini, Circa 1950’s
By Paolo Venini
Located in Bernville, PA
Beautiful vintage Glass (“Clessidre” Italian) hourglass timer in red and yellow, designed by Paolo Venini. Excellent original condition. Model 4905 and shown in the catalogue, "Paolo Venini and his furnace", edited by Skira for LE STANZE DEL VETRO, curated by Marino Barovier. Circa 1957, Italy. All vintage Venini hourglass...
Blown Glass
Large Vase Designed by Paolo Venini
By Paolo Venini
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This large Paolo Venini vase was designed as part of his "Inciso" (incisions) series in the 1950s. This technique utilized a wheel to ground thin horizontal incisions through out the...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Sold
H 8.75 in Dm 10.5 in
Venini Bianconi Murano Yellow Zanfirico Ribbon Italian Art Glass Fazzoletto Vase
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful, rare and large Murano hand blown yellow, white and dark purple Zanfirico ribbons Italian art glass fazzoletto vase. Documented to designers Paolo Venini and Fulvio Biancon...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Glass
Venini Murano Italy Glass Blue Bottle Serie “Velati”, 1992
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Amazing and fabulous Italian handmade and blown bottle in light blue color glass with stopper, from the “Velati” series designed and produced by Ven...
Glass
Sold
H 11.42 in W 7.88 in D 5.52 in
Fulvio Bianconi Venini Italian Midcentury Wall Sconces in Pink Murano Glass
By Fulvio Bianconi, Paolo Venini
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Gorgeous and rare pair of wall sconces handcrafted from Murano Glass Master Fulvio Bianconi for Venini during the 1950s. Both wall lights are made of pink and white swirled Murano ar...
Brass