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.
Rare Pair of Model "5777" Reticello Wall Sconces by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, 30s
By Paolo Venini, Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brescia, Brescia
An exceptionally rare and historically important pair of Murano glass wall sconces designed by Carlo Scarpa for Venini during the 1930s, documented in the Venini Luce catalogue as mo...
Brass
Italian Murano Glass Flush Mount Light with White Swirl Glass, 1970
By Paolo Venini
Located in Palermo, IT
Gorgeous flush mount light or wall sconce produced in Italy in the 1970s. The beautiful Murano glass of excellent quality and shiny color is made in white color with stunning swirl s...
Brass
1960s 3 Massive Tronchi Wall Sconces from Venini , Italy
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Massive Venini 3 tiers wall sconces made of 17 thick texturized glass tube . Chrome structure with 6 ceramic E26/E27 socket rated at 60 watt each . Measure 31 in. high by 18.5 i...
Metal
Vintage Venini Murano Glass Wall Sconces, Italy, 1930s
By Paolo Venini
Located in New York, NY
An elegant and rare pair of Venini Murano glass wall lights; the delicate opaline circular glass light is complemented at the top border with the precious reticello technique. The gl...
Brass
$5,263 / item
VENINI N 8 Sconces Glass Filigree Brass 1930 Italy
By Paolo Venini
Located in Milano, IT
Exceptional Collection of n 8 Appliques VENINI 1930 Italy
Bronze
Set of 20 Patchwork Wall Lights in Hand Blown Glass by Toni Zuccheri, Venini
By Paolo Venini, Toni Zuccheri
Located in Argelato, BO
Monumental Set of 20 Patchwork Wall Lights in Hand Blown Glass by Toni Zuccheri for Venini, Italy 1970s (First Edition) The lamps, which can be used both as ceiling lamps and as app...
Murano Glass
Paolo Venini Two-Tier Frosted Murano Glass Wall Sconce, Italy, 1970s
By Paolo Venini
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful two-tier Murano glass wall sconce, Italy, 1970s. Frosted, vertically ribbed crystal panel in soft translucent finish create a luminous, diffused glow with warm amber light....
Murano Glass
Pair of Paolo Venini Two-Tier Murano Glass Wall Sconces, 1970s
By Paolo Venini
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful pair of Paolo Venini two-tier Murano glass wall sconces, Italy, 1970s. Frosted, vertically ribbed crystal panels in soft translucent finish create a luminous, diffused glow...
Murano Glass
Trilobi wall sconce, Paolo Venini Murano, Italy 1970s
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
Important Trilobi model wall sconces with glass prisms by Paolo Venini and produced in the 1970s on the island of Murano. Steel frame and transparent Murano glass. There are 8 pane...
Steel
Pair of Venini "drop" wall lights, 2 levels, Murano glass, Italy, 1970
By Paolo Venini
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Superb and rare pair of "drop" wall lights by Venini designed and produced in Murano, Italy in the 1970s. Cascading drops spread over two levels ...
Crystal
1 of 3 Pairs Large Brass Gold Murano Glass Wall Lights by Paolo Venini for VeArt
By VeArt, Paolo Venini
Located in Rijssen, NL
One of the three pairs of light fixtures by Paolo Venini for VeArt, Italy, 1960s. Brass hardware. Several star shaped clear resembles flowers. The fixture illuminates beautifully on ...
Brass
Venini Ceilling Light/Sconces Brass Murano Glass 1930 Italy
By Paolo Venini
Located in Milano, IT
Venini sconces/ceilling light.
Murano Glass
Mid Century Modern Sculptural Wall Sconces by Venini
By Paolo Venini
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of hand blown wall sconces by Venini. In excellent condition with almost no wear. New wiring. Glass is sculptural like a frozen tr...
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Italian Sconces by Paolo Venini, Hand-Carved Glass
By Paolo Venini
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Italian Modern Sconces by Venini
Glass
Mid-century Murano wall light /sconces by Venini, Italy- 3 wall lights available
By Paolo Venini
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Beautiful and original Murano wall sconces "Trilobo' by Venini. With each 1 light. Decorated with handcrafted solid transparent and soft yelow or gold Murano crystal glass pieces 'T...
Metal
Large Wall Sconce Murano Flowers & Chrome Sputnik Venini for VeArt Italy 1960s
By VeArt, Paolo Venini
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Large Murano glass wall sconce by Paolo Venini for VeArt, Italy with 15 clear glass flowers on a Sputnik chrome frame. Amazing eye-catching pieces designed in the 1960s, Italy. Meas...
Chrome
Wall lamp by Paolo Venini, around 1955
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Berlin, DE
Italian designer Paolo Venini created this extraordinary wall lamp. It is made of hand-blown reticello glass. It is attached by a central band of transparent hand-blown red glass. Th...
Brass
Vintage Paolo Venini Wall Lights, Murano Glass, Mid-Century, 1970s
By Murano 5, Paolo Venini
Located in Beirut, LB
A vintage pair of vintage wall lights or sconces produced in 1970s by Venini, in bi color Murano: light yellow crystal and clear crystal pr...
Murano Glass
Mid-Century Modern Hendcrafted Venini Glass Sconce by Toni Zuccheri, Italy, 1960
By Paolo Venini
Located in Madrid, ES
Handmade transparent Venini glass wall lamp with lacquered metal structure. The lamp consists of 10 individual pentagonal prisms glass units and metal details. Toni Zuccheri (1936–2...
Metal
$553Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage-Wandleuchte Blatt von Tomaso Buzzi für Venini 1930er Jahre
By Paolo Venini
Located in Aachen, DE
Transparentes Glas mit Goldflitter-Einschmelzungen, diagonal gerippt und innenseitig sandartige raue Oberfläche, unbeschädigt, Höhe 43cm. Ausgestattet mit funktionierendem Zugschal...
Art Glass
'Poliedri' Sconces by Carlo Scarpa for Venini
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Poliedri' Sconces by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, Italy, 1958-1960 A rare and historically significant wall sconce by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, the Poliedri modules - individual hand-bl...
Steel
1970s Flush-Mount Light with Murano Glass , Italy
Located in Praha, CZ
- good original condition with minor signs of use - rewired - US wiring compatible
Glass
Contemporary Large Murano Glass Ceiling Light or Flush Mount
Located in Rome, IT
Contemporary murano glass ceiling light or flush mount made with a unique huge "Milky"Color glass bowl. Weight 20 kg. Sixt e 27 light bulbs suitable for us standards. Available a ...
Blown Glass
$780
H 5 in Dm 15.38 in
Stunning Murano Glass Flush Mount Ceiling Light, Mid-Century Modern Italy 1970s
By Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Large Murano Glass Flush Mount Ceiling or Wall Light, Italy, Mid-20th Century This large Murano glass flush mount is an exceptional example of mid-20th-century Italian craftsmanship...
Metal
Large wall sconce designed by Toni Zuccheri for Venini 1960
By Toni Zuccheri
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Large wall lamp designed by Toni Zuccheri in 1960 for Venini glassworks. Painted metal and brass frame, lampshade made of smoked glass , excellent condition, 4 light points, overha...
Brass, Iron
$678 / item
H 11.42 in W 12.6 in D 6.7 in
1 of 6 Large Murano Glass Wall Sconces Venini Style, Italy, 1970s
By Venini
Located in Aachen, NRW
Large Murano wall lights, in the style of Venini, made in Italy, circa 1970-1979. High quality and in very good condition. Cleaned and well-wired. Each sconce requires 1 x E27 stand...
Brass
$608
H 5.71 in W 8.27 in D 8.27 in
Murano Glass Wall Lamp Sconce by Toni Zuccheri for Venini, Italy, 1960s
By Toni Zuccheri, Venini
Located in Rome, IT
Wall lamp sconce in white and amber murano glass by the Italian designer Toni Zuccheri for Venini. Made in Italy in the 1960s.
Metal
$10,761Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 23.63 in W 15.75 in D 7.88 in
Large Poliedri wall sconces designed by Carlo Scarpa for Venini 1958
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Large Poliedri wall lamps designed by Carlo Scarpa in 1958 for Venini glassworks. Painted metal frame, blown glass in transparent and smoky tones, in the rare version consisting of ...
Iron
$6,433
H 21.66 in Dm 6.3 in
Elegant Pair of Venini Reticello Sconces or Wall Lights Carlo Scarpa Style, 1940
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing and rare pair of wall lights with a precious hand blown reticello Venini Murano glass, Carlo Scarpa style 1940.
Blown Glass
$832Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.06 in W 3.75 in D 6.89 in
Single Art Deco Reticello Barovier or Venini wall light
By Venini, Barovier, Carlo Scarpa, Seguso
Located in Lugo, IT
Single Art Deco Reticello Barovier or venini wall light. Good condition. Thanks
Brass
Large Italian Venini Murano glass wall lamp from the 1930s
By Venini
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Large Italian wall lamp from the 1930s by the Venetian manufacturer Venini. Solid brass structure and shade formed with three thick purple Murano glasses. Simple and elegant design. ...
Brass
$2,921
H 13 in W 8.27 in D 5.91 in
Pair of Venini Tronchi Sconces or Wall Lights by Toni Zuccheri, 1970s
By Venini
Located in Palermo, PA
Indulge in the timeless elegance of this remarkable pair of Venini Tronchi wall lights, expertly crafted by the talented Toni Zuccheri during the 1970s. These captivating sconces fea...
Metal
Sold
H 5.91 in Dm 8.67 in
Paolo Venini Coppia di Lampade da Parete in Vetro di Murano "Reticello, 1930s
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Naples, IT
Rara coppia di applique in vetro di Murano Venini; i delicati diffusori circolari sono interamente realizzate a mano con la tecnica del Reticello, così chiamata per la caratteristica...
Brass
Sold
H 16.93 in W 11.42 in D 7.09 in
Paolo Venini Venini wall lighting Glass murano 4 units , Italie 1960
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in La xara, VC
Large Venini wall lighting Murano glass ! Very rare model original first periode of Paolo Venini Design . Pièce iconique of the work of venini Maker . Pièce of Art Glass of Murano 19...
Metal
Sold
H 16.93 in W 11.42 in D 7.09 in
Paolo Venini Venini wall lighting Glass murano PAIR , Italie 1960
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in La xara, VC
Large Venini wall lighting Murano glass ! Very rare model original first periode of Paolo Venini Design . Pièce iconique of the work of venini Maker . Pièce of Art Glass of Murano 19...
Metal
Sold
H 16.93 in W 11.42 in D 7.09 in
Paolo Venini Venini wall lighting Glass murano with métal structure, Italie 1960
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in La xara, VC
Large Venini wall lighting Murano glass ! Very rare model original first periode of Paolo Venini Design . Pièce iconique of the work of venini Maker . Pièce of Art Glass of Murano 19...
Metal
Venini Wall Lighting Glass Murano 3 levels , Italy, 1980
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in La xara, VC
Venini wall lamp in Murano glass with iridium glass. The design and the quality of the glass make this piece the best in design. This sconces is in good condition. Venini is an Itali...
Brass
Venini Reticello Glass and Brass Pair of Wall Sconces, circa 1940
By Paolo Venini
Located in New York, NY
A very fine pair of Italian Art Deco wall sconces by Venini. The delicate reticello glass is supported by two brass arms with scroll moti...
Brass
Venini Wall Lighting Pair Glass crystal Murano, Italy, 1980
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in La xara, VC
Venini wall lamp in Murano glass with iridium glass. The design and the quality of the glass make this piece the best in design. This pair of sconces is in good condition. Venini is ...
Crystal, Brass
Oil wall lamp by Paolo Venini, Italy 1960
By Paolo Venini
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Exceptional wall lamp designed and produced by Paolo Venini in Italy in the 1960s. Wall lamp composed of faceted Murano glass crystals with petroleum effect supported by a chromed me...
Crystal
Sold
H 12.21 in W 12.6 in D 6.3 in
Pair of two-tone Venini wall lights, Murano Triedri glass, Italy, 1970
By Paolo Venini
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Superb and large pair of Venini wall lights designed and produced in Italy in the 70s. Two-tone Murano glass and chromed metal structure. Unique design object that will illuminate an...
Crystal
Pair of Italian Mid-Century Handblown Glass and Brass Wall Lights
By Paolo Venini
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Italian Mid-Century wall light consisting of 3 pieces of glass held on a brass frame with each glass having a frost taffeta design. Each glass is held together by two small b...
Glass
Sold
H 17.72 in W 11.03 in D 5.52 in
Coppia applique di Paolo Venini serie "Poliedri", Italia, anni '60.
By Paolo Venini
Located in Palermo, PA
Importante coppia di applique di Paolo Venini serie "Poliedri", Italia, anni '60. Lampade iconiche della metà del 900,si presentano in ottime condizioni, non presentano alcun difett...
Metal
Pair of Applique Murano Glass by Palo Venini, Italy
By Paolo Venini
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Pair of wall lamps by Paolo Venini in Murano glass. Biography Paolo Venini was an Italian glass designer, important for his propagation of Murano glass and 20th-century glassware de...
Brass