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.
While the company’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.
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 Venini chandeliers, serveware, table lamps, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Venini Glass Spiraling Obelisk, Vetro Sommerso, Italy, Circa 1951
By Venini
Located in Roma, IT
Spiraling clear-glass obelisk with red flame-like intrusions made by Venini. One of the most celebrated models of Venini. This type of glass is called "Vetro Sommerso", model 4256 fr...
Glass
Octagonal Solid Blue Glass Obelisk by Venini
By Venini
Located in London, by appointment only
An Italian 1970s glass octagonal obelisk, of a bluish black almost anthracite color. Signed underneath Venini Italy, circa 1975. Height 14 in (35.5cm).
Glass
Venini Art Glass Obelisk with Gold Inclusions Mid Century Modern Elegance
By Venini
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant Art Glass Obelisk, by Venini, unsigned, Italy, circa 1950s. It has swirled gold inclusions that combine beautifully with the brass plated base. It measures an impressive 20.2...
Metal
Carlo Scarpa for Venini Murano Glass Bookends, Emerald Green, 1950s
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in New York, NY
Carlo Scarpa for Venini exquisite and rare pair of mid-century modern bookends masterfully handblown in Murano, Italy. Executed in rich emerald green blown glass, each piece feature...
Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$1,743 / set
Pair of Bookends by Venini, Italy, 1960s
By Venini
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of bookends manufactured by Venini Murano. A solid crystal glass block is connected to a brass plate. Labelled pieces.
Brass
$3,062 / set
H 11.97 in W 3.47 in D 3.47 in
Cenedese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pair of Blue Italian Murano Glass Obelisks
By Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Cenedese vintage midcentury modern tall and rare pair of Murano solid light blue colored / coloured faceted glass obelisks, made circa 1970. Wonderful Italian glass and perfect as an...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Italian Travertine Marble Obelisk
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Italian travertine marble Obelisk, in the Modern style, circa 1970s, Italy. A great decorative object for a shelf, credenza, office, library, cocktail table, etc. Very go...
Travertine, Marble
Vintage Danish Teak Bookends 1960s, Set of 2
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish teak bookends 1960s, Set of 2 Pair of Danish Mid-Century Modern bookends in solid teak with metal base. Very good original condition. Ready to support.
Teak
$775
H 14.75 in W 11.5 in D 10 in
1950s Replogle Mid-Century Modern Illuminated 10" Glass Globe with Atlas
By Replogle Globes
Located in St. Louis, MO
Replogle (Chicago, IL) 10" 'Precision' Globe was manufactured in the early 1950s by and edited by cartographer, Gustav Brueckmann. Composed of paper...
Brass
Italian Murano Art Glass Fruit Bookends, Pair, Italy
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial pair of Italian Murano pear and peach fruit bookends or decorative object sculptures, circa mid to late-20th century, Italy. These beautiful Murano art gl...
Blown Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass
$1,413 / set
H 5.12 in W 3.15 in D 1.97 in
Rare find! Pair of Bronze Bookends / Sculptures by Heinz Goll, Austria 1960s
By Heinz Goll
Located in Cork, IE
This pair of sculptural bookends truly is a rare find! Designed by Hannes Heinz Goll, the Austrian enfant terrible of the 60's art scene and co-founder of the "Grüne Galerie" (green...
Bronze
Pair Italian Specimen Marble Obelisks
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian specimen marble obelisks measuring 23 inches tall and 5 inches wide and deep.
Marble
$350
H 7 in W 7.5 in D 5 in
Pair of Scandinavian Modern Mixed Woods Bookends with Solid Brass Bases, 1960s
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking pair of Scandinavian Modern bookends handcrafted from beautifully figured mixed hardwoods and accented with contrasting dark wood string inlays. Their clean architectural ...
Oak, Walnut
$1,500 / set
H 6.75 in W 4.5 in D 5 in
Murano Salviati Glowing Uranium Art Glass Italian Bird Bookend Sculptures
By Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown uranium yellow with orange tails Italian art glass chirping birds bookend sculptures. They are documented to the Salviati Company. I have opened s...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Uranium Glass
A pair or vintage Italian alabaster mushroom bookends, circa 1960
Located in View Park, CA
A pair of hand-carved alabaster marble bookends, made in Italy circa 1960. These sculptural bookends boast tones of auburn, ochre, and pewter. Original sticker on verso of one mushro...
Alabaster
$196Sale Price|20% Off
H 12 in W 2.65 in D 2.65 in
Mid-Century Modern Crystal Faceted Obelisk Sculpture
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Crystal Faceted Obelisk Sculpture, Japan 1980's. Impressive piece to add to a collection as well as feature on a side, console or coffee table.
Crystal
Black Portoro Italian Marble Obelisk
Located in Savannah, GA
A black portoro Italian marble obelisk, 20th century. 4 ¼ inches wide by 19 ¾ inches tall
Marble
21st Century Santa Decoration Ball Gold Leaf in Red by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
SANTA 199.05 Ø10 RV FOGLIA ORO BALLOTON Additional Information: Material: Glass Color: Red Dimensions: Ø 10 cm Available in other color options: Red
Glass
21st Century Santa Decoration Ball in Red by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
SANTA 199.05 Ø10 RV BALLOTON Additional Information: Material: Glass Color: Red with gold leaf Dimensions: Ø 10 cm Available in other color options: Red with gold leaf
Glass
Sold
H 3.94 in W 5.91 in D 3.94 in
Coat Hanger in Glass and Brass, Design Carlo Scarpa for Venini, 1940s
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in taranto, IT
Splendid and rare coat hanger in torchon-worked Murano glass, Venini production from the 1940s based on a design by Carlo Scarpa Brass base with double attachment Width about 1...
Brass
Tobia Scarpa for Venini Murano Blown Glass Midcentury "Occhi" Murrine Vase
By Venini, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Uccle, BE
A beautiful "occhi" brown and clear Murano Murrine glass vase. Murrine is the name given to these pieces, the name comes from the technique used. The technique consists of an arrangement of transparent glass pieces with a brown strapping, these pieces are then melted to give shape when the material is melted. Tobia Scarpa is the son of Carlo Scarpa, he worked at the Venini and reinterpreted forms and techniques developed by his father before the war...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Sold
H 16.15 in W 3.15 in D 3.15 in
Fulvio Bianconi Blown Glass Venini Murano Midcentury Cobalt Blue Huge Obelisk
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Uccle, BE
A huge blown Murano decorative 4 sided obelisk designed by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini. This piece has a very strong presence, especially with this typical blue Venini had the secret...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Sold
H 17.33 in W 7.09 in D 9.45 in
Timo Sarpaneva "Kelo" Murano Glass Umbrella Stand or Vase, Venini, Italy, 1988
By Timo Sarpaneva, Venini
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
This "vase" is actually an umbrella Stand. Of course it can also be used as a vase. Decorative, large and impressive. Asymmetric, folded, straight ascending form, slanted m...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 4.93 in Dm 4.53 in
Tobia Scarpa for Venini Murano Blown Glass Midcentury Brown Occhi Murrine Vase
By Venini, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Uccle, BE
Nice occhi brown and clear Murano Murrine glass vase Onion shaped Known as model 8532 Designed 1959-1960.
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Sold
H 16.15 in W 3.15 in D 3.15 in
Fulvio Bianconi Blown Glass Venini Murano Midcentury Clear Obelisk
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Uccle, BE
A fine octogonal obelisk designed by Paolo Venini in the sixties and produced by Venini, Murano Italy.
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Sold
H 16.15 in W 3.15 in D 3.15 in
Fulvio Bianconi Blown Glass Venini Murano Midcentury Cobalt Blue Huge Obelisk
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Uccle, BE
A huge blown Murano decorative 4 sided obelisk designed by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini. This piece has a very strong presence, especially with this typical blue Venini had the secret...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Sold
H 7.49 in W 2.68 in D 2.68 in
Vintage Paolo Venini Murano Hourglass Amethyst and Sapphire, Clessidra
By Venini
Located in Uccle, BE
Hourglass in transparent amethyst and sapphire glass, circa 1957. Measure: 19 cm high. Known as model 4905 and published (similar example) "Paolo Venini and his furnace", Skira, Le Stanze del Vetro, edited by Marino Barovier and Carla Sonego (page 316). Round acid signature "Venini Murano Italy", original rubber stopper. Excellent vintage condition. The sand take just 2 minutes to go from a bubble to the other one. A rare chance to acquire an old Venini hourglass...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Paolo Venini Murano Clessidre Pink and Blue Signed Italian Art Glass Hourglass
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Free shipping worldwide! See details below description. Rare little Murano handblown "Incalmo" pink and blue "Clessidre" hourglass sculptural object. Documented to designer Paolo ...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Venini 'Clessidre' Hourglass
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Dallas, TX
Clessidre hour glass timer designed by Paolo Venini. Excellent original condition.
Art Glass