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.
$414
H 1.97 in W 4.93 in D 4.14 in
Murano Green Glass Ashtray by Flavio Poli, Mid-Century Modern, Italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in Basildon, GB
1960/70's Murano Green Glass Ashtray in the style of Flavio Poli, reflects a blue tint around rim, weight approx 600grams
Murano Glass
$649
H 2.68 in W 4.14 in D 5.12 in
Murano green Glass Sommerso Block Cube Ashtray Element Flavio Poli, Italy, 1970s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass ash tray Origin: Murano, Italy Design: Flavio Poli Decade: 1970s This original vintage glass ash tray bowl element was designed by Flavio Poli and ...
Murano Glass
$531
H 3.15 in W 4.73 in D 4.73 in
Murano Sommerso Green Yellow & Clear Faceted Block Bowl Dish by Flavio Poli
By Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A striking Murano Sommerso faceted block bowl designed by Flavio Poli, showcasing the masterful Venetian glassmaking of the mid-20th century. This sculptural piece features beautiful...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Sommerso
Beautiful Italian Submerged Green Glass Ashtray 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Beautiful Italian Submerged Green Glass Ashtray from the 1960s is a captivating piece that exudes a sense of tranquility and sophistication. Crafted with care, this ashtray featu...
Glass
Beautiful green Color Murano Glass Bowl or Ashtray Italy 1970s
By Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Palermo, PA
A gorgeous hand blown Murano glass piece from the 1970s in a deep grass green color with thick transparent glass using the famous Sommerso technique The shape is a soft triangular f...
Murano Glass
Green Murano Ashtray or Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian green Murano glass ashtray or bowl / Made in Italy, circa 1960s Measures: diameter 6 inches, height 2.5 inches Order Reference #: FABIOLTD G168 This piece makes for g...
Murano Glass
$2,597
H 3.35 in W 11.03 in D 8.67 in
Large Green Murano Glass Dish Flavio Poli for Seguso Attributed c. 1960
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
A beautiful large Mid-Century Modern vintage Murano glass dish, bowl or vide-poche attributed to Flavio Poli for Seguso circa 1960. Beautifully understated and elegantly simple Amber...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$1,200
H 3.67 in W 7.09 in D 5.32 in
Mid-Century Modern Murano Green Glass Bowl or Vase by Flavio Poli, Italy, 1960
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Beautiful vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano glass bowl, dish or ashtray attributed to Flavio Poli for Seguso d'Arte, Italy, circa 1960. Beautifully understated and elegantly...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Italian Murano Art Glass Bowl Green, Organic Modern, Circa Mid-20th Century
By Seguso, Angelo Seguso
Located in New York, NY
A sculptural Italian Murano art glass bowl in a saturated green hue, executed with a controlled bubble interior and an Organic Modern silhouette, circa mid‑20th century, Italy. The f...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$767
H 2.56 in W 3.08 in D 3.04 in
Murano green Glass Sommerso Block Cube Ashtray Element Flavio Poli, Italy, 1970s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass ash tray Origin: Murano, Italy Design: Flavio Poli Decade: 1970s This original vintage glass ash tray bowl element was designed by Flavio Poli and ...
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Murano Glass Ashtray, Green, Sculptural Design, 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous green ashtray or catchall by Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano sommerso glass. Made in Italy. So rare to find it in this color. The item is in excellent condition witho...
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Murano Glass Ashtray, Sommerso Design, 1960s, Excellent
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Astonishing ashtray or catch-all By Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano Sommerso Glass. The item is in excellent condition. Dimension: 5,11" diameter x 3,14" H inches cm 13 x cm 8 H
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Murano Sommerso Glass Ashtray, Grey, 1960s, Excellent
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Astonishing Grey Ashtray or Catch-All By Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano Sommerso Glass. The item is in excellent condition. Dimensions: 5,11 diameter x 3,14 H inches cm 13 x...
Murano Glass
1970s Astonishing Emerald Green "Fazzoletto" Vase By Michielotto in Murano Glass
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Green Murano vase by Michielotto, this piece features an exceptionally vibrant emerald green hue with rich translucent depth. The signature draped folds create a dramatic, orga...
Murano Glass
1960s Mid-century Blue Ashtray or Catchall in Bullicante Murano Glass by Flavio
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s This blue ashtray/catchall is a stunning example of Mid-Century Modern Italian glassmaking, sculptural bowl/ashtray was designed by the legendary Flavio Poli . This piece featu...
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Murano Glass Vase, Sommerso Technique, Green, 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s This striking Murano glass vase, designed by the renowned Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte, is a quintessential example of mid-century Italian glassmaking. Showcasing Poli's...
Murano Glass
