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.
Mid-Century Hand-Blown Murano Iridescent & Black Glass Vase w/ Sculptural Detail
Located in New York, NY
This striking Mid-Century Modernist hand-blown Murano glass vase, crafted in Italy circa 1980, is a testament to Murano's tradition of innovation and artistry in glassmaking. The jux...
Murano Glass
Mid-Century Hand-Blown Black W/ Vermillion Detailing Murano Battuto Glass Vase
Located in New York, NY
This lovely Mid-Century Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Battuto Glass Vase in Black W/ Vermillion Detailing originates from Italy, Circa 1980. Featuring...
Murano Glass
Mid-Century Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Scavo Glass Vase Signed Alfredo Barbini
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in New York, NY
A stunning Mid-Century Modernist hand-blown Murano Scavo glass vase, designed and signed by the celebrated Venetian glass master Alfredo Barbini, Italy, circa 1970. This remarkable v...
Murano Glass
Mid-Century Modernist Slender Smoked Glass Vase by Nils Landberg for Orrefors
By Nils Landberg, Orrefors
Located in New York, NY
This sleek and reserved Mid-Century Modernist Slender Smoked Glass Vase is by Nils Landberg for the esteemed art glass company Orrefors, and originates from Sweden, Circa 1960. Featu...
Blown Glass
Large Scale Handblown Murano Frosted & Textured Graphite Vase
Located in New York, NY
This stunning modernist large vase was handblown in Murano, Italy- the island off the coast of Venice renowned for centuries for its superlative glass production. It features a cylin...
Murano Glass
Mid-Century Modernist Hand-Blown Art Glass Vase signed Robert Held
By Robert Held
Located in New York, NY
This refined Mid-Century Modernist art glass vase is hand-blown and signed by the renowned Canadian glass artist Robert Held. The piece showcases a rich violet color, delicately acce...
Glass
VENINI vase Lucenti in Black Murano Glass and metal foil, Signed 2008
By Venini
Located in Venezia, IT
VENINI vase Lucenti 707.52 Black color and metallic leaf decoration, Signed 2008 and accompanied by its original Venini box and paperwork. Lucenti vase by Venini, hand‑blown in Mura...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Massimo Micheluzzi Black Murano Glass Vase, Hand Blown and Battuto Cut, 2002
By Massimo Micheluzzi
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary Italian artist Massimo Micheluzzi's hand blown and battuto cut black Murano glass vase was made in 2002. Incised signature to underside: [Massimo Micheluzzi, Murano, 2002]. Image 6: Massimo Micheluzzi (Italian, born 1957) Artist's Bio: Born in Venice in 1957, Massimo Micheluzzi was introduced to the world of glass in the late 1970's as a young photographer for the renowned Venini glass factory, an extraordinary experience that over time will prove to be decisive. Following a long and fruitful apprenticeship in the furnace, Micheluzzi started his personal journey in the late 1990's. His work has constantly evolved since then as he continues to explore new ways of mastering the material, whilst always remaining ‘true’ to the nature of glass. Working alongside his master glassblower, Massimo Micheluzzi uses the techniques that have defined the Murano tradition intervening directly on each phase of the creative process. Striving to balance tradition and innovation, he applies these ancient crafts to achieve a uniquely modern aesthetic. Micheluzzi’s work is deeply embedded in the life and history of the city of Venice and constantly inspired by its watery surroundings and architecture. His eclectic body of work shifts between fluid and organic shapes, iridescent transparencies and opaque carved surfaces as well as elaborate colour combinations, mosaic patterns and sculptural forms. His works have exhibited in cities all over the world and are in some international museums and various public and private collections such as the The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, The Corning Museum of Glass in New York, Muse´e Des Arts De´coratifs de Paris, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam, Museo del Vetro di Murano in Venice and Villa Necchi...
Blown Glass
Tyra Lungren Murano glass black iridized vase circa 1960
By Venini
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Venini&C by Tyra Lungren Murano glass iridized black vase with two necks circa 1960
Murano Glass
Midcentury Black and White Murano Tall Vase by Venini in Blown Murano Glass
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Black and white Murano tall vase by Venini in blown Murano glass, signed, circa 1960s Blown and jacketed glass. Attributable Tomaso Buzzi vases line ...
Murano Glass
Hand-Blown Murano Supreme Vase in Onyx Black Tall
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A striking testament to masterful glass artistry, the Murano Supreme Vase in Onyx Black captivates with a sculptural presence that is both bold and serene. Each piece is hand-blown b...
Murano Glass
Vintage Italian Black Opaline Glass Vase from Stelvia, 1970s
By Stelvia
Located in Esbjerg, DK
- Large organically shaped hand blown glass vase - Made of cased black glass with an interior in opaline glass - Made by Stelvia in Italy during the 1960s or 70s - In a style reminis...
Blown Glass
