A mid-century modern reference for today’s Murano glassmakers, Carlo Nason influenced the current tradition of glassmaking on an island renowned for it for hundreds of years. Celebrated for their exceptional designs, Nason’s lighting fixtures are sought after by collectors worldwide.
Learning to design and craft pieces from the family vetreria — rather than partaking in any formal training — Nason was working with the maestros at his family’s company furnace, V. Nason & C., attached to their family home by the time he was 11 years old. Although his roots are in Murano glassmaking, he took inspiration from the clean lines and natural colors of the Japanese metal vases he had seen in his youth at Milanese fairs.
Wanting to produce modern glass lamps, Nason worked with his family friend Gianni Mazzega of Mazzega Murano. For his Cascata chandelier (Italian for “waterfall”), which debuted in the 1960s, Nason achieved the effect of cascading water through an inverted pyramid of hanging glass plates, each individually mouth-blown and suspended from a chrome-plated frame for a dazzling, Art Deco–styled display.
The 1970s and 1980s were productive and creative years for Nason as the sole and independent designer at Mazzega Murano. His prolific career has also seen him design for other lighting manufacturers like I TRE, Murano Due and Kalmar.
After a mere four years as a glassmaker, Carlo Nason had his creations displayed at the Corning Museum of Glass in New York. The credit for the artisan’s pieces that were included in “Glass 1959” went to his family’s company, but the designs were all authored by Carlo.
Stepping away from the traditional, vibrant Murano stylings, Nason kept true to his inspiration, working with modern and simple forms that are relatively free of color. Nason told Palainco in a rare 2019 interview that his emotions inspired the shapes. And his legacy includes fixtures that are irreplicable and unreproducible, too — Nason made lighting pieces with multiple layers of glass that would be too costly or difficult to recreate today, and some designs were made with processes and materials now unavailable or banned in the glassmaking world.
Find an array of vintage Carlo Nason table lamps, floor lamps, decorative objects and more on 1stDibs.
Mazzega Wall Sconce, Bicolore Murano Glass brass structure, Italian Design, 1970
By AVMazzega, Mazzega
Located in La xara, VC
Exceptional wall lighting large bicolore glass Murano with structure . The Design and the quality of the glass make this piece the best of the italian Design . This unique mazzega wa...
Brass
Mazzega wall lighting Glass Murano gold incrustation pair , Italy, 1970
By Mazzega
Located in La xara, VC
Superb Mazzega wall lighting glass Murano with structure. The Design and the quality of the glass make this piece the best of the Italian Design. Mazzega is an Italian company that ...
Murano Glass
Fratelli Toso glass murano wall lighting with chrome structure , Italy 1970
By Fratelli Toso
Located in La xara, VC
Fratelli Toso lighting appeals to collectors for its authentic Murano glass craftsmanship from a historic Venetian factory founded in 1854. Their pieces offer timeless elegance, innovative designs, and strong collectible value, especially in Art Deco and mid-century styles matching your interests. Handmade Murano glass ensures superior light diffusion with stunning effects from multicolored or iridescent finishes, as seen in millefiori lamps...
Chrome
Wall Lighting by Mazzega Bicolore Glass Murano , Italy, 1970
By AVMazzega, Mazzega
Located in La xara, VC
Exceptional mazzega wall lighting set of 2 large bicolore glass Murano with structure. The Design and the quality of the glass make this piece the best of the italian Design. This un...
Murano Glass
Wall Lighting Mazzega Glass Murano, Italy, 1970
By AVMazzega, Mazzega
Located in La xara, VC
Exceptional mazzega wall lighting ice frost glass Murano with structure. The Design and the quality of the glass make this piece the best of the italian Design. This unique set by ...
Murano Glass
Wall lighting Murano gold glass incrustation 24 ct by Lumica , Italy 1970s
By Barovier
Located in La xara, VC
Unique Exceptional Vistosi & Bd Lumica wall lighting oversized gold glass Murano with metal structure. The Design and the quality of the gold glass make this piece the best of the italian Design. This unique Vistosi & Bd Lumica wall lighting in gold glass murano are exceptional. The leave Glass with gold incrustation . This Pieces of Arts glass show the exclusive design of Italian Designer in 1960/970. This wall lighting are in good condition Condition. Vistosi is a renowned Italian lighting company with a long history and a reputation for producing high-quality lighting fixtures. The Grand Hotel Vintage model from Vistosi & Bd Lumica wall lighting collection offers several compelling reasons to consider it for purchase: Timeless Elegance: The gold wave model Vintage design embodies a timeless elegance that can enhance the aesthetic appeal of any space. Its vintage-inspired style adds a touch of sophistication and charm to both classic and contemporary interiors. Craftsmanship: Vistosi is known for its exceptional craftsmanship, and the Gold incrustation wave model is no exception. The company employs skilled artisans who utilize traditional glassblowing techniques and exquisite materials to create lighting fixtures of exceptional quality and beauty. Unique and Customizable: Each Vistosi lighting fixture is a work of art in itself. The Grand Hotel Vintage model allows for customization options, enabling you to choose from different finishes, colors, and glass types, ensuring that your lighting fixture perfectly complements your space and personal style. Ambient Lighting: The wall-mounted design of the Vistosi Vintage...
Brass, Gold
Carlo Nason Pair of Amber and Clear Murano Ice-Glass Sconces 1960's
By Carlo Nason
Located in New York, NY
Hand-crafted pair of Murano amber streaked ice-glass wall sconces with polished chrome back plates each holding four, GY6 pin base, T6 LED bulbs. Designed by Carlo Nason for Mazzega....
Chrome
Pair of J.T. Kalmar Amber Murano Lava Wall Sconces Glass & Brass, Austria 1960s
By Carlo Nason, J.T. Kalmar, AVMazzega
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant set of two wall lights made of heavy, thick, frosted Murano glass with individual amber-orange lava inlays on a silver metal back panel and brass finals. Gem from the time. H...
Metal, Brass
Italian Mid-Century Amber Murano Glass Wall Sconce by Mazzega, 1970s
By Mazzega 1946, AVMazzega, Mazzega
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Unique and beauty Italian Amber Murano glass Wall Sconce from 1970s. This fixture was designed and manufactured during the 1970s in Italy by Mazzega. This Wall Sconce is equipped wit...
Metal
Italian Mid-Century Pair of Amber Clear Murano Glass Wall Sconces, 1970s
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beauty beauty Amber Clear Pair of Italian Murano Wall Sconces. These fixtures were designed and manufactured during the 1970s in Italy. Each Wall Sconce is composed by metal structu...
Metal
Pair of Murano Mazzega Orange & Clear Glass Wall Sconces, Italy, 1970s
By Mazzega
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Striking pair of 1970s Murano glass wall lights. Each features a sculptural, curved panel in translucent orange and clear glass with molten, organic swirls and subtle bubbles. Mounte...
Murano Glass, Glass
Pair of Amber Murano Citrus Swirl Wall Sconces Glass & Brass Kalmar Austria 1960
By J.T. Kalmar, Carlo Nason, AVMazzega
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant set of two amber-colored 'Citrus' wall lights with two swirled glasses per light on a metal frame with brass and chrome applications. The heavy handblown amber and clear Mura...
Brass
