Italian glassmaker and master Murano craftsman Toni Zuccheri’s lifelong passion for nature and animals contributed to the development of some of the finest modernist works in Murano glass history. His mid-century-era chandeliers, wall sconces, table lamps and vases showcase his penchant for experimentation and exceptional skill in color and form.
Zuccheri was born in 1936 in San Vito al Tagliamento. His father was Luigi Zuccheri (1904–74), a renowned painter known for his depictions of animals (and friend of artist Giorgio De Chirico). Toni not only inherited his father’s love of the animal kingdom — particularly birds — but also his artistic talents, demonstrating an intuitive skill for drawing at an early age.
In 1945, the Zuccheri family moved to Venice. At the city’s University Institute of Architecture, Toni studied under esteemed Italian architects Franco Albini, Ignazio Gardella and Carlo Scarpa.
During the early 1960s, Zuccheri focused on the art of glassmaking and collaborated with Venini. While working with the celebrated Italian Murano glass factory, he developed an innovative type of thick window glass sheets called Vetrate Grosse with prolific Italian architect and furniture designer Gio Ponti. The glass was made of dense, vitreous pastes mixed with murrine, raw pigment, shards of filigrana cane and fine wire mesh.
Zuccheri exhibited a group of elaborate bird and farm animal sculptures at the 1964 Venice Biennale. The birds, which were accented with gold leaf, included vibrantly hued guinea fowl-shaped works with murrine bodies, turkeys, owls and hoopoes (colorful birds known for their crown of feathers). Zuccheri employed an ingenious glass layering technique to create the birds’ feathers, while their realistic-looking legs and feet were made of bronze.
Throughout his career, Zuccheri’s love of birds and animals was a recurring theme in many of his glassworks, which he created for Venini and other Italian Murano glass manufacturers such as VeArt and Barovier & Toso. Today, his work lives on in galleries and private collections worldwide.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Toni Zuccheri lighting, decorative objects and serveware.
Set Three Murano Disc Glass Wall Lights Mid-Century Modern Italy Mazzega Style
By Mazzega
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A Set of three midcentury Murano disc glass wall lights or sconces, textured curved glasses on a mounting chrome plate. Each wall light requires 2 European E14 / 110 Volt Candelabra ...
Metal, Chrome
Stunning Set of Three Murano Glass Leaf Sconces by Barovier and Toso, Italy
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Incredible mid century Murano glass leaf wall sconces with metal fixture. This wonderful pieces were designed in Italy by Barovier & Toso during the 1960s. Each sconce is outstanding...
Metal
Stunning Set of Three Murano Glass Palm Leaf Sconces by Barovier and Toso, Italy
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Incredible vintage Murano glass Palm leaf wall sconces with metal fixture. This wonderful pieces were designed in Italy by Barovier & Toso du...
Metal
Stunning Murano Glass Sconce Wall Light, Mid-Century Modern Italy Mazzega 1970s
By Mazzega
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This large, mid-20th-century Murano glass wall light is an outstanding example of Italian craftsmanship. A beautifully textured glass panel is mounted on a solid iron frame. The scul...
Metal
Stunning Large Pair of Murano Glass Sconces with Swirl Pattern Cubes, 1960s
By Venini
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A stunning pair of Murano glass ice cube block wall sconces. Each consisting of a stylish design. A single white lacquered wall plate with two sockets on each plate and mount make fo...
Metal
Stunning Pair of Murano Glass Sconces in the Style of Venini
By Venini
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A stunning pair of Murano glass wall sconces. Each consisting of a stylish design. A single white lacquered wall plate with a solo socket and mount make for a beautiful wall light. E...
Metal
Set of 3 Murano Glass Sconces, Hand-Blown Panels, Brass Frame
Located in Austin, TX
Set of Murano glass paneled sconces; each crafted with three curved panels of hand-blown smoked glass on a brass frame. We love the modern style and...
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Set of Three Amber Murano Wall Sconces by Mazzega, 1970s
By Mazzega 1946, Mazzega, AVMazzega
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Pretty Set of Three Italian Amber Murano glass Wall Sconces from 1970s. These fixtures were designed and manufactured during the 1970s in Italy by Mazzega. Each Sconce is equipped wi...
Metal, Brass
Vintage Murano Glass Wall Sconces by AV Mazzega, Italy, Circa 1960
By AVMazzega
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A colorful, vintage Mid-Century modern pair of Italian wall sconces, appliques made of hand blown smoked Murano glass produced by Mazzega, in good condition. Each wall light, lamp is composed with five yellow and white twisted glass pieces which are hanging on short slanted arms, supported by a rectangular polished brass frame. The detailed lighting features a two light socket. The wires have been renewed. Wear consistent with age and use. Circa 1960 - 1970, Murano, Italy. Base: 11.75" H x 3.75" W Glass Rays: 14" - 16" H x 3" W x 1.75" D AV Mazzega was founded in 1946, in Murano, Italy by Angelo Vittorio Mazzega. Mazzega is a family owned Italian lighting company, glass factory, specialized in creating and designing unique Murano glass lamps. Well-known artist and manufactures have worked and designed for Mazzega, such as Carlo Nason, Christophe Pillet, Barovier & Toso, Antichi Angeli...
Metal, Brass
Set of 3 Golden Deco Murano Sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian wall light with frosted and amber Murano glass shade mounted on golden bracket with white back plate / made in Italy circa 1990s Measures: height 14 inches, width 5 i...
Murano Glass
Set of 3 Brutalist Murano Sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian brutalist wall light with cubical amber Murano glass shade / made in Italy circa 1970s Measures: height 10.5 inches, width 10.5 inches, depth 7 inches 1 light / E26 o...
Murano Glass
Set of Three Vintage Italian Murano Glass Sconces, c. 1970's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A set of three vintage Murano glass sconces mounted on a brass frame; the glass having a unique bent design with lined patterns. Made in Italy, c. 1970's. Dimensions: 27"H x 8.5"W x 4"D
Brass
