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.
Carlo Nason table lamp, 1970 vintage
By Mazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in Palermo, IT
Una meravigliosa lampada da tavolo vintage italiana realizzata da Carlo Nason per Mazzega. Produced in Murano, Venice in the 1970s, this chro...
Brass
Carlo Nason Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp for A.V. Mazzega, 1970
By AVMazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in Palermo, IT
This stunning vintage table lamp, dating back to the 1970s, is a magnificent example of Italian Space Age design. Designed by the renowned master glassmaker Carlo Nason for the histo...
Steel
Albano Poli per Poliarte 1970 lampada da tavolo
By Poliarte, Albano Poli
Located in Palermo, IT
Albano Poli lamp for Poli Arte, more iconic than rare with electrical wiring and lamp holders inside the glass details that are not not to be underestimated. a very intense design...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Murano Glass Table Lamp by Paolo Venini, Blue Mushroom Design, Italy
By Paolo Venini
Located in Palermo, IT
This exceptionally beautiful and large vintage Mid-Century Modern mushroom-shaped table lamp was crafted in Italy by the prestigious glassworks Venini & Co. during the 1970s. Designe...
Murano Glass
La Murrina Murano glass table lamp with authentic 1970s stamp
By La Murrina
Located in Palermo, IT
Immerse yourself in the sophisticated beauty of Venetian craftsmanship with this stunning table lamp by La Murrina. Featuring an iconic design, the opalescent blown glass base catche...
Brass
Ercole Barovier 40s Table Lamp
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Palermo, IT
Barovier Ercole lamp one light e14 Lamp with bulb glass reflecting the work of the master glassmaker in the 1940s with original switch of the period. Ready to be placed in your envir...
Murano Glass
Mid-Century Carlo Nason Glass Lamp for Mazzega, 1970s
By Mazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tall table lamp in glass and chrome by Carlo Nason. This space age style lamp features a Murano glass dome shade, and middle section, which also receives light. The lower and upper s...
Chrome
Vintage Italian Murano Glass Table lamp by Carlo Nason for AV Mazegga, 1960s.
By AVMazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in Eindhoven, Noord Brabant
A Italian table lamp in Space Age style made of handblown white Murano glass. The lamp was designed by Carlo Nason for Mazzega in the 1960s. This vintage lamp consists of two white g...
Iron
Murano Glass Table Lamp by Carlo Nason Italy 1970s
By Carlo Nason
Located in Palermo, PA
This Murano glass table lamp by Carlo Nason dates from the 1970s and features a bold and expressive composition in richly marbled orange and white glass. The sculptural, stacked form is characteristic of Nason’s work, combining strong presence with refined Murano craftsmanship. The lamp is designed so that only the upper glass element illuminates when lit, creating a focused and atmospheric glow. The vibrant orange glass displays dynamic internal patterning, giving the piece depth, movement, and a strong visual impact even when unlit. Please note that all metal components of the lamp have been painted in a silver color at a later stage. This is clearly visible upon close inspection, please refer to the detailed close-up photographs. The alteration does not affect functionality but should be noted for accuracy and condition transparency. A highly decorative and collectible example of Italian mid century modern lighting...
Metal
Murano Table Lamp in the style of Carlo Nason, 1960s
By Carlo Nason
Located in Brussel, BE
Beautiful two-source table lamp made of two Murano glass parts on a brushed and chromed fixture. Colored on the bottom and bubbly on top, both can be turned on independently. - In th...
Aluminum, Chrome
Italian Mazzega Table Lamp Murano Glass, circa 1970
By Carlo Nason, Mazzega
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Italian Mazzega Murano glass table lamp, 1970s The lamp features clear and white clouded Murano glass and a chrome base. Designer...
Chrome
Table Lamp In Murano Glass By Carlo Nason For Mazzega, Italy 1970's
By Carlo Nason, Mazzega
Located in Hellouw, NL
Table lamp in Murano glass by Carlo Nason for Mazzega.As a descendant of a family that has specialized in making Murano glass for generations, it was Carlo Nason who changed his cour...
Murano Glass
