Five Pulcini Glass Birds

Venice has long been a manufacturing center for exquisite art glass, and since as early as the 8th century, legions of expert glassmakers have been honing their skills there. The glass components of eminently collectible chandeliers, sconces, and table lamps and other objects and fixtures are hand-blown in the region by a master of Murano glass, named for the Italian island of Murano, where glassmaking has been practiced for hundreds of years, using a variety of artisanal processes. Renowned glass artist Alessandro Pianon was a product of the region’s rich glassmaking tradition.

Born in Venice, Pianon studied at the Architecture School in Venice to become an architect and designer. Prolific glass manufacturer Vetreria Vistosi hired Pianon in 1956 to design the company logo. The history of Vistosi and its extraordinary lighting and decorative objects reaches as far back as 1640, when the Gazzabin family of Murano opened a furnace for producing Murano glass art. "Vistoso," which was originally a nickname, became part of the family's surname, and eventually the name “Vistosi” was used to refer to the family’s glass creations.

Pleased with his work, the manufacturer retained Pianon as a designer. At Vistosi, Pianon developed his glass-blowing techniques and designed a series of collections of pieces for the company (the maker’s “Pulcini” bird sculptures are particularly well-known). Over this time he perfected his unique style, producing pendant lamps and chandeliers of all different kinds, whimsical bird sculptures in vibrant colors that feature richly textured surfaces, and other objects and furnishings. He started his own design studio in 1962.

Pianon’s work is highly collectible — his lighthearted “Pulcini” birds, with their bulbous forms and lanky legs of patinated copper, are very popular with lovers of art glass, and these works introduce cheeriness and pops of color into any interior. 

On 1stDibs, find vintage Alessandro Pianon lighting and decorative objects.

Invite the untamed wonders of the animal kingdom into your home — and do so safely — with the antique, new and vintage animal sculptures available on 1stDibs.

Artists working in every medium from furniture design to jewelry to painting have found inspiration in wild animals over the years. For sculptors, three-dimensional animal renderings — both realistic and symbolic — crisscross history and continents. In as early as 210 B.C., intricately detailed terracotta horses guarded early Chinese tombs, while North America’s native Inuit tribes living in the ice-covered Arctic during the 1800’s wore small animal figurines carved from walrus ivory. Indeed, animal sculpture has a long history, and beginning in the 19th century, the art form started becoming not only fashionable but artistically validated — a trend that continues today. At home, animal sculptures — polished bronze rhinos crafted in the Art Deco style or ceramic dogs of the mid-century modern era — can introduce both playfulness and drama to your decor.

In the case of the frosted glass sculptures crafted by artisans at legendary French glassmaker Lalique, founded by jeweler and glass artist René Lalique, some animal sculptures are purely decorative. With their meticulously groomed horse manes and detailed contours of their parakeet feathers, these creatures want to be proudly displayed. Adding animal sculptures to your bookcases can draw attention to your covetable collection of vintage monographs, while side tables and wall shelving also make great habitats for these ornamental animal figurines.

Some sculptures, however, can find suitable nests in just about any corner of your space. Whimsical brass flamingos or the violent, realist bronze lions created by Parisian sculptor Antoine-Louis Barye are provocative and versatile pieces that can rest on windowsills or your desk. Otherwise, the brass cat shoehorns and bronze porcupine ashtrays designed by Viennese artist Walter Bosse are no longer roaming aimlessly throughout your living room, as they’ve found a purpose to serve.

Embark on your safari today and find a fascinating collection of vintage, modern and antique animal sculptures on 1stDibs.