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Venini Decorative Objects

Italian

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.

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Creator: Venini
Coletti Blown Glass Vase by Ludovico Diaz De Santillana, circa 1961
By Ludovico Diaz de Santillana, Venini
Located in New York, NY
Ludovico Diaz de Santillana (1931-1989) Vase Coletti, circa 1961, large model Flask in blown glass with contrasting welded neck Incalmo technique, fused glass Engraved Venini Ita...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Circo Di Lune Black Sculpture by Monica Guggisberg & Philip Baldwin
By Monica Guggisberg & Philip Baldwin, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Circo Di Lune sculpture by Monica Guggisberg & Philip Baldwin. Limited edition in 99 art-pieces for each color. Sculptures made up of spherical el...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Venini Marito E Moglie Vase in Glass and Marble by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Marito E Moglie vase in tea/black/milk-white with marble base by Ettore Sottsass. Limited edition 99 art pieces. Composition of portoro-marble base and blown glasses finished ...
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Venini Serpente Plate in Milk-White with Turquoise Detail by Carlo Scarpa
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Serpente plate in milk-white/turquoise by Carlo Scarpa. Numbered Edition. Blown handmade and cut glass plate with the “Murrine” technique. Co...
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Handshake, a Post-War Lattimo Art Glass Sculpture by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An exceptionally rare figurine by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini & Co. Referred to as 'Handshake', the model consists of a gloved hand with a scalloped cuff shaking hands with a naked...
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Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Fulvio Bianconi Fasce Bottle for Venini, Signed
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful early example of this Classic Venini design. Extra-long neck and bright yellow stripe on dark blue base. Venini label sticker covers most of the acid stamp.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Calo Scarpa "Corroso Vase" by Venini Murano Glass, Signed
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a very well-known piece by Carlo Scarpa, acid signed four lines underside, Murano Venini made in Italy. Mint condition.Rare piece .
Category

1950s Italian Modern Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Handblown Italian Midcentury Murano Glass Vase by Napoleone Martinuzzi & Venini
By Venini, Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in New York, NY
Elegant, Italian Mid-century, hand blown Murano Amphora form, glass vase in the Modern Neoclassical style designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi for Venini, c...
Category

1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Robert Mapplethorpe's Venini Bianconi Fazzoletto Opaque Black & White
By Venini
Located in Sharon, CT
An early large Venini Fazzoletto Vase. By Venini to the Fulvio Bianconi design, circa 1950. Signed (very faintly) with the three line signature. Retains stickers from the Christies, ...
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Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Murano Signed Venini Turquoise, Sapphire Blue, Orange Green Rare Glass Sculpture
By Venini
Located in North Miami, FL
This unbelievable rare vintage glass Italian Murano object or sculpture or glass sword has the most gorgeous colors, signed Venini Murano Itlalia". A piece de resistance. It looks even more amazing in person; the color saturation and brilliance is exquisite. The range of colors are: sapphire blue from the middle to the tip turquoise, emerald green, red, amber/orange, black with gold aventurine, white, etc. Most likely one of a kind. It is fantastic! This could be great displayed in a custom lucite box...
Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Glass Vase by Venini
By Venini
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Clear glass vase by Venini.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

Glass Sculpture by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini, Italy, 1960s
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Milan, IT
Glass sculpture by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini. Colored glass block used as sample to compose screens, large windows or as single sculptures...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

"Murrine" Glass Sculpture by Venini, Italy, 1950s
By Venini
Located in Milan, IT
"Murrine" colored glass block used as sample to compose screens, large windows or as single sculpture.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Murrine

"Vetrate Grossa" Glass Sculpture by Gio Ponti, Italy, 1960s
By Venini, Gio Ponti
Located in Milan, IT
"Vetrata Grossa" glass sculpture by Gio Ponti for Venini. Colored glass block used as sample to compose screens, large windows or as single sculpture...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Italian Murano Glass Vase Sogni Infranti Model by Mario Bellini for Venini.
By Venini, Mario Bellini
Located in Milan, Italy
Vase model Sogni Infranti iridescent glass with application of processing scraps polychrome glass, 1994. Designed by Mario Bellini. Signed.
Category

1990s Italian Modern Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Italian Murano Glass Vase Model Medusa by Ettore Sottsass for Venini.
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in Milan, Italy
A beautiful Murano vase designed by Ettore Sottsass and produced by Venini in 1997. Limited edition 99 piece. Signed and numbered 71/99. Original label. Model out production. Exposed...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

20th Century Italian Vase by Paolo Venini
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Roma, IT
Very rare vase designed by Paolo Venini in cased glass, white and glossy, a must for Murano glass collectors. The item also displays a circular trademark "Venini Murano, Italy". Th...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

1950 Murano Vase with Its Coral and Shell
By Venini
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Vase or jar, very decorative anywhere in the house.
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Coral

Paolo Venini Inciso Vase
By Venini
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very nice example of an underrated series of glass. Acid stamp on the bottom.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

Italian Murano Glass Vase by Alessandro Mendini for Venini, Italy
By Alessandro Mendini, Venini
Located in Milan, Italy
Large vase Simirone in blown glass intertwined polychrome canes on a base in faceted glass block designed by Alessandro Mendini for Venini in circa 1989. Limited edition of 50 pieces...
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Set of Three "Fazzoletto" Murano Glass Vases by Venini, Italy, 1950s
By Venini
Located in Milan, IT
Amazing set of three Fazzoletto vases by Venini. Size refers to the biggest piece.
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Model 3321 Red and Black Glass Vase by Tomaso Buzzi for Venini, 1950s
By Tomaso Buzzi, Venini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rare Rosa e Negro model number 3321 glass vase by Tomaso Buzzi for Venini. 1950s or 1960s. Unsigned. (Likely originally bore a factory sticker.) Base has a rough pontil mark an...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Paolo Venini Inciso Vase
By Venini
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Inciso bottle-form vase in a subtle color.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

White Glass Opalini Bowl by Venini
By Venini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rare large opaque white glass footed bowl by Venini. It bears a Mid-Century acid-etched circle mark in the polished pontil to the base. Diameter: circa 15.25 in. Items p...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Rare Set of Two Murano Glass Bottles by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini, 1950s
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Milan, IT
Rare set of two bottles with stopper "A Fasce Verticali" by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Paolo Venini and Riccardo Licata Banded Murrine Vase
By Venini
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Incalmo vase is a rare collaboration between Paolo Venini and Riccardo Licatta. Presented at the XXVII Biennial of Venice in 1956. Provenance: collecti...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Original Versace for Venini Rivoli Vase
By Versace, Venini
Located in East Hampton, NY
Documentation and original Venini Murano brochure for this exquisite and rare Versace designed vase. Numbered and limited edition. Marked with Venini l...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Venini "Piume" Vase
By Venini, Ove Thorssen
Located in New York, NY
Chalice-form vase, designed by Ove Thorssen and Birgitta Carlsson for Venini, Murano, 1974. Deep blue-green glass streaked with gray swirl-stripes. Unusual form, signed.
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

“Sommerso a bollicine” bowl mod. 4117 for Venini
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Koper, SI
Bowl by the Italian Master Carlo Scarpa, signed and published. Designed in 1936 for Venini. A large piece, compared to many others designed for Venini. Features gold foil inclusions....
Category

1930s Italian Modern Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

“Sommerso a bollicine” Glass Bowl Mod. 3550 by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, 1936
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Koper, SI
Bowl by the Italian Master Carlo Scarpa, signed and published. Designed in 1934-36 for Venini. A rather large pieces, compared to many others designed for Venini. Murano glass with g...
Category

1930s Italian Modern Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Harri Koskinen 'Cosmos' vase, 2010 for Venini Italia
By Harri Koskinen, Venini
Located in Rivoli, IT
Bellissimo vaso della serie "Cosmos" firmato Harri Koskinen prodotto da Venini - Italia nel 2010. Firmato e numerato sotto la base "Venini 2010 /6 / Harri Koskinen" Realizzato nei to...
Category

2010s Italian Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass

PAIR OF CANDLESTICKS VENINI FOR PIERRE CARDIN 1970s/ art glass/ signed
By Venini, Pierre Cardin
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning PAIR OF CANDLESTICKS VENINI FOR PIERRE CARDIN 1970s/ art glass/ signed.....Minor fleck to one (see photo 7) DI CANDELIERI, VENINI PER PIERRE CARDIN, ANNI '70 in vetro tras...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Large photo frame by Venini 1940 in Murano glass and brass
By Venini
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Large photo frame by Venini 1940 in Murano glass and brass
Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Venini Large Opalino Vase, 1970s
By Venini
Located in Parma, IT
Large Opalino vase by Venini, 1970s. In opaline incmicito blown glass, engraved signature and label. In excellent condition.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Venini Tyra Lundgren Murano Fully Signed Pink Italian Art Glass Bird Figurine
By Venini, Tyra Lundgren Carolina
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful, and rare antique Murano hand blown Sommerso pink Italian art glass bird figurine / sculpture. Documented to designer Tyra Lundgren for ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

1930s Venini Twisted Murano Glass Italian Design Picture Frame
By Venini
Located in Brescia, IT
Picture Frame Art Deco Venini, 1930s Italy Twisted glass Brass details Perfect condiction.
Category

1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

"Pezzato" Vase by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Milan, IT
Remarkable "Pezzato" vase by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini. Signed with three-line acid stamp to underside.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Venini Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Venini decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Venini decorative objects are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of glass and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Venini decorative objects, although blue editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 364 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 933 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original decorative objects by Venini were created in the modern style in europe during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider decorative objects by Fulvio Bianconi, Matteo Thun, and Napoleone Martinuzzi. Prices for Venini decorative objects can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $142 and can go as high as $125,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,499.

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