Venice Wood and Glass Handmade Console by Giordano Viganò & Simone Crestani

Artist, designer and glass virtuoso Simone Crestani is a luminary in the world of glass art, combining time-honored tradition with innovative glassblowing techniques to create exquisite sculptures, vessels and modern objets d’art.

Born in 1984 in Marostica, near Venice, Crestani began working with glass at age 15 as an apprentice at the Massimo Lunardon glass factory. Following a 10-year apprenticeship, Crestani opened his atelier and studio in Camisano Vicentino in northern Italy in 2010.

Dedicated to research and exploring new glassblowing methods, Crestani has moved away from working with traditional Murano glass to borosilicate glass, using a specialized flameworking technique he calls “hollow sculpture.”

By using borosilicate glass, which is nearly unbreakable, Crestani can shape and mold his pieces with extraordinary detail. Nature inspires many of his works, such as his Serpentine barware, bird decanters, octopus-inspired Polpo pitchers, antler-topped Africa Trophy bottles, molecular Alchemica glassware line and beautiful candelabras adorned with roses. Other notable Crestani creations include his luminous E-Sumi wall sconces and table lamps, influenced by traditional Japanese sumi-e paintings.

Crestani has collaborated with leading designers such as Giordano Viganò, with whom he made several sculptural wood and glass tables, and Italian glass expert Roberto Giulio Rida for Bernd Goeckler Antiques’ Duetto collection. Among its pieces are the bonsai-like Avatar chandelier and the Scarabei mirror, with glass scarabs embedded in its circular frame.

Since 2006, Crestani’s works have been shown in solo and group exhibitions around the world, including PAD Paris, the Venice Biennale and Salon Art + Design in New York.

On 1stDibs, find a range of Simone Crestani serveware, decorative objects, lighting and more.

For more than half a century, Giordano Viganò has been creating beautiful furniture from his workshop in Novedrate, Italy. When he first opened his business, in 1959, Viganò did not expect to eventually find himself on the world’s stage of furniture design nor to have opportunities to work with some of the most bold-faced designers and architects.

After meeting and working with designer Luigi Massoni, in the mid-1970s, Viganò began making furniture with a more modernist appeal. He adapted his style and skills to the changing times. With a successful career spanning several decades, there are examples to be found of Viganò’s work in contemporary, modern, minimalist and Art Deco styles. 

In 1986, Viganò created one of his proudest series of works — a collection for furniture designer Giulio Cappellini, signed by designer Shiro Kuramata. Even though he crafts his finished products from finer types of wood, Viganò usually creates his unique prototypes in ashwood. Kurumata loved the Capellini prototype so much that he requested that it be finished and lacquered in black and white.

In 2016, Viganò was honored with receiving the Master of Arts and Crafts from the Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d'Arte. His work has also been featured in articles like Fratelli Borgioli’s blog b2b, La Repubblica Design and Mestieri D’arte & Design.

Viganò’s collection La Sapienza delle Mani is a tribute to his lifetime journey of developing his craft and seeking excellence in its execution. These finely detailed objects, created in exotic woods, glass, metal, bone, shell, leather and gold leaf, speak the story of their beauty and function, interpreted through Viganò’s expert hands and discerning eye. Continuously seeking that next inspiring thought or experience, Viganò is known for his charisma and desire to partner with young designers and makers, looking to innovate new designs and pass on his wisdom for the craft. 

On 1stDibs, find a selection of Giordano Viganò tables, decorative objects and collectibles.