The work of renowned glass artist Alessandro Pianon — which includes his lighthearted “Pulcini” birds as well as the other Pianon glass birds, with their bulbous forms and lanky legs of textured patinated copper — is very popular with lovers of art glass.
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, 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. 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 glassblowing techniques and designed a series of collections for the company (the maker’s “Pulcini” bird sculptures are particularly well-known). He perfected his unique style during the mid-century era, 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.
Pianon established his own studio in 1962. And while he created a range of decor and lighting for Vistosi, Candle, Lumenform and other makers over the course of his career, Pianon's playful glass birds, which introduce cheeriness and striking pops of color into any interior, are his most sought-after designs.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Alessandro Pianon lighting and decorative objects.
Pulcino Glass Bird Sculpture by Alessandro Pianon for Vistosi Murano Italy 1960s
By Alessandro Pianon, Vitossi
Located in San Diego, CA
Pulcino glass bird sculpture designed by Alessandro Pianon for Vetreria Vistosi. Blue and green on a grayish background. Applied murrine eyes. Textured copper legs. One of the two ta...
Metal
Alessandro Pianon Pulcini Glass Bird
By Alessandro Pianon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An Orange Pulcini Bird Designed by Alessandro Pianon and manufactured by Vistosi c. 1963o Smooth surface with copper legs. Minor carbon black spot, whi...
Art Glass
Alessandro Pianon Bird (pulcino) for Vistosi
By Vistosi, Alessandro Pianon
Located in Brussels, BE
Great Alessandro Pianon for Vistosi Murano art glass bird. Iconic design. Fine and good condition, free of any chips, cracks, or repairs "Pulcini" Bird (c.1963)
Art Glass
Alessandro Pianon ‘Pulcino’ for Vistosi, 1962
By Alessandro Pianon, Vistosi
Located in Sittard, LI
This Pulcino bird was designed by Alessandro Pianon for Vistosi in 1962. Hand-blown in bright orange-red Murano glass and set on hammered copper legs, it ...
Copper
Alessandro Pianon Pulcini Bird Sculpture Vistosi Murano Mid Century Modern Italy
By Vistosi, Alessandro Pianon
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Iconic, rare mid century modern masterpeice Alessandro Pianon Pulcini bird sculpture designed by Alessandro Pianon for Vistosi Murano c...
Copper
$13,600Sale Price / item|20% Off
Mid Century Modern Art Glass Pulcino Bird by, Alessandro Pianon for VIstosi
By Vistosi, Alessandro Pianon
Located in Englewood, NJ
An iconic and rare Italian Mid-Century Modern art glass "Pulcino" bird designed by, Alessandro Pianon for Vetreria Vistosi. The pulcino is on raised copper feet and decorated with ap...
Copper
$1,450
H 12 in W 9 in D 9 in
Mid-Century Modern Murano Glass Art Glass Fish Sculpture by Licio Zanetti
By Licio Zanetti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An abstract Murano glass sculpture of a fish by Licio Zanetti for Zanetti Vetreria Artistica. The clear glass fish is twisted as if jumping through the air and mounted on a stylized ...
Art Glass
Vintage Murano Art Glass Black Bird Mid-Century Modern, 1960's
By Barovier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Beautiful mid-century modern Murano glass black bird in wonderful vintage condition. Mid-Century Modern Murano Glass Bird in the Manner of Barovier. Beautiful Murano hand blown black Italian art glass bird dove figurine...
Blown Glass
Alessandro Albrizzi "Nest of Snakes" Sculpture
By Alessandro Albrizzi
Located in New York, NY
Baron Alessandro Albrizzi grew up in, and later inherited, the family palazzo in Venice, where the French doors that opened onto the garden had hardware embellished with bronze snakes. The memory of them prompted him to create the“nest of snakes” sculptures...
Metal
$710Sale Price|34% Off
H 4.73 in W 2.56 in D 4.53 in
Oiva Toikka, Sieppo, Bird, Nuutajarvi / Iittala, 1990s
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Oiva Toikka, Iittala
Located in MAASTRICHT, LI
Product Description: On offer here is a reprinted version of Sieppo with legs, manufactured in 1995 by Oiva Toikka. The early footed Sieppo was created in many color variations, bu...
Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass
$2,148 / set
H 14.57 in Dm 5.91 in
Set of "Mushroom" Murano Glass Sculptures by Cenedese, Italy, 1960s
By Cenedese
Located in Milan, IT
Outstanding set of three "mushroom" sculptures manufactured by Cenedese. Heavy transparent Murano glass pieces with pure biomorphic shape. Size refers to the taller piece.
Murano Glass
12 Colonne Collection by Alessandro Mendini for Superego Editions
By Alessandro Mendini, Superego Editions
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Four ceramic sculptures of the 12 Colonne collection designed by Alessandro Mendini and produced by Superego Editions. Small model. Limited edition of 50 pieces. Signed and numbered....
Ceramic
$1,263
H 25.2 in W 17.72 in D 7.09 in
Spiritello Sculpture Prototype by Alessandro Guerriero for Alchimia, Italy
By Alessandro Guerriero, Gruppo Alchimia
Located in Asti, Piemonte
"Spiritello" plexiglass sculpture designed by Alessandro Guerriero for Alchimia, circa 1990. Signed Alchimia, A. Guerriero. Biography In 1976 Alessandro and Adriana Guerriero establ...
Plexiglass
Pair of Venetian/Murano Barbini Turquoise Exotic Bird Sculptures
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is a matched pair of hand blown, tall and fanciful Murano "Birds Of Paradise" or Exotic Birds which stand a rare 16 1/2" tall! Cased with clear crystal over a fabulous color com...
Crystal
$1,493
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 13.39 in
Ceramic Sculpture Proust Model by Alessandro Mendini for Superego Editions
By Superego Editions, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Asti, Piemonte
The famous Proust in miniaturized ceramic of the "Ceramic Proust Monochrome Collection" designed by Alessandro Mendini e produced by Superego Editions. Fuchsia color. Limited edition...
Ceramic
$235
H 2.36 in W 2.36 in D 1.57 in
Mid-Century Swedish Glass Bird Sculpture by Bosse, Blue Glass, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Swedish Glass Bird From Bosse, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Glass Color: ...
Glass
Mid-Century Modern Brass Bird Sculpture by Joaquin Tinta, Ecuador
By Joaquin Tinta
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking example of mid-century Latin American design, this sculptural brass bird by Ecuadorian artist Joaquin Tinta embodies both stylization and symb...
Brass
$1,785
H 4.34 in W 3.15 in D 5.52 in
Mid-Century Ruby Glass Bird Sculpture by Tyra Lundgren for Venini
By Tyra Carolina Lundgren, Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Bird Sculpture by Tyra Lundgren for Venini 1930s A rare bird sculpture made of ruby colored glass decorated with an iridized surface. Designed by Tyra Lundgren in 1938, manufactured...
Art Glass
$502Sale Price|33% Off
H 6.5 in W 2.25 in D 4 in
Archimede Seguso Murano Cobalt Blue Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Bird Sculpture
By Archimede Seguso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown cobalt blue and gold flecks Italian art glass bird on clear pedestal sculpture. Documented to designer Archimede Seg...
Gold Leaf
Italian Murano Art Glass Pheasant Bird Sculpture 1960s
By Barovier&Toso, Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Italian Mid-Century Murano Art Glass Bird Pheasant Sculpture Bird 1960s. Vintage Italian Mid-Century Modern Murano hand blown glass bird sculpture...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Murano Glass Bird Sculpture by Oball, Silver Leaf, Italy, 1970s
By Atelier Oball
Located in Warrenton, OR
Murano Glass Bird Sculpture by Oball, Silver Leaf, Italy, 1970s, with Original Label This is a lovely mid-century modern Murano glass bird in very nice vintage condition. This bird...
Silver Leaf
Pulcino by Alessandro Pianon, Vetreria Vistosi Murano
By Vistosi, Alessandro Pianon
Located in Uccle, BE
Sculpture of a bird in blown glass, composed of an orange glass sphere with a textured surface evocative of the bird’s plumage. The eyes are rendered with two hot-applied murrines. D...
Blown Glass
Sold
H 11.82 in W 5.91 in D 5.91 in
Set of five “Pulcini” glass birds by Alessandro Pianon, Vetreria Vistosi Murano
By Vistosi, Alessandro Pianon
Located in Uccle, BE
Set of five “Pulcini” glass birds by Alessandro Pianon. Rare set of five blown glass birds resting on their hammered copper legs. These are th...
Copper
Sold
H 6.5 in W 8.67 in D 4.14 in
Alessandro Pianon Pulcino' blue bird Execution Vetreria Vistosi 1962
By Alessandro Pianon
Located in Vigevano, PV
Alessandro Pianon Chick' blue bird Execution Vetreria Vistosi 1962
Copper
Alessandro Pianon Bird "Pulcino" for Vistosi
By Alessandro Pianon
Located in Lynn, MA
Iconic and important Italian glass design by Alessandro Pianon. Grayish/Green blown glass mounted on copper legs. Part of a series of five different “species,” each bird in the coll...
Copper
Alessandro Pianon Bird "Pulcino" for Vistosi
By Alessandro Pianon
Located in Lynn, MA
Iconic and important Italian glass design by Alessandro Pianon. Orange blown glass mounted on copper legs. Part of a series of five different “species,” each bird in the collection h...
Copper
Set of five Pulcini glass birds by Alessandro Pianon
By Vistosi, Alessandro Pianon
Located in Uccle, BE
Rare set of five blown glass birds resting on their hammered copper legs. These are the models designed by Alessandro Pianon for Vistosi in Murano, in 1962. The first bird (far lef...
Blown Glass
Pulcino par Alessandro Pianon
By Vistosi, Alessandro Pianon
Located in Uccle, BE
Sculpture of a bird in blown glass with murrine decoration, resting on hammered copper legs. Designed in 1962 by Alessandro Pianon for Vistosi, Murano (Italy). This green glass bird...
Blown Glass
Alessandro Pianon Pulcino' bird Execution Vetreria Vistosi 1962
By Alessandro Pianon
Located in Vigevano, PV
Spherical shape. H: 23cm. Execution: Vetreria Vistosi. Glass, colorless and orange with fused crushed glass, applied murrine as eyes; feet made of bent copper wire. Literature: Cf. M...
Murano Glass
Alessandro Pianon ' Pulcini ' Murano Bird Sculpture
By Vistosi, Alessandro Pianon
Located in Gladstone, NJ
Alessandro Pianon ' Pulcini ' Murano Bird Sculpture
Murano Glass
Sold
H 13.25 in W 10 in D 5 in
Large Murano glass Alessandro Pianon Murrine Sculpture with stand in blue
By Alessandro Pianon
Located in Ann Arbor, MI
Large Murano glass Alessandro Pianon Murrine Sculpture with original stand in vibrant blue. Retains its original label. This piece is much larger than most examples and the only one ...
Blown Glass
Sold
H 12 in W 4.75 in D 3.5 in
Alessandro Pianon Model S 189 Pulcini Pulcino Murano Bird Sculpture with Murrine
By Alessandro Pianon
Located in Ann Arbor, MI
Alessandro Pianon Model S 189 Pulcini Pulcino Murano Bird Sculpture with Murrine Decoration. These rare sculptures were made at Vistosi on the I...
Blown Glass
Pulcino Glass Bird by Alessandro Pianon for Vistosi Murano Italy 1960s
By Vistosi, Alessandro Pianon
Located in Troy, MI
A rare Pulcino bird designed by Alessandro Pianon for Vetreria Visosti Murano Italy circa 1962 Hand-blown glass in deep orange with inset glass murrine e...
Copper
Alessandro Pianon for Vistosi, Pulcino, 1962
By Vistosi, Alessandro Pianon
Located in CA, CA
Alessandro Pianon for Vistosi, Pulcino, 1962 A Beautiful wedge shaped "Pulcini" bird glass sculpture in blue with dark blue decorative spira...
Blown Glass
Alessandro Pianon Rare Hand Blown Glass Bird for Vistosi Murano 1963
By Vistosi, Alessandro Pianon
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare hand blown glass bird, Pulcini Series, green with red and blue murrhines with copper feet by Alessandro Pianon for Vistosi, Murano Italy, ca...
Copper
Sold
H 8.25 in W 4.5 in D 4.25 in
Alessandro Pianon Vistosi Murano Pulcino Pulcini Bird Sculpture Rare Form Color
By Alessandro Pianon
Located in Ann Arbor, MI
Alessandro Pianon Vistosi Murano Pulcino Pulcini bird sculpture rare form color in dark emerald green. Abstract Murrine eyes. The square form is one of ...
Blown Glass