Carlo Scarpa was born in Venice in 1906 and became one of the leading figures of architecture and international design during the 20th century. At merely 21 years old — and still a student at the Academy of Fine Arts — Scarpa began working as a designer for master Murano glassmaker M.V.M. Cappellin. Within a few years, he completely revolutionized the approach to art glass.
In a short time, under the guidance of Scarpa, the Capellin furnace not only established itself as the top glass company, but above all it introduced modernity and international fame to Murano glassmaking. Scarpa created a personal style of glassmaking, a new vision that irreversibly changed glass production.
The young Scarpa experimented with new models and colors: his chromatic combinations, impeccable execution and geometric shapes became his modus operandi. Thanks to Scarpa’s continuous research on vitreous matter, Cappellin produced a series of high-quality glass objects, that saw the company revisiting ancient processing techniques such as the watermark and Phoenician decoration.
When he encountered the challenge of opaque glass, Scarpa proposed introducing textures of considerable chromatic impact, such as glass pastes and glazed glass with bright colors. Scarpa also collaborated in the renovation of Palazzo da Mula in Murano, the home of Cappellin. At the academy, he obtained the diploma of professor of architectural design and obtained an honorary degree from the Venice University Institute of Architecture of which he was director.
In 1931, Scarpa's collaboration with Cappellin ended, following the bankruptcy of the company because it was not able to withstand the economic crisis linked to the Great Depression. But Scarpa did not go unnoticed by Paolo Venini — in 1933, the young designer became the new artistic director of the biggest glass company in Murano.
Master glassmakers thought Scarpa's projects and sketches were impossible, but the passionate and curious designer always managed to get exactly what he wanted. Until 1947 he remained at the helm of Venini & Co., where he created some of the best known masterpieces of modern glassmaking. Scarpa’s work with Venini was characterized by the continuous research on the subject, the use of color and techniques that he revisited in a very personal way, and the development of new ways of working with master glassmakers.
At the beginning of the 1930s, "bubble", "half filigree" and "submerged" glass appeared for the first time on the occasion of the Venice Biennale of 1934. A few years later, at the Biennale and the VI Triennale of Milan, Venini exhibited its lattimi and murrine romane pieces, which were born from a joint idea between Scarpa and Paolo Venini.
In 1938 Scarpa increased production, diversifying the vases from "objects of use" to sculptural works of art. In the same year he laid the foundation for the famous "woven" glass collection, exhibited the following year. In the subsequent years, Scarpa–Venini continued to exhibit at the Biennale and in various other shows their the "black and red lacquers," the granulari and the incisi, produced in limited series, and the "Chinese," which was inspired by Asian porcelain.
Scarpa's creations for Venini garnered an international response and were a great success, leaving forever an indelible mark on the history of glassmaking. The last Biennale in which Carlo Scarpa participated as artistic director of Venini was in 1942. He left the company five years later.
The time that Scarpa spent in the most important glass factory in Murano would attach a great artistic legacy to the company. His techniques and styles were resumed in the postwar period under the guidance of Tobia Venini, Paolo's son. In the 1950s, after the departure of Scarpa, Fulvio Bianconi was the new visionary at the Biennials with Venini.
On 1stDibs, vintage Carlo Scarpa glass and lighting are for sale, including decorative objects, tables, chandeliers and more.
(Biography provided by Ophir Gallery Inc.)
Stone and Wood Console Model 'Valmarana' by Carlo Scarpa for Simon, Italy, 1972
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brussels, BE
Stone and wood console Model 'Valmarana' by Carlo Scarpa for Simon - Italy 1972.
Stone
Large Dining Table in Walnut mod 'Scuderia' for Bernini, Italy 1977
By Carlo Scarpa, Bernini
Located in Hellouw, NL
Carlo Scarpa’s furniture often carries the same architectural thinking found in his buildings: material, proportion and construction are allowed to speak for themselves. The ‘Scuderi...
Walnut
Italian mid-century modern chandelier Poliedri Carlo Scarpa for Venini, 1960s
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern chandelier Poliedri Carlo Scarpa for Venini, 1960s Chandelier model Poliedri with a white painted metal frame. It is composed of pink and transparent Mura...
Metal
$23,001 / item
Carlo Scarpa Poliedri Applique Chandelier for Venini
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Poliedri applique, suspension lamp and wall sconce, designed by Carlo Scarpa and manufactured by Venini, were originally designed in 1958. Indoor use only. Dimensions: Ø 81 cm, H...
Glass
Carlo Scarpa “Cornaro” Armchairs for Gavina, Ivory Linen, 1973, Set of 2
By Carlo Scarpa, Gavina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Carlo Scarpa “Cornaro” armchairs for Gavina, ivory linen, Italy, 1973, set of two The “Cornaro” armchair, designed by Carlo Scarpa in 1973 for Gavina, distills the essence of archit...
Velvet, Foam, Wood
Console Model 'Valmarana' by Carlo Scarpa for Simon, Ash and Granite, Italy 1972
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brussels, BE
Console Model 'Valmarana' by Carlo Scarpa for Simon, ash and granite, Italy 1972.
Granite
Rare Pair of Carlo Scarpa "Lattimo Aurato" Sconces for M.V.M. Cappellin, 1930
By Cappellin, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brescia, Brescia
An extraordinarily rare and important pair of wall sconces designed by Carlo Scarpa and produced by M.V.M. Cappellin & C., Murano, circa 1930. These museum-quality sconces were ...
Brass
"Poliedri" chandelier in Murano glass by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, Italy, 1958
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Poliedri ceiling chandelier designed by Carlo Scarpa in 1958 for Venini glassworks. Painted metal frame, transparent blown glass elements, composed of 67 polyhedrons, in excellent c...
Brass, Iron
Highboard in Walnut mod. 'Scuderia' by Scarpa for Bernini, Italy 1970's
By Carlo Scarpa, Bernini
Located in Hellouw, NL
Carlo Scarpa approached furniture with the eye of an architect, treating construction, material and detail as parts of one continuous design language. This highboard belongs to his S...
Walnut
Quatour table, Carlo Scarpa for Gavina, 1974
By Carlo Scarpa, Gavina
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Large square "Quatour" table in beech, made by assembling various L-shaped elements, designed by Carlo Scarpa from a 1947 sketch of his and later produced by Gavina in 1974.
Wood, Beech
Carlo Scarpa for Venini, Murano Glass Table Mirror 'A Trecchia', 1930s
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Carlo Scarpa (1906-1978) Art Deco Glass Table Mirror handworked in twisted colourless Murano glass, the spiral design known as “a treccia” after its resemblance to a braid. The glass frame lined with a brass band, secured with a pierced trapezoid clip to the wooden back-plate, with brass folding...
Brass
Venini Carlo Scarpa Chandelier Poliedri Murano Light Bluend Brass, 1950
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
Venini Carlo Scarpa chandelier Poliedri Murano light gray celestial and iron 1950.
Murano Glass
'Poliedri' Sconces by Carlo Scarpa for Venini
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Poliedri' Sconces by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, Italy, 1958-1960 A rare and historically significant wall sconce by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, the Poliedri modules - individual hand-bl...
Brass, Steel
$20,000 / set
Pair of Venini Torqued Obelisks
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in New York, NY
Around 1930 Gio Ponti gave Paolo Venini some sketches for glass obelisks. Shortly thereafter Carlo Scarpa designed for Venini a torqued obelisk in transparent diamante glass -- so na...
Glass
20th Century Carlo Scarpa Venini Lattimo Vase "a Mezza Filigrana", 50s
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Torino, Piemonte
In 1921 Venini and Cappellin opened a glass factory called Vetri Soffiati Muranesi Cappellin Venini & C. on the islands of Murano, the historic glass production centre in the lag...
Murano Glass
Venini Wrought Honeycomb 524.26 Orizz. Murano Glass Vase Carlo Scarpa Damiani
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Brand: Venini Design: Carlo Scarpa Model: Honeycomb Wrought 524.26 Collection: Honeycomb Wrought Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this iconic Murano glass vase...
Glass
Italian mid-century modern chandelier Poliedri Carlo Scarpa for Venini, 1960s
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern chandelier Poliedri Carlo Scarpa for Venini, 1960s Chandelier model Poliedri with a white painted metal frame. It is composed of pink and yellow Murano gl...
Metal
$6,030Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Venini Sconces Italy 1990
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in PARIS, FR
Very impressive pair of sconces by Venini circa 1990 Designed by Carlo scarpa circa 1940.
Glass
Venini Rare Rectangular Treccia Murano Glass Wall Mirror Model No. 66 circa 1939
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in New York, NY
Carlo Scarpa for Venini rare rectangular wall mirror model no. 66 in clear a treccia Murano glass, brass and silvered mirror glass, Murano, Italy, circa 1939. An exceptional early V...
Brass
Carlo Scarpa Venini Art Deco Chandelier, Nickel & Glass, 1930s
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in New York, NY
Carlo Scarpa for Venini highly unique rectangular shaped Art Deco chandelier, circa 1930's. A minimalist nickel-plated structure with a row of eight thick ribbed hand-cut glass eleme...
Nickel
$7,885Sale Price|20% Off
Carlo Scarpa Auriga glass dining table for Anonima Castelli, Italy
By Carlo Scarpa, Dino Gavina, Anonima Castelli
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Architectural dining table designed by Carlo Scarpa in 1968. The design was part of the 'Ultrarazionale' collection, initiated by Dino Gavina in collaboration with Carlo Scarpa in 19...
Glass
Wall Sconce Applique Design Tomaso Buzzi (Certain Attribution) Venini 30s
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Biella, IT
Architectural Cordoned Wall Sconce (Applique)Designer: Tomaso Buzzi (Certain Attribution)Manufacturer: Venini MuranoCountry of Origin: Italy (Venice/Murano)Period: c. 1932 – 1936Mate...
Brass
Marcel Breuer And Carlo Scarpa Delfi Marble and Glass Table by Cassina
By Carlo Scarpa, Marcel Breuer, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Marcel Breuer And Carlo Scarpa Delfi Marble and Glass Table Manufactured by Cassina (Italy) ELEGANCE OF LINE The design table with rectangular to...
Marble
Carlo Scarpa Set of Four 1934 765 in Wood with Leather Cushion by Bernini 1977
By Bernini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Set of four 1934 756 chairs in walnut wood and cushions in leather, designed by Carlo Scarpa and produced by Bernini in the 1970s. Initially designed for Scarpa’s own Venetian house...
Leather, Wood
21st Century Poliedri Wall Light in Crystal by Carlo Scarpa
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in murano, IT
Poliedri 951.27 APPLIQUE CR Additional Information: Color: Crystal Light Source: 2 x max 8W LED E14 Finishes: Chrome metal Dimensions: W 27 x D 27 x H 39 cm.
Carlo Scarpa Doge Table for Cassina, Aluminum Base, Mid-Century Italy
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Carlo Scarpa Doge Table For Cassina A sculptural structure that has become an emblem of Italian design, a trademark of the new ultrarational ...
Aluminum
21st Century Battuto a Nido D'ape Vase in Straw-Yellow by Carlo Scarpa
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in murano, IT
Inspired by nature and designed by Carlo Scarpa, it turns into Battuto a Nido D'Ape only in the hands of master glassmakers, who skilfully shape glass into a honeycomb pattern using ...
Glass
Large Murrine Plate Serpente by Carlo Scarpa for Venini Murano ca. 1940s
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Murrine Plate Serpente by Carlo Scarpa for Venini Murano ca. 1940s A large murrine bowl of the Serpente series designed by Carlo Scarpa ca. 1940. Manufactured by Venini Murano...
Art Glass
$23,772 / item
Doge Large Dining Table by Carlo Scarpa for Cassina
By Carlo Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Doge Large Dining Table designed by Carlo Scarpa. Manufactured by Cassina (Italy) ULTRARATIONAL EMBLEM A sculptural structure that has become an emblem of Italian design, a trademar...
Aluminum
21st Century Murrine Opache Bowl in Black/Coral by Carlo Scarpa
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in murano, IT
Countless Black and Coral pieces are woven together to form a symmetric yet imperfect pattern on slanted surfaces. VENINI’s glass grinding technique crea...
Glass
21st Century Murrine Romane Glass Vase in Multicolour by Carlo Scarpa
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in murano, IT
In these murrineworks, purity of form and essential geometry blend together to create rare, precious and timeless objects, just like the art of ancient Rome. In his quest for new gla...
Glass
21st Century Carlo Scarpa 99.37 Floor Lamp in Crystal by Carlo Scarpa
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in murano, IT
An innovative designer with a passion for experimentation, Carlo Scarpa turned this work into the utmost expression of his artistic and artisanal knowledge. The linearity of glass me...
Glass
Murano Blown Glass Neoclassic Chandelier Design by Carlo Scarpa Venini Official
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in murano, IT
Venini’s artistic director for more than a decade, Carlo Scarpa deeply influenced the company’s production, managing to merge his own intellectual vision with the highly refined tech...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Venini Scarpa Murano Bollicine White Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Mini Vase
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful antique Murano hand blown Sommerso clear white bubbles and gold flecks Italian art glass mini vase / vide poche. The piece is documented to the Venini company, and created ...
Gold Leaf
Carlo Scarpa Venini glass vase Battuto 1940s Italy cobalt blue acid signed
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
RARE Carlo Scarpa for Venini, Murano glass vase. UNUSUAL cobalt blue color glass with overall fine batutto engraved finish. Signed with early acid etch "Venini/ Murano/ Made in/ Ita...
Art Glass
Venini Wrought Honeycomb 524.26 Lilac Murano Glass Vase Carlo Scarpa Damiani
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Brand: Venini Design: Carlo Scarpa Model: Honeycomb Wrought 524.26 Collection: Honeycomb Wrought Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this iconic Murano glass vase...
Glass
Large Vase 'Chinesi' by Carlo Scarpa for Venini Murano
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Vase 'Chinesi' by Carlo Scarpa for Venini Murano Item e8034 A very rare vase from the 'Chinesi' series, designed by Carlo Scarpa around 1940. Manufactured by Venini Murano Veni...
Art Glass
1930 Carlo Scarpa Venini "A Bollicine" Murano Glass Art Deco Green Bottle
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brescia, IT
Bottle "A Bubble" Carlo Scapa, Venini Italy, 1930 Rare Object Original 1930 Perfect condiction Bibliography: "Carlo Scarpa. I vetri di un architetto" di Marino Barovier
Murano Glass
Carlo Scarpa for Venini Treccia Table or Vanity Mirror, Signed, Italy, 1940s
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional and rare Murano glass table or vanity mirror designed by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, executed in the elegant and highly collectible Treccia (braided) glass technique, Ita...
Brass
Venini Murrine Romane Multi-Color Vase by Carlo Scarpa
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Murrine Romane vase in multi-color by Carlo Scarpa. Numbered Edition. These Murrine are called “roman” due to their graphic signs and because the...
Glass
Venini Murrine Romane Multicolor Bowl by Carlo Scarpa
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Murrine Romane bowl in multicolor by Carlo Scarpa. Numbered Edition. These Murrine are called “roman” due to their graphic signs and because they...
Glass
$23,790 / item
Doge Large Dining Table by Carlo Scarpa for Cassina
By Carlo Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Doge Large Dining Table designed by Carlo Scarpa. Manufactured by Cassina (Italy) ULTRARATIONAL EMBLEM A sculptural structure that has become an emblem of Italian design, a trademar...
Aluminum
$1,948Sale Price|20% Off
VENINI - CARLO SCARPA - Wrought glass - signed at acid .
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Milano, IT
VENINI - CARLO SCARPA - Beautiful ashtray or pocket emptier model made of wrought and acid-signed murano glass, VENINI - MURANO - ITALY.
Murano Glass
Venini Battuto A Nido D’ape Glass Vase in Straw Yellow by Carlo Scarpa
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Battuto A Nido D’ape glass vase, designed by Carlo Scarpa and manufactured by Venini, was originally designed in 1940. Numbered edition per year. Indoor use only. Dimensions: Ø 23...
Glass
Venini Tall Tessuti Battuti Vase in Red by Carlo Scarpa
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tessuti Battuti vases, designed by Carlo Scarpa and manufactured by Venini, feature a blown handmade glass body with bicolored “Filigrana” stripes then...
Blown Glass
Carlo Scarpa Sarpi Table for Cassina, Glass & Metal, Mid-Century Italy
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Carlo Scarpa Sarpi Table For Cassina Carlo Scarpa designed this design table in 1974, successor to the popular Doge, with which it appears in the ...
Glass
Venini Serpente Plate in Black with Coral Red Detail by Carlo Scarpa
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Serpente plate in black/coral red by Carlo Scarpa. Numbered Edition. Blown handmade and cut glass plate with the “Murrine” technique. Color: ...
Blown Glass
Venini Battuto Multicolor Vase in Light Green & Red by Carlo Scarpa
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Battuto bicolor vase in light green/red by Carlo Scarpa. Numbered Edition. Blown handmade glass, realized with the “Incalmo” technique, then cut....
Blown Glass
VENINI Carlo Scarpa Chandelier Poliedri Murano Glass Iron 1955 Italy
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
Chandelier VENINI ,originale di Carlo Scarpa. Murano glass 1950
Murano Glass
Carlo Scarpa for Venini Murano Glass Bookends, Emerald Green, 1950s
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in New York, NY
Carlo Scarpa for Venini exquisite and rare pair of mid-century modern bookends masterfully handblown in Murano, Italy. Executed in rich emerald green blown glass, each piece feature...
Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Venini Murrine Opache Plate in Coral & Black by Carlo Scarpa
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Murrine Opache plate in coral/black by Carlo Scarpa. Numbered Edition. Handmade glass with “murrine” technique. Color: Coral/Black Technique:...
Glass
Venini, Chandelier Poliedri 1950, Carlo Scarpa
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
Chandelier 1950, Venini Carlo Scarpa structure iron /glass.
Glass
Carlo Scarpa's "Florian" low coffee table in crystal and steel, 1973 - Italy
By Carlo Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Vicenza, VI
"Floarian" table designed by Carlo Scarpa in 1973, consisting of a satin-finished steel base and a transparent crystal top. Dimensions • Piano in cristallo: 113,5 × 155 × 2 cm • B...
Crystal, Steel
Incamiciato blue blown glass vase, design Carlo SCARPA for VENINI. 1994
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Torino, IT
Vase made of glass blown blue Wrapped, design Carlo SCARPA for VENINI. ORIGIN Italy PERIOD 1994 AUTHOR Charles SCARPA (1906-1978) was an Italian architect, designer and academic, ...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Pair 1950 Art Deco Glass Ornaments Sconces by Carlo Scarpa for Venini Italy
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of large Art Deco Sconces with polyhedral shaped blown glass ornaments. Designed by Carlo Scarpa for Venini Italy and made circa 1950. In perfect working condition and takes E-1...
Steel
"Forian" Low Table by Carlo Scarpa for Simon Gavina, Italy, 1970s
By Gavina, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Milan, IT
"Florian" coffee table by Carlo Scarpa for Simon - Gavina. Masterly detailed steel base supporting a large glass top. From the same collection also currently available a Doge extra l...
Steel
Venini Pink and Ice Original Poliedri Chandelier by Carlo Scarpa, 1955
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Rome, IT
Fabulous original Venini Poliedri chandelier, designed by the renowned Italian architect and designer Carlo Scarpa for Venini. This exceptional piece features a rare and highly sop...
Blown Glass
1970s Italian Oval Dining Table by Carlo Scarpa, Model Samo, in Grey Granite
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Vintage oval dining table designed model Samo, by Carlo Scarpa and Manufactured by Simon, Italy 1970s. Light grey granite dining table with o...
Granite
Deep Red Cased Glass Bowl by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, Italy, 1942
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in London, GB
Rare deep red cased and iridized glass, bowl complete with stubber (cendrier / ashtray), designed by Carlo Scarpa (1906-1978) circa 1942, for Venini, with acid stamp on its underside 'Venini Murano MADE IN ITALY' From 1933 to 1947 Scarpa became the artistic consultant to Venini from 1933 to 1947 the glass manufacturer, one of the great celebrated glass works in the history of design. Carlo Scarpa’s highly inventive use of traditional Murano techniques resulted in this original sculptural and sensually formed crimson dish companied by its pestle. Scarpa's success was to look to the past with an innovative approach towards technique and creativity giving birth to the avant-garde. • Literature A Focused Obsession, Modern Italian Glass- The Martin Cohen Collection Helmut Ricke, Eva Schmitt, 'Italian Glass Murano: Milan...
Murano Glass
$5,566 / item
Oak Wood Chairs by Carlo Scarpa/ Gavina 1974
By Carlo Scarpa, Gavina
Located in Berlin, DE
Five extraordinary yet elegant oak wood chairs by Carlo Scarpa. Carlo Scarpa (2 June 1906 – 28 November 1978) was an Italian architect, influenced by t...
Oak