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.)
Rare Carlo Scarpa Champagne Set for Venini Reticello & Gold Leaf, 1930s
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brescia, Brescia
An exceptionally rare champagne service designed by Carlo Scarpa for Venini during his earliest and most experimental years on Murano, dating to the late 1930s and early 1940s. The ...
Murano Glass
Rare Set of 9 Carlo Scarpa Reticello Glasses for Venini Murano, 1938
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brescia, Brescia
An extraordinarily rare set of nine hand-blown "Reticello" drinking glasses designed by Carlo Scarpa during his earliest years at Venini, Murano, dating to the late 1930s and early 1...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
$511Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.78 in W 5.32 in D 3.94 in
Tettau Porcelain Tea Service, 35-Piece Set, Gilded, Germany, 1930s
Located in Opole, PL
Presented tea service is made of white china. It is ornamented with a sky-blue stripe of a painted, gilded pattern. The whole is signed with the Koniglich Porzellanfabrik Tettau Bav...
Porcelain
$19,775
H 2.56 in W 9.18 in D 14.38 in
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
Set of six Venini Murano "Esagonali" Glasses by Carlo Scarpa
By Venini
Located in Vienna, AT
Elevate your glassware collection with this exquisite set of six handcrafted Murano glass tumblers by Carlo Scarpa for Venini. These incredible thin and very lightweight glasses demo...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$950
H 2.68 in W 7.41 in D 6.62 in
Large 1950s Mid-Century Pink Bubble Glass Bowl Carlo Scarpa for Venini Style
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa, Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Beautiful large midcentury modern vintage rectangular biomorphic shaped pink glass 'Bullicante' (controlled bubble) bowl, snack dish, vide poche or ashtray with folded rims. In the s...
Blown Glass
"Tessuto Velato", Iconic Vase by Carlo Scarpa for Venini
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Bochum, NRW
A "tessuto velato" iconic piece by Carlo Scarpa for Venini. Clear glass with green and black or green and white, vertically fused threads.(essuto). Opaque surface matt finish, horiz...
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass
VENINI Carlo Scarpa - Pulegoso Vase Murano Glass 1935 Italy
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
VENINI - CARLO SCARPA / pulegoso workmanship in murano glass. 1930s ,emerald green color
Murano Glass
$2,373
H 2.76 in W 7.88 in D 5.52 in
Deep Red Cased Glass Bowl by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, Italy, 1942
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
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
Murano, 1930, Italian. Attributed to Carlo Scarpa
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our A...
Murano Glass
Rustic Portuguese Majolica Green Cabbage Leaf Tureen, circa 1930s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Portugal, a hand potted majolica glazed cabbage leaf lidded oval shaped tureen, circa 1930s. Rustic, and showing the hand of the potter, glazed beautifully in a rich olive green. The lid has a ladle slot. 10.25 in. L x 9 in. W x 8 in. H with the lid seated. Marked: Made Portugal and the letter F - unknown studio. In very good condition. Showing the light wear expected of older Portuguese cabbage pottery...
Ceramic
Lattimo Velato Vase by Carlo Scarpa for Venini Murano, ca. 1936
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Lattimo Velato Vase by Carlo Scarpa for Venini Murano ca. 1936 A rare lattimo velato vase designed by Carlo Scarpa ca. 1936. Manufactured by Venini Murano Venice in the 1930s. Thin ...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
$406 / set
H 5.12 in Dm 1.97 in
Postmodern Pair of Teal, Red and Gold Liqueur Glasses by Salviati, Murano, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. The drinking glasses are made in hand-blown Murano glass. They are vintage, therefore they might show slight traces of use, but they can be considered as in e...
Murano 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
Sold
H 0.99 in W 21.46 in D 12.21 in
Carlo Scarpa Midcentury Aluminum Italian Serving Tray with Mirror Top, 1960s
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Roma, IT
Elegant midcentury aluminium serving tray with mirror top. This astonishing piece of barware was designed by Carlo Scarpa in Italy during the 1960s. This item is amazing because of the perfect fusion of the materials: gilt anodized aluminium, top mirror and cream-coloured rubber. An amazing serving piece that will enrich a minimal midcentury living room, kitchen or bar. Measures (cm): Width 54.5 Depth 31 Height 2.5 Carlo Scarpa (2 June 1906-28 November 1978) was an Italian architect, influenced by the materials, landscape, and the history of Venetian culture, and Japan. Scarpa translated his interests in history, regionalism, invention, and the techniques of the artist and craftsman into an ingenious glass and furniture design. Scarpa was born in Venice. Much of his early childhood was spent in Vicenza, where his family relocated when he was 2 years old. After his mother's death when he was 13, he moved with his father and brother back to Venice. Carlo attended the Academy of Fine Arts where he focused on architectural studies. Graduated from the Accademia in Venice, with the title of Professor of Architecture, he apprenticed with the architect Francesco Rinaldo. Scarpa married Rinaldo's niece, Nini Lazzari (Onorina Lazzari). However, Scarpa refused to sit the pro forma...
Aluminum
Sold
H 0.99 in W 21.46 in D 12.21 in
Carlo Scarpa Midcentury Aluminum Italian Serving Tray with Mirror Top, 1960s
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Roma, IT
Elegant midcentury aluminium serving tray with mirror top. This astonishing piece of barware was designed by Carlo Scarpa in Italy during the 1960s. This item is amazing because of the perfect fusion of the materials: gilt anodized aluminium, top mirror and cream-coloured rubber. An amazing serving piece that will enrich a minimal midcentury living room, kitchen or bar. Measures (cm): Width 54.5 Depth 31 Height 2.5 Carlo Scarpa (2 June 1906-28 November 1978) was an Italian architect, influenced by the materials, landscape, and the history of Venetian culture, and Japan. Scarpa translated his interests in history, regionalism, invention, and the techniques of the artist and craftsman into an ingenious glass and furniture design. Scarpa was born in Venice. Much of his early childhood was spent in Vicenza, where his family relocated when he was 2 years old. After his mother's death when he was 13, he moved with his father and brother back to Venice. Carlo attended the Academy of Fine Arts where he focused on architectural studies. Graduated from the Accademia in Venice, with the title of Professor of Architecture, he apprenticed with the architect Francesco Rinaldo. Scarpa married Rinaldo's niece, Nini Lazzari (Onorina Lazzari). However, Scarpa refused to sit the pro forma...
Aluminum
Sold
H 0.99 in W 21.46 in D 12.21 in
Carlo Scarpa Midcentury Gilt Aluminum Italian Serving Tray with Mirror Top 1960s
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Roma, IT
Elegant midcentury gilt aluminum serving tray with mirror top, 1960s. This astonishing piece of barware was designed by Carlo Scarpa in Italy during 1960s. This item is wonderful because of the perfect fusion of the materials: gilt anodized aluminum, top mirror and cream-colored rubber. An amazing serving piece that will enrich a midcentury living room, kitchen or bar. Measures (cm): Width 54.5 Depth 31 Height 2.5 Carlo Scarpa (2 June 1906-28 November 1978) was an Italian architect, influenced by the materials, landscape, and the history of Venetian culture, and Japan. Scarpa translated his interests in history, regionalism, invention, and the techniques of the artist and craftsman into an ingenious glass and furniture design. Scarpa was born in Venice. Much of his early childhood was spent in Vicenza, where his family relocated when he was 2 years old. After his mother's death when he was 13, he moved with his father and brother back to Venice. Carlo attended the Academy of Fine Arts where he focused on architectural studies. Graduated from the Accademia in Venice, with the title of Professor of Architecture, he apprenticed with the architect Francesco Rinaldo. Scarpa married Rinaldo's niece, Nini Lazzari (Onorina Lazzari). However, Scarpa refused to sit the pro forma...
Aluminum