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 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
Rare Carlo Scarpa Champagne Set for Venini Reticello & Gold Leaf, 1930s
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
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
$503Sale 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
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
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
$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
Mid-Centery modern drinking glasses, attributed to Carlo Scarpa
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Palermo, PA
Discover the timeless elegance of these vintage glasses, attributed to design legend Carlo Scarpa, 1970. These exquisite pieces was part of the Vertical Collection, as documented in ...
Murano Glass
Circa 1930s Silver Plated Tea Tray by International
By International Silver
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1930s silver plated tea tray by International. Handsomely decorated with swags of fruits & flowers decoration, bordered by cast grape & floral motifs. Good condition showing ex...
Silver Plate
$1,250 / set
H 14.18 in Dm 12.6 in
Set of Three Steel Baskets by Gio Ponti for Arthur Krupp, Italy, 1930s
By Gio Ponti, Arthur Krupp
Located in Milan, IT
Set of three steel baskets attributed to Gio Ponti for Arthur Krupp, Milano.
Metal
Carlo Scarpa Murano Vase for MVM Cappellin, Italy, 1930s
By Carlo Scarpa, MVM Cappelin
Located in Milan, IT
Carlo Scarpa Murano vase for MVM Cappellin, Italy, 1930s.
Murano Glass
Italian Murano glass 1930s perfume bottle by Carlo Scarpa for Venini
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Rare small perfume flask made of straw-colored and clear sommerso glass with bubble inclusions. Acid-etched "VENINI MURANO" under the base. Good overall condition, but has a small de...
Glass, Murano Glass
Venini 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
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
Venini Tall Tessuti Battuti Vase in Red by Carlo Scarpa
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
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