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.)
Poliedri Chandelier Carlo Scarpa 1950 Venini Murano Glass Celeste and Yellow
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Chandelier By Venini Carlo Scarpa 1950 Poliedri
Metal
A signed Venini "Poliedri" chandelier with glass diffusers, Italy, 1950s
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A suspended chandelier composed of blown-glass diffusers, model “Poliedri,” design by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, Italy, 1960s. Through his work, Carlo Scarpa was able to create a lang...
Metal
Large unique mid-century Murano chandelier Poliedri by Carlo Scarpa for Venini
By Paolo Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Eindhoven, NL
A very beautiful, unique and original Murano chandelier designed by Italian architect Carlo Scarpa for Venini Murano. With soft yellow, ligt blue and transparent slightly iridescent ...
Metal
$10,813Sale Price / set|20% Off
Large Poliedri wall sconces designed by Carlo Scarpa for Venini 1958
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Large Poliedri wall lamps designed by Carlo Scarpa in 1958 for Venini glassworks. Painted metal frame, blown glass in transparent and smoky tones, in the rare version consisting of ...
Iron
1950s Drum Venini pale green blue and clear poliedri chandelier by Carlo Scarpa
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in London, GB
A vintage large drum cylindrical shaped Poliedri chandelier. Pale green, blue and clear color Poliedri glass components on one silver lacquered metal structure designed by Carlo Sc...
Metal
Venini Carlo Scarpa Chandelier Poliedri Murano Light Bluend Brass, 1950
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Milano, IT
Un iconico lampadario a POLIEDRI, disegnato dal architetto CARLO SCARPA e prodotto dalla vetreria muranese, VENINI, Originale del 1950.
Murano Glass
Rare Venini 1930 Carlo Scarpa Brass Diamond Glass Applique
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Palermo, Sicily
rare and elegant Murano Glass wall sconce with Diamante pattern glass and Brass parts probably created by Carlo Scarpa for Venini.
Brass
A pair of Carlo Scarpa Murano chandeliers 'Poliedri' for Venini
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Eindhoven, NL
A very beautiful and original pair Murano chandeliers designed by Italian architect and designer Carlo Scarpa for Venini Murano. Each with 9 lights. Beautiful design where the advanc...
Metal
A pair of Carlo Scarpa Murano chandeliers 'Poliedri' for Venini
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Eindhoven, NL
A very beautiful and original pair Murano chandeliers designed by Italian architect and designer Carlo Scarpa for Venini Murano. Each with 9 lights. Beautiful design where the advanc...
Metal
Original Glass Poliedri Chandelier by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, Italy, c.1960
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in London, GB
A rare and original green and yellow glass poliedri (polyhedron) chandelier designed by the Italian architect and designer, Carlo Scarpa, c.1960. Produced by the prestigious Murano g...
Steel
Large and Rare Murano Venini Carlo Scarpa 1930 Donut Chandelier Made in Italy
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Rare and Unique large Murano Glass Chandelier with Lens Glasses created and made by Venini , in excellent overall condition .
Murano Glass
Midcentury Carlo Scarpa Poliedri Chandelier for Venini, Murano, Italy, 1960s
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Almelo, NL
Carlo Scarpa Poliedri Chandelier for Venini, Murano, Italy, 1960s. For sale: One exquisite mid-century Venini Murano glass chandelier...
Metal
Poliedri ceiling lamp designed by Carlo Scarpa for Venini 1958
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Poliedri ceiling chandelier designed by Carlo Scarpa in 1958 for Venini glassworks. Nickel-plated brass frame , transparent blown glass elements in shades of yellow, pink and blue, ...
Brass, Iron
Poliedri Chandelier in Murano Glass by Carlo Scarpa for Venini (First Edition)
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Argelato, BO
This elegant chandelier, part of the celebrated Poliedri series designed by Italian architect Carlo Scarpa for the historic Murano glassworks Venini around 1958, represents a masterp...
Murano Glass
$6,111Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Venini Reticello Pendant by Carlo Scarpa, 1940
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing and rare pendant with a precious hand blown reticello Murano glass sphere designed by Carlo Scarpa, 1940. Excellent original condition. One E27 Light bulb 60 Watt.
Blown Glass
$3,055Sale Price|45% Off
Carlo Scarpa lattimo "a fasce" glass Ceiling Lamp by Venini, Murano 1938
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Rome, IT
Carlo Scarpa ceiling lamp 1938 Ceiling lamp designed by Carlo Scarpa and manufactured by Venini Murano Clear and Lattimo “ a fasce” gla...
Brass
Carlo Scarpa for Venini Ceiling Light, Italy circa 1940s
By Paolo Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Long Island City, NY
Carlo Scarpa for Venini ceiling light Model 5258 Italy 1940s Handblown glass, steel, aluminum. Exquisite glass making technique. Takes one medium base bulb. Complimentary US rewiring...
Brass, Metal
Pair of Murano Glass "Poliedri" Wall Sconces by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, 1960s
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of Murano Glass "Poliedri" Wall Sconces by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, 1960s
Glass
Pair of Murano Glass "Poliedri" Wall Sconces by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, 1960s
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of Murano Glass "Poliedri" Wall Sconces by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, 1960s
Murano Glass
Carlo Scarpa for Venini Cut Glass and Nickel Rectangular Chandelier, circa 1930
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
VENINI #Carlo Scarpa# Poliedri Chandelier Murano Glass Iron 1955/Italy
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
Exceptional Carlo Scarpa Chandelier in Warm Colors.....BGM
Murano Glass
Carlo SCARPA designed Polyhedron Chandelier by VENINI, 1970s
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Chandelier with green/ clear glass, designed by Carlo Scarpa, Italy. Originally designed for Venini. Polyhedron chandelier with metal frame and polyhedron green and clear glass piec...
Metal
Carlo Scarpa Poliedri Chandelier 1969 Murano Glass Light 110cm Mid Century Italy
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Munster, NRW
Called "Poliedri" in Italian and known as "Polyhedral" in English, this design was created by Carlos Scarpa (1906-1978) for Venini when he was their art...
Blown Glass
Poliedri Chandelier by Venini
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian chandelier with hand blown polyhedron/polyhedral shaped Murano glasses in clear, light pink, and light green colors, designed by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, made in Ital...
Metal
$10,813Sale Price / set|20% Off
Large Poliedri wall sconces designed by Carlo Scarpa for Venini 1961
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Large Poliedri wall lamps designed by Carlo Scarpa in 1961 for Venini glassworks. Painted metal frame, transparent blown glass, in the rare version consisting of 48 polyhedra, excel...
Iron
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
Poliedri Chandelier in Murano Glass by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, Italy, 1960's
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Melbourne, VIC
The Poliedri Chandelier by Carlo Scarpa for Venini is a stunning mid-century Italian masterpiece, blending light, geometry, and artisan glasswork. Scarpa's innovative design features...
Metal
Carlo Scarpa for Venini Poliedri pair wall lights. Italy circa 1960
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in London, GB
Exquisite pair of authentic Venini wall lights by Carlo Scarpa. Model 'Poliedri'. c1960 Mix of pink and smoke glass. *** These are original 1960s blown glass lights... Not recent!
Metal
Venini Chandelier Carlo Scarpa Poliedri 1950 Murano Glass Iron Brass, Italy
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
VENINI chandelier Murano glass CARLO SCARPA Poliedri 1955 iron , Made in Italy.
Murano Glass
CARLO SCARPA VENINI LAMpADA DA TAVOLO VETRO DI MURANO 1940 ITALIA
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
ECCEZIONALE LAMPADA DA TAVOLO IN VETRO DI MURANO...DEL 1940 DELLA VENINI CARLO SCARPA.. PROVENIENTE DA UNA VILLA SUL LAGO DI COMO..... in ottimo stato.
Murano Glass
$5,200 / item
'Poliedri' Sconces by Carlo Scarpa for Venini
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
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
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
Original Blue Glass Poliedri Chandelier by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, Italy, c1960
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in London, GB
A rare circular blue glass poliedri (polyhedron) chandelier designed by the Italian architect and designer, Carlo Scarpa, c.1960. Produced by the prestigious Murano glass company, Ve...
Steel
$3,293
Reticello Glass Pendant
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in London, GB
An elegant pendant lamp attributed to Carlo Scarpa for Venini, circa 1940s. The spherical Murano glass diffuser is handcrafted using the reticello technique, creating a delicate, net...
Brass
VENINI “Carlo Scarpa “ Poliedri. Chandelier Brass Murano Glass Iron 1955 Italy
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
VENINI Carlo Scarpa.
Murano Glass
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
Mid-Century Murano Chandelier "Polyhedr" by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, Italy
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Murano Gla Chandelier "Polyhedr" by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, Italy, 1960s
Murano Glass
$3,700 / item
'Poliedri' Sconces by Carlo Scarpa for Venini
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
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...
Steel
$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
Venini floor lamp model n° 529 attributed to Carlo Scarpa, 1942
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Renens, CH
Venini floor lamp model n° 529 attributed to Carlo Scarpa, 1942 Rare Model n° 529 floor lamp often attributed to Carlo Scarpa for Venini 1942. A masterpiece of early 1940's Veneti...
Brass
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
21st Century Carlo Scarpa 99.37 Small Table Lamp in Crystal Blown Glass
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
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...
Blown Glass
Italian Art Deco glass and brass floor lamp by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, 1930s
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Art Deco glass and brass floor lamp by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, 1930s Floor lamp with white-ivory synthetic parchment shade. There are three bulbs inside the lampshade, two o...
Brass
Carlo Scarpa Poliedri Glass Pendant Lamp, Italy, 1960s
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Italian Mid-Century Modern Pendant Lighting This Carlo Scarpa Poliedri pendant lamp is an exceptional example of Italian mid-century modern lighting, featuring sculptural textured gl...
Brass
Carlo Scarpa Venini Large Glass Pendant, Italy, 1925
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The unusual large size Carlo Scarpa for Venini ceiling light, Italy 1930's Handblown glass, steel, aluminum. Exquisite glass making technique. Takes one medium base bulb. Rewired for...
Blown Glass
Carlo Scarpa Poliedri Ceiling Lamp for Venini in Yellow and Grey, Italy 1950s
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Milan, IT
Carlo Scarpa Murano Glass Poliedri ceiling lamp for Venini in yellow and Grey, Italy 1950s.
Metal
Venini, Chandelier Poliedri 1950, Carlo Scarpa
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
Chandelier 1950, Venini Carlo Scarpa structure iron /glass.
Glass
Modernist Handblown Translucent Murano Glass Polyhedral Chandelier
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in New York, NY
This luminous modernist glass chandelier features numerous handblown Murano translucent glass polyhedral shades. Each glass polyhedral shade...
Chrome
12 Light Chandelier Designed by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, Signed Venini 2009/16
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Merida, Yucatan
12 Light chandelier designed by Carlo Scarpa for Venini , Model 99.37 in Murano Italy. This Chandelier originally designed in 1940 was manufactured in 2009. All the pieces are in ...
Brass
$39,864 / item
Venini Carlo Scarpa 12-Light Chandelier in Clear
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Carlo Scarpa chandelier, designed by Carlo Scarpa and manufactured by Venini, was originally designed in 1940. Numbered edition, available in three different sizes. Indoor use only. ...
Glass
Venini Carlo Scarpa Sconce Murano Glass Copper-Plated Brass, 1930, Italy
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
Venini Carlo Scarpa sconce Murano glass copper-plated brass, 1930, Italy.
Murano Glass
21st Century Carlo Scarpa 99.37 Floor Lamp in Crystal by Carlo Scarpa
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
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
21st Century Carlo Scarpa 99.37, 12-Light Chandeliers in Crystal
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
$6,160Sale 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
attributed to Scarpa Carlo design for Venini Italy years'30 wall lamp glassbrass
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Biella, IT
attributed to Scarpa Carlo design for Venini Italy in years '30 wall lamp in glass and brass in perfect condition
Brass
21st Century Carlo Scarpa 99.37 Large Table Lamp in Crystal Blown Glass
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
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...
Blown Glass
21st Century Carlo Scarpa 99.37 3-Light Wall Sconce 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
21st Century Carlo Scarpa 99.37 16-Light Chandeliers in Crystal
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
21st Century Carlo Scarpa 99.37 8-Light Chandeliers in Crystal
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
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.