Italian glass artist Flavio Poli’s innovative use of the sommerso technique during the 1950s added a dimension of exquisite beauty and refined elegance to mid-century-era Murano glass design. Today Poli’s vintage table lamps, glass vases, ashtrays and other objects are highly collectible.
Born in Chioggia in 1900, Poli attended the prestigious Istituto d’Arte di Venezia where he trained as a ceramist before turning his attention toward glass art. His career in glass began in 1929 when he worked at the Industrie Vetrerie Artistiche Murano, designing and creating large-scale glass sculptures, urns and bowls.
During the 1930s, Poli was a glass artist for manufacturer Barovier, Seguso and Ferro (later known as Seguso Vetri d’Arte), where he worked alongside pioneering glass master Archimede Seguso. Poli was later appointed artistic director at the Venetian glassworks.
Inspired by Seguso, Poli began to experiment with his own glassblowing techniques. In the 1950s, he helped popularize the decades-old sommerso style, which sees overlapping layers of transparent handblown glass melded through a heating process and immersed in pots of molten colored glass. The style yields a sophisticated and mesmerizing effect — it's as if colored fluids have been trapped inside the layers of clear glass. Poli made use of variations on the technique in many of his pieces, including in designs for vases, bowls, sculptures and more.
Poli’s unparalleled designs and innovative work with the sommerso technique garnered numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. He won five Grand Prix awards at the Milan Triennale and was awarded the Compasso d’Oro prize in 1954. Poli’s designs were also presented at the World’s Fair in Brussels and the Venice Biennale in 1958.
Today, Poli’s work can be found in museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Murano Glass Museum in Venice, Museo Boncompagni Ludovisi in Rome and the National Gallery of Victoria in Australia.
Find vintage Flavio Poli decorative objects, serveware and lighting on 1stDibs.
1960's Italian Murano Glass Sommerso Teardrop Sculpture by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Flavio Poli Teardrop Art Glass Sculpture in shades of pink, blue and greens! Nice size perfect to use by itself or in a grouping.
Art Glass
Collection of 11 Murano Art Glass Cornucopia by Seguso 1950s-60s
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Archimede Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Collection of 11 Murano Art Glass Cornucopia by Seguso 1950s-60s A great Collection of 10 Murano Art Glass Cornucopia by Archimede Seguso for Vetreria Artistica Archimede Seguso and Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte ca. 1950s-60s and one by Cristalleria Santi Murano...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
$5,194Sale Price|20% Off
Flavio Poli Moon Fish Sculpture, Hand-Crafted Murano Glass, 1954
By Flavio Poli
Located in Zurich, CH
Flavio Poli (1900-1984), 'Moon fish', 1954/1981 model no. 9824 sommerso glass executed by Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Murano, Italy 22 x 23 x 4 cm signed on the underside 'SVD'A Albarelli 1...
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Iridescent Italian Art Glass Sculpture
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Rare and beautiful antique Murano hand blown clear and green iridescent Italian art glass woman figurine / sculpture, sitting on a cart. Documented to designer Flavio Poli for the Se...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Sommerso Glass Bird Sculpture, Flavio Poli for Seguso Murano 1953
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Sommerso Glass Bird Sculpture, Flavio Poli for Seguso Murano 1953 A rare art glass bird sculpture designed by Flavio Poli and manufactured by Seguso Vetri D'Arte Murano Venice in th...
Art Glass
Red Murano Glass Sculptural Centerpiece, 1950s Mid-Century Modern Design
By Flavio Poli
Located in Palermo, IT
Certainly, Christian. Here is a title and description for the red glass centerpiece, with a focus on Mid-Century Modern: Title: Red Murano Glass Sculptural Centerpiece, Mid-Century...
Murano Glass, Stained Glass
Murano Seguso Vetri D'Arte Poli Sommerso Italian Art Glass Squirrel Sculpture
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful, rare, and cute vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso emerald green Italian art glass squirrel figure / sculpture. Documented to designer Flavio Poli for the Seguso Vetri d'Ar...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Flavio Poli Bull Murano Glass, 1950, Italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
Flavio Poli bull Murano glass, 1950, Italy.
Murano Glass
1950s Glass 'Shell' Sculpture by Flavio Poli, for Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Murano
By Flavio Poli
Located in London, England
Acid-etched sommerso elongated glass stylised seashell in shaded purple, red and clear glass. The sculpture has been acid-etched and has a tactile textured surface.
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Escultura de murano Flavio poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Murano sculpture by Flavio Poli Origin Italy Circa 1936 Dancing couple Made for Seguzzo Vitreria Excellent condition and unrestored Technique: Blown glass with gold inclusions Flavio...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
Seguso Vetri d'Arte Poli Murano Art Deco Italian Art Glass Seashell Sculpture
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and rare Murano hand blown controlled bubbles in clear Italian art glass conch seashell sculpture. Documented to the Seguso Vetri d'Arte company, model # 17503. It is publi...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Sommerso Glass Bird Sculpture, Flavio Poli for Seguso Murano 1953
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Sommerso Glass Bird Sculpture, Flavio Poli for Seguso Murano 1953 A rare art glass bird sculpture designed by Flavio Poli and manufactured by Seguso Vetri D'Arte Murano Venice in th...
Art Glass
Archimede Seguso sculptured fish designed by Flavio Ploi
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in SYDNEY, AU
A pair of Murano fish sculpture. The main body in red glass and tail in clear glass with gold fleck.
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Extremely Rare Flavio Poli Glass Lion, 1930
By Flavio Poli
Located in Rome, IT
Lion Flavio Poli 1930 white glass "sommerso" Manufactured by IVAM Murano Measures: 39 x17 cm repaired with resin on a foreleg and in a part of the crest Literature: i...
Sommerso, Glass
Mid Century Glass Sculptural Bust "Adonis" by Dino Rosin Murano
By Dino Rosin
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous glass sculpture of Adonis in bust form on a black glass plinth by Dino Rosin. Murano, Venice Italy. Signed in numerous places. In excellent condition.
Art Glass, Hardwood, Paint
Flavio Poli & Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Corroso Sommerso Vase, Italy 1957
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in La Teste-de-Buch, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Flavio Poli & Seguso Vetri d'Arte Corroso (Acid etched) and Sommerso (Different color layers) Vase Made in Italy circa 1957 Literature: Seguso Vetri d'Arte Glass Objects From Murano (1932-1973) - Marc Heiremans...
Blown Glass
$595
H 3.75 in W 3.55 in D 3.75 in
Archimede Seguso Murano Silver Flecks Orange Glass Duck Figure, Italy, 1950s
By Archimede Seguso
Located in Barcelona, ES
Small hand blown Murano glass open wings duck / bird figurine with silver flecks. Attributed to Archimede Seguso, Italy 1950s. Cute open wings sta...
Silver Leaf
$1,863
H 12.6 in W 4.73 in D 2.37 in
Flavio Poli Seguso Murano Sommerso Red, Yellow & Clear Glass Teardrop Tall Vase
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Barcelona, ES
A wonderful Sommerso red and yellow hand blown Murano glass teardrop large vase. Designed by Flavio Poli and manufactured by Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Italy, 1950s. Amazing teardrop shape...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass
Flavio Poli Murano Yellow Faceted Glass Ashtray
By Flavio Poli
Located in Barcelona, ES
Beautiful faceted Murano glass ashtray in yellow color attributed to Flavio Poli, circa 1950s. The color changes depending on the light. Neon yellow under white ligth and more orang...
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass
$1,200
H 15 in W 5 in D 1.75 in
Flavio Poli Sommerso Murano Glass Vase 3 Encased Colors Red, Green Clear Seguso
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Miami, FL
Original Flavio Poli Sommerso Glass Murano Seguso Vase encased with 3 different colors, dark red, green and transparent. Made in Italy in the late 1960. Looks stunning in any angle. ...
Murano Glass, Blown Glass
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.25 in Dm 7.25 in
Seguso Murano Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Ribbed Vanity Jewelry Powder Box
By Archimede Seguso, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and elegant, vintage Murano hand blown gold flecks Italian art glass vanity jewelry or powder box. The piece is attributed to designer Archimede Seguso. The entire piece is...
Gold Leaf
$1,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.25 in W 5.25 in D 6 in
Seguso Murano Sommerso Red Orange Italian Art Glass Regal Kitty Cat Sculpture
By Archimede Seguso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and rare, vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso red orange and golden yellow honey color Italian art glass standing kitty cat sculpture. Documented to designer Archimede Seguso, with worn partial red "Made In Italy - Murano" label underneath. Very nicely sculptured face, body and tail, giving it great character. Elegant regal pose, and realistic design, which you do not usually see. One of the largest Seguso cats...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
$2,450
H 6.5 in Dm 5.75 in
Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte Blown Glass Vase Model 7609, Italy, 1940s
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in New York, NY
Seguso Vetri d'Arte elegant glass vase model 7609, Italy, circa 1942. This Murano blown glass vase was made using the cordonato ritorto technique of gently twisting ribbed glass in a...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$4,650
H 9.06 in W 8.67 in D 5.12 in
Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte Sommerso Murano Art Glass Vase Mid Century
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Exquisite murano glass vase documented to designer Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte circa 1950. Made using Flavio Poli's signature sommerso technique that employs layer of glass s...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Uranium Glass
Livio Seguso Murano Glass Sculpture, Italy
By Livio Seguso
Located in Barcelona, ES
Large Murano glass sculpture designed by Livio Seguso, Italy, 1970's. Clear and smoked hand blown glass. Incised signature to underside an...
Murano Glass
$913Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.76 in W 5.12 in D 3.75 in
Flavio Poli Seguso Murano Sommerso Purple Blue Multi Faceted Bowl
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-Century Modern Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte multi faceted purple and soft blue Murano glass Sommerso bowl, Italy, 1960s. This hand blown glass bowl is made of purple glass...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Sold
H 5.75 in W 2.5 in D 3 in
Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Sommerso Yellow Italian Art Glass Bunny Rabbit Figure
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso yellow green Italian art glass bunny rabbit sculpture / figurine. Documented to designer Flav...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass
Sold
H 3.55 in W 2.56 in D 2.37 in
Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte Parrot in Clear Murano Glass, 1940s
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte Parrot in Clear Murano Glass, 1940s Reference: The Glass Ark Animals in the Rosenberg Collection. Skira p.159
Murano Glass
Sold
H 9.5 in W 4.38 in D 7.5 in
Poli Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Red Pink Gold Italian Art Glass Woman Sculpture
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and rare, vintage Murano hand blown red, pink, green and gold flecks Italian art glass woman figurine / sculpture. Documented to designer Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Art...
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 5.75 in W 3.25 in D 6.75 in
Seguso Vetri D'Arte Poli Murano Sommerso Italian Art Glass Squirrel Sculpture
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful, rare, and cute vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso amber brown Italian art glass squirrel figure / sculpture. Documented to designer Flavio Po...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass
Sold
H 4.25 in W 8 in D 4.75 in
Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Blue Stripes Dress Italian Art Glass Ballerina Figure
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful, very rare vintage Murano hand blown blue stripped over clear glass Italian art glass resting ballerina dancer sculpture. Documented to the Seguso Vetri D' Arte company, wi...
Gold Leaf
Flavio Poli Murano Glass Bird Sculptures Bookends for Segugo
By Flavio Poli, Seguso
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Flavio Poli Murano glass bird sculptures bookends for Segugo.
Glass
Sold
H 4.38 in W 3.25 in D 2 in
Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Sommerso Yellow Italian Art Glass Bunny Rabbit Figure
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Adorable vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso yellow orange Italian art glass bunny rabbit sculpture / figurine. Documented to designer Flav...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass
Sold
H 4.25 in W 2.75 in D 4.25 in
Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Iridescent Italian Art Glass Baby Bear Cub Sculpture
By Archimede Seguso, Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful older Murano hand blown clear glass, iridescent surface Italian art glass baby bear figure / sculpture. Documented to the Seguso Vetri d'Arte comp...
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Blown Glass
Sold
H 6.25 in W 2.25 in D 5 in
Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Green Bubble Italian Art Glass Donkey Sculpture
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Archimede Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful older Murano hand blown Sommerso green with controlled bubbles Italian art glass donkey sculpture. Attributed to the Seguso Vetri d'Arte company...
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Blown Glass
Flavio Poli, Murano Glass Objet d Virtue
By Flavio Poli
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury Murano solid glass sculpture with a sinuous shape. A deep purple center is suspended within the thick smoked glass body. Sculpture can be oriented 2 ways.
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli for Seguso Italian Murano Bullicante Glass Fish
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Astoria, NY
Mid-Century Modern pair of Italian Murano glass fish made by Flavio Poli for Seguso in bullicante glass with gold inclusions. The pair has ...
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Iridescent Italian Art Glass Sculpture
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Rare Murano hand blown iridescent pink Italian art glass man in top hat figurine / sculpture. Documented to designer Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte...
Gold Leaf