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.
Large Jar Murano Glass Vase Design Flavio Poli, 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in taranto, IT
large murano glass flower vase made with the " sommersoflavio poli , without label measures just under 40 centimeters in height, in shades ...
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Murano Glass Vase, Seguso Design, Italy, 1960s, 3.93\"
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Astonishing vase By Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano glass. Made in Italy. The item is in excellent condition. Dimensions: diam 3,93 x 9,44 H inches diam 10 cm x 24 H cm
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Murano Glass Vase, Sommerso Technique, Green, 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s This striking Murano glass vase, designed by the renowned Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte, is a quintessential example of mid-century Italian glassmaking. Showcasing Poli's...
Murano Glass
$300
H 14 in W 4.25 in D 2.5 in
Murano Glass Sommerso Stem Vase by Flavio Poli, Amethyst & Blue, 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Murano Glass Sommerso Stem Vase amethyst in blue sommerso graceful teardrop shape attributed Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Italy unsigned circa 1960s.
Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass, Glass
Flavio Poli Sommerso Vase, Murano Glass, Italy, 1960s Mid-Century
By Flavio Poli, Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Ljubljana, SI
An exceptional art glass Sommerso vase, attributed to the Italian designer Flavio Poli. The vase is in very good condition. Dimensions: 29 cm H x 11 cm W x 11 cm.
Murano Glass
Mid-Century Modern Murano Glass Vase by Flavio Poli, Italy, 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous green and yellow vase by Flavio Poli in submerged Murano glass. Not easy to find it in these colors. The item is in excellent condition. Dimension: 4,33 x 2,36 x 12,20...
Murano Glass
Murano Sommerso glass vase by Flavio Poli, 1960's
By Murano Glass Sommerso, Flavio Poli
Located in BELFORT, FR
Murano Sommerso glass vase, attributed to Flavio Poli, made in the 1960's. Perfect condition.
Glass
$1,029 / set
H 11.82 in W 11.03 in D 6.3 in
Murano Sommerso Red Glass Vases by Flavio Poli for Seguso, Italy, 1960s
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in London, GB
Glass vases by Flavio Poli for Seguso 1950s in fiery orange shaped like a flame.They are hand blown, known as Venetian Sommerso, made in Murano, Venice, Italy. The vases are a combi...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Flavio Poli for Seguso Sommerso Vase Murano ca. 1960s
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Flavio Poli for Seguso Sommerso Vase Murano ca. 1960s A large sommerso art glass vase manufactured by Seguso Vetri D'Arte and designed by Flavio ...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Large Sommerso Murano Glass Vase by Seguso, 1960
By Flavio Poli
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Here is a wonderful 1950/60's Murano glass vase, made on the island of Murano, near Venice, Italy. In a stunning combination of Green glass encased in clear glass, using the renowned...
Murano Glass
$575Sale Price|19% Off
H 13.39 in W 4.73 in D 2.76 in
Vase Bottle Flavio Poli for Seguso Design 1960s Murano Art Glass Corroso Model
By Flavio Poli
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Vase bottle Flavio Poli for Seguso design 1960s Murano Art Glass Corroso model.
Murano Glass
$927
H 9.45 in W 3.15 in D 1.58 in
Small 1960s Murano Glass Sommerso Single-Stem Vase by Flavio Poli, Italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass vase Design: Flavio Poli Origin: Murano, Italy Decade: 1970s These original Murano glass vases was produced in the 1970s in Italy. T...
Ceramic
Submerged Murano glass vase, Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Palermo, IT
This elegant Murano glass vase, attributed to Flavio Poli for Seguso in the 1950s-60s, is a perfect example of the extraordinary craftsmanship and stylistic innovation that have made...
Murano Glass
Murano glass ashtray by Flavio Poli, Seguso, 1960s.
By Flavio Poli
Located in Palermo, PA
Vintage Murano glass ashtray by Flavio Poli, Seguso, 1960s. This unique piece features a sophisticated and timeless design, which blends perfectly with any style of furniture. The cr...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 5.75 in Dm 4.5 in
Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Sommerso Alexandrite Purple Pink Italian Glass Jar
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso purple and pink Italian art glass decorative vanity jar. Documented to the Seguso Vetri d'Arte Company. The piece is made with Neodymium ...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass