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.
Sommerso pink and purple Murano glass tray by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful purple and pink sommerso ashtray or pocket emptier designed and manufactured by flavio poli for seguso in murano in the 1970s. Handcrafted glass using the sommerso techniqu...
Murano Glass
$302Sale Price|28% Off
1960s Gorgeous Ashtray or Catchall in Bullicante Murano Glass by Flavio Poli.
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous ashtray or catchall by Flavio Poli for Seguso in Bullicante Murano Glass. Made in Italy The item is in excellent condition. Dimension: 3,93 diameter x 1,96 H inches cm...
Murano Glass
1960s Stunning Table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli for Seguso
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960 Stunning table lighter in Murano sommerso glass by Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy. The item is in excellent condition and it works perfectly. Dimension: diam 5,11 x 4,3...
Murano Glass
1960s Gorgeous Ashtray or Catchall in Bullicante Murano Glass By Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous ashtray or catchall by Flavio Poli for Seguso in Bullicante Murano glass. Made in Italy The item is in excellent condition. Dimension: 3,93 diameter x 1,96 H inches cm...
Murano Glass
$464Sale Price|20% Off
1960s Gorgeous Large Green Ashtray or Catchall by Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made i
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous large green ashtray or catchall by Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano sommerso glass. Made in Italy The item is in excellent condition. Dimensions: 7,08 diameter x 3,14...
Murano Glass
1960s Gorgeous Red and Yellow Ashtray or Catchall by Flavio Poli for Seguso.
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous red and yellow ashtray or catchall by Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano sommerso glass. Made in Italy. So rare to find it in this color. The item is in excellent condit...
Murano Glass
1960s Stunning Table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli for Seguso
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960 Stunning table lighter in Murano sommerso glass by Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy. The item is in excellent condition and it works perfectly. Dimension: diam 4,33 x 3,93...
Murano Glass
$432Sale Price|20% Off
1960s Murano Large Blue Bowl or Catchall Designed by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Astonishing Big Blue Bowl or Catchall By Flavio Poli in Murano glass. This is a unique piece a true sculpture The item is in excellent condition. Dimensions: 6,29" diameter x 3...
Murano Glass
1960s Astonishing Green Ashtray or Vide Poche By Flavio Poli for Seguso
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Astonishing green ashtray or Vide Poche Rare By Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano Glass. It's a sculpture The item is in excellent condition. Dimension: 4,72 diameter x 2,75 H i...
Murano Glass
1960s Stunning Table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli for Seguso
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960 Stunning blue table lighter in Murano sommerso glass by Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy. The item is in excellent condition and it works perfectly. Dimension: diam 4,33 x ...
Murano Glass
1960s Astonishing Grey Ashtray or Catch-All By Flavio Poli for Seguso
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Astonishing Grey Ashtray or Catch-All By Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano Sommerso Glass. The item is in excellent condition. Dimensions: 5,11 diameter x 3,14 H inches cm 13 x...
Murano Glass
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
$960Sale Price|20% Off
Flavio Poli Murano Sommerso Glass Ashtray, 1960s, 6.29" Diameter
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Astonishing large ashtray or catch-all By Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano Sommerso Glass. The item is in excellent condition. Dimension: 6,29 diameter x 3,54 H inches cm 16 x...
Murano Glass
Ashtray Vide-Poche Flavio Poli Murano Glass Sommerso Midcentury Italy 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Palermo, IT
Ashtray/vide-poche produced in Italy in the 1960s by the Italian designer Flavio Poli. The ashtray was made of big thick submerged Murano glass in shades of wine with inverted edges....
Murano Glass
1960s Stunning Table Blue Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli for Se
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960 Stunning table lighter in Murano sommerso glass by Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy. Handcrafted in Italy using the iconic Murano sommerso glass technique, it features a d...
Murano Glass
1960s Flavio Poli Colorful Faceted Diamond Ashtray by Seguso, Murano, Italy
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful multi-faceted and polished Murano glass ashtray in a wonderful diamond shape from the 1960s. Designed by Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Italy. A colorful combination of light-blue, yellow and green layered art...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Green and Amber Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl by F. Poli, Italy, 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning mid-century bowl or ashtray in Murano "sommerso" green, orange and clear glass. Designed by Flavio Poli and produced in Murano, Italy during the 1960s. In amazing conditi...
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass
Murano green Glass Sommerso Block Cube Ashtray Element Flavio Poli, Italy, 1970s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass ash tray Origin: Murano, Italy Design: Flavio Poli Decade: 1970s This original vintage glass ash tray bowl element was designed by Flavio Poli and ...
Murano Glass
$440Sale Price|20% Off
1960s Astonishing Murano Ashtray or Catch-All By Flavio Poli for Seguso
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Astonishing ashtray or catch-all By Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano Sommerso Glass. The item is in excellent condition. Dimension: 5,11" diameter x 3,14" H inches cm 13 x cm 8 H
Murano Glass
$336Sale Price|20% Off
1960s Gorgeous Ashtray or Catchall in Bullicante Murano Glass by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous ashtray or catchall by Flavio Poli for Seguso in Bullicante Murano Glass. Made in Italy The item is in prestine excellent condition. Dimension: 4,72 diameter x 1,96 H ...
Murano Glass
1960s Murano Red and Blue Ashtray or Catchall by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
Astonishing red and blue ashtray or catchall by Flavio Poli in Murano Glass. Made in Italy. It's a sculpture The item is in excellent condition Dimensions: Diameter 5,11" x 3,34" hei...
Murano Glass
Mid-Century Italian Murano Glass Bowl Flavio Poli for Seguso, 1960
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A striking Mid-Century Modern Murano ashtray bowl featuring the iconic Sommerso technique, with faceted grey glass submerged in crystal-clear glass. Attributed to renowned designer F...
Murano Glass
Circular blue Murano glass tray by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful blue sommerso ashtray or pocket emptier designed and manufactured by flavio poli for seguso in murano in the 1970s. Handcrafted glass using the sommerso technique (superimp...
Murano Glass
$352Sale Price|20% Off
1960s Stunning Large Murano Pink Ashtray or Catch-All By Flavio Poli for Seguso
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Stunning large pink ashtray or Catch-All By Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano Sommerso Glass. Made in Italy. No chips or other, this item is perfect...
Murano Glass
1960s Stunning Table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli for Seguso
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960 Stunning table lighter in Murano sommerso glass by Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy. The item is in excellent condition and it works perfectly Dimension: diam 3,54 x 3,54 H...
Murano Glass
Rare Murano Uranium Glass Ashtray, Flavio Poli for Seguso, Sommerso Technique
By Flavio Poli
Located in CABA, AR
This is an extraordinary and rare Murano ashtray from the 1960s, a collector's piece distinguished by its bold design and unusual composition. The ashtray is attributed to the renown...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Uranium Glass
$187Sale Price|25% Off
1960's Flavio Poli ashtray in Murano Sommerso Glass
By Flavio Poli, Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Bern, CH
1960s stunning cobalt blue ashtray / decorative item. Designed by Flavio Poli in Murano Sommerso Glass. Made in Italy. A unique piece and beautiful shape and colour. Dimensions: Di...
Murano Glass
Red and Yellow Murano Glass Sommerso Pocket Tray by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Superb red and yellow sommerso ashtray or pocket emptier designed and manufactured for seguso in murano in the 1970s. Handcrafted glass using the "sommerso" technique (superimposing ...
Murano Glass
1960s Murano Blue Ashtray/Vide Poche Designed by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s stunning blue ashtray / Vide Poche designed by Flavio Poli in Murano Sommerso Glass. This piece is unique and the shape and the color are amazing. Made in Italy The item is in ...
Murano Glass
1960s Gorgeous Red and Yellow Ashtray or Catch-All By Flavio Poli for Seguso
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous red and yellow ashtray or catch-all by Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano sommerso Glass. Made in Italy It seems a diamond The item is in excellent condition. Dimension...
Murano Glass
1960sMurano Red Ashtray or Vide Poche Designed by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Astonishing big ashtray or catch-all By Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano Sommerso Glass. No chips or other, it's perfect in excellent condition. Dimension: 5,11 diameter x 2,7...
Murano Glass
1.4kg Murano Glass Faceted "diamond" Sommerso Bowl by Flavio Poli, Italy, 1970s
By Flavio Poli, Alessandro Mandruzzato
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass bowl, ashtray element Origin: Murano, Italy Decade: 1970s This original vintage glass bowl element, ash tray was produced in the 1970s in Murano, Ital...
Murano Glass
1960sMurano Red Ashtray or Vide Poche Designed by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Astonishing Red Ashtray or Vide Poche Rare By Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano Glass. It's a sculpture The item is in excellent condition. Dimension: 4,72 diameter x 2,36 H inc...
Murano Glass
xl 1.7kg Murano Glass Sommerso "diamond" Bowl Ashtray by Flavio Poli Italy, 1970
By Flavio Poli
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass ash tray Origin: Murano, Italy Design: Flavio Poli Decade: 1970s This original vintage glass ash tray bowl element was designed by Flavio Poli and ...
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Sommerso Turquoise Blue Yellow Diamond Faceted Murano Art Glass Bowl
By Flavio Poli
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching Turquoise Murano glass faceted bowl or ashtray by Flavio Poli. Italy, 1950s. Unusual color. Turquoise and clear glass using the Sommerso technique. Amazing diamond sha...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass
Sommerso orange blue trinket tray by Flavio Poli Seguso, Murano glass Italy 1970
By Flavio Poli
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Superb and rare sommerso pocket or ashtray in orange, red and blue designed and manufactured by flavio poli for seguso in murano in the 1970s. Handcrafted glass using the sommerso te...
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli for Seguso Submerged Murano Glass Ashtray, Italy 1960s
By Flavio Poli, Seguso
Located in Naples, IT
Large diamond-cut submerged Murano glass ashtray, attributed to Flavio Poli, Italy 1960s. Posacenre made in Submerged technique and has a unique faceted shape. The bright colors of b...
Murano Glass
Murano Glass Sommerso pink DIAMOND Bowl Ashtray by Flavio Poli, Italy, 1970s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass ash tray Origin: Murano, Italy Design: Flavio Poli Decade: 1970s This original vintage glass ash tray bowl el...
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Ashtrays 1970s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Čelinac, BA
FlavioPoli Murano Glass Ashtray 1970s
Murano Glass
Two Murano Flavio Poli Seguso Sommerso Faceted Glass Bowls
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Barcelona, ES
A set of two Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano glass Sommerso bowls / ashtrays. Italy, 1960s. One is made in red and yellow glass and other one is made in green glass, submerged into clear glass. Both have flat cut rims. These highly decorative thick and heavy square shaped Sommerso bowls or vide-poche will be the perfect choice as a gift idea. Useful as ashtrays, candy bowls, jewelry bowls or decorative bowls. Display them together and enjoy them placed with other Murano glass pieces on a low table. Very difficult to find as a pair. Measures: 8.5 cm W x 8.5 cm D x 7 cm H each one. To complete the set: The blue Flavio Poli faceted...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass
SEGUSO - FLAVIO POLI - Posacenere in vetro di Murano - Vetro sommerso 1960
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
FLAVIO POLI per SEGUSO - Vetro sommerso - MURANO 1960
Murano Glass
Murano Glass Sommerso Block "RED"Cube Ashtray Element Flavio Poli, Italy, 1970s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass ash tray Origin: Murano, Italy Design: Flavio Poli Decade: 1970s This original vintage g...
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli, Sommerso Ashtray, 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in London, GB
Flavio Poli (1900-1984) was an Italian glass designer known for his masterful vases and lamps. His submerged glass pieces, which were made by layering transparent colors and textures, were later awarded the Italian Compasso d’Oro (Golden Compass...
Glass, Murano Glass
XL 2.4kg Murano Glass Sommerso yellow DIAMOND Bowl Flavio Poli, Italy, 1970s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass element xxl Origin: Murano, Italy Design: Flavio Poli Decade: 1970s This original vintage glass bowl element was designed by Flavio Poli and produc...
Murano Glass
Murano Red and Green "Sommerso" Glass Ashtray or Bowl
By Flavio Poli
Located in Kastrup, DK
Murano "Sommerso" glass ashtray in red and green colors. Design by Flavio Poli for Seguso. Venice, Italy 1960's.
Glass
Red Italian Murano Sommerso Block Vase by Flavio Poli for Seguso
By Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Vienna, AT
This amazing clear , yellow and red handblown Sommerso Murano Glass block vase or bowl was designed and manufactured by Flavio Poli for seguso Murano Italy in the 1960s. It is in ex...
Murano Glass
Hand Crafted Crystal 420 or Ashtray By Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful ashtray for cigarettes, cigars, or your 420. Desined in Italy by Flavio Poli A graceful and special piece that casts thousands of shafts of light if in a sun filled room, or over head...
Crystal
Flavio Poli Murano Red Sommerso Multifaceted Glass Ashtray, Italy 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning Murano multifaceted ashtray in red, yellow and clear sommerso blown glass. Designed by Flavio Poli and produced by Mandruzzato in Murano, Italy during the 1960s. In amazing...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$600Sale Price|20% Off
Red and blue Murano ashtray from the 60s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, AR
Amazing red and blue ashtray by Flavio Poli in Murano glass. Made in Italy. It is a sculpture The item is in very good condition.
Crystal
Tri-Color Murano Glass Ashtray by Flavio Poli for Seguso, 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Heavy, partially collapsed and thick decorative small bowl or ashtray composed of 3-colored glass: salmon, light blue and clear. Designed by Flavio Poli and manufactured at Seguso in...
Blown Glass
Murano Seguso Vetri d'Arte Poli Red Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Ashtray Bowl
By Archimede Seguso, Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown ruby red, bubbles and gold flecks Italian art glass ashtray / bowl. The piece is documented to the Seguso Vetri D' Arte company, circa 1940s. Simi...
Gold Leaf