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 Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Sommerso Glass Bowl, 1960s
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Sommerso Glass Bowl, 1960s. A very large Murano sommerso art glass bowl. Designed by Flavio Poli or Mario ...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Flavio Poli for Seguso Sommerso Vase Murano ca. 1960s
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
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
Seguso Flavio Poli Vase Murano Glass, 1950, Italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
Seguso Flavio Poli vase Murano glass, 1950, Italy.
Murano Glass
Large Seguso Vetri d'Arte Citron and Clear Murano Vase by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli, Archimede Seguso
Located in North Miami, FL
Made by Seguso for Poli, this incredible citron colored Murano glass floating inside a larger clear glass surround makes this large vase quite heavy. It is so vivid in color and beau...
Murano Glass
$1,117Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Murano Glass Vase, Sommerso, by Flavio Poli for Seguso, Burgundy
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Decorative Vase - Rare Murano Glass - Flavio Poli for Seguso "Sommerso" is a defining style of Murano glassmaking, easily identified by the layers of different colours making up the...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Original Vintage Luigi Onesto Murano "Flame" Vase (Signed)
By Flavio Poli
Located in North Miami, FL
Rich cranberry and yellow Murano glass vase signed to underside by Poli Murano.
Glass
Flavio Poli Murano Blue Glass Cup for Seguso, Italy, 1961
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Wonderful blue cup Alfa Romeo by Flavio Poli for Seguso. Hand blown Murano glass. Bibl.: F. Deboni "Murano 900", Bocca, Milano 1996, pag.229 fig.145 M.Heiremans, Seguso Vetri D'Ar...
Glass
Flavio Poli Seguso Murano Red Yellow Sommerso Art Glass Vase
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Barcelona, ES
A wonderful red and yellow hand blown Murano glass vase. Designed by Flavio Poli and manufactured by Seguso Vetri d'Arte. Italy, 1950s. Red glass with a layer of yellow glass cased into clear glass using the Sommerso technique. Amazing organic design and eye-catching colors. Lovely to be used as flower vase or decorative vase. To be exhibited alone or with other vases and bowls as a part of a larger Murano glass collection...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass
Vintage Murano sommerso art glass freeform vase by Flavio Poli for Seguso 1960
By Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous & Timeless! This freefrom vase by Flavio Poli for Seguso italy 1960. Made fully by hand using the Sommerso technique. Capturing multiple layers of colour between clear glass...
Art Glass
Collection of 11 Murano Art Glass Cornucopia by Seguso 1950s-60s
By Archimede Seguso, Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
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
"Tronco" Flavio Poli by Seguso Vetri D'arte 1930s Emerald Murano Glass Vase
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Brescia, IT
"Tronco" series by Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte 1938 Emerald glass Perfect condition Literature: Rosa Barovier Mentasti "Venetian Glass 1890-1990".
Murano Glass
Mid-Century Modern Pink Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl by Flavio Poli 1950
By Flavio Poli
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Mid-century Modern Glass bowl. Attributed to Flavio Poli for Seguso. Italy, 50s. In sommerso glass, the pink body is submerged in a light pink mass. (Color variant Rosa) Every item ...
Murano Glass
$1,441Sale Price|20% Off
Flavio Poli Seguso Murano Sommerso Red, Yellow & Clear Glass Teardrop Tall Vase
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
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...
Glass, Art Glass, Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass
$301Sale Price|30% Off
Murano Sommerso Red Faceted Glass Bowl by Flavio Poli 1960´s
By Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Lucenec, SK
1960s gorgeous green ashtray or catch-all By Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano Sommerso Glass. Made in Italy It seems a diamond The item is in very good condition, no chips. Dimension...
Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Flavio Poli & Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Corroso Sommerso Vase, Italy 1957
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
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
Flavio Poli for Seguso Sommerso Vase Murano ca. 1953
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Flavio Poli for Seguso Sommerso Vase Murano ca. 1953 A large sommerso art glass vase manufactured by Seguso Vetri D'Arte and designed by Flavio P...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Murano Decorative Red and Yellow "Sommerso" Frosted Glass by F. Poli, Italy 1960
By Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Roma, IT
Magnificent sommerso decorative glass in blown "sommerso" red and yellow Murano glass. This stunning piece was designed by Flavio Poli for a Seguso production in Italy during the 196...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Sommerso Vase for Seguso, Murano Venice
By Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Vo', Veneto
"Sommerso" Glass Vase - Flavio Poli Seguso COD: VE08 H. 8cm - L. 29cm - P.13cm 1950s Sommerso vase smoked and transparent The "Sommero" is a form of art of Murano glass that has layers of contrasting colors (usually two), the technique involves the immersion of a thick blown in the crucible...
Glass, Art Glass
1950 Flavio Poli Seguso "Submerged" Murano Glass Design Pink Violet Bowl
By Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Brescia, IT
Flavio Poli Vetreria Seguso Venice, 1950 Murano Glass "Submerged" Pink Violet Perfect Condiction
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Sommerso Vase Glass Seguso Murano, Italy, 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in CABA, AR
This Flavio Poli sommerso glass vase, dating back to the vibrant era of the 1970s, exudes an air of timeless elegance and sophistication. Crafted in a striking V form, it seamlessly ...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
$325Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Green and Orange Sommerso Murano Glass Vase by Flavio Poli, Italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. This vase is made in Sommerso Murano glass, which has been hand blown with three different colors: transparent, orange and green. It is a vintage item, therefo...
Murano Glass, Sommerso
$1,116Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Murano Glass Vase, Sommerso brown drop glass, by Flavio Poli for Seguso.
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
Sculptural Decorative Vase - Rare Murano Glass - Flavio Poli for Seguso "Sommerso" is a defining style of Murano glassmaking, easily identified by the layers of different colours ma...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Sommerso Blue Yellow Vase
By Flavio Poli
Located in Miami, FL
A Sommerso vase by Flavio Poli.
Art Glass
Red Flavio Poli Bowl in Murano Sommerso, Italy 1950s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Hellouw, NL
Flavio Poli, a master of Murano glassmaking, is celebrated for his groundbreaking designs and contributions to 20th-century art glass. Born in Chioggia, Italy, he worked with some of...
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte Vase Incrociato oro 1949
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte Vase Incrociato oro 1949 A rare glass vase 'incrociato oro' manufactured by Seguso vetri d'arte and designed by Flavio Poli in 1958. The thick tw...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
$11,161Sale Price|20% Off
Flavio Poli Valva Vase Model 9826 for Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Italy 1954
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Milan, IT
Rare Flavio Poli Valva vase Model 9826 for Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Italy 1954 Reference: Seguso Vetri d'Arte / M. Heiremans.
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli for Seguso Sommerso Vase Murano, circa 1960
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A large Venetian Sommerso glass vase manufactured by Seguso Vetri d'Arte and designed by Flavio Poli in the 1960s. Clear and grey Sommerso glass, polished rim. Rests of the 1960s Seg...
Art Glass
Sommerso Glass Vase by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-Century Sommerso glass vase of clear, ruby and blue colors by Flavio Poli.
Art Glass
MidCentury Turquoise and yellow Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl by Flavio Poli 1950
By Flavio Poli
Located in Madrid, ES
Mid-century Modern Glass vase. Attributed to Flavio Poli for Seguso. Italy, 50s. In sommerso glass, the turquoise body is submerged in a very slightly yellow mass. (Color variant Gia...
Murano Glass
Mid-Century Modern Pink Sommerso Murano Glass Vase by Flavio Poli 1950
By Flavio Poli
Located in Madrid, ES
Mid-century Modern Pink Glass vase. Attributed to Flavio Poli for Seguso. Italy, 50s. In sommerso glass. (Color variant Pink) Every item LA St...
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Green Raw Glass Candle Holder Duck Seguso, 1950s
By Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Munich, DE
Duck sculpture candle holder designed by Flavio Poli in the 1950s. Seguso paper sticker included.
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Murano Oblong Glass Bowl Sommerso Red, Yellow Uranium Italy 1960's
By Flavio Poli
Located in North Miami, FL
This fabulous vintage Murano Flavio Poli hand blown glass oblong bowl or serving piece is from the 60's. It is red with a yellow rim that has uranium in it which is very desirable. T...
Blown Glass
Mid-Century Modern Green Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl by Flavio Poli 1950
By Flavio Poli
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Mid-century Modern Glass bowl. Attributed to Flavio Poli for Seguso. Italy, 50s. In sommerso glass, the green body is submerged in a green mass. (Color variant Verde) Every item LA ...
Murano Glass
Faceted Diamond Murano Ashtray by Flavio Poli, Italy
By Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Barcelona, ES
Faceted diamond ashtray by Flavio Poli for Seguso, Murano, Italy, 1960's. Colorful and clear glass combination with multi polished surfaces. Includes the original piece to extinguish...
Murano Glass
Mid-Century Modern Blue/Yellow Sommerso Murano Glass Ashtray by Flavio Poli 1950
By Flavio Poli
Located in Madrid, ES
Mid-century Modern Glass Ashtray. Attributed to Flavio Poli for Seguso. Italy, 50s. In sommerso glass, the blue body is submerged in a very slightly yellow mass. (Color variant Giall...
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Seguso Red Orange Sommerso Murano Art Glass Vase
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sculptural Murano art glass vase in shades of Red and Orange. Designed by Flavio Poli and manufactured by Seguso Vetri d'Arte. Italy, 1950s. Vibrant colors: Red and orange glass with...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Set of Glasses and Carafe in Murano Glass by Seguso Vetri d'Arte
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Set of six glasses and bottle in pulegoso glass designed by Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte in 1940. The dimensions of the carafe are H 30 cm x Diameter 18 cm. Biography Designe...
Murano Glass
1950 Flavio Poli Glass _ Seguso "Submerged" Murano Glass Green Yellow Bottle
By Flavio Poli, Seguso
Located in Brescia, IT
Flavio Poli Seguso Glassworks Venice, 1950 Bottle "Submerged" Yellow and Green Murano Glass Seguso adhesive label Perfette condizioni
Murano Glass
Set of Glasses and Bottle in Murano Glass by Seguso Vetri d'Arte
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Set of six glasses and bottle in pulegoso glass designed by Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte in 1940. The dimensions of the bottle are H 22 cm x W 14 cm x D 6 cm Biography Design...
Murano Glass
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
Mid-Century Modern Blue and Black Sommerso Murano Glass Vase by Flavio Poli 1950
By Flavio Poli
Located in Madrid, ES
Mid-century Modern Glass Bowl. Attributed to Flavio Poli for Seguso. Italy, 50s. In sommerso glass, the black body is submerged in a very slightly turquoise mass. (Color variant Nero...
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
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
Murano Art Glass Jug by Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte ca. 1962
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Murano Art Glass Jug by Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte ca. 1962 A Murano art glass jug designed by Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte ca. 1962. Cristallo antico...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Italian Gold and Emerald Green Glass Candlesticks by Flavio Poli for Seguso
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian handblown gold and emerald glass candlesticks by Flavio Poli for Seguso, Italy, circa 1970s.
Blown Glass
Mid-Century Modern Dark Green Sommerso Murano Glass Vase by Flavio Poli 1950
By Flavio Poli
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Mid-century Modern Glass vase. Attributed to Flavio Poli for Seguso. Italy, 50s. In sommerso glass, the green body is submerged in a brown mass. (Color variant Nero) Every item LA S...
Murano Glass
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
Flavio Poli Pocket Emptier Murano Glass, 1950, Italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
Flavio Poli pocket Emptier Murano glass, 1950, Italy.
Murano Glass
1960s Ruby and Bronze Italian Murano Glass Vases for Seguso, Italy
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Arosio, IT
A set of two midcentury vases, one still bearing the label of Seguso Vetri and the number of the model (14345) are a great example of the art of Seguso's creative director Flavio Pol...
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli 'Sea Shell' Sommerso Bowl Seguso Vetri D'Arts, Murano
By Flavio Poli
Located in Sharon, CT
From the 'Sea Shell' series of abstract bowls influenced by natural shell forms, designed by Flavio Poli and executed by Seguso Vetri d'Arts, Murano.
Blown Glass
$1,312Sale Price|30% Off
Flavio Poli Murano Tear Drop Glass Bowl Red, Sapphire Blue, White, 1960's, Italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in North Miami, FL
This gorgeous vintage Italian Murano Flavio Poli triple cased glass bowl has luscious colors of red and sapphire blue double cased with white. The sha...
Blown Glass
1960s Flavio Poli Design for Seguso Design Glass Submerged Vase
By Flavio Poli
Located in Biella, IT
Flavio Poli for Seguso design vase glass years 1955 submerged glass vase Perfect condition a, very rare.
Art Glass