For a range of work that includes everything from illustrating thousands of books and other publications to his role as a visionary glassmaker, Fulvio Bianconi is remembered as one of the most innovative cross-disciplinarian artists of the postwar era.
Born in Ponte di Brenta in 1915, Bianconi showed a prodigious talent for drawing at an early age and, as a teenager, earned money as a portraitist. He also worked as an apprentice decorator in his youth at the Murano glass furnaces, where he first discovered the art of glassmaking.
In 1933, he moved to Milan to pursue a career as a graphic artist, and it was there he met Dino Villani, a painter who had ties to some of Milan’s most prestigious publishing houses and advertising firms. However, at the onset of World War II, Bianconi paused his graphic design ambitions and joined the army. In 1944, he narrowly escaped the infamous Via Rasella Nazi raids in German-occupied Rome.
Following the war, Bianconi went to work designing perfume bottles for the Milan perfume house Giviemme at Venini glassworks, where he worked with glass masters Ermete and Arturo Biassuto. Bianconi became one of Venini’s most influential glass designers — and was appointed artistic director following Carlo Scarpa — known for his bold use of color, modern style and unique, playful designs.
Among Bianconi's most iconic works in glass are the series of glass figures from the Commedia dell’Arte, his remarkably fluid bowls, and the patchwork “Pezzato” technique — his colorful vases created with this technique feature patterns that resemble those of a patchwork quilt. Works made in this fashion caused a sensation at the 25th Venice Biennale in 1950.
Venini co-founder Paolo Venini’s best designs are thought to be his two-color Clessidre hourglasses, produced from 1957 onward, and the Fazzoletto (“handkerchief”) vase, designed with Bianconi in 1949.
Bianconi worked with several other glass studios, including Cenedese in 1954 and Vistosi in 1963, creating decorative vessels, bowls, hourglasses and sculptures. He was also a graphic designer with the Italian publishing house Garzanti for nearly 30 years. Bianconi’s portfolio of graphic design included work for FIAT, Pathé and Pirelli, among others.
Bianconi’s glassworks are held in museum collections worldwide, including London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, the Museum of Modern Art and the Corning Museum of Glass in New York. The artist died in 1996.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Fulvio Bianconi decorative objects, glassware and lighting.
Venini Clessidra Hourglass in Apple Green Straw Yellow Murano Glass
By Paolo Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clessidra hourglass in amber murano glass by Paolo Venini and Fulvio Bianconi. Little grains of sand, impalpable and unnoticeable as a whole yet so real, like time ticking away. In 1...
Murano Glass
VENINI Hourglass Green and Blue Signed 1998, Made in italy
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Venezia, IT
VENINI Hourglass Green and Blue model 420.06, produced in 1998 and accompanied by its original Venini box and paperwork. Highly collectible, the Hourglass series is sought after for ...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Venini Clessidra Hourglass in Horizon Amber Murano Glass
By Paolo Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clessidra hourglass in amber murano glass by Paolo Venini and Fulvio Bianconi. Little grains of sand, impalpable and unnoticeable as a whole yet so...
Murano Glass
Venini Clessidra Hourglass in Grey Acquamarine Murano Glass
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clessidra hourglass in amber murano glass by Paolo Venini and Fulvio Bianconi. Little grains of sand, impalpable and unnoticeable as a whole yet so...
Murano Glass
Venini Clessidra Hourglass in Amber Horizon Murano Glass
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clessidra hourglass in amber Murano glass by Paolo Venini and Fulvio Bianconi. Little grains of sand, impalpable and unnoticeable as a whole yet so...
Murano Glass
Venini Clessidra Hourglass in Orange Indigo Murano Glass
By Paolo Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clessidra hourglass in amber murano glass by Paolo Venini and Fulvio Bianconi. Little grains of sand, impalpable and unnoticeable as a whole yet so...
Murano Glass
$1,386 / item
Venini Clessidra Hourglass in Grape Red Murano Glass
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clessidra hourglass in amber murano glass by Paolo Venini and Fulvio Bianconi. Little grains of sand, impalpable and unnoticeable as a whole yet so...
Murano Glass
Venini Clessidra Hourglass in Sapphire Cipria Pink Murano Glass
By Paolo Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clessidra hourglass in amber murano glass by Paolo Venini and Fulvio Bianconi. Little grains of sand, impalpable and unnoticeable as a whole yet so real, like time ticking away. In 1...
Murano Glass
Venini Clessidra Hourglass in Red Straw Yellow Murano Glass
By Paolo Venini, Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clessidra hourglass in amber murano glass by Paolo Venini and Fulvio Bianconi. Little grains of sand, impalpable and unnoticeable as a whole yet so real, like time ticking away. In 1...
Murano Glass
Venini Clessidra Hourglass in Sapphire Cipria Pink Murano Glass
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clessidra hourglass in amber murano glass by Paolo Venini and Fulvio Bianconi. Little grains of sand, impalpable and unnoticeable as a whole yet so real, like time ticking away. In 1...
Murano Glass
Clessidra Hourglass in Gray and Red Glass by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Perfectly balanced between two different colours, the sand flows through the sleek glass chambers made using the Incalmo technique, taking on its colour and becoming a part of it. Grains of sand, impalpable and imperceptible as a whole, yet so real, like time passing. Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini sealed it in the Clessidra in 1957 Little grains of sand, impalpable and unnoticeable as a whole yet so real, like time ticking away. Clessidra – designed by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini in 1957 – evolves in 2015, taking on a more sinuous, feminine appearance. Perfectly balanced between two different colors, sand flows through sleek glass, crafted using the Incalmo technique; as it flows, it gradually colors and becomes an integral part of the glass. Additional Information: Material: Glass, sand Color: Gray/red Dimensions: Ø 15 x H 28 cm Available in other color options: Green river /Powder pink...
Glass
Hourglass Murano Clear Ribbed Studio Art Glass Objects Venini Style
By Barovier&Toso, Cenedese, Seguso, Venini
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
An optical blown art glass hourglass with a ribbed surface by unknown artist.
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$1,386 / item
H 9.85 in Dm 3.94 in
Venini Clessidre Glass Hourglass in Pink and Gray by Fulvio Bianconi
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clessidre Hourglass, designed by Paolo Venini and Fulvio Bianconi, was originally designed in 1957. Available in different colors, the grey / mint green version is a limited edition ...
Glass
Clessidra Hourglass in Bamboo and Aquamarine Glass by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Perfectly balanced between two different colours, the sand flows through the sleek glass chambers made using the Incalmo technique, taking on its colour an...
Glass
Venini Clessidra Hourglass in Sapphire Cipria Pink Murano Glass
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clessidra hourglass in amber murano glass by Paolo Venini and Fulvio Bianconi. Little grains of sand, impalpable and unnoticeable as a whole yet so real, like time ticking away. In 1...
Murano Glass
$731Sale Price|25% Off
H 3.5 in Dm 3.75 in
Venini Bianconi Murano Pink White Italian Art Glass Fazzoletto Handkerchief Vase
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown white Zanfirico ribbons with pink and black lines Italian art glass decorative fazzoletto / handkerchief vase. Documented to designer Fulvio Bianc...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$1,238 / item
H 9.85 in Dm 3.94 in
Venini Hourglass 420.06 Glass Hourglass Pagliesco & Apple Green - Damiani
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Design: Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini Model: Hourglass 420.06 Collection: Hourglass Year: 1957 Made in: Italy Create a magical atmosphere with a unique piece of Muran...
Glass
VENINI Hourglass Orange/Aquamarine Limited Edition pcs 17/199 year 2009
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Venezia, IT
VENINI Hourglass Orange/Aquamarine Limited Edition pcs 17/199 year 2009 A striking example from Venini’s contemporary production, this Hourglass vase...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Handmade Murano Clear Studio Art Glass Hourglass in the Style of Venini
By Venini, Barovier&Toso, Cenedese, Seguso
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite handmade hourglass showcases the timeless elegance of Murano studio art glass, crafted with crystal-clear precision. The sleek, minimalist design features two perfectl...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Pink & Clear Hourglass Murano Studio Art Glass Objects Venini Style
By Barovier&Toso, Cenedese, Seguso, Venini
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A hand blown art glass hourglass made of pink and clear glass in style of Paolo Venini.
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 7 in W 7 in D 13.5 in
Venini Fulvio Bianconi Murano Gray Opalino Italian Art Glass Sculptural Vase
By Paolo Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and rare, vintage Murano hand blown blue gray, opaline Italian art glass handkerchief sculptural vase. Documented to designer Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini. The piece is...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Opaline Glass
$1,500
H 5.5 in W 5.75 in D 6 in
Venini Bianconi Murano White Pink Zanfirico Italian Art Glass Fazzoletto Vase
By Paolo Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown intricate white and pink ribbons Italian art glass fazzoletto / handkerchief vase. The piece is documented to designer Fulvio Bianconi, for the Ve...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass