While Venini & Co.'s co-founder, Paolo Venini (1895–1959), was himself a highly talented glassware designer, his true genius was to invite forward-thinking Italian and international designers to Murano’s hallowed workshops to create Venini pieces — among them Gio Ponti, Massimo Vignelli, Finnish designer Tapio Wirkkala, Thomas Stearns of the United States and Fulvio Bianconi.
Beginning in the 1930s — and throughout the postwar years especially — Venini & Co. played a leading role in the revival of Italy’s high-end glass industry, pairing innovative modernist designers with the skilled artisans who created extraordinary chandeliers, sconces and other lighting in the centuries-old glass workshops on the Venetian island of Murano.
Paolo Venini trained and practiced as a lawyer for a time, though his family had been involved with glassmaking for generations. After initially buying a share in a Venetian glass firm — he and antiques dealer Giacomo Cappellin established Vetri Soffiati Cappellin Venini & C. in 1921 — Venini took over the company as his own in 1925, and under his direction, it produced mainly classical Baroque designs.
In 1932, Venini hired the young Carlo Scarpa— who would later distinguish himself as an architect — as his lead designer. Scarpa, working in concert with practiced glass artisans, completely modernized Venini, introducing simple, pared-down forms; bright primary colors; and bold patterns such as stripes, banding and abstract compositions that utilized cross sections of murrine (glass rods).
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’s masterworks are considered by many to be his Pezzato works — colorful vases with patterns that resemble those of a patchwork quilt.
Other noteworthy and highly collectible vintage Venini works include Ponti’s dual-tone stoppered bottles (circa 1948); rare glass sculptures from the Doge series by Stearns, the first American to design for the firm; Vignelli’s striped lanterns of the 1960s; the Occhi vases with eyelet-shaped patterns by Tobia Scarpa (son of Carlo); and, with their almost zen purity, the Bolle (“bubbles”) bottles designed by Wirkkala in 1968.
With these works — and many others by some of the creative titans of the 20th and 21st centuries — Venini has produced one of the truly great bodies of work in modern design.
Find antique and vintage Paolo Venini chandeliers, serveware, table lamps, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
20th Century Bilious Green Italian Murano Glass Duck by Paolo Venini & Zuccheri
By Toni Zuccheri, Paolo Venini
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A bilious green, vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian duck made of hand blown colored Murano glass, designed, produced by Paolo Venini and Toni Zuccheri in ...
Murano Glass
Venini Art Glass Bowl 'Diamante' by Paolo Venini, Murano 1930s
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Venini Art Glass Bowl 'Diamante' by Paolo Venini, Murano 1930s A rare Venini art glass bowl of the 'Diamante' series. Heavy transparent glass with a ...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
"Cane" Stopper Bottle by Paolo Venini
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in New York, NY
Blown glass bottle form created with canes of blue & green colors.
Blown Glass
Paolo Venini Inciso Glass Bottle Manufactured by Venini 1990s
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Paolo Venini Inciso Glass Bottle Manufactured by Venini 1990s A vintage "Inciso" glass bottle designed by Paolo Venini in 1956 and manufactured by...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Paolo Venini Signed Murano Sommerso Blue Inciso Technique Italian Art Glass Vase
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful Murano hand blown Sommerso navy blue Italian art glass flower vase. Documented to designer Paolo Venini for the Venini Company, circa 1950s. It is fully signed with the "Ve...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass
Venini Art Glass Bottle with Fasce Decoration in Yellow, Murano 1950s
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Venini art glass bottle with Fasce decoration in yellow, Murano 1950s A large art glass bottle in white opaque glass with yellow stopper and a yellow "a fascia" band on the body as ...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Murano Glass “Inciso” Bottle (Decanter) with Stopper by Paolo Venini, Murano
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Uccle, BE
Murano Glass “Inciso” Bottle (Decanter) with Stopper by Paolo Venini, Venini, Murano (Italy). Bottle and matching stopper in purple Murano glass, blown and finely cold-cut according ...
Blown Glass
Art Glass Bottle Morandiana by Gio Ponti for Venini Murano
By Paolo Venini, Gio Ponti
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Art Glass Bottle Morandiana by Gio Ponti for Venini Murano A vintage glass bottle in transparent green glass with blue stopper and a blue base fused in incalmo technique. Designed b...
Art Glass
“Inciso” – Murano glass vase by Paolo Venini - Venini Murano Italy
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Uccle, BE
“Inciso” – Murano glass vase by Paolo Venini. Large oval-section vase in “pesante” midnight blue glass with a darker layer. The exterior body completely incised with a wheel. Referen...
Blown Glass
Venini Signed Murano Glass Bottle by Gio Ponti with Original Stopper, Italy 1997
By Gio Ponti, Paolo Venini
Located in London, GB
A beautiful ‘a canne’ Murano blue art glass bottle designed by Gio Ponti and made by Venini in Murano, Venice, Italy in 1997. The original design for this piece is by Gio Ponti a...
Art Glass
Venini Murano Italy Glass Blue Bottle Serie “Velati”, 1992
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Amazing and fabulous Italian handmade and blown bottle in light blue color glass with stopper, from the “Velati” series designed and produced by Ven...
Glass
Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Small Vase in Apple Green Murano Glass
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fazzoletto Opalino small vase in Amber Murano glass by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini. An exclusive new take on the Opalini technique from the 15th century makes its color unique. ...
Murano Glass
Venini Clessidra Hourglass in Amber and Pink Murano Glass
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clessidra hourglass in grape and pink Murano glass by Paolo Venini and Riedizione. Limited edition in 99 art pieces each. Little grains of sand, im...
Murano Glass
Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Medium Vase in Amber/ Milk White Murano Glass
By Paolo Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fazzoletto Opalino medium vase in amber Murano glass by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini. An exclusive new take on the Opalini technique from the 15th century makes its color unique....
Murano Glass
Large Vase of the 'Pesanti' Series, Paolo Venini for Venini, Murano 1952
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A large vase in thick amethyst glass with circular decoration on the neck. Designed by Paolo Venini in 1952, manufactured by Venini, Murano Venezia. Model number 1522. Acid stamp "ve...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Inciso Glass Bottle with Stopper by Paolo Venini
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in New York, NY
Wheel carved glass. Venini label adhered to bottom. Provenance: Private collection, FL.
Glass, Blown Glass
Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Small Vase in Horizon Murano Glass
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fazzoletto Opalino small vase in Amber Murano glass by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini. An exclusive new take on the Opalini technique from the 15th century makes its color unique. ...
Murano Glass
Paolo Venini Rare Apothecary Jar Model 4742 in Amber Glass, Italy, 1960s
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in New York, NY
Paolo Venini for Venini rare apothecary jar or vessel in red and mauve blown glass. This classic and elegant vessel comes from a series designed by Paolo Venini in 1959 inspired by ...
Blown Glass
$600Sale Price / set|33% Off
Venini Murano Signed Teal Green Blue Italian Art Glass Teardrop Ring Dishes
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage set of 3 Murano hand blown teal green or blue Italian art glass small bowls or dishes. Documented to the Venini company, with 1 of them signed underneath. Would mak...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass
A Striking Set of Four Venini Murano Glass Vases, Signed and Dated from the 1980
By Paolo Venini
Located in CABA, AR
This stunning collection of four small Venini Murano glass vases offers a beautiful representation of the iconic Italian glassmaker's artistry. Each piece is a testament to the skill...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Venini Art Glass Vase with Inciso Decoration Paolo Venini, Murano 1956
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Venini Art Glass vase with Inciso Decoration Paolo Venini, Murano 1956 A vintage art glass vase in erba pesante (grass green) glass with layered...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Medium Vase in Apple Green Murano Glass
By Paolo Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fazzoletto Opalino medium vase in Horizon Murano glass by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini. An exclusive new take on the Opalini technique from the 15th century makes its color uniqu...
Murano Glass
Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Medium Vase in Milk White Murano Glass
By Paolo Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fazzoletto Opalino medium vase in Horizon Murano glass by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini. An exclusive new take on the Opalini technique from the 15th century makes its color uniqu...
Murano Glass
Venini Art Glass Vase, signed
By Paolo Venini
Located in New York, NY
Artisan hand blown Murano glass vase featuring striking colors of chartreuse and bark brown/grey. The colors forming rectangular frames surrounding the clear background. Signed on bo...
Murano Glass
Venini Fazzoletto Opaline Large Vase in Amber/ Milk white Murano Glass
By Paolo Venini, Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fazzoletto Opaline large vase in amber Murano glass by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini. An exclusive new take on the Opalini technique from the 15th century makes its color unique. ...
Murano Glass
21st Century Bottiglie Incise Glass Bottle in Grass Green by Paolo Venini
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in murano, IT
A multitude of shapes and colours. Every bottle has its own, chosen with care by Paolo Venini in 1956. Skilfully etched to conceal their imaginary content, they pique the curiosity o...
Glass
Paolo Venini Latticino Zanfirico Glass Bowl Plate Yellow White Uranium Murano
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This elegant Murano glass bowl designed by Paolo Venini for Venini, is a masterful example of Mid-Century Modern Italian glass design, dating to circa 1950. Executed in a soft light ...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Glass, Uranium Glass
$30,325Sale Price|20% Off
Paolo Venini, vase from 'Dama' series, ca. 1950
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Zurich, CH
Paolo Venini (1895-1959), a rare vase from 'Dama' series, ca. 1950 hand-blown glass murrine signed with three-line acid stamp 'venini murano ITALIA' Excellent condition LITERATURE:...
Murano Glass
Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Medium Vase in Grey Murano Glass
By Paolo Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fazzoletto Opalino medium vase in Horizon Murano glass by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini. An exclusive new take on the Opalini technique from the 15th century makes its color uniqu...
Murano Glass
“Inciso” by Paolo Venini, Murano glass vase
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Uccle, BE
“Inciso” by Paolo Venini, Murano glass vase. Blown-glass vase with a finely cut inciso surface, a hallmark of Paolo Venini’s work in the 1950s. Its slender silhouette and soft grey-b...
Blown Glass
“Inciso” by Paolo Venini, Murano glass vase
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Uccle, BE
“Inciso” by Paolo Venini, Murano glass vase. Large blown-glass vase with a finely cut surface using the inciso technique, emblematic of Paolo Venini’s work in the 1950s. Its slender ...
Blown Glass
Paolo Venini Rare Apothecary Jar Model 4742 in Red and Mauve Glass, Italy, 1959
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in New York, NY
Paolo Venini for Venini rare apothecary jar or vessel in red and mauve blown glass. This classic and elegant vessel comes from a series designed by Paolo Venini in 1959 inspired by ...
Blown Glass
Venini Large Murano Glass Spherical Vase 1907s
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Signed Venini vase A true testament to Italian craftsmanship. Handblown by skilled artisans, this unique piece features a mesmerizing blend of earthy tones, deep blues, and vibrant ...
Murano Glass
Two Signed Vintage Venini Hourglasses Designed By Paolo Venini For Venini
By Paolo Venini
Located in Doraville, GA
A pair of vintage Venini "Clessidre" or hourglasses designed by Paolo Venini in the 1950's. The green / blue hourglass measures approximately 9 3/8 inches tall and 3 1/4 inches wide,...
Blown Glass
$2,819Sale Price|52% Off
20th Century Italian Vase by Paolo Venini
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Roma, IT
Very rare vase designed by Paolo Venini in cased glass, white and glossy, a must for Murano glass collectors. The item also displays a circular trademark "Venini Murano, Italy". Th...
Glass
VENINI Opalino 90th vase Green Murano Glass, Signed 2012, handmade in Italy
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Venezia, IT
Venini Opalino 90th anniversary vase, model 706.24, produced in 2012, signed on the base, and accompanied by its original Venini box and paperwork. Unusued and preserved in excellen...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
A rare signed Venini Murano glass picture frame
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in London, GB
A very rare Pulegoso Murano glass picture frame designed and produced by the world famous glass house Venini C1938 . Impressed Venini Murano to easle support.
Brass
21st Century Bottiglie Incise Glass Bottle in Blue Iron by Paolo Venini
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in murano, IT
A multitude of shapes and colours. Every bottle has its own, chosen with care by Paolo Venini in 1956. Skilfully etched to conceal their imaginary content, they pique the curiosity o...
Glass
Murano Glass "Amphora" Pulegoso Vase by Napoleone Martinuzzi for Venini
By Paolo Venini, Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Roma, RM
Stunning green Pulegoso Murano glass "Urn" vase with applied glass decoration. The base, mouth, decorations and handle were rolled gold gold leaf during hot phase of creation, leavin...
Murano Glass
Venini Inciso Gray / Green Glass Vase, Three Line Acid Etched
By Paolo Venini
Located in Doraville, GA
A beautiful vase by Paolo Venini for Venini from the mid 1950's. The surface of the vase is "inciso" which in English means engraved or incised, this process is done by hand on a grinding wheel...
Murano Glass
Vintage Venini Candle Holder with Inciso Decoration, Paolo Venini, Murano 1956
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Venini Candle Holder with Inciso Decoration, Paolo Venini, Murano 1956 A vintage art glass candle holder with aqua (light blue), yellow color layers and a clear glass coatin...
Art Glass
Pair of 1960s Black and gold hand-blown Murano Glass Eggs. By Venini. Signed.
By Paolo Venini
Located in Florence, Tuscany
Both of these hand-blown Murano glass Eggs have been signed by the furnace that created them in Venice in the 1960s. Both signed Venini, Seguso, Murano. Venini was the Creative Direc...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
21st Century Bottiglie Incise Glass Bottle in Raspberry Color by Paolo Venini
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in murano, IT
A multitude of shapes and colors. Every bottle has its own, chosen with care by Paolo Venini in 1956. Skilfully etched to conceal their imaginary content, they pique the curiosity of...
Glass
21st Century Bottiglie Incise Glass Bottle in Ocean Colour by Paolo Venini
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in murano, IT
A multitude of shapes and colours. Every bottle has its own, chosen with care by Paolo Venini in 1956. Skilfully etched to conceal their imaginary content, they pique the curiosity o...
Glass
21st Century Bottiglie Incise Glass Bottle in Cornelian Orange by Paolo Venini
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in murano, IT
A multitude of shapes and colours. Every bottle has its own, chosen with care by Paolo Venini in 1956. Skilfully etched to conceal their imaginary content, they pique the curiosity o...
Glass
VENINI Opalino vase Bamboo Murano Glass, Signed 2013, handmade in Italy
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Venezia, IT
Venini Opalino vase, model 706.24, produced in 2013, signed on the base, and accompanied by its original Venini box and paperwork. Unusued and preserved in excellent condition, this...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Venini Clessidra Hourglass in Grape and Pink Murano Glass
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clessidra hourglass in grape and pink Murano glass by Paolo Venini and Riedizione. Limited edition in 99 art pieces each. Little grains of sand, impalpable and unnoticeable as a whol...
Murano Glass
Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Large Vase in Horizon Murano Glass
By Paolo Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fazzoletto Opalino Large Vase in Amber Murano Glass by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini. An exclusive new take on the Opalini technique from the 15t...
Murano Glass
Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Small Vase in Orange Murano Glass
By Paolo Venini, Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fazzoletto Opalino small vase in amber Murano glass by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini. An exclusive new take on the Opalini technique from the 15th century makes its color unique. ...
Murano Glass
$4,875Sale Price|25% Off
Paolo Venini Murano Signed Blue Inciso Technique Italian Art Glass Flower Vase
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso blue and peachy color Italian art glass flower vase. Designed by Paolo Venini, circa 1955 for Venini e. Co. The vase has an elegant taper...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, 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
Vase 'Mosaico Zanfirico' by Paolo Venini, Venice Murano 1954
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vase 'Mosaico Zanfirico' by Paolo Venini, Venice Murano 1954 A vintage art glass vase of the 'Mosaico Zanfirico' serie designed by Paolo Venini, Murano in 1954. The ocean blue glass...
Art Glass
$731Sale Price|25% Off
Venini Bianconi Murano White Purple Zanfirico Italian Art Glass Fazzoletto Vase
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage murano hand blown white and purple ribbons Italian art glass fazzoletto / handkerchief vase. Documented to designer Fulvio Bianconi, and signed "Venini Murano Itali...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Glass
Venini Incisi Thin Glass Vase in Marine Blue by Paolo Venini
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Incisi glass vase collection, designed by Paolo Venini and manufactured by Venini, feature an engraved surface. Originally designed in 1956. Numb...
Glass
Venini Amethyst Soffiato Glass Vase with Applied Handles
By Paolo Venini
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A large chalice form in transparent amethyst -colored glass. Three-line acid stamp. Possibly designed by Vittorio Vecchin.
Art Glass
Venini Fazzoletto Bicolore Small Vase in Amber and Horizon Murano Glass
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fazzoletto Bicolore Small Vase in Amber and Horizon Murano Glass by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini. An exclusive new take on the Opalini technique from the 15th century makes its c...
Murano Glass
$42,677Sale Price|20% Off
"Dama" Paolo Venini 1953 for Venini
By Paolo Venini
Located in Zurich, CH
Paolo Venini (Italian, 1895-1959) Rare a Dame Murrine Vase, model 3904, circa 1953, Venini & C. Murrine glass ca. 23 x 13.6 cm 3-line acid stamp Excellent condition, old Venini ...
Murano Glass
Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Small Vase in Horizon Murano Glass
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fazzoletto Opalino small vase in amber Murano glass by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini. An exclusive new take on the Opalini technique from the 15th century makes its color unique. ...
Murano Glass
Venini Disaronno Italian Mid Century Hand Blown Blue Striped Glass Ice Bucket
By Paolo Venini
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Mid-Century Murano hand blown glass blue ice bucket with white vertical lines (signed: VENINI, DISARONNO)
Blown Glass
Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Medium Vase in Black Murano Glass
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fazzoletto Opalino medium vase in Horizon Murano glass by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini. An exclusive new take on the Opalini technique from the 15th century makes its color uniqu...
Murano Glass