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.
21st Century Bottiglie Incise Glass Bottle in Cornelian Orange by Paolo Venini
By Venini, Paolo 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 Raspberry Color by Paolo Venini
By Venini, Paolo 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
Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Small Vase in Black 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 15t...
Murano 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
Venini Clessidra Hourglass in Horizon Amber 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 Fazzoletto Sabbiato Medium Vase in Amber/ Milk White Murano Glass
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, Paolo Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fazzoletto Opalino medium vase in amber Murano glass by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini. A light summer breeze leads us to discover the iconic Venini collection...
Murano Glass
Venini Clessidra Hourglass in Orange Indigo 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
Large Vase of the 'Pesanti' Series, Paolo Venini for Venini, Murano 1952
By Venini, Paolo 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
$884Sale Price|20% Off
Venini Murano Italy Blue Glass Bottle Vase Serie “Velati” 1992
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Amazing and fabulous very rare Italian handmade and blown bottle in light blue color glass with stopper, from the “Velati” series designed and produ...
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 Medium Vase in Orange 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
Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Medium Vase in Horizon Murano Glass
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, 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
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
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 Opalino Small Vase in Milk White Murano Glass
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, 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 Fazzoletto Opalino Small Vase in Orange Murano Glass
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, 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
$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 Fazzoletto Opalino Medium Vase in Sapphire Murano Glass
By Paolo Venini, Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
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 Horizon 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 Clessidra Hourglass in Amber Horizon 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 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
Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Medium Vase in Milk White 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
Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Medium Vase in Indigo 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
Miniature Murano glass vases by Venini 195os signed
By Paolo Venini
Located in Oxford, GB
Lovelt miniature pair of signed Venini Vases from Murano , Italy , 1950s or 1960s
Glass
Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Small Vase in Horizon Murano Glass
By Paolo Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, 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 Grape 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, impalpable and unnoticeable as a whol...
Murano Glass
Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Small Vase in Sapphire 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
$5,130Sale Price|25% Off
Napoleone Martinuzzi for Venini Green Apple Glass Sculpture, Italy, 1926, signed
By Vittorio Zecchin, Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Napoleone Martinuzzi for Venini Murano Art Glass Green Apple Sculpture, Italy, c. 1926. acid-etched signature; Murano green cased glass with app...
Gold Leaf
Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Small Vase in Indigo 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 Fazzoletto Opalino Medium Vase in Amber/ Milk White Murano Glass
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini, Paolo 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
“Inciso” by Paolo Venini, Murano glass vase
By Venini, Paolo 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
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 Incisi Short 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. Numbered edition per year, marine blue ve...
Glass
Venini Art Glass Bottle with Fasce Decoration in Yellow, Murano 1950s
By Paolo Venini, 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
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 Murano Glass Vase by Paolo Venini, Hand-Crafted Modern Design
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
Puntini Murrine Glass Bowl, Paolo Venini, Venini Murano Italia
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Uccle, BE
Bowl in glass with “talpa” (mole grey) and “lattimo” (milk white) murrine. The name of this particular murrine is known as “a puntini” which means “dotted” in Italian. It’s in fac...
Blown 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
Venini Sommerso Inciso Green Glass Bottle and Stopper
By Paolo Venini
Located in Doraville, GA
A beautiful bottle with stopper by Paolo Venini for Venini from the 1950's. The bottle is "sommerso" which in English literally means "submerged". This technique is used to create several layers of glass (usually with different contrasting colors) inside a single object. This bottle appears to be clear glass incased in green glass. The stopper is layered with clear, rose and green glass. The surface of the bottle and stopper is "inciso" which in English means engraved or incised, this process is done by hand on a grinding wheel...
Blown Glass
Paolo Venini Frosted Murano Art Glass Vase Manufactured by Venini Italy 1997
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Miami, FL
A heavy black and white Murano art glass vase designed by Artist Paolo Venini. Frosted Murano glass on the outside and in lined with black Murano glass. Signed and dated, MURANO MADE...
Murano Glass
Vase "Fazzoletto" by Paolo Venini for Venini, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Venini
Located in Brussels, BE
Vase "Fazzoletto" by Paolo Venini for Venini, Italy, 1950s
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 Fazzoletto Opalino Medium Vase in Acquamarine 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 ...
Murano Glass
Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Small Vase in Grey 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 15t...
Murano Glass
Five Turqoise Opalino Bowls by Paolo Venini, Murano circa 1950
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in London, GB
Five small turquoise opaline hand blown bowls by Paolo Venini (1895-1959) circa 1950 for Venini, opaque glass, acid stamp to each 'Venini Murano Italia'. Dimensons; each height 1 1/...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Opaline Glass
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
Venini Murano Glass Spherical Vase, Mid-Century Modern, Italy, 1970s
By Venini, Paolo 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
Venini Bottle with Stopper
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in New York, NY
Venini glass bottle with stopper in composite glass with finely wheel-engraved finish of delicate creases, incised on bottom "Venini Italia". P...
Glass
Large Murano Crackle Glass Vase With Fused Faceted Glass Block Base
By Paolo Venini
Located in Roma, RM
This large unique Murano glass vase was made using the "Ghiachciato" technique, that gives the surface of the glass an irregular crackled appearance. The effect is created by submerg...
Murano Glass
21st Century Incisi Glass Vase in Sourgreen by Paolo Venini
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in murano, IT
A multitude of shapes and colours. Apparently, Paolo Venini had a knack for experimenting with Incisi. They are countless. The vase owes its name to the "Incisione a Freddo" glassmak...
Glass
21st Century Bottiglie Incise Glass Bottle in Bronze Color by Paolo Venini
By Venini, Paolo 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
Mid-Century Modern Vase by Paolo Venini, Cased Glass, Italy, 1950s
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
$1,222
Venini Purple Vase
By Paolo Venini
Located in Collonge-Bellerive, GE
This stunning purple vase by renowned Italian designer Paolo Venini exemplifies the mastery of Murano glassmaking, a tradition upheld by the Venini brand s...
Blown Glass
21st Century Clessidra Hourglass in Grape/Light Pink by Paolo Venini
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in murano, IT
Clessidra 420.10 Ø14 H30 UV/RS Additional Information: Material: Glass Color: Grape/Light Pink Dimensions: Ø 14 x H 30 cm Available in other color options: Amber/light pink.
Glass