Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Italian, 1895-1959
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.
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Creator: Paolo Venini
Paolo Venini Rare Apothecary Jar Model 4742 in Red and Mauve Glass, Italy, 1959
By Paolo Venini, 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 ...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
Blown 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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
Murano Glass
Venini Fazzoletto Opaline Large Vase in Amber/ Milk white Murano Glass
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, Paolo Venini
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. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
Murano 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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
Glass
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. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
Murano Glass
Venini Fazzoletto Sabbiato Medium Vase in Acquamarine 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.
A light summer breeze leads us to discover the iconic Venini collection...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
Murano 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. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
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. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
Murano Glass
Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Medium Vase in Acquamarine 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 ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
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.
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
Art Glass
Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Medium Vase in Grey Murano Glass
By Fulvio Bianconi, Paolo Venini, 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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
Murano Glass
Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Small Vase in Amber/Milk White 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. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
Murano 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. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
Murano Glass
Oval bowl with grindstone engraving, acid signature by Paolo Venini for Venini M
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Zurich, CH
Oval bowl with grindstone engraving, acid signature by Paolo Venini for Venini Murano Italy
An oval green glass dish 'etched' model 4824 1956 acid-marked 'venini murano ITALIA'.
Cm 3...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
Murrine
$1,964 Sale Price
20% Off
21st Century Bottiglie Incise Glass Bottle in Prune 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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
Glass
21st Century Incisi Glass Vase in Bronze Color by Paolo Venini
By Venini, Paolo 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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
Glass
Paolo Venini Frosted Murano Art Glass Vase Manufactured by Venini Italy 1997
By Paolo Venini, 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...
Category
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
Murano Glass
$1,750 Sale Price
30% Off
21st Century Incisi Glass Vase in Water Color by Paolo Venini
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in murano, IT
A multitude of shapes and colors. Apparently, Paolo Venini had a knack for experimenting with Incisi. They are countless. The vase owes its name to the "Incisione a Freddo" glassmaki...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
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...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
Blown 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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
Murano Glass
Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Small Vase in Sapphire 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. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
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...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
Murano Glass
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...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
Blown Glass
$1,228
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...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
Blown Glass
21st Century Incisi Glass Vase in Sourgreen by Paolo Venini
By Venini, Paolo 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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Paolo Venini Vases and Vessels
Materials
Glass
Paolo Venini vases and vessels for sale on 1stDibs.
Paolo Venini vases and vessels are available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider vases and vessels by Archimede Seguso, Fulvio Bianconi, and Driade.