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.
Studio Venini "Pallotta" Lamp
By Massimo Pistilli, Paolo Venini
Located in Hanover, MA
Studio Venini model 821 'Pallotta' table/floor lamp, Murano, Italy, circa 1966. Smoke-coloured 'talpa' glass sphere with a bevel cut opening filled with an assortment of mouth blown...
Murano Glass
$1,208Sale Price|20% Off
Blue Murano glass mushroom-shaped table lamp, Venini Italia 1970s
By Paolo Venini
Located in Palermo, IT
Exceptionally beautiful and large original vintage Murano glass mushroom lamp by Paolo Venini from Italy. Large version with 38 cm / 13 inch. Diameter: 37cm Very well preserved. Grea...
Murano Glass
Vintage Murano Glass Table Lamp by Paolo Venini, Italy, Circa 1950
By Paolo Venini
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sculptural, vintage Mid-Century modern Italian large table lamp made of hand blow smoked Murano glass designed and produced by Paolo Venini, in good condition. The detailed single ...
Metal
20th Century, Paolo Venini Glass and Frabric Table Lamp
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Turin, Turin
Paolo Venini emerged as one of the leading figures in the production of Murano Glass and an important contributor to twentieth century Italian design. In 1921 with Giacomo Cappellin,...
Brass
1970's Pair of Murano Glass Swirl Table Lamps by Paolo Venini
By Murano 5, Paolo Venini
Located in Praha, CZ
Set of two Murano glass table lamps atributed to Paolo Venini. Produced in Italy in the 1970's. New wiring, bulb: E 14
Murano Glass
$3,718Sale Price / set|20% Off
Paolo Venini Pair of Antique Pink Opalino Murano Glass Table Lamps for Venini
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Paolo Venini Pair of Antique Pink Opalino Murano Glass Table Lamps for Venini. Acid Etched Signature Venini Murano Italia Measurements of lamp without the lampshade 12.5 x H...
Brass
Paolo Venini and Massimo Pistilli for Venini "Pallotta" Table Lamp, Italy 1960s
By Venini, Paolo Venini, Massimo Pistilli
Located in Naples, IT
Rare table lamp, Pallotta model. Designed and made by Studio Venini, circa 1970. This design consists of a transparent smoked globe made of glass. Inside the lamp are several polychr...
Glass
Pair of Scarpa & Venini Murano glass lamps
By Paolo Venini
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Scarpa & Venini Murano glass lamps. "Diamante Obelischi Model 9034" Lamps By Paolo Venini & Carlo Scarpa. Circa 1934. Stamped "Mad...
Glass
Rare table lamp by Paolo Venini inciso, sommerso, pesante Ed.Venini, Italy 1950
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Renens, CH
Rare Venini Table Lamp – Inciso, Sommerso, Pesante – Italy, 1950 This lamp is a beautiful example of Venini's signature elegance and sublime craftsmanship. Designed directly by Pao...
Murano Glass
Unique Venini Smoked Murano Art Glass Table Lamp, 1970s, Italy
By Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Very rare Space Age table lamp designed and manufactured ba Venini, Venezia. The lamp is made of very heavy Murano art glass that contains air bubbles and stylized fossile fish, the ...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Pallotta lamp by P. Venini and M.Pistilli for Studio Venini - Italy - 1970s
By Paolo Venini
Located in Milano, IT
This extraordinary table lamp, model Pallotta, is a rare example of the excellent craftsmanship of Venini, a famous Murano-based manufacturer. Made in the 1960s, the lamp features a...
Murano Glass
Paolo Venini Braided Diamointe Table lamp for Venini Italy, 1940c.
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Chicago, IL
Venini Braided Diamante Table Lamp, Model 9034, Italy, c. 1940 A rare and elegant mid-century table lamp by Paolo Venini for Venini, featuring a hand-blown glass body in a distinctiv...
Glass
Boletus Large Table Lamp in Blown and Engraved Glass by Paolo Venini, Venini
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Uccle, BE
About the "Boletus" large table lamp by Paolo Venini, Venini Murano (Italy) Large table lamp in hand-blown pink glass. The entire body of the lamp is engraved with fine lines which...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Monumental Murano glass lamp by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini
By Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental Murano glass lamp by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini. Striking lamp from his Fasce Verticali series, with a new custom white linen shade. Dimensions listed (16 in. diameter x 4...
Linen, Murano Glass
Important Venini Table Lamp in Red, Form "Diamante", Murano by Paolo Venini
By Venini, Paolo Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Halle, DE
A beautiful and important early 20th century Murano desk lamp in rare red colored "diamante"-form glas by Venini. The Diamante serie was invented c...
Brass
Paolo Venini Mushroom Table Lamp, Murano Glass, Mid-Century Italy
By Paolo Venini
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Beutifull Mushroom-shaped table lamp, Murano glass by Paolo Venini 1970s.
Murano Glass
Pallotta Table Lamp by Paolo Venini and Massimo Pistilli for Venini, 1960
By Paolo Venini, Massimo Pistilli
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Lampada da tavolo modello “Pallotta”, progettata da Paolo Venini e Massimo Pistilli per Venini intorno al 1960. Realizzata in vetro soffiato, l’opera riflette la maestria artigianale...
Steel
Table Lamp by Paolo Venini
By Paolo Venini
Located in MADRID, ES
Dante Swirl table lamp by Paolo Venini. With brass base and Murano glass sphere. Italy, 1970s. Height: 45cm Base diameter: 25cm Sphere diameter: 35cm Paolo Venini (1895-1959) was ...
Brass
Murano glass table lamp Paolo Venini
By Paolo Venini
Located in Hyvinkää, FI
Paolo Venini’s glass table lamp is a stunning piece of art, crafted with exquisite Murano glass. The lamp features vibrant colors and unique shapes, showcasing the skillful artistry ...
Glass
Venini 12" Sommerso Inciso Blue / Amber Lamp, Three Line Acid Etched
By Paolo Venini
Located in Doraville, GA
A beautiful shaded lamp by Paolo Venini for Venini from the mid 1950's. The lamp 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 blue / amber glass. The surface of the lamp base is "inciso" which in English means engraved or incised, this process is done by hand on a grinding wheel...
Murano Glass
$3,021
H 21.26 in Dm 13 in
Boletus Large Table Lamp in Blown and Engraved Glass by Paolo Venini, Venini
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Uccle, BE
About the "Boletus" large table lamp by Paolo Venini, Venini Murano (Italy) Large table lamp in hand-blown pink glass. The entire body of the lamp is engraved with fine lines which...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Anemone Table Lamp by Venini
By Venini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian table lamp with hand blown cream Murano glass globe and brown Murano glass stripes / Designed by Ludovico Diaz de Santillana for Venini / Made in Italy circa 1960s Me...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
XL Mushroom Table Lamp, Blue Murano Glass, Italy, 1970s
Located in Berlin, BE
Exceptionally beautiful and large original vintage Murano glass mushroom lamp from Italy. Large version with 38 cm / 13 inch. D...
Murano Glass
Early 20th Century Slag Glass Table Lamp
Located in Denton, TX
Intricate metal work with foliage detail and blue Slag glass panels. There are three settings for the lamp, you can light just the stem light or just the reading light or you can hav...
Metal
A 20th Century Blue Twisted Murano Glass Table Lamp
Located in London, GB
Italy, circa 1960 A mid-twentieth century large blue Murano glass lamp of twisted baluster form. Height 41.00cm Height with shade 66.00cm Diameter 14.00cm Please note: Lampshades ...
Glass
$1,013Sale Price / set|37% Off
H 20 in W 20 in D 5 in
Pair of Murano mushroom table lamps Italy Venini 1970s
By Paolo Venini
Located in Palermo, IT
These two sculpturally designed lamps embody a perfect fusion of art and functionality. With an organic shape reminiscent of futuristic mushrooms or drops shaped by nature, they stan...
Brass
$1,394
H 10.44 in W 4.34 in D 4.14 in
Rare Vintage 1950s Art Glass Table Lamp Base, Attributed to Paolo Venini
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Rare Vintage 1950s Art Glass Table Lamp Base, Attributed to Paolo Venini Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance and exquisite craftsmanship of this rare vintage 1950s art glass t...
Brass
Pair of 20th Century Murano Glass Table Lamps
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Pair of beautiful late 20th Century Italian Murano table lamps. Mid-Century in style, in smoked glass and brass with beige lampshades.
Murano Glass
Pair of Murano Table Lamps Mushroom Italy 1970s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
The pair of beautiful Murano mushroom lamps made in Italy in the 1970s. The beauty of the classic swirl glass makes these lamps a pleasure to look at. The elegantly shaped base carri...
Murano Glass
Opaline Glass and Metal Mounted Table Lamp, 20th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
An opaline glass and metal mounted table lamp 20th Century. Of white glass baluster form. 15 1/2 in.(39.2cm.) high to the top of a socket 5 3/8 in.(13.5cm.) base diameter.
Glass
$2,201 / set
H 10.24 in Dm 9.45 in
Pair of Vintage White Murano Swirl Mushroom Glass Table Lamps, Italy, 1970s
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Malmö, SE
Pair of Vintage White Swirl Mushroom Glass Table Lamps. Made in Murano. Italy, 1970s. Great original condition. Light source: E26/E27 screw bulb. Switch on the white cord.
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$3,475 / set
H 11 in Dm 6.5 in
Pair Italian Mid-Century Murano Glass "Ice Cube" Table Lamps, Venini, c. 1950
By Venini
Located in New York, NY
Rare and Unique Italian works of glass art and sculpture: An Extraordinary pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Murano / Venetian glass table lamps attributed to Venini. Each is compos...
Glass, Murano Glass
Sold
H 18.9 in Dm 5.12 in
Pair of Large White Handblown Murano Table Lamps by Paolo Venini, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Venini
Located in Karis, Nyland
A beautiful pair of handblown 1950’s Italian Murano glass table lamps by Venini. Height to top of bulb holder 48 cm Total height with shade holder 70 cm No shades included
Brass
1950s Venini Murano Glass Chandelier
By Paolo Venini
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A magnificent Italian Venini Chandelier made up of over 100 glass murano glass rods. The internal rods are a peach pink colour. When illuminated, this chandelier is even more divine....
Brass
20th Century Paolo Venini Table Lamp Mod. 307, 1930
By Paolo Venini
Located in Turin, Turin
Paolo Venini emerged as one of the leading figures in the production of Murano Glass and an important contributor to twentieth century Italian design. In 1921 with Giacomo Cappellin,...
Brass
Petite Amber Murano Glass Table Lamp By Paolo Venini, Italy 1930s
By Paolo Venini
Located in Chicago, IL
A petite 1930s Italian table lamp by Paolo Venini featuring an amber cased glass body with a brass trim. This lamp includes a new black fabr...
Brass
Scarpa & Venini Diamante Murano Glass Lamp
By Carlo Scarpa, Paolo Venini
Located in Winter Park, FL
Carlo Scarpa for Venini Diamante Murano glass table lamp. Hand-blown smokey amber color with twisting form. New brass base and finial. Rewired with new...
Art Glass
Pair of Paolo Venini Murano glass table lamps from the 1950's
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Pair of elegant Di Murano glass table lamps, model Petrolina with catalog reference 2778, designed and produced in the 1950s by Paolo Venini for the Venini furnace. Larger size versi...
Murano Glass
Pair of Triedri Table Lamps by Venini, 1970s
By Paolo Venini
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Pair of glass and brass 'triedri' table lamp by Paolo Venini. The lamps emit a beautiful light. Tested and ready to use with a regular e14 light bulb. 1970s - Italy Dimen...
Brass
Vintage Murano table lamp, Venini 1950s
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
A beautiful Murano vintage mushroom table lamp designed by Paolo Venini in the 1950s. White and pink stirpes pattern. Fine design from the ...
Murano Glass
Pair of White Glass Murano Table Lamps, Italy 1960s
By Paolo Venini
Located in London, GB
Beautiful large table lamp made of handmade Murano glass by Venini in the 60s. The glass is twisted in itself, which gives a beautiful light effect, especially when the lamp is turne...
Art Glass
Murano Glass “Dante" Lamp by Paolo Venini
By Paolo Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Murano glass table lamp by Paolo Venini. Transparent and white spiral glass orb on a chrome disc base. Sold individually. Orb measures 9” in diameter.
Chrome
Murano Glass “Fazzoletto” Lamp by Venini
By Paolo Venini
Located in Austin, TX
Lamp from the island of Murano. This “Fazzoletto” lamp; or “handkerchief”, is by Paolo Venini. It is hand-blown in a beautiful blue color. It has been ...
Murano Glass
1950s Italian Venini lamp
By Paolo Venini
Located in London, GB
An exquisite hand blown Murano coloured glass table lamp by Venini.
Brass