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.
While the company’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.
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 Venini chandeliers, serveware, table lamps, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Bianconi for Venini Fan Vase
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Italian Art Glass Fan vase, by Flavio Bianconi for Venini, circa 1940's. This example is in excellent, original condition, free of damage or rep...
Art Glass
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
Venini Fazzoletto Opalino Small Vase in Indigo 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 Ando Time Hourglass in Pink and Straw Yellow by Tadao Ando
By Venini, Tadao Ando
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ando time hourglass, designed by Tadao Ando and manufactured by Venini, is a limited edition of 49 art pieces (per color) plus an additional 20 P.d.A. a...
Glass
Venini Medium Black Belt Triangular Glass in Crystal and Black by Peter Marino
By Venini, Peter Marino
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase in transparent crystal with black decoration designed by Peter Marino in 2017. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. Also avai...
Art Glass
Venini Small Argea Table Lamp Straw Yellow with White Shade
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Table lamp handblown glass, with submerged gold leaves. Metal: Gold plated Year of manufacture: 2000 Color: Crystal with gold leaves, shade straw yellow glass Light source: 1 x...
Blown Glass
Peter Marino Rotondo Large Ceiling Lamp in Crystal, Tea and Black Murano Glass
By Venini, Peter Marino
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rotondo Murano glass large ceiling lamp in crystal with black and tea bands by Peter Marino for Venini. Bold shades of black blend together with the hues of crystal or tea of the sph...
Murano Glass
Peter Marino Cilindro Large Pendant in Crystal and Black Murano Glass
By Venini, Peter Marino
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Cilindro Murano glass large pendant in crystal with black bands by Peter Marino for Venini. Bold shades of black blend together with the hues of crystal or tea of the cylindrical sha...
Murano Glass
Opalino Glass Vase in Horizon Milk White inside by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with slim, oval shaped body and funnel shaped neck. Featured in aquamarine colored glass. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for a...
Art 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...
Murano Glass
Italian modern Red and gray Murano glass bottles with cap by Venini, 1990s
By Venini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Red and gray Murano glass bottles with cap by Venini, 1990s Pair of Murano glass decorative bottles with cap. One bottle is in red glass with triangular base, the othe...
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
"N" "E" "O" "N" Crystal Letters by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, Italy, 1980s
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Milan, IT
N, E, O, N crystal and colored capital letters by Massimo Vignelli for Venini. Complete display set for Neon collection.
Murano Glass
Monofiore Balaton Sabbiato Short Glass Vase in Grey Red Thread by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and textured surface with hexagonal shaped pattern in gold designed in 1970. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for...
Art Glass
Venini Deco Glass Vase in Horizon Blue by Napoleone Martinuzzi
By Venini, Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase in horizon blue designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in 1930. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. Also available in other colors...
Art Glass
Peter Marino Parallelo Medium Pendant in Crystal, Tea and Black Murano Glass
By Venini, Peter Marino
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Parallelo Murano glass medium pendant in crystal with black and tea bands by Peter Marino for Venini. Bold shades of black blend together with the hues of crystal or tea of the recta...
Murano Glass
Occhi Vase in Red by Ludovico Diaz de Santillana, Tobia Scarpa
By Venini, Ludovico Diaz de Santillana and Tobia Scarpa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Occhi vase collection, designed by Tobia Scarpa and manufactured by Venini, consists of three different vases made of crystal murrine and coral glass. Indo...
Glass
Italian Mid Century Modern Chrome Glass Table Lamp Sciolari Venini Murano 1960
By Venini, Sciolari Lighting
Located in Portland, OR
A sleek Mid Century Modern Italian chrome & glass table lamp by Sciolari with Venini glass, circa 1960. The lamp having ten 'cracked ice' glass shades in a circle surrounding one lar...
Chrome
$1,507 / item
Opalino Sabbiato Glass Vase in Black by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with slim, oval shaped body and funnel shaped neck. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for any room. It appears in refined colo...
Art Glass
Venini Monofiore Sapphire Blue Glass Vase by Laura de Santillana
By Venini, Laura de Santillana
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Monofiori glass vase in sapphire by Laura de Santillana. “Monofiori” blown handmade glass with stoppers in various forms and colors. Item lab...
Blown Glass
Monofiore Balaton Sabbiato Short Glass Vase in Sapphire Red Thread by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and textured surface with hexagonal shaped pattern in gold designed in 1970. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for...
Art Glass
$1,507 / item
Opalino Sabbiato Glass Vase in Lattimo by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with slim, oval shaped body and funnel shaped neck. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for any room. It appears in refined colo...
Art Glass
Venini Deco Sabbiato Glass Vase in Red by Napoleone Martinuzzi
By Napoleone Martinuzzi, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Historical vase designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in opal glass with round horizontal ribs. The model is proposed with a sandblasted coat. Dimensions available: Ø23 x H24,5cm Kg...
Art Glass
$1,309 / item
Deco Medium Vase in Orange by Napoleone Martinuzzi
By Napoleone Martinuzzi, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Historic vase designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in opalino glass characterized by round horizontal ribs. The model is proposed in three shades of colour and in three sizes. Rhythm"...
Glass
Venini Veronese Glass Vase in Sapphire and Crystal by Vittorio Zecchin
By Venini, Vittorio Zecchin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with cylindrical body and crystal decorative base. Featured in apple green colored class with crystal designed in 1921. Perfect for indoor home decor as container o...
Art Glass
Deco Medium Vase in Red by Napoleone Martinuzzi
By Venini, Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Historic vase designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in opalino glass characterized by round horizontal ribs. The model is proposed in three shades of colour and in three sizes. Rhythm"...
Glass
Large Venini Vase 'Kukinto', Designed by Timo Sarpaneva in 1991
By Timo Sarpaneva, Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Venini Vase 'Kukinto', Designed by Timo Sarpaneva in 1991 A monumental vase from the Kukinto series. Designed in 1991 by Timo Sarpaneva and produced 1992 by Venini, Murano. In...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Opalino Glass Vase in Grey Milk White Inside by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with slim, oval shaped body and funnel shaped neck. Featured in aquamarine colored glass. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for a...
Art Glass
Venini Incisi Thin Glass Vase in Marine Blue by Paolo Venini
By Paolo Venini, 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 Ando Time Hourglass in Grape and Red by Tadao Ando
By Tadao Ando, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ando Time hourglass, designed by Tadao Ando and manufactured by Venini, is a limited edition of 49 art pieces (per color) plus an additional 20 P.d.A. a...
Glass
Monofiore Sapphire Yellow Glass Vase by Laura de Santillana
By Venini, Laura de Santillana
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Monofiori glass bottle collection, designed by Laura de Santillana and manufactured by Venini, features six different shaped bottles. Indoor use only. Dimensions: Ø 9 cm, H 15 /...
Glass
Small Murano Reticello Glass Fazzoletto Vase, Italy 1950s
By Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Milan, IT
Small Murano Reticello Glass Fazzoletto Vase, Italy 1950s
Murano Glass
Venini Stelle Filanti Pendant Light in Grey by Atelier Oï
By Atelier Oï 1, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stelle Filanti suspension lamp, designed by Atelier Oï and manufactured by Venini, features a leather structure. Available in three different colors. Indoor use only. Dimensions: ...
Glass
Venini Monofiore Balloton Large Vase in Grape Red Thread Murano Glass
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Monofiore Balloton Large Vase in Amber Murano Glass by Venini. It looks soft, but it’s not; it’s glass. The optical illusion of Monofiori by Venini ...
Murano Glass
Venini Monofiore Balloton Small Vase in Grape Red Thread Murano Glass
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Monofiore Balloton vase in Amber Murano glass by Venini. It looks soft, but it’s not; it’s glass. The optical illusion of Monofiori by Venini from 1970 lies in its name: Balloton, a ...
Murano Glass
Deco Medium Vase in Acquamarine by Napoleone Martinuzzi
By Napoleone Martinuzzi, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Historic vase designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in opalino glass characterized by round horizontal ribs. The model is proposed in three shades of colour and in three sizes. Rhythm"...
Glass
Venini Monofiore Balloton Medium Vase in Grey Ox Blood Thread Murano Glass
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Monofiore Balloton medium vase in amber murano glass by Venini. It looks soft, but it’s not; it’s glass. The optical illusion of Monofiori by Venini from 1970 lies in its name: Ballo...
Murano Glass
Venini Monofiore Balloton Small Vase in Grey Ox Blood Thread Murano Glass
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Monofiore Balloton vase in Amber Murano glass by Venini. It looks soft, but it’s not; it’s glass. The optical illusion of Monofiori by Venini from 1970 lies in its name: Balloton, a ...
Murano Glass
$7,964 / item
Venini Darpanah Table Lamp by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Darpanah table lamp by Ettore Sottsass. Numbered Edition for year Year of Manufacture: 1994-2017 Metal White Painted Color: Milk-White/Sapphire/Pink Measurements: Ø 12....
Blown Glass
$1,507 / item
Venini Regina Vase in Gray Glass by Rodolfo Dordoni
By Venini, Rodolfo Dordoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Regina glass vase in gray by Rodolfo Dordoni. Blown handmade glass vases. Upper part, the crown, is covered by metal leaves. The lower part is gla...
Blown Glass
Venini Abat Jour Terra Floor Lamp in Violet Amethyst & Wisteria with White Shade
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Floor lamp with elliptical elements in handmade-blown glass with the “balloton” technique. Fabric shade: White Metal: Chromium-plated Light source: 1 x max 75W G9 Color: Viole...
Blown Glass
Monofiore Balloton Glass Vase in Grey with Ox Blood Thread Rim by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and textured surface with hexagonal shaped pattern in cobalt blue designed in 1970. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement pi...
Art Glass
Venini Zoe Small Swing Light by Doriana e Massimiliano Fuksas
By Doriana and Massimiliano Fuksas, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Swing light in handmade-blown glass. Available colors: Red – Violet – Gray Alogene 1 x max 70W E27 Suitable for CFL Measurements: Ø 7.87"" H 13.97"" ...
Blown Glass
Monofiore Bolloton Glass Vase in Horizon with Red Thread Rim by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and textured surface with hexagonal shaped pattern in horizon blue designed in 1970. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement p...
Art Glass
Venini Opalino Small Vase in Sapphire Milk White Inside Murano Glass
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Opalino small vase in Amber Murano glass by Venini. The Opalino vase is all about sophisticated and unique colors, thanks to the use of the traditional Op...
Murano Glass
Venini Deco Glass Vase in Lattimo by Napoleone Martinuzzi
By Venini, Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase in aquamarine designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in 1930. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. Dimensions: 26 cm diameter x...
Art Glass
Venini Clessidra Hourglass in Red Straw Yellow Murano Glass
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, 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
Opalino Glass Vase in Indigo Milk White Inside by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with slim, oval shaped body and funnel shaped neck. Featured in aquamarine colored glass. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for a...
Art Glass
Monofiore Balloton Glass Vase in Horizon Red Thread by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with full body and textured surface with hexagonal shaped pattern in cobalt blue designed in 1970. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement pi...
Art Glass
Venini Deco Glass Vase in Sapphire by Napoleone Martinuzzi
By Venini, Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase in aquamarine designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in 1930. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. Dimensions: 26 cm diameter x...
Art Glass
$1,309 / item
Deco Medium Vase in Sapphire by Napoleone Martinuzzi
By Napoleone Martinuzzi, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Historic vase designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in opalino glass characterized by round horizontal ribs. The model is proposed in three shades of colour and in three sizes. Rhythm"...
Glass
Deco Medium Vase in Apple Green by Napoleone Martinuzzi
By Napoleone Martinuzzi, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Historic vase designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in opalino glass characterized by round horizontal ribs. The model is proposed in three shades of colour and in three sizes. Rhythm"...
Glass
$1,309 / item
Deco Medium Vase in Horizon by Napoleone Martinuzzi
By Napoleone Martinuzzi, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Historic vase designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in opalino glass characterized by round horizontal ribs. The model is proposed in three shades of colour and in three sizes. Rhythm"...
Glass
Incalmo e murrina by Riccardo Licata
By Riccardo Licata, Venini
Located in Uccle, BE
Incalmo e murrina Riccardo Licata – Blown glass vase – Venini Murano. Vase using incalmo technique. The lower part of clear glass with white and black murrines. Top of the vase made ...
Blown Glass
$49,434 / item
Venini Martinengo Twenty-Light Chandelier in Crystal
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Majestic chandeliers in handmade-blown glass. Metal: Chromium Plated Color: Crystal 20 lights x max 60W E14 Code: 99.50.01.20.
Blown Glass
$12,045 / item
Venini Ratrih Floor Lamp by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Ratrih floor lamp by Ettore Sottsass. Numbered edition for year Year of manufacture: 1994-2017 Marble base Color: Milk-white/black Measurements: Ø 18.11", H 66.92" 1 x...
Glass
Venini Estrogeno Happy Pills Vase in Violet & Stra Yellow by Fabio Novembre
By Venini, Fabio Novembre
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Happy Pills in estrogeno by Fabio Novembre. Numbered Edition Handmade-blown glass with the “Incalmo” technique. Color: Estrogeno Dimensi...
Blown Glass
Paladini Limited Edition Vase in Multicolor by Emmanuel Babled
By Emmanuel Babled, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“Eternal and motionless, frozen in a proud and wise pose, they turn into glass in the hands of the master glassblowers. They are the paladins of the ancient art of glassblowing. Thei...
Glass
$4,750
Paolo Venini Inciso Vase
By Venini
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very nice example of an underrated series of glass. Acid stamp on the bottom.
Art Glass
Lele Candleholder in Transparent Red Balloton Glass by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Catfish candleholder in transparent red balloton glass by venini, 2020 Additional information: Material: Glass Color: Transparent red Dimension: Ø 8 x H 18 cm Candle provided.
Glass