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.
21st Century, Serpente Glass Sculpture in Black / Milk-White / Turquoise
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Ancient murrine form the pattern of a snake coiling up on glass. Conceived, redesigned and skilfully reinterpreted with rich contrasting colours, they reflect the highest craftsmansh...
Glass
21st Century Tolboi - Belboi - Stilboi Wall Light in Milk-White/Tea by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
It hangs quietly on the wall, glancing down from above. It’s Stilboi. Light passes through Milk White glass, spreading its soft yet strong glow, and revealing the tones of Red and Te...
Glass
21st Century Anni Trenta Luce Large Wall Light in Milk-White by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Art Nouveau, Charleston, the dawn of a new design era. The 1930s, celebrated by VENINI in 1997 and wistfully recalled with essential and innovative shapes like those that marked the ...
21st Century Battuto A Nido D'ape Vase in Horizon by Carlo Scarpa
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in murano, IT
Inspired by nature and designed by Carlo Scarpa, it turns into Battuto a Nido D'Ape only in the hands of master glassmakers, who skilfully shape glass into a honeycomb pattern using ...
Glass
21st Century Monofiori Balloton Large Glass Vase in Horizon/Red by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
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 special technique that lends a unique matelassé effect to...
Glass
$2,846 / item
21st Century Abaco Wall Light in Grey/Milk-White
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Calculations, numbers, man’s endless attempt to rationalize an otherwise intuitive world. All this enclosed in a unique work by Monica Guggisberg and Philip Baldwin. Crafted with sph...
Glass
21st Century Abat-Jour Floor Lamp in Amber Yello/Red/Tea by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
The light turns on and precious glass pearls start shining, brightening up the space with their intense hues. Every single sphere is crafted using the special "Balloton" technique, f...
Glass
21st Century Opalino Small Glass Vase in Milk-White by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
The Opalino vase is all about sophisticated and unique colors, thanks to the use of the traditional Opalino technique. This method was first introduced in the 15th century to make gl...
Glass
21st Century Ritagli Blown Glass Vase in Amber/Light Pink by Fulvio Bianconi
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in murano, IT
This work by Fulvio Bianconi stems from the most innovative glassmaking technique in the 1900s: thin rectangular strips of glass are placed one on top of the other and then hand-appl...
Blown Glass
21st Century Fazzoletto Medium Glass Vase in Orange by Fulvio Bianconi E Paolo
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini
Located in murano, IT
An exclusive new take on the Opalini technique from the 15th century makes its colour unique. The creative genius of Fulvio Bianconi makes its shape inimitable, recalling skirts sway...
Glass
21st Century Opalino Large Glass Vase in Green Rio by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
The Opalino vase is all about sophisticated and unique colors, thanks to the use of the traditional Opalino technique. This method was first introduced in the 15th century to make gl...
Glass
21st Century Where Are My Glasses, Under Vase in Aquamarine/crystal by Ron Arad
By Ron Arad, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Aquamarine, Red and Grass Green with hints of Crystal. Placed at the base of a rounded glass shape are the glasses, as if they had just slipped down its nose. Sketches, models, rende...
Glass
21st Century Opalino Small Glass Vase in Grey by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
The Opalino vase is all about sophisticated and unique colors, thanks to the use of the traditional Opalino technique. This method was first introduced in the 15th century to make gl...
Glass
21st Century Mappamondi Table Lamp in Crystal/Horizon/Sapphire by Sandro Chia
By Venini, Sandro Chia
Located in murano, IT
Earth, air, fire and water. Horizon, Sapphire and Crystal. Red, Arancione and Amber Yellow. Sandro Chia’s luminous globes convey primordial power, catching and holding the viewer’s a...
21st Century Rhythm Large Chandeliers in Milk-White by Alessandro Isola
By I M Lab, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Like notes breaking through the silence and creating rhythm, glass flows through metal structures, turning into lanterns. Rhythm, designed by I M Lab, is the quintessence of the art ...
Glass
21st Century Labuan Glass Vase in Milk-White by Venini Riedizione
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Drawing inspiration from exotic destinations in the Far East, Paolo Venini opted for a rich and intense color palette to present the Labuan vase to the world, sure to impress. A jour...
Glass
21st Century Bottiglie Incise Glass Bottle in Bronze 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 Monofiori Balloton Extra Small Glass Vase in Horizon/Red by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
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 special technique that lends a unique matelassé effect to...
Glass
21st Century Occhi Small Glass Vase in Coral/Crystal by Tobia Scarpa
By Tobia Scarpa, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Tobia Scarpa creates a fine exchange of glances: glass lenses with thin coloured rims form an interplay of softly rounded volumes. Tall or short, rounded or slender, this vase never ...
Glass
21st Century Monofiori Balloton Extra Large Glass Vase in Red by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
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 special technique that lends a unique matelassé effect to...
Glass
21st Century Porpora 9-Light Chandeliers in Crystal by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Essential decorations and a sleek structure with simple arms and cups, for a minimalist design by VENINI. Born in 1924 yet timeless, it has stood the test of time. It is just as mode...
Glass
21st Century Veliero Glass Floor Lamp in Crystal/Milk-White by Tadao Ando
By Venini, Tadao Ando
Located in murano, IT
Veliero comprises 6 modular elements; the simplicity of the original square remains unchanged, and is actually enhanced by the encounter with the other elements, expressing itself in...
Glass
21st Century Anni Trenta Luce Ceiling Light in Milk-White by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Art Nouveau, Charleston, the dawn of a new design era. The 1930s, celebrated by VENINI in 1997 and wistfully recalled with essential and innovative shapes like those that marked the ...
Glass
$12,500 / set
Three 1950s Venini Spiraling Obelisks
By Venini
Located in New York, NY
A set of three spiraling clear-glass obelisks with red flame-like intrusions by Venini. All bearing faint acid-etched stamps that date them to the 1950s. They are 17, 14 1/4, and 14...
Glass
21st Century Murana Glass Vase in Wistaria by Fabio Novembre
By Venini, Fabio Novembre
Located in murano, IT
From Venetian masks to glass, Fabio Novembre adds a tinge of irony to the Fornace (Kiln), creating a work that has a face and a soul. Classic yet eccentric. Additional Information...
Glass
$3,791 / item
21st Century Nastri Wall Light in Crystal by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Nastri is an orderly arranged path of glass that gives meaning to its own complexity. Regardless of its size, small or large, the structure is monumental in appearance, just as the l...
Glass
$47,382 / item
21st Century Ando Cosmos Vase in Crystal by Tadao Ando
By Venini, Tadao Ando
Located in murano, IT
Three glass elements blend together to create the geometry of a sphere concealed by their conjunction. Have you ever seen the cosmos so close? Space in matter. Matter in space. Finit...
Glass
21st Century Large Clessidra Hourglass in Aquamarine/Bamboo by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Little grains of sand, impalpable and unnoticeable as a whole yet so real, like time ticking away. Clessidra – designed by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini in 1957 – evolves in 2015,...
Glass
21st Century Anni Trenta Luce Small Wall Light in Milk-White by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Art Nouveau, Charleston, the dawn of a new design era. The 1930s, celebrated by VENINI in 1997 and wistfully recalled with essential and innovative shapes like those that marked the ...
21st Century Carlo Scarpa 99.37 3-Light Wall Sconce in Crystal by Carlo Scarpa
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in murano, IT
An innovative designer with a passion for experimentation, Carlo Scarpa turned this work into the utmost expression of his artistic and artisanal knowledge. The linearity of glass me...
Glass
21st Century Opalino Large Glass Vase in Black by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
The Opalino vase is all about sophisticated and unique colors, thanks to the use of the traditional Opalino technique. This method was first introduced in the 15th century to make gl...
Glass
21st Century Pyros Vase in Multicolour by Emmanuel Babled
By Venini, Emmanuel Babled
Located in murano, IT
Limited edition - 1 of XX The master glassmaker removes the object from the fire using a rotating rod, while other workers place thinner pieces of glass in the exact spot indicated ...
Glass
21st Century Fazzoletto Large Vase in Milk-White by Fulvio Bianconi E Paolo
By Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in murano, IT
An exclusive new take on the Opalini technique from the 15th century makes its colour unique. The creative genius of Fulvio Bianconi makes its shape inimitable, recalling skirts sway...
Glass
21st Century Fazzoletto Large Vase in Apple Green by Fulvio Bianconi E Paolo
By Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in murano, IT
An exclusive new take on the Opalini technique from the 15th century makes its colour unique. The creative genius of Fulvio Bianconi makes its shape inimitable, recalling skirts sway...
Glass
21st Century Monofiori Balloton Large Glass Vase in Red/Sapphire by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
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 special technique that lends a unique matelassé effect to...
Glass
21st Century Veliero Floor Lamp in Crystal/Milk-White by Tadao Ando
By Venini, Tadao Ando
Located in murano, IT
Veliero comprises 6 modular elements; the simplicity of the original square remains unchanged, and is actually enhanced by the encounter with the other elements, expressing itself in...
Glass
21st Century Acqua Glass Bowl in Crystal/Mint Green by Michela Cattai
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Doesn’t it look like it was eroded by water? Doesn’t it recall stones or flowing ice on a glacial mountain stream? Like pebbles shaped in glass, their forms evoke breath-taking lands...
Glass
21st Century Gio Ponti 99.81 2-Light Wall Sconce in Green/Opalin Mole
By Venini, Gio Ponti
Located in murano, IT
A work of art. More than that, a myth. Gio Ponti 99.81 owes its undisputed modernity and originality to the boundless creativity of its creator, Gio Ponti. Its uniqueness lies in its...
Glass
21st Century Opalino Small Glass Vase in Aquamarine by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
The Opalino vase is all about sophisticated and unique colors, thanks to the use of the traditional Opalino technique. This method was first introduced in the 15th century to make gl...
Glass
21st Century Gio Ponti 99.81 8-Light Chandeliers in Coral/Cystal
By Gio Ponti, Venini
Located in murano, IT
A work of art. More than that, a myth. Gio Ponti 99.81 owes its undisputed modernity and originality to the boundless creativity of its creator, Gio Ponti. Its uniqueness lies in its...
Glass
21st Century Abat-Jour Table Lamp in Amber Yellow/Red/Tea by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
The light turns on and precious glass pearls start shining, brightening up the space with their intense hues. Every single sphere is crafted using the special "Balloton" technique, f...
Glass
21st Century Monofiori Balloton Large Glass Vase in Aquamarine/Red by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
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 special technique that lends a unique matelassé effect to...
Glass
21st Century Potiche Blown Glass Jar in Grey by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Made from opalino glass with softly rounded edges, this unique piece was created by the expert hands of glassblowers. Potiche comprises a base and a lid. Pe...
Blown Glass
21st Century Cilindro Large Glass Vase in Black/Crystal by Peter Marino
By Peter Marino, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Appealing to the eye, to the touch and to the mind. This work by Peter Marino was designed to be the most provocative one in the Fornace (Kiln). Striking beauty. The Triangolo collec...
Glass
21st Century Blown Glass Balloton Table Lamp in Aquamarine by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
The latest re-edition features bright new elements, complex shapes and different uses. But it stays true to the Balloton technique, which lends a unique ...
Blown Glass
21st Century Opalino Large Glass Vase in Indigo by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
The Opalino vase is all about sophisticated and unique colors, thanks to the use of the traditional Opalino technique. This method was first introduced in the 15th century to make gl...
Glass
21st Century Carlo Scarpa 99.37, 12-Light Chandeliers in Crystal
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in murano, IT
An innovative designer with a passion for experimentation, Carlo Scarpa turned this work into the utmost expression of his artistic and artisanal knowledge. The linearity of glass me...
Glass
21st Century Gemme Glass Vase in Violet by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
In the expert hands of the blowers, glass turns into precious gemstones of various colours – Green, Grass Green, Purple, Red, Aquamarine, Sapphire, Tea and Grey. Unique and sparkling...
Glass
21st Century Firenze Flush Light in Crystal/Sapphire by Ettore Sottsass
By Venini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in murano, IT
Regardless of their size, small or large, the luminous sculptures by Ettore Sottsass bring to mind the idea and image of the Florentine lily. Revealed ...
Glass
21st Century Rhythm Extra Small Chandeliers in Milk-White by Alessandro Isola
By I M Lab, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Like notes breaking through the silence and creating rhythm, glass flows through metal structures, turning into lanterns. Rhythm, designed by I M Lab, is the quintessence of the art ...
Glass
Venini Battery Lamp in Orange, Rechargeable, Dimmerable, Touch
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Skillful glasswork gives back this object a slight movement, as if it were suspended in space. Its iconic silhouette comes from an exclusive archival prototype and brings a playful t...
Metal
21st Century Coccio Glass Vase in Ivory/Tea by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
It should belong to the Paleolithic collection of a Museum of Prehistory. A mysterious artifact smuggled by some art dealer. A modern archeological discovery made from murrine in 198...
Glass
21st Century Opalino Small Glass Vase in Apple Green by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
The Opalino vase is all about sophisticated and unique colors, thanks to the use of the traditional Opalino technique. This method was first introduced in the 15th century to make gl...
Glass
21st Century Occhi Large Glass Vase in Coral/Crystal by Tobia Scarpa
By Tobia Scarpa, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Tobia Scarpa creates a fine exchange of glances: glass lenses with thin coloured rims form an interplay of softly rounded volumes. Tall or short, rounded or slender, this vase never ...
Glass
21st Century Where Are My Glasses, Single Lens Vase in Aquamarine by Ron Arad
By Ron Arad, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Intense hues of Aquamarine, Red and Grass Green. Glass flows through a single lens, unexpectedly creating a vase. Sketches, models, renders and iron frames. The master glassblowers c...
Glass
21st Century Fazzoletto Small Glass Vase in Orange by Fulvio Bianconi E Paolo
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini
Located in murano, IT
An exclusive new take on the Opalini technique from the 15th century makes its colour unique. The creative genius of Fulvio Bianconi makes its shape inimitable, recalling skirts sway...
Glass
21st Century Gio Ponti 99.81 2-Light Wall Sconce in Grey
By Venini, Gio Ponti
Located in murano, IT
A work of art. More than that, a myth. Gio Ponti 99.81 owes its undisputed modernity and originality to the boundless creativity of its creator, Gio Ponti. Its uniqueness lies in its...
Glass
21st Century Labuan Large Glass Vase in Apple Green by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
It draws inspiration from faraway places, halfway between fantasy and reality. Paolo Venini opted for a unique palette of Aquamarine, Horizon and other fine hues to present it to the...
Glass
21st Century Argea Small Table Lamp in Milk-White by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Through the power of fire, glass encloses silver or golden leaves, glowing brightly and creating unique optical illusions that evoke the sea. Argea shines its inner light, and become...
Glass
Carlo Scarpa Venini acid stamped Murano glass "filigrane" tall vase circa 1950
By Venini
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Carlo Scarpa VENINI Murano glass tall "filigrane" vase circa 1950.
Murano Glass