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 Abaco Shape 1, 5 Sphere Suspension Light in Multicolour
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 Abaco Shape 2, 5 Sphere Suspension Light in Crystal/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 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 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 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 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 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
21st Century Veliero Glass Floor Lamp in Crystal/Milk-White by Tadao Ando
By Tadao Ando, Venini
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 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 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 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 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
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 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
$45,910 / 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 Occhi Small Glass Vase in Coral/Crystal by Tobia Scarpa
By Venini, Tobia Scarpa
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 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 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 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 Fazzoletto Large Glass Vase in Black 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 Campana Candle Holder in Amber by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Candle holder in blown glass finished by hand, it adds a decorative touch to the home, creating magical atmospheres. Using the balloton technique, Venini’s master glassblowers impart...
Blown Glass
21st Century Black Belt Ovale Large Vase in Black/Crystal/Grass Green
By Venini, Peter Marino
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 Bottiglie Incise Glass Bottle in Cornelian Orange by Paolo Venini
By Paolo Venini, 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 Potiche Blown Glass Jar in Milk-White 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 Opalino Small Glass Vase in Horizon 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 Anni Trenta Luce Small Table Lamp 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, Rhythm Medium Chandeliers in Milk-White by Alessandro Isola
By Venini, I M Lab
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 Geodi Vase in Horizon/Light Pink/Milk-White by Sonia Pedrazzini
By Venini, Sonia Pedrazzini
Located in murano, IT
Geodi 793.62 H42 OZ/LA/RS Additional Information: Material: Glass Color: Horizon/Light Pink/Milk-White Dimensions: Ø 20 x H 41 cm.
Glass
21st Century Monofiori Balloton Small 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 Ettore Sottsass Collection Kiritam Table Lamp in Aquamarine/Milk-Wh
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Its name evokes its ancient meaning: "crown", from the Sanskrit term kirīṭam. Its shape recalls those of the most worshipped and depicted Hindu deities. But gold gives way to glass. ...
Glass
21st Century Monofiori Balloton Small Glass Vase in Horizon/Red by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Monofiori breaks with tradition in 1970 and then does it again in 2016. But its essence remains the same: it looks soft, but it’s not; it’s glass. The optical illusion of Monofiori b...
Glass
21st Century Rotondo 893.52 Pendant Light in Black/Crystal/Tea
By Peter Marino, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Bold shades of black blend together with the hues of Crystal or Tea of the sphere. They enclose it, surrounding it with thin and thick lines, alternating in a seemingly random fashio...
Glass
21st Century Monofiori Balloton Large Glass Vase in Amber/Horizon 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 Murrine Opache Bowl in Black/Coral by Carlo Scarpa
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Countless Black and Coral pieces are woven together to form a symmetric yet imperfect pattern on slanted surfaces. VENINI’s glass grinding technique creates a typical shading effect ...
Glass
21st Century Pigmenti Small Blown Opal Glass Vase in Bloood Red by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
With the Pigmenti collection, Venini aims to send out a sign of renewal through the development of a classic form as the expression of a contemporary interior design accessory. Pigme...
Glass
21st Century Balloton Ceiling Lamp Shape 2 in Grey 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 texture – pleasant to the eye...
Glass
21st Century Firenze Pendant Light in Multicolour by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
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, Campana Candle Holder in Red by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Campana 100.75 Ø14 H11,5 RV/CR Additional information: Material: blown glass Color: red Dimensions: Ø 12 cm Available in other color options: Amber.
Blown Glass
21st Century Opalino Small 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 Fantasmino Rechargeable, Dimmerable, Touch Table Lamp Aquamarine
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 Monofiori Balloton Extra Large Glass Vase in Grey/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
Murano Blown Glass Contemporary Pendant Light Design by Peter Marino for Venini
By Peter Marino, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Cilindro 893.65 Peter Marino’s work is notoriously provocative. The Rotondo, Cilindro, and Parallelo lamps are no exception: using the “Fasce” technique, the artist hot-works colour...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
21st Century Idria Large Glass Vase in Horizon by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
The Ancient Greek water vessel sheds its skin, as terracotta gives way to glass, thanks to VENINI. Its design speaks of bygone days and rhythms, bringing them back to life: timeless ...
Glass
21st Century, Quattro Stagioni Inverno Sculpture in Crystal/Light Blue/Milk-White
By Laura de Santillana, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Winter impressed in glass by Laura De Santillana. Murrina glass in hues of bluino and milk white brings to mind the coldest season of the year. As the first snowflakes start to fall,...
Glass
21st Century Pigmenti Small Blown Opal Glass Vase in Red by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
With the Pigmenti collection, Venini aims to send out a sign of renewal through the development of a classic form as the expression of a contemporary interior design accessory. Pigme...
Glass
21st Century Argea Large 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
21st Century Narciso Large Glass Bowl in Grey/Red by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Born from nature, art and from the skill of master glassblowers, who swiftly stretch the glass yet maintain its outer rim free and unrestrained. Its floral shape is soft and graceful...
Glass
21st Century Fazzoletto Small Glass Vase in Grey 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 Glass Vase in Grey 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 Monofiori Balloton 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 Pigmenti Small Glass Vase in Blood Red by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
With the Pigmenti collection, Venini aims to send out a sign of renewal through the development of a classic form as the expression of a contemporary interior design accessory. Pigme...
Glass
21st Century Monofiore Glass Vase in Green by Laura De Santillana
By Laura de Santillana, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Different shapes, different colors. But all bursting with energy. Their caps recall the shapes and patterns of nature. Every Monofiore by Laura De Santillana is unique: a small preci...
Glass
21st Century Pavoncella Sculpture in Multicolour by Toni Zuccheri
By Toni Zuccheri, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Mother Nature gave it a striped appearance with hints of brown, black, white and green. A crest playfully sticks up on its head. For his bestiary, Toni Zuccheri captured its restless...
Blown Glass
21st Century Where Are My Glasses, Single Lens Vase in Grass Green 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 Diamantei Large Chandeliers in Satin Grey by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Exquisitely Baroque in style, regal in appearance, and available in a variety of sizes and colors, it is the undisputed star of any setting. A series of alternating soft and sharp cu...
Glass
21st Century Abaco Shape 2, 3 Sphere Suspension Light in Crystal/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 Esprit Medium Chandeliers in Amber Yellow/Crystal by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Viewers feel compelled to touch every single petal of its flowers and every single point of its stars, to make sure they’re real. Esprit conveys the power of nature and of light. Esp...
Glass
21st Century Acqua Ichirinzashi Vase in Crystal/Grape by Michela Cattai
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Its shapes take their cue from nature in Japan, nodding to the pebbles and water flowing in mountain streams. A vase holding just one flower is the quint...
Murano Glass
21st Century Parallelo 893.77 Pendant Light in Black/Crystal by Peter Marino
By Peter Marino, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Parallelo 893.77 H92,5 CR/NE Additional Information: Material: Glass Colour: Black/Crystal Light Source: 1 x max 8W LED E14 - Dimmable Finishes: Black nickel metal Dimensions...
Glass
21st Century Opachi Vase in Straw-Yellow by Tobia Scarpa
By Ludovico Diaz de Santillana and Tobia Scarpa, Venini
Located in murano, IT
In the 1940s, Carlo looked to the eastern traditions for his inspiration in creating his objects, borrowing some of his forms from East Asian porcelain ware. In the 1960s, Tobia Scar...
Porcelain