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.
$3,050 / item
21st Century Triedri Wall Light in Crystal by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
From 1958 to 1960, the Fornace has witnessed the encounter between geometry and art with Triedri. Structures designed based on clear rules trap light inside thin strips of glass with...
Glass
21st Century Carlo Scarpa 99.37 Floor Lamp in Crystal by Carlo Scarpa
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
$1,483 / item
21st Century Idria Large Glass Vase in Red 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 Venere Vase in Blood Red/Rosa Cipria by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
A vase made in cased glass using the “Opalini” technique. This model is distinguished by its lower, wider opening with the typical wavy shape: a new take ...
Glass
21st Century Vittoriale 6-Light Chandeliers in Crystal by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Construction of Gabriele D’Annunzio’s Vittoriale degli Italiani started in the 1920s. In the same decade, Napoleone Martinuzzi designed a unique work that draws inspiration and owes ...
Glass
21st Century Diamantei Extra Large Chandeliers in Gold Leaf Crystal/Crystal
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 Balloton Ceiling Lamp Shape 3 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
Venini large floor lamp ‘Petrolione’, 1960s
By Venini
Located in Parma, IT
Venini large floor lamp model Petrolione in incamiciato opaline Murano glass. In two colors, one element in white glass and one in amethyst glass. Central part in bronze, original el...
Murano Glass, Opaline Glass
Italian Murano Glass Vase Kelo Model by Timo Sarpeneva for Venini, Italy
By Timo Sarpaneva, Venini
Located in Milan, Italy
Murano glass vase designed by Timo Sarpeneva for Venini in 1988. Exhibited at Tingo design gallery in 2008 for the exhibition Murano a go-go. Out production. Original label and signed.
Murano Glass
21st Century Argea Large Table Lamp in Straw-Yellow 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 Bolle Glass Vase in Améthyste / Grey by Tapio Wirkkala
By Tapio Wirkkala, Venini
Located in murano, IT
A vase turns into a graceful bottle. Grey meets Amethyst. Two distinct spaces of colour created by Tapio Wirkkala that blend together thanks to the "Incalmo" technique, a process by ...
Glass
21st Century Anni Trenta Luce Small Wall Light in Straw-Yellow 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 Opalino Medium Glass Vase in Orange 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 Parallelo 893.80 Pendant Light in Black/Crystal/Tea by Peter Marino
By Peter Marino, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Parallelo 893.80 H63,5 CR/NE/TE Additional Information: Material: Glass Colour: Black/Crystal/Tea Light Source: 1 x max 8W LED E14 - Dimmable Finishes: Black nickel metal Dim...
Glass
21st Century Light Shar Large Chandeliers in Crystal by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
They are waves of water travelling in concentric circles made eternal by glass. Still and bright. Their slightly rippled appearance is due to their trilobate shape, triangles with ro...
Glass
21st Century Deco Large Glass Vase in Milk-White by Napoleone Martinuzzi
By Napoleone Martinuzzi, Venini
Located in murano, IT
"Rhythm" is the watchword for the vases from the Dèco line by VENINI. An endless series of rings, one after the other. They alternate at a pace that rises and falls, then rises again...
Glass
21st Century Murrine Romane Glass Vase in Multicolour by Carlo Scarpa
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in murano, IT
In these murrineworks, purity of form and essential geometry blend together to create rare, precious and timeless objects, just like the art of ancient Rome. In his quest for new gla...
Glass
21st Century Carlo Scarpa 99.37 Large Table Lamp in Crystal Blown Glass
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...
Blown Glass
$4,500Sale Price|22% Off
Italian glass pendant Tronchi entry Lamp by Venini
By Venini
Located in Ferndale, MI
Italian glass entry pendant lamp by Venini, paper label Murano Venizia. Three tiers of hanging glass logs or " Tronchi " .
Art Glass
21st Century Abaco Shape 1, 5 Sphere Suspension Light in Muticolour
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 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 Where Are My Glasses, Under Vase in Aquamarine/crystal by Ron Arad
By Venini, Ron Arad
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 Esprit Medium Chandeliers in 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 Monofiori Balloton Extra Small Glass Vase in Blood Red/Green Rio
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 Medium Glass Vase in Apple Green 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
$14,349 / item
21st Century Esprit Wall Light in 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...
21st Century Deco Small Glass Vase in Red by Napoleone Martinuzzi
By Venini, Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in murano, IT
"Rhythm" is the watchword for the vases from the Dèco line by VENINI. An endless series of rings, one after the other. They alternate at a pace that rises and falls, then rises again...
Glass
21st Century Anatra Sculpture in Multicolour by Toni Zuccheri
By Venini, Toni Zuccheri
Located in murano, IT
Exuberant and lively, the duck gazes at the viewers and catches their attention, almost inviting them to stare back: it is so beautiful they can’t look away. If only Toni Zuccheri’s ...
Crystal
21st Century Battuto A Nido D'ape Vase in Horizon by Carlo Scarpa
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
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
Italian Murano Glass Vase Simira Model by Alessandro Mendini for Venini.
By Venini, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Milan, Italy
Vase model Simira filigree glass and solid glass base molded to the wheel, circa 1987- 1988. Signed. Biography Alessandro Mendini was born in Milan in 1931. After a long experience...
Glass
21st Century Diamantei Large Chandeliers in Amber Yellow/Grass Green 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 Idria Medium Glass Vase in Red 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 Nastri Small Chandeliers 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
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 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
$1,800 / item
3 Venini Grey Sconces
By Venini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
(3) 1960s modern Venini grey sconces from Italy with hand blown Venini glass shades. Single E26 medium based socket per sconce. Original finish, partially ...
Aluminum, Steel, Nickel
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 Fischione Sculpture in Black by Toni Zuccheri
By Toni Zuccheri, Venini
Located in murano, IT
The male has darker feathers, while the female features bright accents of colour, but they both have a skilfully ground black head. The two wigeon specimens designed by Toni Zuccheri...
Glass
"Morandiane" Glass Bottle by Venini, Italy, 1960s
By Venini
Located in Brussels, BE
"Morandiane" glass bottle by Venini, Italy, 1960s.
Murano Glass
21st Century Idria Medium Glass Vase in Amber 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 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
21st Century Carlo Scarpa 99.37 3-Light Wall Sconce in Crystal by Carlo Scarpa
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 Ritagli Blown Glass Vase in Grape/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-applied to a conical base made from blown glass. Shades of Iridescent Green and Aquamarine meet hues of Iridescent Sand and Red in a piece so timeless but dated 1989. Additional Information: Material: Blown Glass Color: Grape/Light Pink...
Blown Glass
21st Century Monofiori Balloton Extra Large Glass Vase in Apple Green 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 Opalino Large Glass Vase in Amber 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
Murano Blown Glass Neoclassic Chandelier Design by Carlo Scarpa Venini Official
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in murano, IT
Venini’s artistic director for more than a decade, Carlo Scarpa deeply influenced the company’s production, managing to merge his own intellectual vision with the highly refined tech...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
21st Century Cilindro 893.70 Pendant Light in Black / Crystal by Peter Marino
By Peter Marino, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Cilindro 893.70 Ø15 H30 CR/NE Additional information: Material: glass Colour: black / crystal Light Source: 1 x max 8W LED E14 - Dimmable Finishes: Black nickel metal Dimensi...
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
Five Turqoise Opalino Bowls by Paolo Venini, Murano circa 1950
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in London, GB
Five small turquoise opaline hand blown bowls by Paolo Venini (1895-1959) circa 1950 for Venini, opaque glass, acid stamp to each 'Venini Murano Italia'. Dimensons; each height 1 1/...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Opaline Glass
21st Century Carlo Scarpa 99.37 16-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 Cilindro 893.71 Pendant Light in Black/Crystal by Peter Marino
By Peter Marino, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Cilindro 893.71 H92 CR/NE Additional information: Material: Glass Colour: Black/Crystal Light Source: 1 x max 12W LED E27 - Dimmable Finishes: Black nickel metal Dimensions: ...
Glass
21st Century Muse Glass Sculpture Table Lamp in Milk-White by Fabio Novembre
By Fabio Novembre, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Just like the Metaphysical artists from the early 1900s, Fabio Novembre depicts his muses as faceless figures, intent on not seeing nor hearing the tragic events that dominated the e...
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 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 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 Giotto Sculpture in Black/Multicolour by Alessandro Mendini
By Alessandro Mendini, Venini
Located in murano, IT
An austere face, halfway between ancient and modern, strong and fragile. Giotto by Alessandro Mendini is a winged lord who is destined to hold our gaze. A psychic being whose narrow ...
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. Perfect for safely storing p...
Blown Glass
21st Century Deco Large Glass Vase in Sapphire by Napoleone Martinuzzi
By Napoleone Martinuzzi, Venini
Located in murano, IT
"Rhythm" is the watchword for the vases from the Dèco line by VENINI. An endless series of rings, one after the other. They alternate at a pace that rises and falls, then rises again...
Glass
21st Century Cilindro 893.72 Pendant Light in Black/Crystal by Peter Marino
By Peter Marino, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Cilindro 893.72 H107 CR/NE Additional information: Material: Glass Colour: Black/Crystal Light Source: 1 x max 12W LED E27 - Dimmable Finishes: Black nickel metal Dimensions:...
Glass