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.
Venini Acco 706.70 Orizzonte/Lattimo - Glass Vase Alessandro Mendini - Damiani
By Venini, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Alessandro Mendini Model: Acco 706.70 Collection: Acco Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano glass ...
Glass
Venini Bloom 696.03 Black/Crystal - Glass Centerpiece Marco Piva - Damiani
By Venini, Marco Piva
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Marco Piva Model: Bloom 696.03 Collection: Bloom Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano glass center...
Glass
Venini Bloom 696.03 Red/Crystal/Coral Glass Centerpiece Marco Piva Damiani
By Venini, Marco Piva
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Marco Piva Model: Bloom 696.03 Collection: Bloom Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano glass center...
Glass
Venini Opalino 706.24 Large - Peach - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Opaline 706.24 - Large Collection: Opaline Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano glas...
Glass
Venini Opalino 706.22 Medium - Peach - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Opaline 706.22 - Medium Collection: Opaline Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano gla...
Glass
Venini Opalino 706.38 Small - Peach - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Opaline 706.38 - Small Collection: Opaline Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano glas...
Glass
Venini Opalino 706.22 Medium - Iceberg - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Opaline 706.22 - Medium Collection: Opaline Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano gla...
Glass
Venini Opalino 706.24 Large - Talpa - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Opaline 706.24 - Large Collection: Opaline Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano glas...
Glass
Venini Opalino 706.22 Medium - Talpa - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Opaline 706.22 - Medium Collection: Opaline Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano gla...
Glass
Venini Opalino 706.38 Small - Talpa - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Opaline 706.38 - Small Collection: Opaline Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano glas...
Glass
Venini Opalino 706.24 Large - Paraiba - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Opaline 706.24 - Large Collection: Opaline Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano glas...
Glass
Venini Opalino 706.22 Medium - Paraiba - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Opaline 706.22 - Medium Collection: Opaline Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano gla...
Glass
Venini Opalino 706.38 Small - Sapphire - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Opaline 706.38 - Small Collection: Opaline Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano glas...
Glass
Venini Opalino 706.24 Large - Ginkgo Biloba - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Opaline 706.24 - Large Collection: Opaline Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano glas...
Glass
Venini Opalino 706.22 Medium - Ginkgo Biloba - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Designer: Venini Model: Opaline 706.22 - Medium Collection: Opaline Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano glass vase. The O...
Glass
Venini Opalino 706.24 Large - Blu Mare - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Opaline 706.24 - Large Collection: Opaline Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano glas...
Glass
Venini Opalino 706.22 Medium - Blu Mare - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Opaline 706.22 - Medium Collection: Opaline Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano gla...
Glass
Venini Opalino 706.38 Small - Indigo - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Opaline 706.38 - Small Collection: Opaline Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano glas...
Glass
Venini Opalino 706.22 Medium - Amethyst - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Opaline 706.22 - Medium Collection: Opaline Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano gla...
Glass
Venini Black Belt Plate 699.71 Red Murano Glass Plate Peter Marino - Damiani
By Peter Marino, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Peter Marino Model: Flat Black Belt 699.71 Collection: Peter Marino Collection Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your home with this ...
Glass
Venini Ando Time 032.98 Crystal/Red/Grape Glass Hourglass Tadao Ando Damiani
By Tadao Ando, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Tadao Ando Model: Ando Time 032.98 Collection: Tadao Ando Collection Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this unique...
Glass
Venini Goburam 012.97 Coral/Notturno Murano Glass Ettore Sottsass - Damiani
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Ettore Sottsass Model: Goburam 012.97 Collection: Ettore Sottsass Collection Made in: Italy Add an artistic and expressive touch to your interior with this i...
Glass
Venini Battuto a Nido d'Ape 524.26 Pesca Murano Glass Vase Carlo Scarpa /Damiani
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Design: Carlo Scarpa Model: Honeycomb Wrought 524.26 Collection: Honeycomb Wrought Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this iconic Murano glass vase...
Glass
Venini Where Are My Glasses 777.50 Glass Vase, Acquamare - Ron Arad - Damiani
By Ron Arad, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Design: Ron Arad Model: Where Are My Glasses 777.50 Collection: Where Are My Glasses Made in: Italy Create a magical atmosphere with a unique Murano glass piece. Where...
Glass
Venini Where Are My Glasses 777.51 Glass Vase, Red - Ron Arad - Damiani
By Ron Arad, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Design: Ron Arad Model: Where Are My Glasses 777.51 Collection: Where Are My Glasses Made in: Italy Create a magical atmosphere with a unique Murano glass piece. Where...
Glass
Venini Where Are My Glasses 777.51 Glass Vase, Acquamare - Ron Arad - Damiani
By Ron Arad, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Design: Ron Arad Model: Where Are My Glasses 777.51 Collection: Where Are My Glasses Made in: Italy Create a magical atmosphere with a unique Murano glass piece. Where...
Glass
Venini Where Are My Glasses 777.51 Glass Vase, Erba - Ron Arad - Damiani
By Ron Arad, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Design: Ron Arad Model: Where Are My Glasses 777.51 Collection: Where Are My Glasses Made in: Italy Create a magical atmosphere with a unique Murano glass piece. Where...
Glass
Venini Where Are My Glasses 777.52 Glass Vase Purple & Red - Ron Arad Damiani
By Ron Arad, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Design: Ron Arad Model: Where Are My Glasses 777.52 Collection: Where Are My Glasses Made in: Italy Create a magical atmosphere with a unique Murano glass piece. Where...
Glass
Venini Where Are My Glasses 777.52 Glass Vase, Green design Ron Arad Damiani
By Ron Arad, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Design: Ron Arad Model: Where Are My Glasses 777.52 Collection: Where Are My Glasses Made in: Italy Create a magical atmosphere with a unique Murano glass piece. Where...
Glass
Venini Where Are My Glasses 777.52 Vase, Horizon & Acquamare Ron Arad Damiani
By Ron Arad, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Design: Ron Arad Model: Where Are My Glasses 777.52 Collection: Where Are My Glasses Made in: Italy Create a magical atmosphere with a unique Murano glass piece. Where...
Glass
Venini Hourglass 420.06 Glass Hourglass, Moka & Crystal - Damiani
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Design: Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini Model: Hourglass 420.06 Collection: Hourglass Year: 1957 Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this iconic Mura...
Glass
Venini Hourglass 420.06 Glass Hourglass, Pagliesco & Red - Damiani
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Design: Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini Model: Hourglass 420.06 Collection: Hourglass Year: 1957 Made in: Italy Create a magical atmosphere with a unique piece of Muran...
Glass
Venini Happy Pills 027.29 Glass Sculpture Horizon & Pagliesco - Fabio Novembre
By Venini, Fabio Novembre
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Design: Fabio Novembre Model: Happy Pills 027.29 Collection: Happy Pills Made in: Italy Create a magical atmosphere with a unique piece of Murano glass. The Happy Pill...
Glass
Tiara Table Lamp in Murano Glass by Francesco Lucchese for Venini
By Venini, Francesco Lucchese
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Tiara Luce, table lamp designed in 2018 by designer Francesco Lucchese. It has been completely redesigned using the latest developments in lighting technology while maintaining intac...
Murano Glass
Rodolfo Dordoni Venini Regina Vase, Murano Glass, Italy
By Rodolfo Bonetto, Venini
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Queen and Prince are the components of a noble family who, since 1996, has reigned with the kindness and elegance of sinuous shapes. They wear robes glazed, with impressive metallic-...
Murano Glass
Kukinto Vases Collection by Timo Sarpaneva for Venini 1991
By Timo Sarpaneva, Venini
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
The skirt of a dancer. A Nordic blossom moving in the wind. The colours of these works chase, touch and sometimes merge on the waves created by the breath of a master glassmiths. Wit...
Murano 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
Tapio Wirkkala for Venini 'Coreani' Vases, circa 1970s
By Tapio Wirkkala, Venini
Located in Parma, IT
Pair of Venini vases "Coreani" design Tapio Wirkkala, circa 1970s. In two-tone blown glass with overlapping spirals. Signature engraved on bottom and Venini label...
Murano Glass
21st Century, Parallelo 893.80 Pendant Light in Black / Crystal by Peter Marino
By Peter Marino, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Parallelo 893.80 H 63, 5 CR / NE. Additional Information: Material: glass Colour: black / crystal. Light source: 1 x max 8W LED E14 - dimmable. Finishes: black nickel metal. ...
Glass
21st Century Anni Trenta Luce Pendant 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 ...
Glass
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 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 Parallelo 893.82 Pendant Light in Black/Crystal by Peter Marino
By Peter Marino, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Parallelo 893.81 H78,5 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 Rotondo Large Pendant Light in Black/Crystal by Peter Marino
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 Where Are My Glasses, Under Vase in Crystal/Grass Green 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 Parallelo 893.81 Pendant Light in Black/Crystal by Peter Marino
By Peter Marino, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Parallelo 893.81 H78,5 CR/NE Additional Information: Material: Glass Colour: Black/Crystal Light Source: 1 x max 8W LED E14 - Dimmable Finishes: Black nickel metal Dimensions: W 39 ...
Glass
21st Century Rotondo Small Pendant Light in Black / Crystal by Peter Marino
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 Where Are My Glasses XXL, Single Lens Vase in Multicolour
By Venini, Ron Arad
Located in murano, IT
Limited edition - 1 of XX So, where are my glasses? Can’t you see them? Blown glass is wearing them, a single lens of the metal frame is stuck inside it. Glass tapers, becoming narr...
Glass
21st Century Parallelo 893.82 Pendant Light in Black/Crystal/Tea by Peter Marino
By Peter Marino, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Parallelo 893.82 H93,5 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 Rotondo Large Pendant Light in Black/Crystal/Tea by Peter Marino
By Peter Marino, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Rotondo 893.60 Ø20 CR/NE/TE Additional Information: Material: Glass Colour: Black/Crystal/Tea Light Source: 1 x max 12W LED E27 - Dimmable Finishes: Black nickel metal Dimensions: Ø...
Glass
21st Century Where Are My Glasses, Under Vase in Crystal Red 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, 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 Parallelo 893.75 Pendant Light in Black/Crystal/Tea by Peter Marino
By Peter Marino, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Parallelo 893.75 H62,5 CR/NE/TE Additional Information: Material: Glass Colour: Black/Crystal/Tea Light Source: 1 x max 8W LED E14 - Dimmable Finishes: Black nickel metal Dimensions...
Glass
21st Century Parallelo 893.75 Pendant Light in Black/Crystal by Peter Marino
By Peter Marino, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Parallelo 893.75 H62,5 CR/NE Additional Information: Material: Glass Colour: Black/Crystal Light Source: 1 x max 8W LED E14 - Dimmable Finishes: Black nickel metal Dimensions: H 62....
Glass
21st Century Abaco Shape 2, 3 Sphere Suspension Light in Amber Yellow/Améthyste
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 Parallelo 893.76 Pendant Light in Black/Crystal by Peter Marino
By Peter Marino, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Parallelo 893.76 H77,5 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, Campanile Candle Holder in Red 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 a unique cross...
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 Parallelo 893.81 Pendant Light in Black/Crystal/Tea by Peter Marino
By Venini, Peter Marino
Located in murano, IT
Parallelo 893.81 H78,5 CR/NE/TE Additional Information: Material: Glass Colour: Black/Crystal/Tea Light Source: 1 x max 8W LED E14 - Dimmable Finishes: Black nickel metal Dimensions...
Glass
21st Century Parallelo 893.77 Pendant Light in Black/Crystal/Tea by Peter Marino
By Peter Marino, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Parallelo 893.77 H92,5 CR/NE/TE Additional Information: Material: Glass Colour: Black/Crystal/Tea Light Source: 1 x max 8W LED E14 - Dimmable Finishes: Black nickel metal Dimensions...
Glass