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 Fantasmino Rechargeable, Dimmerable, Touch Table Lamp Red
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 Diamantei Extra 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 Rotondo 893.55 Pendant Light in Black/Crystal
By Venini, Peter Marino
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 Balloton Lamp Wall Light 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 ...
Glass
21st Century Fazzoletto Small Vase in Aquamarine 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 Stelle Filanti Pendant Light in Grey by Atelier Oï
By Venini, Atelier Oï 1
Located in murano, IT
Atelier OÏ wishes to convey its quest for a genuine interactive dialogue through lightness, its search for an aesthetics that defies emptiness and sparks emotions through the encount...
Glass
21st Century Zoe Large Pendant Light in Violet by Doriana E Massimiliano Fuksas
By Venini, Doriana and Massimiliano Fuksas
Located in murano, IT
From the ancient tracks of desert rocks to present-day Venice. Zoe – designed by Doriana and Massimiliano Fuksas in 2014 – is a paradigm, a place where different times and spaces com...
Glass
21st Century Argea Ceiling Light 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 Zoe Large Pendant Light in Grey by Doriana E Massimiliano Fuksas
By Venini, Doriana and Massimiliano Fuksas
Located in murano, IT
From the ancient tracks of desert rocks to present-day Venice. Zoe – designed by Doriana and Massimiliano Fuksas in 2014 – is a paradigm, a place where different times and spaces com...
Glass
21st Century Cilindro 893.66 Pendant Light in Black / Crystal by Peter Marino
By Venini, Peter Marino
Located in murano, IT
Cilindro 893.66 H88 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 Rotondo 893.51 Pendant Light in Black/Crystal
By Venini, Peter Marino
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 Doge Shape 1 Short Chandeliers in Crystal by Napoleone Martinuzzi
By Venini, Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in murano, IT
From the Latin term "dux", meaning "duke" or "commander", the Doge was the chief magistrate and leader of La Serenissima. Today his authority is celebrated in glass, in hues of Cryst...
Glass
21st Century Diamantei Small 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 Pigmenti Large Blown Opal Glass Vase in Amethyste 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 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 Anni Trenta Luce Small Table Lamp 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 Anni Trenta Luce Large Table Lamp 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 Night in Venice Glass Candleholder in Red by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
The warm glow of candles meets glass etched using the special Balloton technique. Its light flickers and dances, casting a multitude of reflections on the refined Tea, Red, Grape or ...
Blown Glass
21st Century Pigmenti Large 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 Pigmenti Large Glass Vase in Amber 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 Monofiori Carnevale Glass Vase in Aquamarine by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Like the icons that inspired them, these pieces are made using the Balloton technique. Every Monofiore Carnevale vase is a small handcrafted creation; glass is blown using traditional metal molds...
Blown 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 Coppetta Carnevale Glass Bowl in Green by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Like the icons that inspired them, these pieces are made using the Balloton technique. Every Coppetta Carnevale is a small handcrafted creation; glass is blown using traditional metal molds...
Blown Glass
21st Century Night in Venice Glass Candleholder in Grape by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
The warm glow of candles meets glass etched using the special Balloton technique. Its light flickers and dances, casting a multitude of reflections on the refined Tea, Red, Grape or ...
Blown 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 Unity Glass Bowl in Améthyste by Marc Thorpe
By Marc Thorpe, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Two colours, two materials: two cultures come together in one in the Fornace (Kiln), thanks to the skill of Marc Thorpe and of the master glassblowers. A woven metal base recalling S...
Glass
21st Century Acqua Glass Bowl in Crystal/Grape 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 Gemme Glass Vase in Tea 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 Anatra Sculpture in Black/Crystal by Toni Zuccheri
By Toni Zuccheri, Venini
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 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 Odalische Large Glass Vase in Rosa Cipria Rio by Leonardo Ranucci
By Venini, Leonardo Ranucci
Located in murano, IT
Odalische 706.81 Ø16 H43 RC/LA/RC Additional information: Material: Glass Color: Rosa Cipria Dimensions: Ø 16 x H 42 cm Available in other color options: Green rio, red, grey ...
Glass
21st Century Happy Pills Ossitocina in Amber Yellow/Milk-White by Fabio Novembre
By Fabio Novembre, Venini
Located in murano, IT
The hormone of love has its tiny glass pill. A design placebo created by Fabio Novembre in VENINI’s workshop. Indications and dosage: admire it in small dos...
Glass
21st Century Clessidra Hourglass in Rose Cipria/Sapphire by Fulvio Bianconi E Pa
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini
Located in murano, IT
Little grains of sand, impalpable and unnoticeable as a whole yet so real, like time ticking away. In 1957, Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini captured time and shaped it into Clessidr...
Glass
21st Century Labuan Small 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 Deco Medium Glass Vase in Green Rio 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 Deco Large Glass Vase in Sapphire 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 Labuan Large Glass Vase in Green Rio 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 Principe Small Glass Vase in Milk-White by Rodolfo Dordoni
By Venini, Rodolfo Dordoni
Located in murano, IT
He is the smallest of the three, but all eyes are on him. One day he will take his place on the throne. Meanwhile, he wears a mantle recalling silver and the ever-present crown. A...
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 Satin Medium Glass Vase in Crystal/Green Rio by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Sheer glass is hand-blown and crafted by the master glassblowers using the sophisticated Satinatura technique, which lends it the exquisite opaque appearance to which it owes its nam...
Glass
21st Century Satin Large Glass Vase in Crystal/Green Rio by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Sheer glass is hand-blown and crafted by the master glassblowers using the sophisticated Satinatura technique, which lends it the exquisite opaque appearance to which it owes its nam...
Glass
21st Century Deco Small Glass Vase in Green Rio 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 Satin Large Glass Vase in Horizon by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Sheer glass is hand-blown and crafted by the master glassblowers using the sophisticated Satinatura technique, which lends it the exquisite opaque appearance to which it owes its nam...
Glass
21st Century Idria Medium Glass Vase in Grey/Milk-White 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 Deco Small Glass Vase in Rosa Cipria 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 Satin Medium Glass Vase in Grey/Crystal by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Sheer glass is hand-blown and crafted by the master glassblowers using the sophisticated Satinatura technique, which lends it the exquisite opaque appearance to which it owes its nam...
Glass
21st Century Opalino Medium Glass Vase in Blood Red/Rosa Cipria 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 Fazzoletto Medium Glass Vase in Amber by Fulvio Bianconi E Paolo
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini
Located in murano, IT
Fazzoletto 700.02 H24 AA/LA Additional Information: Material: Glass Color: Amber Dimensions: Ø 20 x H 24 cm Available in other color options: Black, sapphire, orange, indigo, ...
Glass
21st Century Fazzoletto Large Glass Vase in Green Rio 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 swaying in the breeze. Every Fazzoletto Opalini is truly unique: there's not another one like it anywhere. Additional Information: Material: Glass Color: Green rio Dimensions: Ø 23 x H 31 cm Available in other color options: Black, sapphire, orange, indigo, rosa cipria, blood red/rosa cipria, Amber, indigo/orange, grey/indigo, opaque pink/red, grey, apple green, aquamarine/horizon, horizon, apple green/red, red, milk-white...
Glass
21st Century Monofiori Balloton Extra Large 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 Fazzoletto Medium Glass Vase in Apple Green/Red
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 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 Fazzoletto Small Glass Vase in Amber by Fulvio Bianconi E Paolo
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini
Located in murano, IT
Fazzoletto 700.04 H13,5 AA/LA Additional Information: Material: Glass Color: Amber Dimensions: Ø 13.5 x H 13.5 cm Available in other color options: Black, sapphire, orange, in...
Glass
21st Century Fazzoletto Medium Vase in Aquamarine 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 Extra 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 Fazzoletto Small Glass Vase in Sapphire 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 Tiara Small Glass Vase in Amber by Francesco Lucchese
By Venini, Francesco Lucchese
Located in murano, IT
Tiara 706.65 H32 AA FILO OZ Additional Information: Material: Glass Color: Amber Dimensions: Ø 18 x H 32 cm Available in other color options: Horizon, orange Available in other size...
Glass
21st Century Firenze Pendant Light in Multicolour 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 Zoe Small Pendant Light in Grey by Doriana E Massimiliano Fuksas
By Venini, Doriana and Massimiliano Fuksas
Located in murano, IT
From the ancient tracks of desert rocks to present-day Venice. Zoe – designed by Doriana and Massimiliano Fuksas in 2014 – is a paradigm, a place where different times and spaces com...
Glass
21st Century Balloton Suspension Lamp in Crystal 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 ...
Glass