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 90th Opachi Ivory Murano Glass Vase by Tobia Scarpa, Signed 2012, Italy
By Tobia Scarpa, Venini
Located in Venezia, IT
Venini Opachi vase 90th anniversary, model 513.00, in Ivory Murano opaline glass, designed by Tobia Scarpa in 1960 and produced in 2012. Part of Venini’s refined Opachi collection, ...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Vase Yemen by Ettore Sottsass for Venini Murano ca. 1994
By Venini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vase Yemen by Ettore Sottsass for Venini Murano ca. 1994 A vintage vase from the 'Yemen' series, designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1994. Manufactured by Venini Murano Venice in 2002. T...
Art Glass
$681Sale Price|19% Off
Venini Murano Glass and Brass Hole Holder 1940
By Venini
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Original and Elegant photo frame for chest of drawers or coffee table, something really elegant to keep at home.
Brass
VENINI vase Fazzoletto Aquamarine & Green Murano Glass 90th, Signed 2011
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Venezia, IT
Timeless Venini Fazzoletto vase, model 700.02 90th anniversary, in Aquamarine and Green opalino glass, diamond-engraved Venini 2011 with box and paperwork. Hand-blown and shaped free...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
VENINI Bolle vase, Green & Pink with yellow details, year 2011, 90° anniversary
By Venini, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Venezia, IT
Venini Opalino 90th anniversary vase, model 706.24, produced in 2011, signed on the base, and accompanied by its original Venini box and paperwork. The Venini Bolle...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Large Vetro Soffiato Glass Vase by Vittorio Zecchin for Venini Murano 1921
By Venini, Vittorio Zecchin
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Vetro Soffiato Glass Vase by Vittorio Zecchin for Venini Murano 1921 Rare mouth blown (vetro soffiato) art glass vase, designed by Vittorio Zecchin in 1921. Manufactured by Ve...
Art Glass
$4,081 / item
Incise Glass Bottle in Blue Iron by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
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
VENINI Opalino 90th vase Green Murano Glass, Signed 2012, handmade in Italy
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Venezia, IT
Venini Opalino 90th anniversary vase, model 706.24, produced in 2012, signed on the base, and accompanied by its original Venini box and paperwork. Unusued and preserved in excellen...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
VENINI vase Veronese Green Murano Glass Limited Edition 188/199, Signed 1996
By Venini, Vittorio Zecchin
Located in Venezia, IT
Exceptional Venini Veronese vase, model 600.05, produced in 1996 as a limited edition of only 199 pieces. This example is numbered 188/199, signed on the base, and accompanied by its...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
VENINI Hourglass Grey/Red Limited Edition pcs 61/199 year 2016
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Venezia, IT
VENINI Hourglass Grey/Red Limited Edition pcs 61/199 year 2016 A striking example from Venini’s contemporary production, executed with the refined ch...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$731Sale Price|25% Off
Venini Bianconi Murano Pink White Italian Art Glass Fazzoletto Handkerchief Vase
By Paolo Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown white Zanfirico ribbons with pink and black lines Italian art glass decorative fazzoletto / handkerchief vase. Documented to designer Fulvio Bianc...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Fazzoletto Opalino Large Glass Vase in Red by Fulvio Bianconi and Venini
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created from the collaboration between Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini, characterized by a soft shape with a graceful wavy lip, always unique, obtained using the free-hand technique...
Glass
VENINI Lady Purple Murano Glass, Signed 2016, handmade in Italy
By Leonardo Ranucci, Venini
Located in Venezia, IT
Venini Lady vase (2016) signed on the base, and accompanied by its original Venini box and paperwork. The gently flared rim and balanced proportions enhance the richness of the colo...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
VENINI vase Yemen multicolor Murano Glass, Signed 2014, Design by Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in Venezia, IT
VENINI vase Yemen multicolor Murano Glass, Signed 2014 and designed by Ettore Sottsass with original box and paperwork. The Yemen vase, designed by Ettore ...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Gio Ponti for Venini, A Canne Polychrome Vase, Murano, circa 1950s
By Gio Ponti, Venini
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A commanding example of the a canne technique by Gio Ponti for Venini, executed in a generous upright trumpet form with a gently undulating, free-formed rim. Vertical canes of colore...
Murano Glass
Green Venini & C., Murano Sommero a Bollicine Bowl by Carlo Scarpa c.1930s
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Oakland, CA
Venini & C., Murano glass Sommero a Bollicine bowl c.1930s designed by architect Carlo Scarpa (1902-1978). Bubbly overlaid glass colorless and green with bursts of bubbles. A rounded...
Art Glass
Venini Battuti Canoa in Green by Tobia Scarpa and Ludovico Diaz de Santillana
By Ludovico Diaz de Santillana and Tobia Scarpa, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Battuti glass series by Tobia Scarpa and Ludovico Diaz de Santillana. Indoor use only. Dimensions: W 60 cm x D 12 cm x H 6 cm.
Glass
VENINI Hourglass Orange/Aquamarine Limited Edition pcs 17/199 year 2009
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Venezia, IT
VENINI Hourglass Orange/Aquamarine Limited Edition pcs 17/199 year 2009 A striking example from Venini’s contemporary production, this Hourglass vase...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
VENINI vase Deco by Martinuzzi Blue Horizon Murano Glass Signed 2014
By Venini, Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Venezia, IT
Venini Deco vase, model 707.10, produced in 2014 and accompanied by its original Venini box and paperworks. The Deco series traces its origins to the ...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$1,241Sale Price|58% Off
Round Venini Vase Murano Glass 1985 Multi-Color Italian Design
By Venini
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Round Venini vase Murano glass 1985 multi-color Italian design.
Murano Glass
Venini Ando Cosmos Vase in Aquamarine, Grape and Mint by Tadao Ando
By Tadao Ando, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ando Cosmos vase, designed by Tadao Ando and manufactured by Venini, is made of three vases that create a sphere when united. Crystal version is available ...
Glass
$1,155 / item
Labuan Small Glass Vase in Orange by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A classical form inspired by faraway places, magically projected in the contemporary world by the new colours. It draws inspiration from faraway places, halfway between fantasy an...
Blown Glass
Venini Opalino Large Grey Milk White Inside Glass Vase
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Satin glass vase, designed and manufactured by Venini, features the same shape of the iconic opalino vase with a frosted finish. Indoor use only. ...
Glass
VENINI vase Re Aquamarine bubble and Bronze Murano Glass, 90° Anniversary
By Rodolfo Dordoni, Venini
Located in Venezia, IT
VENINI vase RE 515.13 Aquamarine bubble and Bronze color Murano Glass, Signed 2012 and accompanied by its original Venini box and paperwork and also a rare "cleaning kit" Part of t...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$1,001 / item
Labuan Small Glass Vase in Aquamarine by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A classical form inspired by faraway places, magically projected in the contemporary world by the new colours. It draws inspiration from faraway places, halfway between fantasy an...
Blown Glass
Monofiore Decorative Jar with Cap in Green Blown Glass by Laura de Santillana
By Laura de Santillana, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Different shapes, different colours. But all bursting with energy. Their caps recall the shapes and patterns of nature. Every Monofiore by Laura de Santillana is unique: a small prec...
Blown Glass
Alessandro Mendini for Venini Murano Glass Vase "Idalion," Italy 1994
By Alessandro Mendini, Venini
Located in Naples, IT
Vase from the Idalion series designed by Alessandro Mendini for Ditta Muranese Venini, light blue etched glass, signed under the base A. Mendini Venini 1994 Corresponding to drawing ...
Murano Glass
Vase “Smoking” designed by Gianni Versace for Venini Murano, Italy
By Venini, Gianni Versace
Located in Uccle, BE
Vase “Smoking” designed by Gianni Versace for Venini Murano, Italy (founded in 1921). Beyond his renowned fashion creations, Versace also collaborated with prestigious furniture and ...
Blown Glass
VENINI vase Re Lattimo White and Bronze Murano Glass Signed 2009, Made in Italy
By Rodolfo Dordoni, Venini
Located in Venezia, IT
VENINI vase RE 515.13 Satin-finished Lattimo White and Bronze color Murano Glass, Signed 2009 and accompanied by its original Venini box and paperwork. Part of the iconic Re–Regina–...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Italian Set of 3 Small Murano Glass Vase Signed Venini 2012 with Original Label
By Venini
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We offer this refined set of three small Murano blown glass vases. These glass works of art are born from Venini's historic Murano glass-blowing tradition. Since 1921, Venini has cre...
Art Glass
Fazzoletto Opalino Large Glass Vase in Orange by Fulvio Bianconi and Venini
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created from the collaboration between Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini, characterized by a soft shape with a graceful wavy lip, always unique, obtained using the free-hand technique...
Glass
VENINI vase Veronese Green Murano Glass Limited Edition 186/199, Signed 1996
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Venezia, IT
VENINI vase Veronese 600.05 Green Murano Glass Limited Edition 186/199, 1996, Signed with original box e certificate. We recently had the rare opportunity to acquire an extraordina...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Vetro Sommerso Bowl by Carlo Scarpa for Venini Murano ca. 1930s
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vetro Sommerso Bowl by Carlo Scarpa for Venini Murano ca. 1930s A vetro sommerso bollicine bowl designed by Carlo Scarpa ca. 1936. Manufactured by Venini Murano Venice in the 1930s....
Art Glass
Wonderful Vintage Venini Opalino Blue Art Glass Signed Dated Tall Vase
By Venini
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Vintage Venini Art Glass Blue Vase, Signed And Dated On Bottom Of Vase & Still Retains Sticker On Side H 14 1/4" x W 6"
Art Glass
Venini Clessidra Hourglass in Apple Green Straw Yellow Murano Glass
By Paolo Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clessidra hourglass in amber murano glass by Paolo Venini and Fulvio Bianconi. Little grains of sand, impalpable and unnoticeable as a whole yet so real, like time ticking away. In 1...
Murano Glass
VENINI vase Dorici Ivory color Murano Glass, Signed 2005, handmade in Italy
By Venini, Monica Guggisberg & Philip Baldwin
Located in Venezia, IT
Venini Dorici vase in Ivory Murano Glass, model 793.18, produced in 2005 and accompanied by its original Venini box and paperwork. Refined Dorici vase by Venini, designed by Monica ...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
VENINI Opalino 90th vase Red, Gold and White Glass, 2010 Limited Edition 237/399
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Venezia, IT
Special Edition Venini Opalino vase, model 706.23, produced in 2010 as a limited edition of only 399 pieces on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the most famous italian glass F...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Vetro Soffiato Glass Vase by Vittorio Zecchin for Venini Murano 1924
By Vittorio Zecchin, Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vetro Soffiato Glass Vase by Vittorio Zecchin for Venini Murano 1924 Rare mouth blown (vetro soffiato) art glass vase, designed by Vittorio Zecchin in 1924. Manufactured by Venini &...
Art Glass
Sergio Asti for Venini Large Murano Glass Ashtray , Italy, 1967
By Sergio Asti, Venini
Located in Milan, IT
Sergio Asti for Venini Glass Large Ashtray. From the renowned DE'MODE'S series Designed on the occasion of the remodeling of the Bar Excelsior at the Excelsior Hotel Lido of Venice....
Murano Glass
Mid-Century Modern Murano Glass Candy Vase by Versace for Venini
By Venini, Versace
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This inky midnight blue hand-blown Murano glass vase was designed by Versace for Venini, Venezia, and is dressed with playful opaque candy coloured canes. It is signed and dated on t...
Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass
VENINI Veronese Vase by Vittorio Zecchin, Murano Glass, signed 2008
By Vittorio Zecchin, Venini
Located in Venezia, IT
Exceptional Venini Veronese vase, model 600.01, produced in 2008. Signed on the base, and accompanied by its original Venini box and certificate. The Veronese is one of the most cel...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Laura de Santillana, Italy, Numeri Murrine Plate
By Laura de Santillana, Venini
Located in Uccle, BE
Hand welded and ground Murano glass plate with an arrangement of polychrome murrines depicting numbers from zero to nine and nine to zero. Designed in 1975 and awarded during exhi...
Art Glass
Large Venini Vase 'Kukinto', Designed by Timo Sarpaneva in 1991
By Venini, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Venini Vase 'Kukinto', Designed by Timo Sarpaneva in 1991 A monumental vase from the Kukinto series. Designed in 1991 by Timo Sarpaneva and produced 1992 by Venini, Murano. In...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
VENINI Veronese 90th Anniversary White Glass Limited Edition 13/90 year 2011
By Venini, Vittorio Zecchin
Located in Venezia, IT
Exceptional Venini Veronese vase, model 600.01, produced in 2011 as a limited edition of only 90 pieces on the occasion of the 90th anniversary. T...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Venini Bianconi Murano White Pink Zanfirico Italian Art Glass Fazzoletto Vase
By Paolo Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown intricate white and pink ribbons Italian art glass fazzoletto / handkerchief vase. The piece is documented to designer Fulvio Bianconi, for the Ve...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Glass Sculpture by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini, Italy, 1960s
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Milan, IT
Glass sculpture by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini. Colored glass block used as sample to compose screens, large windows or as single sculptures...
Glass
Murano Glass Vase Bolle by Tapio Wirkkala for Venini, BMW, Italy
By Tapio Wirkkala, Venini
Located in München, BY
Murano Glass Vase Bolle designed in the year 1966 by Tapio Wirkkala (1915-1985) for Venini, Italy. This vase was made in 1985 by Venini in Murano from red and honey-colored, transpa...
Murano Glass
Gio Ponti Venini Murano Glass Bottle Morandiana Series 1960s
By Venini, Gio Ponti
Located in Paris, IDF
Rare Gio Ponti bottle for Venini designed in the 1950s from the Morandiana series. This example is a 1960s edition, acid-etched venini murano italia signature under the base, origina...
Glass
$1,507 / item
Opalino Sabbiato Glass Vase in Acquamarine by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with slim, oval shaped body and funnel shaped neck. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for any room. It appears in refined color...
Art Glass
Italian Design Gio Ponti Art Glass Bottle "Morandiana (V)" Venini Murano, 1950s
By Gio Ponti, Venini
Located in Odense, DK
An exceptionally refined "Morandiana (V)" art glass bottle designed by Gio Ponti for Venini in the 1950s, exemplifying the architect-designer's celebrated exploration of pure geometr...
Blown Glass
Venini Geacolor Glass Vase in Multi-Color Swirls by Gae Aulenti
By Gae Aulenti, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Geacolor glass vase, designed by Gae Aulenti and manufactured by Venini, was originally produced in 1995. Indoor use only. Dimensions: Ø 30 cm.
Glass
Large Venini Vase 'Coreano', Designed by Tapio Wirkkala in 1966
By Tapio Wirkkala, Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Venini Vase 'Coreano', Designed by Tapio Wirkkala in 1966 A blue and green a fasce a spirale vase from the Coreani series. Designed in 1966 by Tapio Wirkkala for Venini. Produ...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Fulvio Bianconi for Venini, "Pezzato" Vase, Murano, circa 1950–51
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A superb example of Fulvio Bianconi's iconic Pezzato series for Venini, executed in the polychrome tessere technique. Sections of colored glass — cobalt, teal, emerald, burgundy, and...
Murano Glass
VENINI rare tall vase Dorici Green Murano Glass, Signed 2001, handmade in Italy
By Monica Guggisberg & Philip Baldwin, Venini
Located in Venezia, IT
Venini Dorici vase in Green Murano Glass, model 793.16, produced in 2001 and accompanied by its original Venini box and paperwork. Refined Dorici vase by Venini, designed by Monica ...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Rare Phesant Sculpture by Toni Zuccheri for Venini
By Venini, Toni Zuccheri
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Rare Phesant Sculpture by Toni Zuccheri for Venini A rare phesant art glass sculpture from the Bestiary series. Designed by Tony Zuccheri in 1983 and manufactured by Venini, Murano ...
Art Glass
Murano Glass Egg by Venini for 50° Anniversary Confartigianato, Italy 1997
By Venini
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing egg with white and grey twisted cane decorations by Venini for 50th anniversary of Confartigianato in 1997. A classic Murano manufacture, the egg remains a status symbol for...
Murano Glass, Art Glass
Large Venini Art Glass Vase with Inciso Decoration Paolo Venini, Murano 1956
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Venini Art Glass vase with Inciso Decoration Paolo Venini, Murano 1956 A large vintage art glass vase in notte (night) blue pesante glass ...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Beautiful light green mouth-blown Murano vase by Carlo Scarpa for Venini Italy
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in München, BY
Beautiful 1960s light green hand-blown Murano glass vase by Carlo Scarpa. Manufacturer: Venini. Made in Italy. The bottom is engraved with "Venini Murano Italia". Very beautiful, hi...
Murano Glass
$126,300Sale Price|25% Off
Napoleone Martinuzzi for Venini Red Cactus Succulent Sculpture, Signed, 1929
By Napoleone Martinuzzi, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Napoleone Martinuzzi for Venini red Cactus Succulent sculpture, Signed, 1929. Exceedingly rare example of a signed Venini succulent by Matinuzzi. Museum-worthy masterwork by Martinuzzi during his groundbreaking tenure as artistic director of Venini. Large-scale. Original brass frame. This stunning pulegoso glass and gold leaf “pianta grassa” is in very good antique condition with no apparent signs of repair. Acid etched Venini signature is at bottom. Lovely contrasting white glass rim on pot. Playful use of co lot with the green pot...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
A rare signed Venini Murano glass picture frame
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in London, GB
A very rare Pulegoso Murano glass picture frame designed and produced by the world famous glass house Venini C1938 . Impressed Venini Murano to easle support.
Brass