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.
Appealing to the Eye, to the Touch and to the Mind, This Work by Peter Marino Wa
By Peter Marino, Venini
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
$2,259 / item
Venini Labuan 706.01 Black - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Labuan 706.01 Collection: Labuan Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this iconic Murano glass vase. The Labuan collection ev...
Glass
Venini Murana 030.57 Pagliesco - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Fabio Novembre Model: Murana 030.57 Collection: Murana Made in: Italy Create a magical atmosphere by choosing a unique Murano glass piece. Irony meets desig...
Glass
Venini Geacolor 792.00 Glass Vase, Multicolor - Design Gae Aulenti - Damiani
By Venini, Gae Aulenti
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Design: Gae Aulenti Model: Geacolor 792.00 Collection: Geacolor Year: 1995 Made in: Italy Create a magical atmosphere with a unique piece of Murano glass. The Geacolor...
Glass
Italian Murano Glass Vase by Alessandro Mendini for Venini, Italy
By Venini, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Large vase Simirone in blown glass intertwined polychrome canes on a base in faceted glass block designed by Alessandro Mendini for Venini in circa 1989. Limited edition of 50 pieces...
Blown Glass
21st Century Monofiori Balloton Large Glass Vase in Blood Red/Rosa Cipria
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
Venini Oman 787.01 Glass Vase, Aquamarine, Red & Talpa - Design Ettore Sottsass
By Venini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Design: Ettore Sottsass Model: Oman 787.01 Collection: Ettore Sottsass Collection Year: 1994 Made in: Italy Create a magical atmosphere with a unique piece of Murano g...
Glass
Venini Murrine Romane 520.21 design Carlo Scarpa - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Carlo Scarpa Model: Murrine Romane 520.21 Collection: Murrine Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano...
Glass
21st Century Monofiori Balloton Extra 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 Veronese Glass Vase in Crystal/Sapphire by Vittorio Zecchin
By Vittorio Zecchin, Venini
Located in murano, IT
From «The Annunciation» by Paolo Veronese to the Fornace (Kiln): a wonderful journey for this fine vase by Vittorio Zecchin. A complex shape, curved beyond imagination: Veronese defi...
Glass
Venini Deco 707.08 Small Horizon - Glass Vase - Napoleone Martinuzzi - Damiani
By Napoleone Martinuzzi, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Napoleon Martinuzzi Model: Deco 707.08 - Small Collection: Deco Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Mura...
Glass
21st Century Happy Pills Estrogeno in Straw-Yellow/Violet by Fabio Novembre
By Venini, Fabio Novembre
Located in murano, IT
The female hormone par excellence now shaped in glass. A design placebo created by Fabio Novembre in VENINI’s workshop. Indications and dosage: admire it in small doses, daily. Addi...
Glass
Florero en forma de bolso de vidrio Murano Seguso Venini
By Venini
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Murano Glass Handbag Vase Seguso Venini Elegant Murano handbag vase, designed by Venini for seguso. Made of deep black blown glass with subtle ve...
Art Glass
21st Century Black Belt Triangolo Extra Small Vase in Black/Crystal/Tea
By Peter Marino, Venini
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 Satin Small 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
Venini Fazzoletto 700.00 Large Viola - Glass Vase Fulvio Bianconi - Damiani
By Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini Model: Handkerchief 700.00 - Large Collection: Handkerchief Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your int...
Glass
$3,257Sale Price|20% Off
Vase Venini Murana 030.57 Glicine design Fabio Novembre - READY FOR SHIPMENT
By Fabio Novembre, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Venini - Murana Vase Mod. 030.57 Design: Fabio Novembre The Murana Vase features, at the heart of its elegant silhouette, a mask that evokes the rich iconography of the Venetian Car...
Glass
Venini Ando Time 032.98 Grape/Red/Alessand. Glass Hourglass Tadao Ando - Damiani
By Venini, Tadao Ando
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 Fazzoletto 700.02 Medium Viola - Glass Vase Fulvio Bianconi - Damiani
By Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini Model: Handkerchief 700.02 - Medium Collection: Handkerchief Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your in...
Glass
Venini Paladini Celati 789.21 Glass Sculpture design Emmanuel Babled Damiani
By Venini, Emmanuel Babled
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Emmanuel Babled Model: Paladini Celati 789.21 Collection: Paladins Celati Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this u...
Glass
$3,389Sale Price|20% Off
Chambord bottle by Alessandro Menidini for Venini 1992
By Venini, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Torino, IT
Chambord bottle designed by Alessandro Mendini for Venini. Rare spherical-shaped blown glass bottle with verdemare murrine and sapphire decoration with black glass neck and truncate...
Murano 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 Opalino Large 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
Venini Monofiori Balloton 100.16 Small Ginkgo Biloba - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Monofiori Balloton 100.16 - Small Collection: Monofiori Balloton Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this iconic Murano glas...
Glass
Venini Happy Pills 027.29 Glass Sculpture, Orange & Black Design Fabio Novembre
By Fabio Novembre, Venini
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
Venini Happy Pills 027.29 Glass Sculpture, Violet & Pagliesco - Fabio Novembre
By Fabio Novembre, Venini
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
Venini Opalino 706.24 Large - Viola - 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 Opachi 513.03 Nero Murano Glass Vase design Tobia Scarpa - Damiani
By Venini, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Tobia Scarpa Model: Opaque 513.03 Collection: Opaque Made in: Italy Add an artistic and refined touch to your interior with this iconic Murano glass vase. Th...
Glass
Venini Labuan 706.63 Medium Lattimo - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Labuan 706.63 Collection: Labuan Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this iconic Murano glass vase. Stories and mysteries o...
Glass
Venini Monofiori Balloton 100.29 Large Sapphire - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Monofiori Balloton 100.29 - Large Collection: Monofiori Balloton Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this iconic Murano glas...
Glass
Venini Murrine Opache 488.10 Murano Glass Centerpiece Carlo Scarpa - Damiani
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Carlo Scarpa Model: Opaque Murrine 488.10 Collection: Murrine Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this unique Murano...
Glass
21st Century Battuti/Canoe Small Vase in Aquamarine by Tobia Scarpa
By Venini, Ludovico Diaz de Santillana and Tobia Scarpa
Located in murano, IT
It recalls a graceful tulip, in tones of Crystal, Aquamarine and shaded pink Alexandrite. Its translucent appearance is the result of the skill and ha...
Glass
Venini Flow 782.54 Ambra Murano Glass Vase Philippa Craddock - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Philippa Craddock Model: Flow 782.54 Collection: Homo Faber Made in: Italy Add a striking, artistic touch to your home with this exceptional Murano glass vas...
Glass
Venini Anelli 542.00 Murano Glass Vase - Green - Design Venini - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Design: Venini Model: Rings 542.00 Collection: Rings Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this iconic Murano glass vase. Anelli is a decorative piec...
Glass
Venini Opalino 706.22 Medium - Black - 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 Murrine Opache 488.11 Murano Glass Centerpiece table Carlo Scarpa Damiani
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Carlo Scarpa Model: Opaque Murrine 488.11 Collection: Murrine Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this unique Murano...
Glass
Venini Where Are My Glasses 777.50 Glass Vase, Red - Design Ron Arad - Damiani
By Venini, Ron Arad
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 Puzzle 787.20 Talpa/Corallo Murano Glass Vase Ettore Sottsass Damiani
By Venini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Design: Ettore Sottsass Model: Puzzle 787.20 Collection: Ettore Sottsass Collection Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this iconic Murano glass vas...
Glass
Venini Fazzoletto 700.00 Large Lilla Menta - Glass Vase Fulvio Bianconi - Damian
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini Model: Handkerchief 700.00 - Large Collection: Handkerchief Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your int...
Glass
Venini Happy Pills 027.29 Glass Sculpture, Yellow Amber & Milk - 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
Rodolfo Dordoni Venini Principe Vase, Hand-Crafted Murano Glass
By Rodolfo Bonetto, Venini
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
King, 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 met...
Murano Glass
Venini Fazzoletto 700.00 Large Iceberg - Glass Vase Fulvio Bianconi - Damiani
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini Model: Handkerchief 700.00 - Large Collection: Handkerchief Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your int...
Glass
Venini Fazzoletto 700.04 Small Iceberg - Glass Vase Fulvio Bianconi - Damiani
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini Model: Handkerchief 700.04 - Small Collection: Handkerchief Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your int...
Glass
Venini Opalino 706.24 Large - Iceberg - 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 Where Are My Glasses 777.50 Glass Vase, Erba - Ron Arad - Damiani
By Ron Arad, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Design: Ron Arad Model: Where Are My Glasses 777.50 Collection: Where Are My Glasses Made in: Italy Create a magical atmosphere with a unique Murano glass piece. Where...
Glass
Venini Ando Time 032.98 Green/Aquamarine 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 Acco 706.70 Ginkgo Biloba/Lattimo - Glass Vase Alessandro Mendini Damiani
By Alessandro Mendini, Venini
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 Opalino 706.24 Large - Black - 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 Monofiori Balloton 100.16 Small Sapphire - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Monofiori Balloton 100.16 - Small Collection: Monofiori Balloton Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this iconic Murano glas...
Glass
Venini Satin 706.38 Small Te/Crystal - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Satin 706.38 - Small Collection: Opaline Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano glass ...
Glass
Venini Monofiori Balloton Frozen 100.18 Medium Crystal - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Monofiori Balloton 100.18 - Medium Collection: Monofiori Balloton Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this iconic Murano gla...
Glass
Venini Monofiori Balloton 100.29 Large Apple Green - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Monofiori Balloton 100.29 - Large Collection: Monofiori Balloton Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this iconic Murano glas...
Glass
Venini Kukinto Glass Vase - Design Timo Sarpaneva - Damiani
By Timo Sarpaneva, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Design: Timo Sarpaneva Model: Kukinto Collection: Kukinto Year: 1991 Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this iconic Murano glass vase. The Kukinto ...
Glass
21st Century Quattro Stagioni Estate Glass Sculpture in Apple Green/Orange/Red
By Venini, Laura de Santillana
Located in murano, IT
Summer impressed in glass by Laura De Santillana. Murrina glass in hues of Red, Orange and Crystal brings to mind the warmest season of the year, and its breathtaking sunsets over th...
Glass
Venini Monofiori Balloton 100.18 Medium Ginkgo Biloba - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Monofiori Balloton 100.18 - Medium Collection: Monofiori Balloton Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this iconic Murano gla...
Glass
Venini Deco 707.07 Medium Pesca - Glass Vase - Napoleone Martinuzzi - Damiani
By Napoleone Martinuzzi, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Napoleon Martinuzzi Model: Deco 707.07 - Medium Collection: Deco Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Mur...
Glass
Venini Labuan 706.62 Large Taupe - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Labuan 706.62 Collection: Labuan Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this iconic Murano glass vase. Stories and mysteries o...
Glass
Venini Monofiori Balloton 100.29 Large Acquamare - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Monofiori Balloton 100.29 - Large Collection: Monofiori Balloton Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this iconic Murano glas...
Glass
Venini Frozen 707.10 Medium Crystal - Glass Vase - Napoleone Martinuzzi Damiani
By Napoleone Martinuzzi, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Napoleon Martinuzzi Model: Frozen 707.10 - Medium Collection: Deco Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your home with this iconic Muran...
Glass
Venini Deco 707.10 Large Iceberg - Glass Vase - Napoleone Martinuzzi - Damiani
By Napoleone Martinuzzi, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Napoleon Martinuzzi Model: Deco 707.10 - Large Collection: Deco Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Mura...
Glass