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 Opalino 706.22 Medium - Iceberg - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 - Verde Mela - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 - Talpa - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Alcamo, IT
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 Alcamo, IT
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 Alcamo, IT
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 Alcamo, IT
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 - Sapphire - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 - Sapphire - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Alcamo, IT
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 Alcamo, IT
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 Alcamo, IT
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 Alcamo, IT
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 Alcamo, IT
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 - Blu Mare - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 - Viola - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 - Viola - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 - Viola - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 - Indigo - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Alcamo, IT
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 - Amethyst - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 - Amethyst - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 - Moka - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Ritagli 552.00 Snow Murano Glass Vase Fulvio Bianconi - Damiani
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Venini Designer: Fulvio Bianconi Model: Clippings 552.00 Collection: Clippings Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano...
Glass
Venini Ritagli 552.00 Lilac/Mint Murano Glass Vase Fulvio Bianconi - Damiani
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Venini Designer: Fulvio Bianconi Model: Clippings 552.00 Collection: Clippings Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano...
Glass
Venini Ritagli 552.00 Sand/Red Murano Glass Vase Fulvio Bianconi - Damiani
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Venini Designer: Fulvio Bianconi Model: Clippings 552.00 Collection: Clippings Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano...
Glass
Venini Black Belt Plate 699.71 Red Murano Glass Plate Peter Marino - Damiani
By Venini, Peter Marino
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Black Belt Plate 699.71 Black Murano Glass Plate Peter Marino - Damiani
By Venini, Peter Marino
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Grape/Red/Alessand. Glass Hourglass Tadao Ando - Damiani
By Venini, Tadao Ando
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Ando Time 032.98 Green/Aquamarine Glass Hourglass Tadao Ando - Damiani
By Venini, Tadao Ando
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Ando Time 032.98 Crystal/Red/Grape Glass Hourglass Tadao Ando Damiani
By Venini, Tadao Ando
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Ando Time 032.98 Rosato/Violet/Amber Glass Hourglass Tadao Ando - Damiani
By Venini, Tadao Ando
Located in Alcamo, IT
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
Satin Vase Collection By Venini
By Venini
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
The transparent coloured glass is handblown and decorated at the base by a sword-shaped foot, applied hot free-hand with the addition of gold leaf. The model is enriched by the cold ...
Murano Glass
Venini Murrine Opache 488.13 Murano Glass Centerpiece Carlo Scarpa - Damiani
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Venini Designer: Carlo Scarpa Model: Opaque Murrine 488.13 Collection: Murrine Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this unique Murano...
Glass
Venini Murrine Opache 488.10 Murano Glass Centerpiece Carlo Scarpa - Damiani
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Alcamo, IT
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
Venini Giotto 018.79 Black Murano Glass Sculpture Alessandro Mendini - Damiani
By Venini, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Venini Designer: Alessandro Mendini Model: Giotto 018.79 Collection: Giotto Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano gl...
Glass
Venini Paladini Celati 789.21 Glass Sculpture design Emmanuel Babled Damiani
By Venini, Emmanuel Babled
Located in Alcamo, IT
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
Venini I Paladini 789.20 Multicolor Murano Glass design Emmanuel Babled Damiani
By Venini, Emmanuel Babled
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Venini Designer: Emmanuel Babled Model: The Paladins 789.20 Collection: The Paladins Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this unique ...
Glass
Venini I Paladini 789.20 Multicolor Murano Glass design Emmanuel Babled Damiani
By Venini, Emmanuel Babled
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Venini Designer: Emmanuel Babled Model: The Paladins 789.20 Collection: The Paladins Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this unique ...
Glass
Venini I Paladini 789.20 Murano Glass Sculpture design Emmanuel Babled - Damiani
By Venini, Emmanuel Babled
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Venini Designer: Emmanuel Babled Model: The Paladins 789.20 Collection: The Paladins Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this unique ...
Glass
Venini Vase 516.01 Acquamare Murano Glass Vase design Tobia Scarpa - Damiani
By Venini, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Venini Designer: Tobia Scarpa & Ludovico Diaz De Santilliana Model: Vase 516.01 Collection: Beats / Canoes Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your inte...
Glass
Venini Vase 516.13 Ambra Murano Glass Vase design Tobia Scarpa - Damiani
By Ludovico Diaz de Santillana and Tobia Scarpa, Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Venini Designer: Tobia Scarpa & Ludovico Diaz De Santilliana Model: Vase 516.13 Collection: Beats / Canoes Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your inte...
Glass
Venini Vase 516.13 Acquamare Murano Glass Vase design Tobia Scarpa - Damiani
By Ludovico Diaz de Santillana and Tobia Scarpa, Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Venini Designer: Tobia Scarpa & Ludovico Diaz De Santilliana Model: Vase 516.13 Collection: Beats / Canoes Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your inte...
Glass
Venini Vase 516.13 Verde Rio Murano Glass Vase design Tobia Scarpa - Damiani
By Ludovico Diaz de Santillana and Tobia Scarpa, Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Venini Designer: Tobia Scarpa & Ludovico Diaz De Santilliana Model: Vase 516.13 Collection: Beats / Canoes Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your inte...
Glass
Venini Goburam 012.97 Coral/Notturno Murano Glass Ettore Sottsass - Damiani
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Flow 782.54 Ambra Murano Glass Vase Philippa Craddock - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Battuto Bicolor 785.00 Verdognolo/Rosso Glass Vase Carlo Scarpa Damiani
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Venini Design: Carlo Scarpa Model: Wrought Two-Tone 785.00 Collection: Two-tone wrought Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this unique Murano glass object...
Glass
Venini Sommersi Oro Murano Glass Vase, Italy, 1990
By Laura Diaz de Santillana, Venini
Located in New York, NY
Laura Diaz de Santillana (b. 1955) for Venini Sommersi Oro vase from Laura series, Italy, 1980. This elegant hand-blown Murano glass vase is an exquisite celadon green color with gol...
Art Glass
Venini Wrought Honeycomb 524.26 Lilac Murano Glass Vase Carlo Scarpa Damiani
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Wrought Honeycomb 524.26 Orizz. Murano Glass Vase Carlo Scarpa Damiani
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Battuto a Nido d'Ape 524.26 Pg. Murano Glass Vase Carlo Scarpa - Damiani
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Battuto a Nido d'Ape 524.26 Pesca Murano Glass Vase Carlo Scarpa /Damiani
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Anelli 542.00 Murano Glass Vase - Design Venini - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Husband and Wife 015.21 Glass Sculpture - Design Ettore Sottsass - Damiani
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Venini Design: Ettore Sottsass Model: Husband and Wife 015.21 Collection: Ettore Sottsass Collection Made in: Italy Create a magical atmosphere with a unique Murano glass pie...
Marble
Venini Pezzato Alto 704.04 Glass Vase - Design Fulvio Bianconi - Damiani
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Venini Design: Fulvio Bianconi Model: Pezzato Alto 704.04 Collection: Pezzati Year: 1950 Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this iconic Murano glass vase....
Crystal
Venini Kukinto Glass Vase - Design Timo Sarpaneva - Damiani
By Timo Sarpaneva, Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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
Venini Bolle 503.00 Glass Vase, Pink, Green & Red - Tapio Wirkkala - Damiani
By Venini, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Venini Design: Tapio Wirkkala Model: Bubbles 503.00 Collection: Bubbles Year: 1966 Made in: Italy Create a magical atmosphere with a unique piece of Murano glass. The Bolle c...
Glass
Venini Where Are My Glasses 777.50 Glass Vase, Erba - Ron Arad - Damiani
By Ron Arad, Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 777.50 Glass Vase, Acquamare - Ron Arad - Damiani
By Ron Arad, Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Alcamo, IT
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