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 Fischione Sculpture in Black by Toni Zuccheri
By Toni Zuccheri, Venini
Located in murano, IT
The male has darker feathers, while the female features bright accents of colour, but they both have a skilfully ground black head. The two wigeon specimens designed by Toni Zuccheri...
Glass
21st Century Idria Medium Glass Vase in Amber 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 Murana Glass Vase in Wistaria by Fabio Novembre
By Fabio Novembre, Venini
Located in murano, IT
From Venetian masks to glass, Fabio Novembre adds a tinge of irony to the Fornace (Kiln), creating a work that has a face and a soul. Classic yet eccentric. Additional Information...
Glass
21st Century Opalino Large Glass Vase in Amber 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 Monofiori Balloton Large Glass Vase in 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 Giotto Sculpture in Black/Multicolour by Alessandro Mendini
By Alessandro Mendini, Venini
Located in murano, IT
An austere face, halfway between ancient and modern, strong and fragile. Giotto by Alessandro Mendini is a winged lord who is destined to hold our gaze. A psychic being whose narrow ...
Glass
21st Century Potiche Blown Glass Jar in Grey 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. Perfect for safely storing p...
Blown Glass
$18,773 / item
21st Century Circo Di Lune Sculpture in Multicolor
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
One after the other, alternating spheres run along metal wires, arranged in order of size and colour. This unique piece by Guggisberg and Philip Baldwin reflects the delicate balance...
Glass
21st Century Dama Glass Vase in Black/Milk-White by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
She challenges others with her beauty. Austere in white, elegant in black. An endless series of murrine forms her checkerboard, always creating a new motif, like a new chess game. ...
Glass
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 Opalino Medium Glass Vase in Milk-White 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 Deco Small Glass Vase in Apple Green 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 Idria Large Glass Vase in Horizon 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 Contrasto Glass Vase in Crystal/Grape by Michela Cattai
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Sleek and opaque blown glass – crafted using the "Mano Volante" technique – is juxtaposed with a shimmering multifaceted gem made from "cotisso" glass. An interplay that lends character and uniqueness to the work. Glass comes to life in a work that is almost organic. These two pieces by Michela Cattai...
Blown 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 Faville Glass Candleholder in Red by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Shimmering in intense hues of Red or Grass Green, every Favilla is a unique glass creation crafted using the exclusive Balloton technique to enhance its sparkle. Candle included A...
Glass
21st Century Fazzoletto Medium Glass Vase in Red 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 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 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 Idria Large Glass Vase in Amber 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 Monofiori Balloton Extra Large Glass Vase in Aquamarine/Red
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 Glass Bowl in Grey/Milk-White by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Through the gestures of creation, the expert glassblower creates the effect of a small handkerchief blowing in the wind and then delicately turns it upside down. It’s 2017: the Fazzo...
Blown Glass
21st Century Small Clessidra Hourglass in Aquamarine/Bamboo by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Little grains of sand, impalpable and unnoticeable as a whole yet so real, like time ticking away. Clessidra – designed by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini in 1957 – evolves in 2015,...
Glass
21st Century Cilindro Extra Large Glass Vase in Black / Crystal by Peter Marino
By Venini, Peter Marino
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
Venini Monofiori Balloton 100.16 Small Purple - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Monofiori Balloton Frozen 100.16 Small Crystal - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Monofiori Balloton Frozen 100.16 - Small Collection: Monofiori Balloton Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this iconic Mura...
Glass
Venini Monofiori Balloton 100.18 Medium Apple Green - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 100.16 Small Apple Green - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Monofiori Balloton 100.18 Medium Acquamare - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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
21st Century Monofiori Carnevale Glass Vase in Tea 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
Venini Monofiori Balloton 100.16 Small Acquamare - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Monofiori Balloton 100.16 - Small Amber - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Monofiori Balloton 100.18 Medium Amber - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Labuan 706.63 Medium Taupe - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Labuan 706.62 Large Lattimo - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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
21st Century Idria Small Glass Vase in Milk-White/Red 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
Venini Labuan 706.62 Large Blush Pink - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Labuan 706.63 Medium Indigo - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Collection: Labuan 706.63 Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this iconic Murano glass vase. Stories and mysteries of the Orient c...
Glass
Venini Labuan 706.63 Medium Magenta - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Labuan 706.63 - Medium Collection: Labuan Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this iconic Murano glass vase. The Labuan coll...
Glass
21st Century Clessidra Hourglass in Indigo/Orange by Fulvio Bianconi E Paolo
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
$2,259 / item
Venini Labuan 706.01 Taupe - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Labuan 706.01 Glossy Taupe - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Gran Bulbo 699.60 Black/Crystal - Glass Vase - Peter Marino - Damiani
By Peter Marino, Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Venini Designer: Peter Marino Model: Grand Bulb 699.60 Collection: Peter Marino Collection Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your home with this iconi...
Glass
21st Century Where Are My Glasses, Single Lens Vase in Red 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
Venini Frozen 707.10 Medium Crystal - Glass Vase - Napoleone Martinuzzi Damiani
By Napoleone Martinuzzi, Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Ginkgo Biloba - Glass Vase Napoleon Martinuzzi Damiani
By Napoleone Martinuzzi, Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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
Venini Deco 707.07 Medium Ginkgo Biloba Glass Vase Napoleon Martinuzzi Damiani
By Napoleone Martinuzzi, Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Deco 707.08 Small Ginkgo Biloba Glass Vase Napoleone Martinuzzi - Damiani
By Napoleone Martinuzzi, Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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
Venini Deco 707.07 Medium Black - Glass Vase - Napoleone Martinuzzi - Damiani
By Napoleone Martinuzzi, Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
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
21st Century Monofiori Balloton Extra Small Glass Vase in Indigo/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 Monofiori Balloton Medium Glass Vase in Indigo/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
Venini Deco 707.10 Large Ginkgo Biloba Glass Vase - Napoleone Martinuzzi Damiani
By Venini, Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Alcamo, IT
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
Venini Deco 707.07 Medium Ginkgo Biloba Glass Vase Napoleon Martinuzzi Damiani
By Venini, Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Deco 707.08 Small Ginkgo Biloba - Glass Vase Napoleon Martinuzzi Damiani
By Venini, Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Alcamo, IT
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
Venini Deco 707.07 Medium Verde Rio - Glass Vase - Napoleone Martinuzzi Damiani
By Venini, Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Deco 707.08 Small Green Rio - Glass Vase - Napoleone Martinuzzi - Damiani
By Venini, Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Alcamo, IT
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
Venini Deco 707.10 Large Iceberg - Glass Vase - Napoleone Martinuzzi - Damiani
By Venini, Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Alcamo, IT
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
Venini Deco 707.07 Medium Iceberg - Glass Vase - Napoleone Martinuzzi - Damiani
By Venini, Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Alcamo, IT
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 Deco 707.08 Small Iceberg - Glass Vase - Napoleone Martinuzzi - Damiani
By Venini, Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Alcamo, IT
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
Venini Deco 707.07 Medium Paraiba - Glass Vase - Napoleone Martinuzzi - Damiani
By Venini, Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Alcamo, IT
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