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 Murrine Opache Bowl in Black/Coral by Carlo Scarpa
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in murano, IT
Countless Black and Coral pieces are woven together to form a symmetric yet imperfect pattern on slanted surfaces. VENINI’s glass grinding technique creates a typical shading effect ...
Glass
21st Century Fazzoletto Large Vase in Rosa Cipria 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 swaying in the breeze. Every Fazzoletto Opalini is truly unique: there's not another one like it anywhere. Additional Information: Material: Glass Color: Rosa cipria Dimensions: Ø 23 x H 31 cm Available in other color options: Black, sapphire, orange, indigo, Green rio, 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, Quattro Stagioni Inverno Sculpture in Crystal/Light Blue/Milk-White
By Laura de Santillana, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Winter impressed in glass by Laura De Santillana. Murrina glass in hues of bluino and milk white brings to mind the coldest season of the year. As the first snowflakes start to fall,...
Glass
$1,470 / item
21st Century Idria Large Glass Vase in 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
21st Century Deco Large Glass Vase in Milk-White 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 Satin Medium Glass Vase in Blood Red/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 Small 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
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 Monofiori Balloton Medium Glass Vase in Grey-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 Fazzoletto Medium 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 Fazzoletto Medium Glass Vase in Opaque Pink/Red.
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 swaying in the breeze. Every Fazzoletto Opalini is truly unique: there's not another one like it anywhere. Additional Information: Material: Glass Color: Opaque pink/red Dimensions: Ø 20 x H 24 cm Available in other color options: Black, sapphire, orange, indigo, Green rio, rosa cipria, blood red/rosa cipria, Amber, indigo/orange, grey/indigo, grey, apple green, aquamarine/horizon, horizon, apple green/red, red, milk-white...
Glass
21st Century Night in Venice Glass Candleholder in Gras Green 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 Blown Opal 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, Puzzle Glass Vase in Aquamarine/Coral by Ettore Sottsass
By Venini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in murano, IT
Architecture turns into design. Magnificence turns into elegance. Coral meets Aquamarine, then it blends into Grey. This glass creation by Ettore Sottsass has a soul and a strong cha...
Glass
21st Century Ando Time Hourglass in Bamboo/Grape/Horizon by Tadao Ando
By Venini, Tadao Ando
Located in murano, IT
A colorful hourglass enclosed in glass. Space meets time in its architecture. The sand flow carries with it the thoughts of the past and the future that Tadao Ando wished to capture. Additional Information: Material: Glass Color: Bamboo/Grape/Horizon Dimensions: W 13.5 x D 13.5 x H 54 cm Available in other color options: Grey/light pink,/red...
Glass
21st Century Monofiori Carnevale Glass Vase in Sapphire 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 Black Belt Triangolo Large Glass Vase in Black/Crystal
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 Incisi Glass Vase in Sourgreen by Paolo Venini
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in murano, IT
A multitude of shapes and colours. Apparently, Paolo Venini had a knack for experimenting with Incisi. They are countless. The vase owes its name to the "Incisione a Freddo" glassmak...
Glass
21st Century Monofiori Balloton Small Glass Vase in Red by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Monofiori breaks with tradition in 1970 and then does it again in 2016. But its essence remains the same: it looks soft, but it’s not; it’s glass. The optical illusion of Monofiori b...
Glass
21st Century Fazzoletto Large Glass Vase in Amber 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 Veronese Glass Vase in Crystal/Grey 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
21st Century Opalino Small Glass Vase in Sapphire 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 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
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 Labuan Large Glass Vase in Grey 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 Fazzoletto Small Glass Vase in Horizon 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 Satin Large Glass Vase in Tea/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 Clessidra Hourglass in Red/Straw-Yellow by Fulvio Bianconi E Paolo
By Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini, 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 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 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 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 Large Clessidra Hourglass in Grey/Red 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 Black Belt Ovale Medium Glass Vase in Black/Crystal/Grass Green
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
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
21st Century Ando Time Hourglass in Crystal/Grape/Red by Tadao Ando
By Venini, Tadao Ando
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 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
21st Century Fazzoletto Small 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 sway...
Glass
21st Century Monofiore Glass Vase in Tea by Laura de Santillana
By Venini, Laura de Santillana
Located in murano, IT
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...
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
21st Century Acqua Natsumeche Glass Vase in Crystal/Mint Green by Michela Cattai
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
The custodian of matcha green tea powder, it is the star of the Japanese tea ceremony. Its shapes are inspired by the country’s lush vegetation, nodding to the pebbles and water flowing...
Murano Glass
21st Century Opalino Medium 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 Idria Small 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 Bolle Glass Vase in Red/Straw-Yellow by Tapio Wirkkala
By Venini, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in murano, IT
A vase, a bottle. Red and sheer straw yellow. Two distinct spaces of colour created by Tapio Wirkkala that blend together thanks to the "Incalmo" technique, a process by which two pi...
Glass
21st Century Monofiori Balloton 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 Monofiore Glass Vase in Apple Green by Laura de Santillana
By Venini, Laura de Santillana
Located in murano, IT
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...
Glass
21st Century Goburam Glass Vase in Coral/Nocturnal by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Goburam by Ettore Sottsass speaks of India and of the monumental towers at the entrance of Hindu temples. It speaks of precious red coral and of the red soil of ancient faraway lands...
Glass
21st Century Night in Venice Glass Candleholder in Tea 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 Bolle Vase in Amber Yellow/Apple Green/Violet by Tapio Wirkkala
By Tapio Wirkkala, Venini
Located in murano, IT
A vase turns into a bottle for Tapio Wirkkala. Apple Green, Yellow and Purple. Three distinct spaces of colour that blend together thanks to the "Incalmo" technique, a process by whi...
Glass
21st Century Night in Venice Glass Candleholder in Amber by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Made in hand-finished blown glass, the transparent red NIGHT IN VENICE candleholder decorates the home, creating magic atmospheres: the warm and lumino...
Blown Glass
21st Century Ando Time Hourglass in Alexandrite/Grape/Red by Tadao Ando
By Venini, Tadao Ando
Located in murano, IT
A colorful hourglass enclosed in glass. Space meets time in its architecture. The sand flow carries with it the thoughts of the past and the future that Tadao Ando wished to capture ...
Glass
21st Century Opalino Small Glass Vase in Milk-White/Red 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 Venere Vase in Blood Red/Rosa Cipria by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
A vase made in cased glass using the “Opalini” technique. This model is distinguished by its lower, wider opening with the typical wavy shape: a new take ...
Glass
21st Century Ando Time Hourglass in Grey / Light Pink/Red by Tadao Ando
By Tadao Ando, Venini
Located in murano, IT
A colorful hourglass enclosed in glass. Space meets time in its architecture. The sand flow carries with it the thoughts of the past and the future that Tadao Ando wished to capture....
Glass
21st Century Acqua Glass Bowl in Crystal/Mint Green 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 Monofiori Balloton Extra Small 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 Anatra Sculpture in Multicolour 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 Clessidra Hourglass in Grape/Light Pink by Paolo Venini
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in murano, IT
Clessidra 420.10 Ø14 H30 UV/RS Additional Information: Material: Glass Color: Grape/Light Pink Dimensions: Ø 14 x H 30 cm Available in other color options: Amber/light pink.
Glass
21st Century Happy Pills Adrenalina in Grass Green / Red by Fabio Novembre
By Fabio Novembre, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Also known as epinephrine, it now turns into glass and activates the sympathetic nervous system. A design placebo created by Fabio Novembre in VENINI’s workshop. Indications and dosa...
Glass
21st Century Giotto Sculpture in Black/Multicolour by Alessandro Mendini
By Venini, Alessandro Mendini
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