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 Satin 706.22 Medium Verde Rio/Gold Leaf/Crystal - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Satin 706.22 - Medium Collection: Opaline Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano glass...
Glass
Venini Satin 706.38 Small Verde Rio/Gold Leaf/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 Satin 706.22 Medium Venice Red/Gold Leaf/Crystal - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Satin 706.22 - Medium Collection: Opaline Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano glass...
Glass
Venini Opalino 706.24 Large Gold Leaf/Crystal - 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 Opalino 706.38 Small Gold Leaf/Crystal - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
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 Satin 706.24 Large Horizon/Crystal - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Satin 706.24 - Large Collection: Opaline Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano glass ...
Glass
Venini Satin 706.22 Medium Horizon/Crystal - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Satin 706.22 - Medium Collection: Opaline Made in: Italy Add an artistic and sophisticated touch to your interior with this iconic Murano glass...
Glass
Venini Satin 706.38 Small Horizon/Crystal - Murano 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 Acco 706.70 Iceberg/Lattimo - Glass Vase Alessandro Mendini - Damiani
By Venini, Alessandro Mendini
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 Acco 706.70 Rosa Cipria/Lattimo - Glass Vase Alessandro Mendini - Damiani
By Venini, Alessandro Mendini
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 Acco 706.70 Pesca/Lattimo - Glass Vase Alessandro Mendini - Damiani
By Venini, Alessandro Mendini
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 Acco 706.70 Orizzonte/Lattimo - Glass Vase Alessandro Mendini - Damiani
By Venini, Alessandro Mendini
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 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 Opalino 706.24 Large - Peach - 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 Opalino 706.22 Medium - Peach - 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 Opalino 706.38 Small - Peach - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
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 - Iceberg - 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 Opalino 706.38 Small - Verde Mela - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
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 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 Opalino 706.22 Medium - Talpa - 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 Opalino 706.38 Small - Talpa - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
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 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 Opalino 706.22 Medium - Paraiba - 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 Opalino 706.38 Small - Sapphire - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
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 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 Opalino 706.22 Medium - Ginkgo Biloba - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
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 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 Opalino 706.22 Medium - Blu Mare - 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 Opalino 706.38 Small - Blu Mare - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
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 - Viola - 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 Opalino 706.38 Small - Indigo - Murano Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
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 - Amethyst - 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 Black Belt Plate 699.71 Red Murano Glass Plate Peter Marino - Damiani
By Peter Marino, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
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 Crystal/Red/Grape 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 Ando Time 032.98 Rosato/Violet/Amber 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
Italian modern Round vase in red and blue Murano glass by Venini 1990s
By Venini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Round vase in red and blue Murano glass by Venini 1990s Fantastic and vintage round base vase in blue Murano glass, textured with rhombuses. In the upper part it has a...
Murano Glass
Venini Goburam 012.97 Coral/Notturno Murano Glass Ettore Sottsass - Damiani
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
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 Battuto a Nido d'Ape 524.26 Pesca Murano Glass Vase Carlo Scarpa /Damiani
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
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 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 Where Are My Glasses 777.50 Glass Vase, Acquamare - 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 Where Are My Glasses 777.51 Glass Vase, Red - Ron Arad - Damiani
By Ron Arad, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
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
Venini Where Are My Glasses 777.51 Glass Vase, Acquamare - Ron Arad - Damiani
By Ron Arad, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
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
Venini Where Are My Glasses 777.51 Glass Vase, Erba - Ron Arad - Damiani
By Ron Arad, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Design: Ron Arad Model: Where Are My Glasses 777.51 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 777.52 Glass Vase Purple & Red - Ron Arad Damiani
By Ron Arad, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Design: Ron Arad Model: Where Are My Glasses 777.52 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 777.52 Glass Vase, Green design Ron Arad Damiani
By Ron Arad, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Design: Ron Arad Model: Where Are My Glasses 777.52 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 777.52 Vase, Horizon & Acquamare Ron Arad Damiani
By Ron Arad, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Design: Ron Arad Model: Where Are My Glasses 777.52 Collection: Where Are My Glasses Made in: Italy Create a magical atmosphere with a unique Murano glass piece. Where...
Glass
Venini Hourglass 420.06 Glass Hourglass, Moka & Crystal - Damiani
By Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Design: Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini Model: Hourglass 420.06 Collection: Hourglass Year: 1957 Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this iconic Mura...
Glass
Venini Hourglass 420.06 Glass Hourglass, Pagliesco & Red - Damiani
By Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Venini Design: Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini Model: Hourglass 420.06 Collection: Hourglass Year: 1957 Made in: Italy Create a magical atmosphere with a unique piece of Muran...
Glass
Venini Happy Pills 027.29 Glass Sculpture Horizon & 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
Rodolfo Dordoni Venini Regina Vase, Murano Glass, Italy
By Rodolfo Bonetto, Venini
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
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 metallic-...
Murano Glass
Kukinto Vases Collection by Timo Sarpaneva for Venini 1991
By Venini, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
The skirt of a dancer. A Nordic blossom moving in the wind. The colours of these works chase, touch and sometimes merge on the waves created by the breath of a master glassmiths. Wit...
Murano Glass
Kukinto Vases Collection by Timo Sarpaneva for Venini 1991
By Venini, Timo Sarpaneva
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
The skirt of a dancer. A Nordic blossom moving in the wind. The colours of these works chase, touch and sometimes merge on the waves created by the breath of a master glassmiths. Wit...
Murano Glass
21st Century Campana Candle Holder in Amber by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Candle holder in blown glass finished by hand, it adds a decorative touch to the home, creating magical atmospheres. Using the balloton technique, Venini’s master glassblowers impart...
Blown Glass
21st Century Where Are My Glasses, Under Vase in Crystal/Grass Green by Ron Arad
By Ron Arad, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Aquamarine, red and grass green with hints of crystal. Placed at the base of a rounded glass shape are the glasses, as if they had just slipped down its nose. Sketches, models, rende...
Glass
21st Century Where Are My Glasses XXL, Single Lens Vase in Multicolour
By Ron Arad, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Limited edition - 1 of XX So, where are my glasses? Can’t you see them? Blown glass is wearing them, a single lens of the metal frame is stuck inside it. Glass tapers, becoming narr...
Glass
21st Century Where Are My Glasses, Under Vase in Crystal Red by Ron Arad
By Ron Arad, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Aquamarine, Red and Grass Green with hints of Crystal. Placed at the base of a rounded glass shape are the glasses, as if they had just slipped down its nose. Sketches, models, rende...
Glass
21st Century, Campana Candle Holder in Red by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Campana 100.75 Ø14 H11,5 RV/CR Additional information: Material: blown glass Color: red Dimensions: Ø 12 cm Available in other color options: Amber.
Blown Glass
21st Century Where Are My Glasses, Single Lens Vase in Grass Green 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, Campanile Candle Holder in Red by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Candle holder in blown glass finished by hand, it adds a decorative touch to the home, creating magical atmospheres.Using the balloton technique, Venini’s master glassblowers impart a unique cross...
Blown Glass
21st Century Pigmenti Large Glass Vase in Grape 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