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 Labuan Small Glass Vase in Indigo 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 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. Pe...
Blown Glass
21st Century Monofiori Carnevale Glass Vase in Aquamarine 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 Ando Time Hourglass in Crystal/Grape/Red by Tadao Ando
By Tadao Ando, 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 Incisi Glass Vase in Sourgreen by Paolo Venini
By Paolo Venini, 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 Deco Medium Glass Vase in Red by Napoleone Martinuzzi
By Napoleone Martinuzzi, Venini
Located in murano, IT
DE'CO 707.07 Ø23 H24,5 RV/LA/RV Additional Information: Material: Glass Color: Red Dimensions: Ø 23 x H 24.5 cm Available in other color options: Orange, aquamarine, black, sa...
Glass
21st Century Pigmenti Large 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 Idria Small Glass Vase in Horizon by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Idria 706.43 Ø16,5 H23 OZ/LA Additional Information: Material: Glass Color: Horizon Dimensions: Ø 16.5 x H 23 cm Available in other color options: Amber, indigo/milk-white, mi...
Glass
21st Century Idria Medium Glass Vase in Grey/Milk-White 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 Small 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
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 Deco Large Glass Vase in Horizon 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 Monofiore Glass Vase in Sapphire by Laura De Santillana
By Venini, Laura de Santillana
Located in murano, IT
Different shapes, different colors. But all bursting with energy. Their caps recall the shapes and patterns of nature. Every Monofiore by Laura De Santillana is unique: a small preci...
Glass
21st Century Clessidra Hourglass in Grape/Red 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 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 Fazzoletto Glass Bowl in Blood Red/Grey by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Fazzoletto 700.07 TP/RB Ø18 H7,5 Additional Information: Material: Blown Glass Color: Blood Red/Grey Dimensions: Ø 18 x H 7.5 cm Available in other color options: Aquamarine/mil...
Blown Glass
21st Century Narciso Large Glass Bowl in Grey/Red by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Born from nature, art and from the skill of master glassblowers, who swiftly stretch the glass yet maintain its outer rim free and unrestrained. Its floral shape is soft and graceful...
Glass
21st Century Deco Medium Glass Vase in Milk-White 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 Labuan Small 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 Medium Glass Vase in Aquamarine/Horizon
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 Améthyste by Laura de Santillana
By Laura de Santillana, Venini
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 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 Geodi Vase in Aquamarine/Milk-White/Mint Green by Sonia Pedrazzini
By Sonia Pedrazzini, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Colours evoke the art of crystal healing: every vase has its own spiritual meaning, magical attributes and healing properties, just like geodes in nature. They feature softly rounded...
Glass
21st Century Lele Glass Candleholder in Red by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Made in hand-finished blown glass, the transparent red LELE candleholder decorates the home, creating magic atmospheres: the warm and luminous glow of the flame reverberates through ...
Blown 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 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 Clessidra Hourglass in Apple Green/Straw-Yellow
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 Black Belt Triangolo Small Glass 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 Deco Large Glass Vase in Green Rio 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 Monofiore Glass Vase in Apple Green by Laura de Santillana
By Laura de Santillana, Venini
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 Monofiore Glass Vase in Aquamarine 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 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 Fazzoletto Large Glass Vase in Black 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 Apple Green/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 sway...
Glass
21st Century Satin Medium Glass Vase in Grey/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 Fazzoletto Large Glass Vase in Orange 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 Vase in Milk-White 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 Opalino Medium Glass Vase in Red by Venini
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
The 2017 re-edition features a brand new opaque appearance. The Opalino vase is all about sophisticated and unique colors, thanks to the use of the traditional Opalino technique. Thi...
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 Satin Medium 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 Opalino Small Glass Vase in Aquamarine 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 Fazzoletto Medium Glass Vase in Amber by Fulvio Bianconi E Paolo
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini
Located in murano, IT
Fazzoletto 700.02 H24 AA/LA Additional Information: Material: Glass Color: Amber Dimensions: Ø 20 x H 24 cm Available in other color options: Black, sapphire, orange, indigo, ...
Glass
21st Century Deco Small Glass Vase in Green Rio 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 Opalino Small Glass Vase in Green Rio 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 Fazzoletto Large Glass Vase in Grey 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 Fazzoletto Small Glass Vase in Orange 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 Large Glass Vase in Aquamarine/Horizon
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 Monofiori Balloton Medium 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 Monofiori Balloton Small Glass Vase in Apple Green 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
Simbiosi Wood Glass and Wood Unique Piece by Emmanuel Babled for Venini
By Venini, Emmanuel Babled
Located in murano, IT
Sculpture in clear, opaque pink, straw yellow and bamboo colored glass with gold leaf resting on ebony wood. The process involved begins with the realization of the glass. The hand ...
Blown Glass, Ebony
Large Venini Murano glass gray, black and gold circa 1950 vase
By Venini
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible large VENINI Murano glass gray, black and gold circa 1950 vase.
Murano Glass
OSMOSI Artist Proof Glass and Marble Sculpture by Emmanuel Babled for Venini
By Venini, Emmanuel Babled
Located in murano, IT
The work is part of the Osmosis series, exhibited at Palazzo Franchetti, in conjunction with the 55 th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale. The project combines new t...
Carrara Marble
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
Important Vase " a canne" attributed to Fulvio Bianconi, Ed. Venini c. 1950
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Renens, CH
Important " a canne" vase attributed to Fulvio Bianconi. Venini 1950ca. The vase has an elongated neck narrow neck with a flared lip similar to the Bottiglie series by Bianconi for ...
Murano Glass
Rodolfo Dordoni for Venini Regina Vase 1996
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
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 Venini, Ron Arad
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, Double Lens Vase in Grass Green/Mint Green
By Ron Arad, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Intense hues of Aquamarine and Horizon, Red and Purple, Mint Green and Grass Green. Coloured glass elements flow through the two lenses, blending unexpectedly together into a vase. S...
Glass
21st Century Where Are My Glasses XXL, Under Vase in Multicolour by Ron Arad
By Venini, Ron Arad
Located in murano, IT
Limited edition - 1 of XX So, where are my glasses? Can’t you see them? Glass is wearing them. On its face. In an XXL version. It holds onto them tightly, the entire metal frame. An...
Glass
21st Century Where Are My Glasses XXL, Double Lens Vase in Multicolour
By Venini, Ron Arad
Located in murano, IT
Limited edition - 1 of XX So, where are my glasses? Can’t you see them? Blown glass is wearing them. It tapers, becoming narrower and narrower, then flows through both lenses of the...
Glass