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 Veronese Glass Vase in Crystal/Red 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
Venini I Paladini 789.20 Multicolor Murano Glass design Emmanuel Babled Damiani
By Emmanuel Babled, Venini
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
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 Deco 707.10 Large Ginkgo Biloba Glass Vase - Napoleone Martinuzzi Damiani
By Napoleone Martinuzzi, Venini
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
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 707.10 Large Pesca - Glass Vase - Napoleone Martinuzzi - Damiani
By Napoleone Martinuzzi, Venini
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
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 Monofiori Balloton 100.29 Large Purple - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Monofiori Balloton 100.29 - Large Collection: Monofiori Balloton Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this iconic Murano glas...
Glass
Venini Monofiori Balloton Frozen 100.29 Large Crystal - Glass Vase - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Monofiori Balloton 100.29 - Large Collection: Monofiori Balloton Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your home with this iconic Murano glas...
Glass
VENINI vase Veronese Wisteria Murano Glass Limited Edition 175/199 Signed 1998
By Venini, Vittorio Zecchin
Located in Venezia, IT
Exceptional Venini Veronese Violet Wisteria vase, model 600.05, produced in 1998 as a limited edition of only 199 pieces. This example is numbered 175/199, signed on the base, and ac...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
21st Century Deco Large Glass Vase in Aquamarine 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
Venini Bianconi Murano White Purple Zanfirico Italian Art Glass Fazzoletto Vase
By Paolo Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown white and purple ribbons Italian art glass fazzoletto / handkerchief vase. The piece is documented to designer Fulvio Bianconi, and signed "Venini...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
21st Century Oman Glass Vase in Aquamarine/Grey/Red by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in murano, IT
A work by Ettore Sottsass dated 1994. Monumental and architectural, yet capable of perfectly conveying the magic of the land that inspired it. You can see it, feel it. And admire it....
Glass
VENINI vase Fazzoletto opalino Turquoise & Green Murano Glass, Signed 2010
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Venezia, IT
Timeless Venini Fazzoletto vase, model 700.00, in Turquoise and Green opalino glass, diamond-engraved Venini 2010 with box and paperwork. Hand-blown and shaped free-hand using the tr...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
VENINI Opalino vase Grey, Red & Gold Glass Limited Edition 475/499 year 2006
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Venezia, IT
Exceptional Venini Opalino vase, model 706.22, produced in 2006 as a limited edition of only 499 pieces. This example is numbered 475/499, signed on the base, and accompanied by its ...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Small Leaf Bowl by Tyra Lundgren for Venini 1950s
By Tyra Carolina Lundgren, Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Small Leaf Bowl by Tyra Lundgren for Venini 1950s Small bowl made of green glass with regular air bubble decoration and a pinched rim. Designed by Tyra Lundgren in the 1930s, manufa...
Art Glass
Italian Murano Glass Vase Model Medusa by Ettore Sottsass for Venini.
By Venini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Asti, Piemonte
A beautiful Murano vase designed by Ettore Sottsass and produced by Venini in 1997. Limited edition 99 piece. Signed and numbered 71/99. Original label. Model out production. Exposed...
Murano Glass
21st Century Fuochi Boreali Vase in Blue & Crystal Multicolor by Giorgio Vign
By Venini
Located in murano, IT
Explosions of colour casting thousands of different hues, in glass like in nature. Flowers, with their countless shapes and long stems, inspired Gio...
Glass
VENINI vase Fazzoletto Orange Murano Glass, Signed 2012, Made in Italy
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Venezia, IT
Timeless Venini Fazzoletto vase, model 700.00, in Orange opalino glass, diamond-engraved Venini 2012 with box and paperwork. Hand-blown and shaped free-hand using the traditional man...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Italian Murano Glass Vase Kelo Model by Timo Sarpeneva for Venini, Italy
By Timo Sarpaneva, Venini
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Murano glass vase designed by Timo Sarpeneva for Venini in 1988. Exhibited at Tingo design gallery in 2008 for the exhibition Murano a go-go. Out production. Original label and signed.
Murano Glass
Alla Morandi set of 3 by Venini in Wisteria, Sand, and Grape (limited Edition)
By Matteo Thun, Venini
Located in Vancouver, BC
Alla Morandi, a collaboration with Venini with artist Matteo Thun, is the atemporal atmosphere of Morandi paintings in glass works. The blown glass bottle...
Blown Glass
21st Century Labuan Large Glass Vase in Horizon 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
VENINI vase Fazzoletto Violet Murano Glass, Signed 2012, handmade in Italy
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Venezia, IT
VENINI vase Fazzoletto 700.02 Violet, 2012, Signed with original box e certificate. Hand-blown and finished by master glassmakers in Murano, with the characteristic wavy rim "mano v...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Venitian Vase, Hand Painting Gold 24-Karat, 1970, Venini
By Venini
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This vase is a perfume bottle, that can be used with the cap, as it, or as a vase if we put off the cap. The painting is handmade, it is a gold 24-karat painting. This is a product...
Art Glass
21st Century Fazzoletto Small 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 sway...
Glass
Mid-Century Ruby Glass Bird Sculpture by Tyra Lundgren for Venini
By Venini, Tyra Carolina Lundgren
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Bird Sculpture by Tyra Lundgren for Venini 1930s A rare bird sculpture made of ruby colored glass decorated with an iridized surface. Designed by Tyra Lundgren in 1938, manufactured...
Art Glass
1970s Large Pale Blue Hand-Blown Murano Glass Venini Vase
By Venini
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A large pale blue opaque Venini Vase hand-blown in Venice in the 1970s. The vase has an opaque white interior and a pale blue transparent surround. An elegant and refined addition to...
Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
21st Century Fazzoletto Large Glass Vase in Horizon 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
VENINI big Opalino red Vase, Blown Murano Glass, Italy, signed 2004
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Venezia, IT
Exceptional Venini Opalino vase, produced in 2004. Signed on the base, and accompanied by its original Venini box and paperwork. Elegant Opalino vase by Venini, an iconic model firs...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
VENINI Dogon Vase Ivory color Murano Glass, Signed 2009, Made in Italy with box
By Venini
Located in Venezia, IT
Venini Dogon vase, model 706.86, produced in 2009 and accompanied by its original Venini box and paperwork. The Dogon vases belong to Venini’s latest generation of opaline glass crea...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
21st Century Fazzoletto Large Glass Vase in Aquamarine/Horizon
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 Yemen Glass Vase in Multicolor by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in murano, IT
A black sphere is reflected in Coral and in delicate tones of light green, celebrating the country that inspired it. Volumes reflecting each other like mirrors. In his mind, Ettore S...
Glass
Venini Bianconi Murano White Teal Zanfirico Italian Art Glass Fazzoletto Vase
By Paolo Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown intricate white and light teal green ribbons Italian art glass fazzoletto / handkerchief vase. Documented to designer Fulvio Bianconi, for the Ven...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Opalino Glass Vase in Acquamarine Milk White Inside by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase with slim, oval shaped body and funnel shaped neck. Featured in aquamarine colored glass. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or strong statement piece for a...
Art Glass
Contrasto Vase in Crystal and Mint Green Blown Glass by Michela Cattai
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“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 Labuan Large Glass Vase in Aquamarine 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 Battuto a Nido D'ape Vase in Straw-Yellow by Carlo Scarpa
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Inspired by nature and designed by Carlo Scarpa, it turns into Battuto a Nido D'Ape only in the hands of master glassmakers, who skilfully shape glass into a honeycomb pattern using ...
Glass
VENINI vase Fazzoletto Amethyst & Grey Murano Glass 90th Anniversary Signed 2011
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Venezia, IT
Iconic Venini Fazzoletto vase 90th Anniversary, model 700.04, in amethyst and taupe grey opalino glass, Signed 2011 with original box and paperworks. Hand-blown and finished by mast...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Venini Ando Cosmos Vase in Yellow, Green and Pink by Tadao Ando
By Tadao Ando, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ando Cosmos vase, designed by Tadao Ando and manufactured by Venini, is made of three vases that create a sphere when united. Crystal version is available ...
Glass
Venini Opalino Large Indigo Milk White Inside Glass Vase
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Satin glass vase, designed and manufactured by Venini, features the same shape of the iconic opalino vase with a frosted finish. Indoor use only. ...
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 Ando Cosmos Vase in Aquamarine/Grape/Mint Green by Tadao Ando
By Tadao Ando, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Three glass elements blend together to create the geometry of a sphere concealed by their conjunction. Have you ever seen the cosmos so close? Space in matter. Matter in space. Finit...
Glass
21st Century Labuan Small Glass Vase in Aquamarine 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
Venini Bianconi Murano Blue White Ribbons Italian Art Glass Fazzoletto Vase
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Filigrana stripes Italian art glass mini decorative fazzoletto handkerchief vase. Documented to designer Fulvio Bianconi, for the Venini Company, ...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
21st Century Fazzoletto Large 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 Ando Cosmos Vase in Grey/Red/Tea by Tadao Ando
By Tadao Ando, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Three glass elements blend together to create the geometry of a sphere concealed by their conjunction. Have you ever seen the cosmos so close? Space in matter. Matter in space. Finit...
Glass
VENINI vase Fazzoletto Green Murano Glass, Signed 2014, handmade in Italy
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Venezia, IT
Iconic Venini Fazzoletto vase, model 700.02, in Green glass. Hand-blown and finished by master glassmakers in Murano, with the characteristic wavy rim "mano volante" that recalls an ...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
21st Century Paladini Glass Vase in Multicolour by Emmanuel Babled
By Emmanuel Babled, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Eternal and motionless, frozen in a proud and wise pose, they turn into glass in the hands of the master glassblowers. They are the paladins of the ancient art...
Glass
21st Century, Puzzle Glass Vase in Aquamarine/Coral by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
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
VENINI Fazzoletto Aurati Orange/Milk and Gold Murano Glass Signed 2002, Italy
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Venezia, IT
Early-2000s Venini Fazzoletto "Aurati" vase, model 700.03, executed in orange and milk-white (lattimo) glass with applied 24-karat gold leaf details. Hand-blown and shaped free-hand ...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
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 crea...
Glass
21st Century Fazzoletto Small Glass Vase in Apple Green/Red
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 Marito E Moglie Vase in Black/Milk-White/Tea by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in murano, IT
They lie blissfully on their solid marble base. They might feel fragile at times and life may try to separate them, but they will always find stability in their deep connection. Mari...
Glass
Venini Scarpa Murano Bollicine White Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Mini Vase
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful antique Murano hand blown Sommerso clear white bubbles and gold flecks Italian art glass mini vase / vide poche. The piece is documented to the Venini company, and created ...
Gold Leaf
21st Century Murrine Romane Glass Vase in Multicolour by Carlo Scarpa
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in murano, IT
In these murrineworks, purity of form and essential geometry blend together to create rare, precious and timeless objects, just like the art of ancient Rome. In his quest for new gla...
Glass
21st Century Fazzoletto Large 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, Where Are My Glasses, Double Lens Vase in Horizon by Ron Arad
By Venini, Ron Arad
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 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 Where Are My Glasses XXL, Under Vase in Multicolour by Ron Arad
By Ron Arad, Venini
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 Quattro Stagioni Autunno in Straw-Yellow/Tea by Laura De Santillana
By Venini, Laura de Santillana
Located in murano, IT
Fall impressed in glass by Laura De Santillana. Murrina glass in hues of Tea and Straw Yellow brings to mind the season that comes before winter. Leaves are tinged with yellow, as fo...
Glass
21st Century Monofiori Balloton Small Glass Vase in Amber/Horizon 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 Geodi Vase in Amber Yellow/Milk-White/Red by Sonia Pedrazzini
By Venini, Sonia Pedrazzini
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 Deco Small 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