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.
Set of 3 CANDLESTICKS VENINI FOR PIERRE CARDIN 1970s/ art glass/ signed
By Pierre Cardin, Venini
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning Set 3 OF CANDLESTICKS VENINI FOR PIERRE CARDIN 1970s/ art glass/ signed..... DI CANDELIERI, VENINI PER PIERRE CARDIN, ANNI '70 in vetro trasparente con fascia in blu. Firma...
Art Glass
Vintage Venini Candle Holder with Inciso Decoration, Paolo Venini, Murano 1956
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Venini Candle Holder with Inciso Decoration, Paolo Venini, Murano 1956 A vintage art glass candle holder with aqua (light blue), yellow color layers and a clear glass coatin...
Art Glass
Lele Candleholder in Transparent Red Balloton Glass by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Catfish candleholder in transparent red balloton glass by venini, 2020 Additional information: Material: Glass Color: Transparent red Dimension: Ø 8 x H 18 cm Candle provided.
Glass
Night in Venice Candleholder in Red Balloton Glass by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
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 ...
Glass
Night in Venice Candleholder in Grape Balloton Glass by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
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 ...
Glass
Night in Venice Candleholder in Grass Green Balloton Glass by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
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 ...
Glass
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 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 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 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, 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, 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 Night in Venice Glass Candleholder in Red 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 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 Lele Glass Candleholder in Amber 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 Night in Venice Glass Candleholder in Grey 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 Night in Venice Glass Candleholder in Grape 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 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 Faville Glass Candleholder in Red by Venini, 2019
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
Paolo Venini Inciso Vase
By Venini
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This is a clean example with pleasing proportions
Art Glass
Vintage Snail Tea Light Candle Holder
Located in Seattle, WA
Vintage Snail Tea Light Candle Holder Dimensions. 5 1/2 W ; 3 1/2 D ; 5 1/2 H.
Wood
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 6 in W 3.5 in D 4.75 in
Paolo Venini Signed Murano Sommerso Blue Inciso Technique Italian Art Glass Vase
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful Murano hand blown Sommerso navy blue Italian art glass flower vase. Documented to designer Paolo Venini for the Venini Company, circa 1950s. It is fully signed with the "Ve...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass
$455Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 4.75 in Dm 13.63 in
Set of Three Gino Cenedese & Co. Murano Signed Art Glass Candlesticks
By Gino Cenedese
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a nice set of three Murano glass candlesticks by Gino Cenedese & Co. Each candlestick has an etched 'Cenedese' signature to the underside. Dimensions listed are for the l...
Art Glass
Pair of Pierre Casenove For Fondica Bird Candlesticks
By Pierre Casenove, Fondica
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful pair of whimsical candlesticks by Pierre Casenove for Fondica. They feature birds in flight. One is colored red. Both are signed Casenove. They each have felted bottoms....
Metal
$187Sale Price|25% Off
H 5.13 in W 2 in D 2 in
Pair of Studio Line Candlesticks by Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal, 1970s
By Rosenthal, Bjorn Wiinblad
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Pair of Studio Line Candlesticks by Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal, Germany, 1970s. Makers mark to the bottom of each example.
Glass
Gucci Vintage Quail Candle Holder 1970s
By Gucci
Located in Munich, DE
Gucci Vintage quail teal light candle holders in silver plated metal and little sapphire glass eyes and signed with Gucci. Very good vintage condition.
Silver Plate
$395 / set
H 10 in W 2.5 in D 2.5 in
Set of 2 Acid-Etched Candlestick Holders in Porcelain, Japan, c. 1970s
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a splendid set of solid porcelain candlestick holders. Featuring an acid-etched surface and sporting lovely tulip-shaped tops this artfully crafted Danish-styled set is t...
Porcelain
Glass Candleholder by Le Lampade
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Glass Candleholder by Le Lampade Handmade in Italy .
Art Glass
Puntini Murrine Glass Bowl, Paolo Venini, Venini Murano Italia
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Uccle, BE
Bowl in glass with “talpa” (mole grey) and “lattimo” (milk white) murrine. The name of this particular murrine is known as “a puntini” which means “dotted” in Italian. It’s in fac...
Blown Glass
Inciso Glass Bottle with Stopper by Paolo Venini
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in New York, NY
Wheel carved glass. Venini label adhered to bottom. Provenance: Private collection, FL.
Glass, Blown Glass
$449 / set
H 12.6 in W 7.09 in D 4.73 in
Vintage Brutalist Iron & Green Glass Wall Candleholders by Dantoft, 1970s
By Dantoft Kunstartikler
Located in Esbjerg, DK
1970s Brutalist Wall sculptures made by Danish design company Dantoft kunstartikler (trans.: art objects). Made from black lacquered and welded iron set in a graphic formation highli...
Iron
PAIR OF CANDLESTICKS VENINI FOR PIERRE CARDIN 1970s/ art glass/ signed
By Pierre Cardin, Venini
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning PAIR OF CANDLESTICKS VENINI FOR PIERRE CARDIN 1970s/ art glass/ signed.....Minor fleck to one (see photo 7) DI CANDELIERI, VENINI PER PIERRE CARDIN, ANNI '70 in vetro tras...
Art Glass
Reserved for Suhas
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Reserved for Suhas - Both item descriptions are on this listing as well their photos. Flower Candlestick: Gorgeous and very rare, vintage Murano hand blown pink triple flower Italia...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Venini Murano Glass Candleholder Lantern Fulvio Bianconi I Baloni Del Redentor
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Washington, DC
Beautiful and collected glass lantern designed by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini to celebrate the Baloni del Redentor festivities in Venice. Titled and dated '99 to underside. Work is un...
Glass
Fasce Ritorte Hurricane Lamp by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini, Italy, 1950
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini
Located in Vienna, AT
Fasce Ritorte Hurricane lamp by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini. Handblown clear glass with blue, green and red swirling stripes. The clear glass candle holder...
Glass
Sold
H 9.85 in Dm 7.09 in
Venini, I Baloni Del Redentore, 2001, Signed with Original Candleholder, Unique
By Venini
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
Venini celebrated the Redentore with a glass version of the traditional paper lantern. A colorful candle lantern and a special piece. For Ven...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Large Italian Venini Teardrop Chandelier
By Venini
Located in Antwerp, BE
Crystal chandelier featuring teardrop glass, Murano Italy. Measures: Diameter: 70 cm. Height: 50 cm. Total height: 90 cm.
Metal
Venini chandelier
By Venini
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Chain Length: 64cm Single triad length: 25cm -> The total length is about 64 +42 = 106cm (defined as the height between the ceiling and lower end of the lower triad) and a diameter of about 50cm. N ° 1 triads outer ring: 24 No. triads 2nd ring...
Glass
One Blue Venini Massimo Vignelli Pendant Lamp, 1960s
By Venini
Located in Antwerp, BE
Very nice shaped glass pendant lamp designed by Massimo Vignelli for Venini, Murano, 1960. This heavy and thick glass lamp has a very nice unusual shape. The lamp gives very nice war...
Glass, Murano Glass
Pair of Very Rare Sputnik by Venini Murano
By Venini
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Very rare Pair Sputnik by Venini Murano
Glass
Mid-Century Venini 5-Tier Chandelier
By Venini
Located in Dallas, TX
Very elegant Venini 5-tier Murano chrome chandelier, Italy, circa 1960. Fixture contains 12 hidden 60 watt bulbs.
Crystal, Chrome
Pair of White Murano Glass Candlesticks by Venini
By Venini
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A beautiful pair of white Murano glass candlesticks by Venini. From the Estate of Ella Fitzgerald, they bear the three-line signature "Venini Italia Murano" and retain their origina...
Murano Glass
Venini Art Glass Candle Holder
By Venini
Located in San Diego, CA
Delicate thin-walled Venini art glass candle holder. Clear and gold colored glass with gold accents on handles and bottom edge.
Glass