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.
Model 3321 Red and Black Glass Vase Attributed to Tomaso Buzzi for Venini, 1940s
By Venini, Tomaso Buzzi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rare Rosa e Negro model number 3321 glass vase attributed to Tomaso Buzzi for Venini, circa 1940s Unsigned. (Likely originally bore a factory sticker.) Base has a rough pontil ma...
Art Glass
Murano Blown Glass Neoclassic Chandelier Design by Carlo Scarpa Venini Official
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in murano, IT
Venini’s artistic director for more than a decade, Carlo Scarpa deeply influenced the company’s production, managing to merge his own intellectual vision with the highly refined tech...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Three ashtray by Pierre Cardin for Venini
By Venini, Pierre Cardin
Located in Milano, IT
Pierre Cardin for Venini Murano Glass Ashtrays, Italy, 1970s Rare and exquisite set of three small glass ashtrays designed by Pierre Cardin for Venini, one of the most renowned Ital...
Murano Glass
$1,967Sale Price|20% Off
VENINI - CARLO SCARPA - Wrought glass - signed at acid .
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
VENINI - CARLO SCARPA - Beautiful ashtray or pocket emptier model made of wrought and acid-signed murano glass, VENINI - MURANO - ITALY.
Murano Glass
Gold and White Fused Glass Ice Buckets by Venini for Disaronno, Italy
By Venini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Gold and White Fused Glass Ice Buckets Venini for Disaronno, Murano, Italy, 1970's ( sold separately ) The two buckets are similar but not the same in color & decoration and he...
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
$3,040Sale Price / set|20% Off
Laura Diaz de Santillana "Munchen" 2-Piece Blown Glass Vessel for Venini Murano
By Laura Diaz de Santillana, Venini
Located in Miami, FL
Massive 1984 Venini blown and sculpted glass vessel by Laura Diaz de Santillana (b.1955) daughter of Anna Venini and Ludovico Diaz de Santillana. Laura joined Venini in 1976 and shar...
Crystal
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
1980's Murano Venini Ice Bucket Sapphire Turquoise With White Lines, Barware
By Venini
Located in North Miami, FL
This compact small Murano vintage ice bucket was commssioned by the Italian Liquor Company called Disaranno by Venini. It is sapphire blue turquoise with white lines. It has small cl...
Blown Glass
Venini Vase 'Lapponi', Designed by Tapio Wirkkala in 1968
By Tapio Wirkkala, Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Venini Vase 'Lapponi', Designed by Tapio Wirkkala in 1968 A rare vase of the Lapponi (laplanders) series designed in 1968 by Tapio Wirkkala for Venini. Thin red and smoke grey glass...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Venini Battuto A Nido D’ape Glass Vase in Straw Yellow by Carlo Scarpa
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Battuto A Nido D’ape glass vase, designed by Carlo Scarpa and manufactured by Venini, was originally designed in 1940. Numbered edition per year. Indoor use only. Dimensions: Ø 23...
Glass
Tobia Scarpa Vase 'occhi' for Venini, ca. 1970
By Venini, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Tobia Scarpa Vase 'occhi' for Venini, ca. 1970 A white 'occhi' murrine vase designed by Tobia Scarpa in 1960, manufactured by Venini, Venice ca. 1970. Etched signature 'venini itali...
Art Glass
XL Glass Bullicante "Red" Bowl Element Shell Ashtray Venini Murano, Italy, 1970
By Flavio Poli, Alessandro Mandruzzato, Venini
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass bowl, ashtray element Producer: Venini glass, murano Origin: Murano, Italy Decade: 1970s This original glass shell bowl was produce...
Murano Glass
Vittorio Zecchin for Venini Soffiato Vase in Yellow and Lattimo Glass ca. 1950s
By Vittorio Zecchin, Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vittorio Zecchin for Venini Soffiato Vase in Yellow and Lattimo Glass ca. 1950s A Venini soffiato (mouth blown) glass vase with very thin opaque yellow ...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Large Fazzoletto Vase by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini Murano
By Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Vienna, AT
Fulvio Bianconi for Venini Fazzoletto glass-vase Murano from 1981. Colorless glass with tape paterns. Signed on the buttom: Venini Italia 81. Dimensions approx. Height 19.5 cm, width...
Art Glass
Venini Tall Tessuti Battuti Vase in Red by Carlo Scarpa
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tessuti Battuti vases, designed by Carlo Scarpa and manufactured by Venini, feature a blown handmade glass body with bicolored “Filigrana” stripes then...
Blown Glass
1950 Tyra Lundgren Venini Murano Glass White Filigrana Leaf Bowl
By Tyra Carolina Lundgren, Venini
Located in Brescia, IT
"Leaf" Bowl Tyra Lundgren Venini, 1950 White Glass "Mezza Filigrana" Showed at Biennale of Venice 1938 Excellent Condiction No cracks
Murano Glass
$45,892 / item
Venini Ando Cosmos Vase in Crystal 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
Midcentury Black Vase Sergio Asti Style for Venini Blown Murano Glass
By Sergio Asti, Venini
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Black vase Sergio Asti style for Venini in blown Murano glass, circa 1960s. Measure cm: H 28 Diameter 30.
Murano Glass
Puntini Murrine Glass Bowl, Paolo Venini, Venini Murano Italia
By Venini, Paolo 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
Venini Monifiori Vase Designed by Laura de Santillana
By Laura de Santillana, Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Venini Monifiori Vase Designed by Laura de Santillana Item e7101 A nice vase of the Monofiori Series series designed by Laura de Santillana. Manufactured by Venini Murano Venice. Thi...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Giade Bowl by Tony Zuccheri for Venini, Murano, 1964
By Venini, Toni Zuccheri
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A bowl of the Giade series designed by Tony Zuccheri in 1964 and manufactured by Venini, Venice, Italy ca. 1960s. Multilayered glass with copper inclusions against a dark blue opaque background. The artglass is with incised signature 'venini italia' on the base. Venini model number 8667. Inside there is an open air bubble caused during production - see pictures. Measures: Height: 1.97" (5cm) Diameter: 4.72" (12cm) Literature Reference: Marino Barovier with Carla Sonego, Toni Zuccheri at Venini, Milano 2021, page 98. Toni Zuccheri (1936 – 2008) was the artist with the special spirit for birds and nature. His passion is reflected in many of his glass artworks. During his education he had the chance to work with Carlo Scarpa, Franco Albini and Ignazio Gardella. Animals and especially birds (such as hens...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Venini Bianconi Teal and White Zanfirico Lattimo Dish or Low Bowl
By Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine 1950's zanfirico lattimo plate. By Venini & Co. Attributed to Paolo Venini or Fulvio Bianconi. Of a low bowl or plate form with a slightly raised center. With alternatin...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Mid-Century Modern Art Glass Vase by Venini
By Venini
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Striking art glass vase ice bucket by Venini for Disaronno. Beautiful amber glass with a white striped drizzle.
Art Glass
$4,081 / item
Incise Glass Bottle in Bronze by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A multitude of shapes and colours. Every bottle has its own, chosen with care by Paolo Venini in 1956. Skilfully etched to conceal their imaginary content, they pique the curiosity o...
Glass
Vase Manto Designed by Rodolfo Dordoni for Venini, Murano
By Venini, Rodolfo Dordoni
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vase Manto Designed by Rodolfo Dordoni for Venini, Murano A vase of the Manto series designed by Rodolfo Dordoni for Venini. Fused coral-red, clear and black glass, surface with mat...
Art Glass
Venini Opalino Large White 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
"Cane" Stopper Bottle by Paolo Venini
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in New York, NY
Blown glass bottle form created with canes of blue & green colors.
Blown Glass
Green Gold Flecked Sommerso Glass Bonbonnière / Trinket Bowl by Venini, Italy
By Venini
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1940s. This tiny bonbonniere is made in sommerso Murano glass, with gold flakes and few bubbles due to the process of glass blowing. It is a vintage piece, but it can ...
Gold Leaf
1970s Vintage Italian Murano Venini Venetian Art Glass Ice Bucket Blue and White
By Murano Glass Sommerso, Venini
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1970s Vintage Venini Murano Light Blue White Clear Wine Cooler Ice Bucket Made in Italy. handcrafted Italian Murano Venini venetian art glass ice bucket . This is a delicate blown Murano art glass ice bucket. It has a flared shape from the base to the rim. It is a light sea blue color glass with white vertical lines and many small bubbles in the glass, the imperfection in the glass is due to the handcrafted blown glass. Vintage hand blown Venini Murano martini ice cube glass container in light blue, white and transparent wine cooler, ice bucket Hand-made in Italy 1970-80. No Hallmark no signature. Italian Murano art glass ice bucket. Measures from handle to handle: 6.5 inches. Diameter Top is 5.5 inches. Dimensions: Height: 5 in (12.7 cm)Width: 6.5 in (16.51 cm)Depth: 5.5 in (13.97 cm). Add a beautiful touch of Italian Mediterranean art...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Venini Centerpiece Murano Glass, 1950, Italy
By Venini
Located in Milano, IT
Venini centerpiece Murano glass, 1950, Italy.
Murano Glass
Murano Venini Venetian Ice Bucket Blue and White Art Glass 1980s
By Venini
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1980s Vintage Venini Murano Light Blue White and Clear crystal Wine Cooler Ice Bucket Made in Italy. handcrafted Italian Murano Venini venetian art glass ice bucket . This is a delicate blown Murano crystal blown glass ice bucket. It has a flared shape from the base to the rim. It is a light sea blue color glass with white vertical lines and many small bubbles in the glass, the imperfection in the glass is due to the handcrafted blown glass. Vintage hand blown Venini Murano martini...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Venini Art Glass Bottle with Fasce Decoration in Yellow, Murano 1950s
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Venini art glass bottle with Fasce decoration in yellow, Murano 1950s A large art glass bottle in white opaque glass with yellow stopper and a yellow "a fascia" band on the body as ...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
White Glass Opalini Bowl by Venini
By Venini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rare large opaque white glass footed bowl by Venini. It bears a Mid-Century acid-etched circle mark in the polished pontil to the base. Diameter: circa 15.25 in. Items p...
Blown Glass
Vintage Royal Blue Opaline Glass Vase by Paolo Venini, "Anni Trenta" series
By Venini
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, Murano, 1990s. This vase is made in light blue opaline glass inside and a royal blue opaline glass outside. It features a darker glass base and it's been hand-blown i...
Murano Glass, Opaline Glass
Handshake, a Post-War Lattimo Art Glass Sculpture by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An exceptionally rare figurine by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini & Co. Referred to as 'Handshake', the model consists of a gloved hand with a scalloped cuff shaking hands with a naked...
Murano Glass
Tobia Scarpa Occhi Vase for Venini, Mid-Century Modern Art Glass
By Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Tobia Scarpa Vase "Occhi" for Venini, circa 1960 A white 'occhi' murrine vase designed by Tobia Scarpa in 1960, manufactured by Venini, Venice ca. 1960. Acid stamped signature 'veni...
Art Glass
$4,081 / item
Incise Glass Bottle in Prune by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A multitude of shapes and colours. Every bottle has its own, chosen with care by Paolo Venini in 1956. Skilfully etched to conceal their imaginary content, they pique the curiosity o...
Glass
Murano Glass Sculpture By Venini In Turquoise, Sapphire Blue, Orange & Green
By Venini
Located in North Miami, FL
This unbelievable vintage glass Italian Murano object or sculpture or glass sword has the most gorgeous colors, signed Venini Murano Itlalia". A piece de resistance. It looks even more amazing in person; the color saturation and brilliance is exquisite. The range of colors are: sapphire blue from the middle to the tip turquoise, emerald green, red, amber/orange, black with gold aventurine, white, etc. Most likely one of a kind. It is fantastic! This could be great displayed in a custom lucite box...
Glass
Vase Opulus, Brigitta Carlsson and Ove Thorssen for Venini, 1972
By Venini, Karlsson Brigitta, Ove Thorssen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vase Opulus, Brigitta Karlsson and Ove Thorssen for Venini 1972 A vase of the opulus series designed by Brigitta Karlsson and Ove Thorssen for Venini 1972. Ribbed blue glass fused i...
Art Glass
Venini Monofiore Carnevale Tall Glass Vase in Red
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Monofiore Carnevale glass vase collection, designed and manufactured by Venini, features two different shaped vases. Indoor use only. Dimensi...
Glass
Venini, Murano Glass Paperweight / Abstract Sculpture, Signed
By Venini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Venini paperweight / abstract sculpture with a traditional swirl ribbon design. This is signed and is shown with circle marker in last picture, very faded, but is (Venini I...
Glass
Venini Palpito Glass Vase in Clear with Bronze Flakes
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Palpito glass bowl and vase, designed and manufactured by Venini, feature a crystal body with metal decoration. Limited edition of 49 art pieces (per version). Indoor use only. Di...
Glass
Bottle with Stopper by Gio Ponti for Venini
By Venini, Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Hand blown incalmo glass decanter in white and green with stopper. Unsigned. Published: Venini: Catalog Raisonné 1921-1986, Diaz de Santillana, pg. 296. ...
Blown Glass
Venini Clessidre Glass Hourglass in Pink and Gray by Fulvio Bianconi
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clessidre Hourglass, designed by Paolo Venini and Fulvio Bianconi, was originally designed in 1957. Available in different colors, the grey / mint green version is a limited edition ...
Glass
Venini Puzzle Vase in Coral & Aquamarine Glass by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Puzzle glass in coral/aquamarine by Ettore Sottsass. Numbered edition for year. Hand-blown glass. Color: Coral/Aquamarine Technique: Opal Dimensions: Ø 27 cm, H 40 cm Ye...
Blown Glass
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
Venini Fulvio Bianconi Murano Gray Opalino Italian Art Glass Sculptural Vase
By Paolo Venini, Venini, Fulvio Bianconi
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and rare, vintage Murano hand blown blue gray, opaline Italian art glass handkerchief sculptural vase. Documented to designer Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini. The piece is...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Opaline Glass
$4,081 / item
Incise Glass Bottle in Raspberry by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A multitude of shapes and colours. Every bottle has its own, chosen with care by Paolo Venini in 1956. Skilfully etched to conceal their imaginary content, they pique the curiosity o...
Glass
$1,727 / item
Venini Opalino Large Black Black 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. Dimensions: Ø 20 cm, H 42 cm.
Glass
Venini Ando Time Hourglass in Crystal and Aquamarine by Tadao Ando
By Venini, Tadao Ando
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ando time hourglass, designed by Tadao Ando and manufactured by Venini, is a limited edition of 49 art pieces (per color) plus an additional 20 P.d.A. a...
Glass
Vase Merletto, Brigitta Carlsson and Ove Thorssen for Venini, Murano
By Venini, Karlsson Brigitta, Ove Thorssen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vase Merletto, Brigitta Carlsson and Ove Thorssen for Venini, Murano A large vase of the Merletto series designed by Brigitta Carlsson and Ove Thorssen for Venini ca. 1972. Manufact...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Occhi Vase in Red by Ludovico Diaz de Santillana, Tobia Scarpa
By Ludovico Diaz de Santillana and Tobia Scarpa, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Occhi vase collection, designed by Tobia Scarpa and manufactured by Venini, consists of three different vases made of crystal murrine and coral glass. Indo...
Glass
$4,081 / item
Incise Glass Bottle in Grass Green by Venini
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A multitude of shapes and colours. Every bottle has its own, chosen with care by Paolo Venini in 1956. Skilfully etched to conceal their imaginary content, they pique the curiosity of the viewers, who just can’t refrain from taking the lid off to peek inside and find out the truth. Additional information: Material: Blown, engraved Color: Grass green...
Glass
Venini Palpito Glass Bowl in Clear with Bronze Flakes
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Palpito Glass bowl and vase, designed and manufactured by Venini, feature a crystal body with metal decoration. Limited edition of 49 art pieces (per version). Indoor use only. Di...
Glass
Venini Ando Cosmos Vase in Tea, Red and Gray 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 Monofiore Carnevale Short Glass Vase in Tea
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Monofiore Carnevale glass vase collection, designed and manufactured by Venini, features two different shaped vases. Indoor use only. Dimensions: Ø 13 cm, H 12 cm.
Glass
$4,250
Paolo Venini Inciso Vase
By Venini
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This is a clean example with pleasing proportions
Art Glass
$1,375 / item
Venini Idria Large Glass Vase in Red
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Idria glass vase series, designed and manufactured by Venini, features three different shaped vases. Indoor use only. Dimensions: Ø 26, H 36 cm.
Glass
$1,727 / item
Venini Satin Large Glass Vase in Gray
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. Dimensions: Ø 20 cm, H 42 cm. ...
Glass
$4,750
Paolo Venini Inciso Vase
By Venini
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very nice example of an underrated series of glass. Acid stamp on the bottom.
Art Glass