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.
Large Murrine Plate Serpente by Carlo Scarpa for Venini Murano ca. 1940s
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Murrine Plate Serpente by Carlo Scarpa for Venini Murano ca. 1940s A large murrine bowl of the Serpente series designed by Carlo Scarpa ca. 1940. Manufactured by Venini Murano...
Art Glass
Italian modern Decorative bottle with cap in red Murano glass by Venini, 1990s
By Venini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Decorative bottle with cap in red Murano glass by Venini, 1990s Decorative bottle with a round base in matt bright red Murano glass. The round base cap has a tapered s...
Murano Glass
Venini Bollicine 343.25 Lilac - Set of 2 Champagne Glasses - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Bubbles 343.25 Collection: Bubbles Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your table with our elegant Murano glassware. These champagne coupe...
Glass
Venini Bollicine 343.25 Blush Pink - Set of 2 Champagne Glasses - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Bubbles 343.25 Collection: Bubbles Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your table with our elegant Murano glassware. These champagne coupe...
Glass
Venini Bollicine 343.25 Mint Green - Set of 2 Champagne Glasses - Damiani
By Venini
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Venini Designer: Venini Model: Bubbles 343.25 Collection: Bubbles Made in: Italy Add an artistic touch to your table with our elegant Murano glassware. These champagne coupe...
Glass
Italian modern Decorative bottle with cap in gray Murano glass by Venini, 1990s
By Venini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Decorative bottle with cap in gray Murano glass by Venini, 1990s Decorative bottle with a square base, in matt gray and transparent Murano glass. The round-based cap h...
Murano Glass
France Set 6 Clear Crystal Glasses
Located in Brescia, IT
The dimensions of this elegant model glass are bigger than usual and for this reason it becomes an eye catching on your table. The baroque shape is a timeless style for every occasio...
Crystal
$544Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 4.75 in Dm 3.5 in
Congress Style Gilt Crystal Coupe Champagne Glasses by Saint-Louis, Set of 2
By Saint Louis
Located in San Francisco, CA
A set of 2, antique, mouth-blown, coupe champagne glasses, cut and etched, with an intricate gold motif of ribbon, floral garlands, and lion face...
Crystal
$554Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 4.14 in W 2.56 in D 4.14 in
Set of 12 Handmade Unique Goto Murano Drinking Glasses
By Roberto Beltrami
Located in Murano, VE
The Murano Glass Goto collection brings a piece of authentic Italian art to your dining table. Hand-blown with artistic expertise, these glasses are inspired by the traditional Venet...
Murano Glass
Rosa Set of 6 Pink Champagne Glasses
By Creart
Located in Milan, IT
Traditional lines modern sophistication merge in this spectacular set of six champagne glasses, defined by a sublime combination of gold and pink in a stupendously polished design. Handcrafted of crystal and decorated by hand, each piece features a golden base and stem completed with sinuous and grooved upper end supporting a sleek, pink cup...
Crystal
$69,500 / set
H 12 in W 18 in D 18 in
Tetard Freres Perles Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service French 343 Pcs Dinner
By Tetard Freres
Located in Big Bend, WI
Founded in 1880 by Edmond Tétard (1860-1901) following the purchase of the house of Mr. Hugo. In 1889, he participated in the World Expo and received a Gold Medal. The house specializes in services and Louis XV style pieces. In 1901, the house was taken over by his three sons, Henri, Jacques and Georges under the name Tétard Frères. From the 1920s, the house works after the models of Valery Bizouard (1875-1945) and Louis Tardy (1881-1978), creators of Avant Garde. Jean Tétard...
Sterling Silver
Augusta Glasses - Set of four
By Akua Objects
Located in København K, DK
4 pieces handcrafted Venetian Glassware Made in Murano For a whimsical burst of colour and excitement to grace any table setting, perfect for serving water, wine or lemonade The ...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$1,159 / set
H 1.19 in W 1.97 in D 1.19 in
Set of 6 Murano Glass Placeholders by Venini VIP, 1990s — Original Box
By Venini
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A delightful set of six Murano glass placeholders by Venini VIP, dating to the 1990s. Each piece is hand-crafted in a luminous knot form, executed in six distinct and vibrant colors:...
Silver Plate
Tulip Glass Bottle by Aldo Cibic
By Aldo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Bottle made in blown in a mold glass. The Tulip collection is a glassware family by Aldo Cibic, who designed these pieces walking the line between classical and postmodern design. Th...
Glass
$5,548Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.85 in Dm 4.73 in
"Tessuto Velato", Iconic Vase by Carlo Scarpa for Venini
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Bochum, NRW
A "tessuto velato" iconic piece by Carlo Scarpa for Venini. Clear glass with green and black or green and white, vertically fused threads.(essuto). Opaque surface matt finish, horiz...
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass
Augusta Glasses Large - Set of four
By Akua Objects
Located in København K, DK
4 pieces handcrafted Venetian Glassware Made in Murano For a whimsical burst of colour and excitement to grace any table setting, perfect for serving water, wine or lemonade The ...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$950
H 2.68 in W 7.41 in D 6.62 in
Large 1950s Mid-Century Pink Bubble Glass Bowl Carlo Scarpa for Venini Style
By Carlo Scarpa, Cenedese, Venini
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Beautiful large midcentury modern vintage rectangular biomorphic shaped pink glass 'Bullicante' (controlled bubble) bowl, snack dish, vide poche or ashtray with folded rims. In the s...
Blown Glass
Paolo Venini Inciso Glass Bottle Manufactured by Venini 1990s
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Paolo Venini Inciso Glass Bottle Manufactured by Venini 1990s A vintage "Inciso" glass bottle designed by Paolo Venini in 1956 and manufactured by...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Sold
H 7.29 in W 2.56 in D 3.35 in
Italian modern Decorative bottle with cap in green Murano glass by Venini, 1990s
By Venini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Decorative bottle with cap in green Murano glass by Venini, 1990s Decorative bottle with an oval base in bright forest green and transparent matt Murano glass. The rou...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 5.52 in W 1.97 in D 3.15 in
Italian modern Decorative bottle with cap in blue Murano glass by Venini, 1990s
By Venini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Decorative bottle with cap in blue Murano glass by Venini, 1990s Decorative bottle with a square base and rounded corners, in matt transparent and bright blue Murano g...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 4.53 in Dm 3.75 in
Italian modern Wine water Glass yellow transparent Murano glass by Venini 1990
By Venini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Wine or water Glass in yellow-transparent Murano glass by Venini, 1990s Set of 6 glasses with round base in yellow-transparent Murano glass. The cup is in the shape of...
Murano Glass
Lidded Bottle with Cup by Tomaso Buzzi for Venini
By Tomaso Buzzi, Venini
Located in New York, NY
Lattimo glass, clear and white with gold painted foot to both pieces. Designed by Buzzi in 1932 and presented at the 18th Venice Biennale also in 1932. Pub...
Glass
Venini Inciso bottle by Paolo Venini
By Venini
Located in Dallas, TX
A small stoppered bottle by Paolo Venini for Venini. Signed on bottom.