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.
Venini Vetri Display Case
By Venini
Located in Sharon, CT
For a 1983 exhibition of Venini glass at The Heller Gallery these unique cases were designed by the Venini company and made in Italy. Three semi-circular glass shelves (22" x 15.75")...
Steel
Pair of display cases, Italy 1930 – 40
Located in Roma, RM
Pair of display cases, Italy 1930 – 40 Single display case dimensions 154 W x 183 H x 77 D cm
Metal
Antique Countertop Display Case on Stand
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A charming antique countertop display cabinet featuring a warm wood frame, clear glass panels, and a sliding rear door for access. Raised on tall, turned black legs, it has a light, ...
Glass, Wood, Oak
Antique English Mahogany and Glass Countertop Shop Display Case
Located in Doylestown, PA
Antique mahogany tabletop display case, England, circa 1900. This wonderful six-sided glass vitrine features a vertical sliding panel in the back. All original wavy glass and mahoga...
Glass, Mahogany
Vintage Brass Table Display Case - Vitrine
Located in Hellerup, DK
Beautiful antique French brass glass table display cabinet - vitrine. The lid can be fixed in an open position and can be locked by twisti...
Brass
Vintage Lane "Pueblo" Brutalist Oak Display Case
By J.B. Van Sciver Company, Adrian Pearsall, Paul Evans, Lane Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Whatever you collect, display it in a bold way with this wild brutalist oak vitrine from Lane Furniture's classic "Pueblo" series. Featuring the unmistakable, machine-age inspired, m...
Metal
English Display cases in wood and glass, mid 1800s
Located in MIlano, IT
English Display cases in wood and glass, mid 1800s Pair of display cases of different sizes with a square base and rounded corners. Each vitrines has two display cases. In the upper ...
Glass, Mirror, Wood
English "Jerry York" Mahogany Display Case
Located in Kastrup, DK
Display case with "Jerry York" engraved on both sides. Pair of sliding doors at the back. An extra glass shelf. England 1920-1930- Original untouched condition.
Glass, Mahogany
$2,400 / item
H 54.73 in W 32.29 in D 16.54 in
'Casulo' Scandinavian style Display Case in Brazilian Hardwood by Knót Artesanal
By Knót Artesanal
Located in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro
Casulo display case is both contemporary and organic, the shelves and drawer are embraced by elegant slats gently rising and enclosing the area within. Its minimalist form betrays its Scandinavian and mid-century modern inspiration, styles also shared by its sister pieces 'Nido' desk and 'Arca' shoe rack/bench the three together comprising Knót's Ripa Range of furniture. Its imposing yet delicate structure make it as much of a showpiece as any items displayed on its shelves. Handmade from Brazilian hardwoods Cumaru or Peroba Mica. Knót Artesanal...
Wood
$2,864Sale Price|50% Off
H 57.88 in W 36.23 in D 23.63 in
Edwardian oval Vitrine Wood crystal Display Case England
By English School
Located in Valladolid, ES
Gorgeous and Elegant display cabinet in mahogany wood, original from the English Edwardian period. The furniture of this period achieves great simplicity of lines and a very sober an...
Crystal, Brass
$3,996Sale Price|20% Off
H 41.7 in W 39.4 in D 17.7 in
Vintage French Patinated Wooden Vitrine Glass Display Case, 1950
Located in High Point, NC
A distinctive patina gives this vintage vitrine a romantic air of nostalgia. Made in France in the 20th century, glass windows on all four sides of the case maximize natural light, i...
Glass, Wood
Orion Display Case With Textured Gold Leaf Interior
By Albino Miranda
Located in Barcelos, PT
Orion is a display case that combines luxurious finishes, with an amazing sculptural shape. Its made of resin reinforced with fiberglass, with exterior lacquered in black with high g...
Gold Leaf
Antique French Louis XIV Wall Cabinet ~ Display Case
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Louis XIV Wall Cabinet ~ Display Case is a great option for those who wish to conserve floor space yet still have keepsake items to store and show off! The design fea...
Brass
Venini Vetri Display Case
By Venini
Located in Sharon, CT
For a 1983 exhibition of Venini glass at The Heller Gallery these unique cases were designed by the Venini company and made in Italy. Three semi-circular glass shelves (22" x 15.75")...
Steel