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 Murano Glass Decanter By Vitttorio Zecchin and a set of 34 glasses
By Venini
Located in Paris, FR
One Art Deco decanter in Murano Glass made by Venini in 1923-25. The designer is the notorious Vittorio Zecchin. The colour is rare, very specific from the Art Deco period (straw-col...
Persian Islamic Solid Silver Set composed of a Jug & 6 Goblets on a Tray
Located in OVIEDO, AS
First Half 20th Century Persian Islamic Solid Silver drinking set, comprising of a Jug and six goblets on a tray, each piece profusely engraved and chased with typically Persian arab...
Silver
Brandimarte 925 sterling silver large tulip wine glass
Located in Perugia, IT
925/ooo sterling silver tulip wine glass Manufactured by Brandimarte - Florence - Italy Made entirely by hand Weight g 226 Height 21 cm Base cm 7 Hammered workmanship has always bee...
Sterling Silver
Whiting Sterling Co. 19th Century Flask
By Whiting
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Whiting sterling silver flask. Woman in a wave on front, dolphin near hinge, monogrammed with date on back, and hammered on sides and cap. 6 ...
Sterling Silver
$1,373Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 5.12 in Dm 4.73 in
Whisky Glass, Solid Silver, Moon , 1 Piece, Italy
By K-OVER
Located in Firenze, IT
K-over whisky glass are our latest creation. The value of this whisky glass lies on the innovative techniques that have been used in its production. As it can be clearly seen from the pictures, the surface of the K-OVER shines as the Moon. This innovative texture provides also a technical advantage: when you touch the cover, no fingerprint is left. The glass has been completely handcrafted by Marco Fedi, a Florentine master goldsmith. The production process took few weeks and the techniques used are spinning and engraving. This glass is produced in pure silver 999...
Silver
Art-Nouveau 1940's Silver Plated Claret Jug by Topazio Casquinha, Portugal.
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Art-Nouveau 1940's Silver Plated Claret / Wine Jug Maker’s mark: Topazio Casquinha Portuguese hallmarks Height: 27cm Width (at the base): 13.5cm In beautiful condition
Silver Plate
Antique Three-Piece Sterling Silver Tea and Coffee Set
Located in London, GB
Antique three piece sterling silver tea and coffee set, comprising of a tea and coffee pot, sugar bowl, the bodies are decorated wit...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
19th Century Sporting Theme Sterling and Glass Back Bar Bottle
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Sporting theme back bar bottle with sterling motif of fox hunter and hound. Original stopper. Pinch bottle three piece glass mold. PERIOD: 19th Centur...
Sterling Silver
George III Sterling Silver Creamer by Robert Hennell I
By Robert Hennell
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
A small, George III period, sterling silver creamer by London silversmith Robert Hennel I, with period monogram. The creamer features an intricate monogram under the lip which is lik...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Lalique Phalsbourg Clear Crystal Stemware Set: Decanter & '7' Wine Stems
Located in Perry, FL
Lalique Crystal glass stemware set including decanter with stopper in the "Phalsbourg" pattern displaying etched designs along the stem, incised "Lalique ...
Art Deco Silver and Cut Glass Liquor or Whisky Flask
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful Art Deco period German solid silver and cut crystal liquor flask. With a removable silver cup that fits on the base, a swivel top silver cap, and strawberry field wheel ...
Silver
$342Sale Price|40% Off
H 5.5 in W 4 in D 2 in
Sterling Silver and Crystal Syrup Jug, Mid-20th Century, England
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite Materials & Design Sterling Silver Top Featuring a marked sterling lid and handle, the jug’s top portion exhibits the gleaming luster associated with high-quality silver. I...
Crystal, Silver, Sterling Silver
Brandimarte grappa glass in 925 sterling silver
Located in Perugia, IT
925/ooo sterling silver tulip-shaped grappa glass Manufactured by Brandimarte - Florence - Italy Made entirely by hand Weight g 103 Height cm 16 Opening cm 4.5 Base cm 6 Hammered wo...
Sterling Silver