Vittorio Zecchin was a celebrated creative figure who worked across a range of disciplines including furniture design, textiles and more, but his contribution to modern Italian glassmaking is widely influential. Vintage Zecchin glass pieces and decorative objects have perfect symmetry and elegant luster; his artist's eye and masterful skills are evident in each work.
Zecchin developed an early passion for glassmaking but wasn't interested in the extensive ornamentation of 19th-century Venetian styles. He preferred simpler surfaces that emphasized a vessel’s form and bold, monochromatic palettes.
Zecchin was born on the island of Murano, near Venice. His father was a master glassblower. When he was 18, Zecchin enrolled in the Accademia di Belle Arti in Venice. He halted his studies in painting early and instead secured work at a glass furnace for a Murano workshop where he learned glassmaking techniques.
In 1909, Zecchin took part in the effort to transform the Venetian palace Ca’ Pesaro into an art museum. He worked alongside notable painters including Amedeo Modigliani, Teodoro Wolf Ferrari and Umberto Boccioni, and the colors he used and forms he integrated specifically reflected what he had learned in the workshop on Murano.
In 1913 and 1914, Zecchin partnered with Artisti Barovier to create glass mosaics in the Vienna Secessionist style. Some of these were in the 1914 Venice Biennale where they received critical acclaim. Barovier was eventually renamed Barovier & Toso, a name under which the company still operates today.
Zecchin later established a tapestry workshop on Murano and experimented with creating decorative glass pieces. Gradually moving his practice away from painting, by 1919 he was composing enameled glass pieces, tapestries and other textiles.
In 1921, the glass manufactory Vetri Soffiati Cappellin Venini & C. — which is today known as Venini & Co. — hired Zecchin as its artistic director. Along with streamlined shapes and uncomplicated colors, he instilled glass with a vivid intensity by immersing finished pieces in tin or titanium vapors while they were still hot. His style and vision earned him universal recognition in his field.
Zecchin left the firm in 1926 to pursue independent artistic interests, yet he continued to collaborate with the company’s designers. From 1934 until his death in 1947, Zecchin taught at numerous trade schools and institutions, passing on his artistic knowledge on to younger generations.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Vittorio Zecchin decorative objects, lighting, serveware and more.
Extraordinary blown chandelier by Vittorio Zecchin, Murano, 1920s.
By Venini, Vittorio Zecchin
Located in Argelato, BO
This blown glass chandelier is a piece of great elegance and refinement by Vittorio Zecchin, a master of Murano glass in the 1920s and 1930s, a period during which he collaborated wi...
Murano Glass
Vittorio Zecchin for Venini Rare Cesendello Pendant Light, Italy, 1920s
By Vittorio Zecchin, Venini
Located in New York, NY
Vittorio Zecchin for Venini rare and exquisite 'Cesendello' pendant light, Italy, 1920s. This lovely original pendant is made with blown Murano glass in a soft chestnut brown color w...
Blown Glass
Venini suspension by Vittorio Zecchin
By Vittorio Zecchin
Located in Cerignola, IT
Stunning Venini chandelier in Murano blown glass. Note the beautiful blue color typical of the Murano artist Vittorio Zecchin
Murano Glass
Vintage Brass Telescopic Floor Lamp with Red Travertine Marble Tops, Italy
By Vittorio Zecchin
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1920s. It features a brass and varnished steel frame with a red travertine tops and a Murano glass lampshade, which is hand blown by Vittorio Zecchin. It is a Renaiss...
Travertine, Brass, Steel
Vittorio Zecchin Iridato Sofosiati Candelabra Lamp
By Vittorio Zecchin, MVM Cappelin
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A stunning and rare candelabra-style table lamp crafted in 1927 by Vittorio Zecchin for MVM Cappellin, one of Murano’s most innovative and artistically driven glassmakers. This excep...
Art Glass
Model "2040" lamp in blown glass with 12 oval-shaped arms, amber green -Murano
By Vittorio Zecchin
Located in Madrid, España
Model "2040" lamp in blown glass with 12 oval-shaped arms, amber green - Vittorio Zecchin - Murano, Italy - c. 1930 Dimensions: 90 x 130 x 70 cm
Glass
$3,056 / item
H 29.53 in Dm 29.53 in
Simplicissimus Chandelier, 6 Arms Amber Murano Glass by Multiforme
By Multiforme
Located in Trebaseleghe, IT
Simplicissimus 360 chandelier, 6 lights, Amber artistic glass by Multiforme This collection in Murano glass is characterized by superb simpli...
Murano Glass, Blown Glass
Double Suspensions by Florian Schulz
By Florian Schulz
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Double pendulum suspension by the German designer Florian Schultz, this piece is made of two domes connected two two ceiling fixations, on thee wires are also brass counterweight, the whole contraption gathering in a central canopy. The construction of this piece allow the domes to be freely and independently pulled up or down. Dimensions of the dome only: ø35 H20cm FLORIAN SCHULZ Florian Schulz is a renowned German designer, best known for his innovative and minimalist lighting designs. His work, particularly during the mid-20th century, is characterized by clean lines, functional aesthetics, and high-quality craftsmanship. Schulz's designs often feature brass as a primary material, reflecting an elegant style that integrates well with both modern and classic interiors. One of his most iconic creations is the "Onos...
Brass
Art Deco 3-flamming Chandelier, 1920s
Located in Praha, CZ
Beautiful Art Deco or Rondocubist chandelier. Completely restored: new nickel-plating, new glass The height could be shortened on demand Rewired: 3 x 40W, E25-E27 bulbs US wiring com...
Nickel
Venetian 1920s Blown Murano Glass and Wrought Iron Pendant
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Murano glass and intricate wrought iron work pendant ceiling lamp. In the classic light brown glass.
Wrought Iron
Ceiling Light by Paolo Caliari for Venini
By Paolo Caliari, Venini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ceiling light by Paolo Caliari for Venini. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa the 1960s. Striking Venini pendant with an exterior green...
Brass
Luzette Pendant Light By Peter Behrens For Siemens Circa 1920s
By Siemens
Located in Gloucester, GB
Luzette Pendant Light By Peter Behrens For Siemens Circa 1920s - Opaline glass bottom and top - Takes E27 fitting bulbs - Model L1521 - Produced by Siemens & Schukert, Berlin - Desi...
Opaline Glass
$5,567
H 33.47 in Dm 31.5 in
Artistic Chandelier 12arms in Green Murano Glass by Multiforme, Made in Italy
By Multiforme
Located in Trebaseleghe, IT
Artistic Chandelier 12arms in Green Murano Glass by Multiforme, Made in Italy Bellepoque 364 from the Timeless collection is a chandelier that evokes the atmosphere of the beginning...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$5,236 / item
H 217.72 in Dm 7.49 in
Venini Abaco Three-Light Suspension Light by Monica Guggisberg & Philip Baldwin
By Monica Guggisberg & Philip Baldwin, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Abaco three light suspension light by Monica Guggisberg & Philip Baldwin. Measurements suspension: Ø 7.48 ""H 217.72"" 3 x max 40W E14 - dimme...
Art Glass
$6,088Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 25.99 in Dm 29.53 in
Semi-Rezzonico Chandelier 8 Arms Amber and green Murano Glass by Multiforme
By Multiforme
Located in Trebaseleghe, IT
Semi Rezzonico chandelier 8 arms, on 2 levels in amber and green Murano glass multicolor flowers by Multiforme This is an artistic model manufactured by...
Blown Glass
$1,850Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 27.56 in Dm 27.56 in
Artistic Chandelier 5 arms, Clear Murano Glass Amber Details by Multiforme
By Multiforme
Located in Trebaseleghe, IT
The venetian chandelier Accadueo presents an organic design, which is the result of an inspiration taken from the nature. The cups and some details remind the fluid flow of the water...
Blown Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass
$6,088Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 25.99 in Dm 29.53 in
Semi-Rezzonico Chandelier 8arms Amber, Green, Colors Murano Glass by Multiforme
By Multiforme
Located in Trebaseleghe, IT
Semi Rezzonico chandelier 8 arms, on 2 levels in amber and green Murano glass multicolor flowers in vitreous paste by Multiforme This is an artistic model manufactured by our skille...
Blown Glass
$2,123
H 28 in Dm 9 in
Rare Venetian Murano Pendant Light with Mouth Blown Amber Colored Glass in Frame
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful color and practical size Italian fixture with mouth blown glass in a metal frame. If you are looking for a rare and stylish shape fixture to grace your home then this hand...
Iron, Metal
Vittorio Zecchin Murano Glass Chandelier from early 1930
By Vittorio Zecchin, Venini
Located in Paris, IDF
This unique Art Deco chandelier was probably produced by Venini, and designed by Vittorio Zecchin in the early 1930s. This very rare piece of hand blown and worked Murano glass, comp...
Blown Glass
A Pink Murano Glass Hanging Light by Vittorio Zechhin
By Vittorio Zecchin
Located in London, GB
Italy, circa 1926 An early twentieth century pink Murano glass hanging light by Vittorio Zecchin, with teardrop shaped body, and circular t...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Vittorio Zecchin for MVM Cappellin, Murano Glass Chandelier, 1930s
By Vittorio Zecchin, MVM Cappelin
Located in Palermo, PA
Vittorio Zecchin for MVM Cappellin, Murano glass chandelier, 1930s. Dimensions: H=82 cm; D=85 cm.
Glass
Beautiful Vittorio Zecchin Murano Glass Ceiling Lamp
By Vittorio Zecchin
Located in Milan, IT
Beautiful Vittorio Zecchin Murano glass ceiling lamp.
Murano Glass