Hailing from Murano, the Venetian island known for its rich history of glassmaking, and from one of the oldest glassblowing families in the region, Carlo Nason (b. 1935) may well have been destined to go into the business. But the glass forms for which he became known — such as the Cascata chandelier — eschew tradition, displaying instead an intrepid innovation born of continual experimentation. This singular column of rippling glass plates exemplifies the designer’s deft ability to create new types of movement using an age-old technique.
Born in 1935, Nason began glassblowing at his family’s workshop (several of his early pieces are in the permanent collection of the Corning Museum of Glass, in Corning, New York), but, itching to work in more modern forms, he soon left to work with Gianni Mazzega, a friend of the family who ran his own glassblowing company. At Mazzega, Nason pushed the medium of glass to create modern forms inspired by everything from Japanese pottery to the undulating forms of jellyfish in water.
For the Cascata (Italian for “waterfall”), which debuted in the 1960s, Nason achieved the effect of cascading water through an inverted pyramid of hanging glass plates, each individually mouth-blown and suspended from a chrome-plated frame for a dazzling, Art Deco–styled display. Lit from behind, the plates have a glittering, iridescent quality. Versions of the lamp range from 30 inches to over six feet in height, with large models featuring more than 20 individual light sockets.
Nason, who continues to live and work in Murano today, would go on to produce artful lighting for Mazzega until at least 1980. While Mazzega 1946 offers contemporary editions of Nason’s design — now called “Water Fall” — vintage examples of the Cascata chandelier are unsurprisingly sought after by collectors.
Sfumato Floor Lamp Model LT316 By Carlo Nason For Mazzega, 1960s
By Carlo Nason
Located in Brussels, BE
Sfumato Floor Lamp Model LT316 By Carlo Nason For Mazzega, Italy, 1960s
Murano Glass
$2,015Sale Price / item|20% Off
Carlo Nason, Fascino Multi Stemmed Brass Chandelier
By Silvio Piattelli, Carlo Nason
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
It was during last summer, a dinner on Carlo's mansion over the lagoon, I naively asked Carlo if he would like to make a brass chandelier design for me and the lab I use. Carlo Nason is on the lighting designer wall of fame, known worldwide for his innovative designs in glass during the roaring decades of Italian design. He worked on some metal projects. I remember the Nana collapsible desk...
Aluminum, Brass
$1,694Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Murano Glass Table Lamp Designed by Carlo Nason for Mazzega, Italy, 70s
By Carlo Nason, AVMazzega
Located in Lucija, SI
Very rare Murano glass table lamp designed by Carlo Nason in the late 70s and produce by AV Mazzega A must have piece of Italian design
Chrome
Carlo Nason Murano Glass Sconce in Brown for AV Mazzega, Italy, 1970s
By Carlo Nason
Located in Kampen, NL
Designed by Carlo Nason for AV Mazzega in Italy between 1970 and 1979, this sculptural mid-century modern sconce exemplifies the artistry and innovation of Murano glass design. The p...
Murano Glass
$1,319Sale Price|36% Off
Italian Midcentury Space Age Pendant Lamp Designed by Carlo Nason for Mazzega
By Mazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This is a beautiful Italian chandelier designed by Carlo Nason for AV Mazzega in the 1970s. It is made of chrome-plated brass and steel, white lacquered aluminum, and milk glass, wit...
Brass, Steel
1960's Glass and Chrome Pendant by Carlo Nason for Mazzega
By Carlo Nason, Mazzega
Located in Schoorl, NL
This piece comes from designer Carlo Nason. 60 textured pieces surrounding the four bulbs are unique and elegant in their form. When illuminated, this diffuses the light beautifully ...
Chrome
Carlo Nason Milk Glass Pendant for Mazzega Venice, 1970's
By Carlo Nason, Mazzega
Located in London, GB
Opaline Murano triple shade glass pendant lamp. Three cone shape hand blown glass shades descend and are connected to a half dome central body in satin steel. The lamp is designed by...
Chrome
Carlo Nason Mid-Century Modern Crystal Curvati Murano Glass Chandelier, 1984
By Carlo Nason
Located in Murano, Venezia
This chandelier is very simple, but one of the most refined and elegant. Play on the repetition of glass elements, called "Curve", which are created by the master by pulling the hot ...
Metal
Vintage Carlo Nason Mazzega Murano Cascading Italian Glass Chandelier
By Carlo Nason
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Lovely vintage Carlo Nason for Mazzega Murano cascading glass waterfall Italian chandelier. No chips or breaks. Holds 4 lights. Has 25 pieces of gl...
Blown Glass
$5,077Sale Price|20% Off
Large Murano glass chandelier by Carlo Nason for Mazzega
By Mazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in London, GB
Beautiful original Murano glass chandelier by Mazzega. The colour is a semi opaque violet / mauve. The glass pieces look like spun sugar candy
Blown Glass
$1,236Sale Price|20% Off
Carlo Nason wallamp from Muranoglass for Kalmar 1960 Austria
By Carlo Nason
Located in Oirlo, LI
Wonderful midcentury wall sconces with handcrafted Murano glass pieces on a chrome base, made by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, manufactured, circa 1960-1969. Designed by Carlo Nason. High ...
Murano Glass
$1,236Sale Price|20% Off
Carlo Nason wallamp from Muranoglass for Kalmar 1960 Austria
By Carlo Nason
Located in Oirlo, LI
Wonderful midcentury wall sconces with handcrafted Murano glass pieces on a chrome base, made by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, manufactured, circa 1960-1969. Designed by Carlo Nason. High ...
Murano Glass
Carlo Nason Milk Glass Pendant for Mazzega Venice, 1970's
By Carlo Nason, Mazzega
Located in London, GB
Opaline Murano triple shade glass pendant lamp. Three cone shape hand blown glass shades descend and are connected to a half dome central body in satin steel. The lamp is designed by...
Chrome
$2,750
H 14.97 in Dm 17.72 in
1 ‚of 2’ Mazzega Tulip Pendant Lamp Green & Clear Murano Glass by Carlo Nason
By AVMazzega, Carlo Nason, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant tulip pendant light with green and clear Murano glass blades on a partly chromed and nickel hardware designed by Carlo Nason. Chandelier illuminates beautifully and offers a ...
Brass, Steel, Chrome, Nickel
Carlo Nason for Mazzega Murano Glass Sconces, Italy 1970s
By Carlo Nason, AVMazzega
Located in Almelo, NL
Carlo Nason for Mazzega Murano glass sconces, Italy 1970s Beautiful wall sconces are made of gorgeous curved opaline Murano glass...
Metal
Murano Glass Chandelier Carlo Nason for Mazzega, 1960
By Carlo Nason
Located in Palermo, PA
Stunning 1970s chandelier crafted by Carlo Nason in Murano, Italy, circa 1960. This exquisite piece features five distinct bubble-shaped Murano glasses in both white and transparent ...
Metal, Chrome
Big Table Lamp Murano Italy 1970s Mazzega, Design Carlo Nason
By Mazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in Rome, IT
Big table lamp in Murano glass featuring two simultaneous lights. Made in Italy by the Italian designer Mazzega, design by Carlo Nason, circa 1970.
Metal
$4,800
H 17 in W 17 in D 17 in
20th Century Italian Lotus Mazzega Murano Glass Table Lamp by Carlo Nason
By AVMazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A large, single vintage Mid-Century modern Italian table lamp made of hand blown Pulegoso Murano glass, designed by Carlo Nason for Mazzega in good condition. The detailed slightly f...
Metal, Chrome
Smoky Murano Pendant by Carlo Nason for Mazzega
By Carlo Nason, Mazzega
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian pendant chandelier with curved "wavy" smoky and clear Murano glass petals mounted on brass frame, designed by Carlo Nason made by Mazzega in Italy, circa 1970s Diamet...
Murano Glass
$2,750
H 51.97 in Dm 25.99 in
Mazzega Tulip Pendant Lamp Green & Clear Murano Glass by Carlo Nason Italy 1960s
By Carlo Nason, J.T. Kalmar, AVMazzega
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant tulip pendant light with four green and clear Murano glass blades on a chromed nickel hardware designed by Carlo Nason. Chandelier illuminates beautifully and offers a lot of...
Steel, Nickel
$3,320
H 39.38 in W 20.48 in D 20.48 in
Mazzega Pendant Lamp in Bullicante Murano Glass by Carlo Nason, Italy 1970s
By Carlo Nason, Mazzega
Located in Hellouw, NL
As a descendant of a family that has been specialized in making Murano glass for generations, it was Carlo Nason who changed his course in relation to his relatives. While father Vin...
Murano Glass
$2,750
H 39.38 in Dm 25.99 in
Mazzega Tulip Pendant Lamp Green & Clear Murano Glass by Carlo Nason Italy 1960s
By J.T. Kalmar, AVMazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant tulip pendant light with green and clear Murano glass blades on a cream nickel hardware designed by Carlo Nason. Chandelier illuminates beautifully and offers a lot of light....
Brass, Steel, Nickel
$1,660
H 7.88 in W 11.82 in D 4.73 in
Carlo Nason for Mazzega Murano Glass Wall Sconce, Italy Circa 1970's
By Mazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful Carlo Nason wall sconce for Mazzega, Murano glass, Italy circa 1970s. Featuring sculptural folded iridescent glass shade with vibrant rainbow prism effects and textured met...
Chrome
$5,250
H 19.69 in Dm 18.51 in
Interlocking Murano Chandelier Flush Mount Glass & Brass Carlo Nason Kalmar 1960
By Carlo Nason, Mazzega, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant cascading ceiling light with 48 clear, pink and blue interlocking Murano glasses suspended individually on a golden brass frame. Multicolored glasses can be arranged individu...
Brass
Stalagmite table lamp by Carlo Nason for Leucos
By Leucos, Carlo Nason
Located in RIDDERKERK, NL
This 'Stalagmiti' table lamp, designed by Carlo Nason for Leucos in the 1970s, is an example of Italian Space Age design. The model features a spherical cylindrical glass shape with ...
Glass, Murano Glass
Sold
H 49.22 in W 21.66 in D 21.66 in
1960s Carlo Nason Glass & Steel Chandelier – Iconic Italian Mid-Century Design
By Carlo Nason
Located in Oirlo, LI
This stylish mid-century chandelier from the 1960s is a striking example of Italian design by Carlo Nason. Crafted in Italy, it combines sculptural thick glass swirl lamp shades wi...
Metal
Sfumato' LT 316 floor lamp by Carlo Nason for Mazzega, 1970s
By Carlo Nason
Located in Oirlo, LI
Carlo Nason, born into one of Murano's oldest glass families, developed a unique approach to lighting design, shaped by both tradition and innovation. Known for his experiments with ...
Murano Glass
Glass Pendant Lamp by Carlo Nason for Mazzega, Italy 1970s
By Mazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in Debrecen, HU
This pendant lamp was designed by Carlo Nason for the Italian lighting manufacturer Mazzega in the 1970s. It features a distinctive dome-shaped textured glass shade with a chrome cyl...
Glass
Sold
H 13.78 in W 7.88 in D 11.82 in
Osso Bark Effect Glass Table Lamp by Carlo Nason for Mazzega 1970
By Carlo Nason
Located in Oirlo, LI
Osso (Bone) Murano glass bark effect table lamp by Carlo Nason for Mazzega. This lamp is part of biomorphic free-form shaped glass shells, this piece features a milky glass diffuser ...
Chrome
Carlo Nason Torpedo Glass Chandelier Mazzega, Italy, 1960
By Carlo Nason, Mazzega
Located in Vienna, AT
Carlo Nason iridescent Torpedo glass chandelier for Mazzega, Italy, 1960 Very scarce Carlo Nason light with almost 20 inches in diameter in refurbished condition. The original creme...
Brass
Carlo Nason for Mazzega, 'Lotus' Table Lamp, Pulegoso Glass, 1960s Design
By Mazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in Brescia, Brescia
The LT305 'Lotus' table lamp, designed by Carlo Nason for Mazzega in the 1960s, epitomizes Italian craftsmanship and artistic innovation. This particular piece, produced in the late ...
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass
Sold
H 4.73 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Large Flush Mount Murano Glass Designed by Carlo Nason, Italy, 1970s
By Carlo Nason
Located in Oirlo, LI
Fantastic mid-century wall Flush mount with Murano glass pieces designed by Carlo Nason made by Kalmar, Austria, manufactured, circa 1960-1969. Great geometrical shape. The Fixtu...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 16.54 in Dm 19.69 in
Carlo Nason LT305 'Lotus' Table Lamp for Mazzega, Opalescent Glass, 1960s Design
By Mazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in Brescia, Brescia
The LT305 'Lotus' table lamp, designed by Carlo Nason for Mazzega in the 1960s, is a stunning example of Italian craftsmanship and artistic vision. This particular piece, produced in...
Metal
Murano Pendant by Carlo Nason for Mazzega, Italy 1960s.
By Mazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in Debrecen, HU
Fantastic mid-century murano pendant by Carlo Nason for Mazzega, Italy 1960s. The four green and transparent petals made of thick Murano glass form the shape of a flower, lending thi...
Murano Glass
Carlo Nason for Mazzega "Cascata LS 151" Wall Lamp. Italy 1960s
By Mazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in Naples, IT
Wall lamp model Cascata Ls 151 in Murano glass designed by Carlo Nason in the 1960s for the Mazzega Company. A line of lamps with a modern design, cascades of glass blades made with ...
Murano Glass
Pair of Triedri Curvati Murano Glass Flush Mount by Carlo Nason for Venini
By Venini, Carlo Nason
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing pair of glass chandelier or ceiling light with four layers of curving “triedri” glass prisms on a brass frame, designed by Carlo Nason for Venini, Italy. A dynamic form, chan...
Blown Glass
