Paolo Venini Inciso Art Glass Vase, Murano Italy, circa 1955
View Similar Items
Paolo Venini Inciso Art Glass Vase, Murano Italy, circa 1955
About the Item
- Creator:Paolo Venini (Artist)
- Dimensions:Height: 10 in (25.4 cm)Diameter: 5.25 in (13.34 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:no chips or scratches.
- Seller Location:Las Vegas, NV
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1195219458452
Paolo Venini
While Venini & Co.'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.
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.
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 Paolo Venini chandeliers, serveware, table lamps, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
- Barovier Toso Murano Art Glass Ribbed Pink and Gold VesselBy Barovier Seguso & FerroLocated in Las Vegas, NVGorgeous Murano art glass vase designed by Ercole Barovier for Barovier e Toso . Hand blown gold flecks and cotton candy pink stripes through a ribbed sides with asymmetrical edge....Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsGold Leaf
- R & Y Augousti of Paris Leather Shagreen Clad Vases, Set of 4By R & Y AugoustiLocated in Las Vegas, NVLovely set of 4 leather clad vases from R & Y Augousti of Paris. They stand 26-1/2in, 22-1/2in and 13-1/2in tall. Each is marked on the bottom as pictured. Condition: Some warm a...Category
1990s Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Signed Seguso Vetri d'Arte Tall Art Glass Candlestick Holder Murano ItalyBy Seguso Vetri d'ArteLocated in Las Vegas, NVFabulous tall candle stick signed "Seguso Vetri d'Arte" on base. Gold fleck in clear glass. Flawless condition. Measure: 25-1/2" tall.Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsArt Glass
- Karl Springer Design Murano Italy Scavo Art Glass Candle Pillar Set, SignedBy Karl SpringerLocated in Las Vegas, NVRare set of 3 Murano Italy Scavo art glass candlestick pillars designed by Karl Springer. Shortest is signed/etched "Karl Springer" on base, circa 1980...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsArt Glass
- Mid-Century Aldo Londi Bitossi Raymor Art Pottery Table Set Tall Jars & AshtrayBy Aldo LondiLocated in Las Vegas, NVIncredible set by Aldo Londi for Raymor Italy 1950's. A large pair of lidded jars standing 16 inches tall x 5-1/2 wide. Large ashtray is 10-1/2 inc...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Jars
MaterialsStoneware
- Art Deco Era Artisan Hammered Brass CachepotLocated in Las Vegas, NVHand-hammered brass cachepot with the most amazing aged patina, circa 1940s. Fine quality artisan piece. Stamped on bottom as pictured. Stands 14" with a 12" opening.Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
MaterialsBrass
- Venini Art Glass Vase with Inciso Decoration Paolo Venini, Murano 1956By Venini, Paolo VeniniLocated in Berghuelen, DEVenini Art Glass vase with Inciso Decoration Paolo Venini, Murano 1956 A vintage art glass vase in erba pesante (grass green) glass with layered...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsMurano Glass, Art Glass
- Paolo Venini Signed Murano Sommerso Blue Inciso Technique Italian Art Glass VaseBy Paolo Venini, VeniniLocated in Kissimmee, FLBeautiful Murano hand blown Sommerso navy blue Italian art glass flower vase. Documented to designer Paolo Venini for the Venini Company, circa 1950s. It is fully signed with the "Ve...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsArt Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass
- Paolo Venini Murano Signed Blue Inciso Technique Italian Art Glass Flower VaseBy Venini, Paolo VeniniLocated in Kissimmee, FLBeautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso blue and peachy color Italian art glass flower vase. Designed by Paolo Venini, circa 1955 for Venini e. Co. The vase has an elegant taper...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsGlass, Art Glass, Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass
$4,875 Sale Price25% Off - Inciso Glass Vase by Paolo VeniniBy Paolo VeniniLocated in New York, NYWheel carved glass. 3 Line acid-etched Venini signature underneath.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsGlass
- Large Venini Art Glass Vase with Inciso Decoration Paolo Venini, Murano 1956By Venini, Paolo VeniniLocated in Berghuelen, DELarge Venini Art Glass vase with Inciso Decoration Paolo Venini, Murano 1956 A large vintage art glass vase in notte (night) blue pesante glass ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsArt Glass, Murano Glass
- Paolo Venini Inciso VaseBy VeniniLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis is a clean example with pleasing proportionsCategory
Vintage 1950s Italian Glass
$4,250