Venini & C. 1932–2001

In 1932, when both Martinuzzi and Zecchin left the company, Paolo Venini changed the name from Vetri Soffiati Muranesi Venini & Co. (V.S.M. Venini & Co.) to Venini & C.. Milanese architect Tommaso Buzzi became the new artistic director.

After 1934, artistic direction was taken on by Carlo Scarpa, who designed most of the company’s production through 1947. Side by side with Venini, who often intervened personally in design, Scarpa created numerous collections of objects characterized by refined colors. After World War II, Venini & C. sought numerous collaborations with artists such as architect Giò Ponti and the Swedish-born Tyra Lundgren. After 1948, Fulvio Bianconi, Massimo Vignelli, and Tobia Scarpa contributed significantly to the new direction of the company.

Paolo Venini died in 1959 and his son-in-law, Ludovico Diaz de Santillana, took over the management of Venini & C. He not only worked personally as a glass designer but also continued the collaboration started by Paolo Venini with various artists and designers. Starting in 1960, many other designers collaborated with the company, like Thomas Stearns, Toni Zuccheri, Tapio Wirkkala, Laura and Alessandro Diaz de Santillana, James Carpenter, Dan Dailey, Richard Marquis, Benjamin Moore, and Toots Zynsky. In 1986, the de Santillana family left the company, selling their stock to the Ferruzzi group, which guaranteed the fine quality Venini was known for by hiring new designers such as Timo Sarpaneva, Marco Zanini, Ettore Sottsass Jr., Alessandro Mendini, Mario Bellini, Barbara del Vicario, and others.

In 1988, Venini was acquired by Royal Scandinavian. Since 2001, Venini S.p.A. has been part of Italian Luxury Industries Group and is led by Giancarlo Chimento, Giuliano Tabacchi, and Giorgio Rizzo.

Photograph by Luca Vignelli
Carlo Scarpa, Venini & C., 1942
Carlo Scarpa
A pennellate, 1942

Carlo Scarpa   A pennellateVenini & C., 1942

Vase in lightly iridized clear glass decorated with brushstrokes,
a pennellate, of yellow and amethyst glass.

10 1/4 in. high (26 cm)

Exhibitions:
1942, Venice, 23rd Biennale Internazionale d’Arte;
2001, Milan, Murano: Vetri dalla Collezione Olnick Spanu, Spazio Oberdan.

Bibliography and comparative texts:
Venini, catalogue, n. 4541;
G. Ponti, 1959, p. 42;
Space Design, 1977, p. 70;
Olnick Spanu, 2000, n. 72;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 108.
In addition, see description n. 110.

Photograph by Luca Vignelli
Carlo Scarpa, Venini & C., 1942
Carlo Scarpa
A macchie, 1942

Carlo Scarpa   A macchieVenini & C., 1942

Bowl in blue and clear trasparente glass, heavily iridized with the center portion decorated with an abstract motif in black glass.

Acid stamped:
venini murano.
3 in. high (7.6 cm)
Ø; 10 1/4 in. (26 cm)
Exhibitions:
1942, Venice, 23rd Biennale Internazionale d’Arte;
2001, Milan, Murano: Vetri dalla Collezione Olnick Spanu,
Spazio Oberdan.

Bibliography and comparative texts:
Venini, grey catalogue, n. 4424;
Domus, 1952, August, p. 51;
R. Aloi, 1955, p. 26;
W. Neuwirth, 1987, p. 59;
F. Deboni, 1989, nn. 76, 83;
F. Deboni, 1989, n. 14;
M. Barovier, 1991, p. 161;
R. Barovier Mentasti, 1992, p. 72;
M. Barovier, R. Barovier Mentasti,
A. Dorigato, 1995, pp. 52, 149;
A. Venini Diaz de Santillana, 1996,
p. 109;
H. Ricke, E. Schmitt, 1996, p. 83;
M. Barovier, 1997, p. 224;
A. Venini Diaz de Santillana, 2000, n. 146;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 107.

Photograph by Luca Vignelli
Carlo Scarpa, Venini & C., 1940
Carlo Scarpa
A fasce applicate, 1940

Carlo Scarpa   A fasce applicateVenini & C., 1940

A clear glass shallow bowl with a strongly iridized surface, decorated with aqua and red fasce applicate.

10 1/8 in. x 8 1/2 in. (25.7 x 21.6 cm)
Exhibitions:
1940, Milan, 7th Triennale;
2000, New York, Venetian Glass, Museum of Arts & Design;
2001, Milan, Murano: Vetri dalla Collezione Olnick Spanu,
Spazio Oberdan.

Bibliography and comparative texts:
Venini, grey catalogue, n. 4476;
G. Ponti, 1940, p. 61;
F. Deboni, 1989, n. 66;
M. Barovier, 1991, n. 61;
M. Heiremans, 1996, n. 62;
H. Ricke, E. Schmitt, 1996, n. 28;
M. Barovier, 1997, p. 220;
M. Barovier, 1998 (b), p. 28;
A. Venini Diaz de Santillana, 2000, n. 139;
Olnick Spanu, 2000, n. 70;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 106.

Photograph by Luca Vignelli
Carlo Scarpa, Venini & C., 1942
Carlo Scarpa
A macchie, 1942

Carlo Scarpa   A macchieVenini & C., 1942

Plate in red, green and clear trasparente glass, heavily iridized. Corroso finish over the entire surface.

Acid stamped:
venini murano ITALIA.
2 1/4 in. high x 11 in. x 9 in.
(5.7 x 28 x 22.9 cm)
Exhibitions:
2001, Milan, Murano: Vetri dalla Collezione Olnick Spanu,
Spazio Oberdan.

Bibliography and comparative texts:
Venini, grey catalogue, nn. 4478;
Domus, 1952, August, p. 51;
R. Aloi, 1955, p. 26;
W. Neuwirth, 1987, p. 59;
F. Deboni, 1989, nn. 76, 83;
Venini, 1921, n. 14;
M. Barovier, 1991, p. 161;
R. Barovier Mentasti, 1992, p. 72;
M. Barovier, R. Barovier Mentasti,
A. Dorigato, 1995, pp. 52, 149;
A. Venini Diaz de Santillana, 1996, n. 124;
H. Ricke, E. Schmitt, pp. 65, 83;
M. Barovier, 1997, nn. 274-277;
Venini. Catalogo…, n. 146;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 104.

Photograph by Luca Vignelli
Carlo Scarpa, Venini & C., 1942
Carlo Scarpa
A fasce, 1942

Carlo Scarpa   A fasceVenini & C., 1942

Glass vessel with the top portion composed of clear glass, iridized to appear pale dusty rose color.
The bottom portion is aquamarine. The two parts are separated by an aubergine fascia of glass.

Acid stamped:
venini murano.
9 3/4 in. high (24.8 cm)
Exhibitions:
2000, New York, Venetian Glass, Museum of Arts & Design;
2001, Milan, Murano: Vetri dalla Collezione Olnick Spanu,
Spazio Oberdan.

Bibliography and comparative texts:
G. Ponti, 1959, p. 42;
Vetri Murano…, 1981, p. 105;
W. Neuwirth, 1987, p. 216;
F. Deboni, 1989, nn. 80, 81, 85;
G. Duplani Tucci, 1989, n. 19;
M. Karasik, n. 13;
M. Barovier, 1991, n. 56;
M. Barovier, R. Barovier Mentasti, A. Dorigato, 1995, nn. 70, 73;
F. Deboni, 1996, nn. 200, 201;
A. Venini Diaz de Santillana, 1996, n. 120;
M. Heiremans, 1996, n. 69;
H. Ricke, E. Schmitt, 1996, n. 44;
M. Barovier, 1997, p. 222;
M. Barovier, 1998 (b), n. 31;
M. Barovier, 1999, p. 186.
Olnick Spanu, 2000, n. 71;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 105.