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
Gae Aulenti, Venini & C., 1999
Gae Aulenti

Gae Aulenti   SferaVenini & C., 1999

Vase from the Millennium III collection in red pulegoso glass.
The vase was crafted by Venini in
a limited edition (99 pieces) to celebrate the 3rd millennium.

Engraved: venini Millennium III 7/99 gae aulenti.
10 5/8 in. high (27 cm)

Collection of the Museum of Arts and Design, New York, Gift of Nancy Olnick and Giorgio Spanu

Exhibitions:
2001, Milan, Murano: Vetri dalla Collezione Olnick Spanu, Spazio Oberdan.

Bibliography and comparative texts:
M. Romanelli, 2000, p. 67;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 198.

Photograph by Luca Vignelli
Mary Ann Zynsky, Venini & C., 1984
Mary Ann Zynsky
Chiacchere, 1984

Mary Ann Zynsky   ChiacchereVenini & C., 1984

Two vases called Chiacchere but also known as Mulinello. The one on the left is composed of pink glass cased in blue with a pink mouth and applied green threads. The one on the right is in black glass cased in green with a black mouth and applied black threads.

Engraved: Zinsky x Venini 1984.
10 in. high (25.4 cm)
14 in. high (35.5 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. Duplani Tucci, 1989, n. 67;
R. Barovier Mentasti, 1992, n. 163;
Glas Band II, 1992, p. 128;
A. Venini Diaz de Santillana, 1996, n. 263;
A. Venini Diaz de Santillana, 2000, n. 270; Olnick Spanu, 2000, n. 153;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 192.

 

A turquoise bowl cased in lattimo glass decorated with a random design of pink and pale blue threads.

Engraved: Zinsky x Venini 1984.
7 1/4 in. high (18.5 cm)

Bibliography and comparative texts:
R. Linzeler, 1922, p. 666;
C. Carrà, 1923, p. 67;
R. Linzeler, 1923, p. 83;
R. Papini, 1930, n. 570;
G. Mariacher, 1967, p. 98;
R. Barovier Mentasti, 1982, n. 252;
Mille anni…, 1982, n. 503;
F. Deboni, 1984, p. n. 70;
W. Neuwirth, 1987, nn. 7, 104;
A. Dorigato, 1986,
p. 71;
F. Deboni, 1989, n. 1;
L’arte del vetro, 1982, n. 307;
M. Heiremans, 1993, n. 191;
M. Barovier, R. Barovier Mentasti,
A. Dorigato, 1995, n. 15;
A. Venini Diaz de Santillana, 1996, n. 1;
R. Barovier Mentasti, 1998, n. 25;
A. Venini Diaz de Santillana, 2000, n. 1;
Olnick Spanu, 2000, n. 8;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 13.

 

A green vase decorated with a random design of orange threads.

Engraved: Zinsky x Venini 1984.
12 1/2 in. high (31.5 cm)

Bibliography and comparative texts:
R. Linzeler, 1922, p. 666;
C. Carrà, 1923, p. 67;
R. Linzeler, 1923, p. 83;
R. Papini, 1930, n. 570;
G. Mariacher, 1967, p. 98;
R. Barovier Mentasti, 1982, n. 252;
Mille anni…, 1982, n. 503;
F. Deboni, 1984, p. n. 70;
W. Neuwirth, 1987, nn. 7, 104;
A. Dorigato, 1986,
p. 71;
F. Deboni, 1989, n. 1;
L’arte del vetro, 1982, n. 307;
M. Heiremans, 1993, n. 191;
M. Barovier, R. Barovier Mentasti,
A. Dorigato, 1995, n. 15;
A. Venini Diaz de Santillana, 1996, n. 1;
R. Barovier Mentasti, 1998, n. 25;
A. Venini Diaz de Santillana, 2000, n. 1;
Olnick Spanu, 2000, n. 8;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 13.

Photograph by Luca Vignelli
Mary Ann Zynsky, Venini & C., 1984
Mary Ann Zynsky

Mary Ann Zynsky   FoltoVenini & C., 1984

A bowl composed of cased blue glass decorated with an irregular application of pink glass threads.

Engraved: Zinsky x Venini 1984.
5 in. high (12.7 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:
A. Venini Diaz de Santillana, 1996, n. 262;
M. Barovier, 1999, p. 317;
A. Venini Diaz de Santillana, 2000, n. 269;
Olnick Spanu, 2000, n. 154;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 191.

Photograph by Luca Vignelli
Alessandro Diaz de Santillana, Venini & C., 1984
Alessandro Diaz de Santillana
Coccio, 1984

Alessandro Diaz de Santillana   CoccioVenini & C., 1984

A white vase composed of lattimo murrine decorated with an abstract pattern of black glass and finished with the applications of gold leaf.

7 in. high (17.8 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:
A. Venini Diaz de Santillana, 1996, n. 261;
Venini Venezia, 1998, p. 79;
A. Venini Diaz de Santillana, 2000, n. 267;
Olnick Spanu, 2000, n. 152;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 190.

Photograph by Luca Vignelli
Laura Diaz de Santillana, Venini & C., 1979
Laura Diaz de Santillana
Glicine, 1979

Laura Diaz de Santillana   GlicineVenini & C., 1979

A plate with cristallo, yellow, amethyst, and blue pale murrine arranged to replicate a wisteria pattern.

Engraved: venini italia 79 100/3 Laura.
Ø; 10 5/8 in. (27 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:
A. Venini Diaz de Santillana, 1996, n. 255;
A. Venini Diaz de Santillana, 2000, n. 262;
Olnick Spanu, 2000, n. 151;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 189.