Murano Glass Wall Lights by Venini, Italy 1970s (sold)

Murano Glass Wall Lights by Venini, Italy 1970s (sold)

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The origins of glassmaking in Venice go back to the times of the Roman Empire when moulded glass was used for illumination in bathhouses. Jumping to the 1970s, glass was still an essential material used by leading designers of the era to create special lighting models that are appreciating in value to this day.

These wall lights are special for a couple of reasons besides the obvious visual uniqueness, starting with their material. Murano Glass is an art form that is still handmade by highly skilled master artisans; owning a Murano glass piece is therefore also being a part of a long Venetian tradition. In Italy in the 1970s, wall-to-wall shagpile, brass, bronze, chrome, and glass started to feature in the homes of the stylish elite. It was a break from the oversaturation of more minimalist design of the 1960s. These organically shaped Venini wall lights utilize the special qualities of Murano glass maximally, with a variety of shapes, forms, and colours. As they are handmade pieces, the shades have a mosaic look that results from the procedure itself. The surface of the bodies is therefore very texture, complemented by the gold leaf accents that crown the lamps at the top and the ones at the bottom with curved ends. When lit, the lamps have a beautiful golden hue that makes them look like jewels on the wall. Unlike many other decorative pieces that are mass-produced today, every authentic Murano glass piece is an original creation made by hand according to the ancient tradition. This means that each piece reflects the soul of the artist and the historic Venetian tradition of glass blowing.

Venini has preserved and interpreted this unique artistic heritage that has its origins in the 13th-century Venetian culture, creating distinctive works like this pair that combine the profound knowledge of tradition with the allure of contemporary tastes.

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