Vintage Venini chandelier in mid-century modern style. Made of transparent Murano glass, frame - chrome-plated metal. Italy, 1970s

The Venini glass workshop was founded in 1921 by the Milanese Paolo Venini and the Venetian antiquary Giacomo Cappellini. The friends agreed to buy out Andrea Ryoda's Murano glass factory that had closed down: it was planned to keep all the craftsmen, and make the owner himself the technical director. However, Ryoda died before the first product was released. Despite the difficulties, the company quickly rose thanks to the Milan contracts. It is believed that the Venini workshop was the first on the island of Murano to adhere to the concept of modern design. It was after the opening of the Venini company that the Art Nouveau period began in the history of Venetian glass.