Paolo Venini pair of zanfirico glass chandeliers, model 5539, Murano Italy 1950s

A pair of Murano glass pendant chandeliers, model number 5539, designed by Paolo Venini, produced by Venini, using the Zanfirico sommerso technique, in 1950s.

With their sinuous forms inspired by nature, simple, linear, and elegant, this pair of pendant lamps designed by Paolo Venini in the mid-1950s encapsulates a timeless secret. The technique used to create them, with its distinctive glass texture that reveals rich decorative depth when backlit, is the result of rare craftsmanship. This technique, known as "Zanfirico," is named after a merchant who, in the 19th century, helped to promote this special glassworking method that had been rediscovered on the island of Murano and was originally used since the mid-16th century. The mesmerizing result is a delicate lace-like effect, appearing to float within the glass walls, achieved by incorporating rods of crystal glass containing intertwined threads of white or other colors. The product that emerges from the artisan's hands is astonishing.

Presenting this pair of lamps, we encounter objects capable of synthesizing past and present. The ancient glassworking technique, unchanged for centuries, has met with contemporary and skillful design by Paolo Venini. A multifaceted personality, Venini revitalized glass manufacturing in the first half of the 20th century through his entrepreneurial skills and clear aesthetic vision. He was appreciated by the group of Milanese architects and collaborated with Marelli, Lancia, and Ponti, with whom he also shared a sincere friendship. What continues to fascinate about Paolo Venini's production is the ability of each of his objects to bring the glassmaking tradition into the present, thanks to a cultured and attentive design that constantly dialogues with the past, not as a glorious relic to be flaunted but as a living material, still in constant dialogue with contemporaneity.

The presented lamps are original pieces from the era, in excellent condition, without any damage that would impair their beauty.

Dimensions: 23 cm Diameter x 38 cm Height