Venini Fazzoletto (Handkerchief) vase

The Fazzoletto (Handkerchief) vase is one of the most iconic pieces of 20th-century Italian design. Created in 1948 by designer Fulvio Bianconi in collaboration with Paolo Venini, the vase is renowned for its unique 'handkerchief' shape, which mimics the fluid movement of fabric caught in a breeze. Each piece is individually hand-blown on the island of Murano, Venice, ensuring that no two vases are exactly alike. The technique involves blowing a molten glass bubble, cutting it open, and allowing the glass to flow freely before it is shaped with tools to create the characteristic asymmetrical peaks.

Venini, founded in 1921, has long been a leader in the Murano glassmaking tradition, blending ancient craft with modern artistic vision. Its works are held in prestigious museum collections worldwide, including the MoMA in New York. The brand's history is marked by collaborations with major artists and architects like Gio Ponti and Carlo Scarpa. Today, Venini continues to produce these artisanal masterpieces in Murano, maintaining the rigorous quality and heritage that have made the brand a symbol of Italian luxury and craftsmanship.