Rare Pair of Carlo Scarpa Model 228 Venini Murano Glass Sconces, 1931–1935

An exceptionally rare pair of Model 228 wall sconces, produced by Venini between 1931 and 1935 and documented in the Venini archive. Although this specific model appears as No. 228 in the original period drawings, it belongs to the same documented family as Model 226, published in Venini Luce 1921–1985. The volume states that the lighting collections developed by Venini during these years were designed while Carlo Scarpa was responsible for the artistic direction and lighting design, allowing this elegant model to be confidently attributed to his hand.

The design perfectly embodies Scarpa’s early research into light, texture and architectural rhythm. Rather than relying on ornament, the composition is built through repetition: three cylindrical Murano glass diffusers are carefully stacked one above another around the internal frame, creating a sculptural vertical volume that appears both light and monumental.

Each diffuser is executed in thick, heavily textured transparent Murano glass with a distinctive hammered and organically rippled surface. The irregular relief captures and refracts the light from every angle, producing a warm, shimmering glow while softly diffusing the bulbs concealed within. Even when switched off, the glass displays remarkable depth and movement, reflecting Scarpa’s fascination with the expressive qualities of handcrafted Venetian glass.

The construction is as refined as it is ingenious. The three glass cylinders simply slide over the internal metal structure, while the entire composition is secured by a fourth circular glass disc resting at the base. This lower element is delicately held in place by a small solid brass finial, which gently locks the glass assembly together while remaining almost visually imperceptible—a sophisticated engineering solution characteristic of Venini’s finest productions.

The internal metal structures were repainted by the previous owner during the late 1990s, while all original Murano glass components remain preserved. The sconces present beautifully today, with only light signs of age consistent with nearly a century of history.

Rarely encountered on the market, Model 228 represents an important example of Carlo Scarpa’s earliest lighting designs for Venini and an outstanding addition to any serious collection of twentieth-century Italian design.