Italian Murano Glass Chandelier Attributed to Flavio Poli for Seguso, 1940s

An Italian aqua green Murano glass chandelier attributed to Flavio Poli for Seguso from the 1940s. The chandelier is organized around a central column that descends from the ceiling in a long, uninterrupted taper. Narrow at the top, the glass gradually widens into a rounded, teardrop-shaped volume before meeting the arms below. 

Three substantial glass arms extend outward from the center, arranged in a radial composition. Each takes the form of a broad, flattened rectangular element, with gently rounded edges and a subtle upward angle. The translucency and softened contours of the glass keep the overall silhouette light.

The aqua green glass is central to the chandelier's character. Its color shifts between pale celadon, moss green, and deeper emerald depending on the thickness of the material and the direction of the light. Along the arms, darker concentrations of green emphasize their edges and internal contours, while the broader surfaces remain softly translucent. Small bubbles, surface irregularities, and variations within the glass introduce texture and depth, allowing the material to reveal itself rather than appearing uniform.

At the center, the arms meet through a series of angular glass elements that form a compact geometric junction beneath the rounded stem. This intersection is one of the most interesting details of the piece. The overlapping shapes create a faceted composition, contrasting with the organic taper above and making the chandelier compelling even when viewed from directly below.

The attribution to Flavio Poli connects the chandelier to an important period in Murano glassmaking. As artistic director of Seguso Vetri d'Arte during the 1930s through the early 1960s, Poli helped develop a modern language for Venetian glass, emphasizing sculptural form, controlled geometry, and the expressive possibilities of color. The chandelier reflects that sensibility through its balance of substantial glass volumes and an exceptionally disciplined silhouette.

Three light sources rise from the ends of the arms, each finished with a newly tailored ivory fabric shade. Their softly tapered forms introduce a warmer, more domestic element to the sculptural glass structure. The pale fabric provides a quiet contrast to the green, while its subtle woven texture complements the irregularities of the glass. When illuminated, the shades diffuse the light into a gentle, atmospheric glow, allowing the chandelier's color and silhouette to remain the focus.

About Seguso
The Seguso family has shaped Murano glassmaking since the 14th century, but modern collectors mainly associate the name with two 20th-century firms: Seguso Vetri d’Arte and Vetreria Archimede Seguso. Seguso Vetri d’Arte flourished under designer Flavio Poli, whose modern forms, bold color experimentation, and innovations like sommerso and corroso became highly collectible.

Archimede Seguso, who founded his own workshop in 1946, focused on classical techniques reinterpreted through a modern lens, creating richly decorative yet refined works such as Losanghe and Merletto vessels. Together, these studios produced some of the most accomplished and influential glass designs of the modern era.