Italian glass artist Flavio Poli’s innovative use of the sommerso technique during the 1950s added a dimension of exquisite beauty and refined elegance to mid-century-era Murano glass design. Today Poli’s vintage table lamps, glass vases, ashtrays and other objects are highly collectible.
Born in Chioggia in 1900, Poli attended the prestigious Istituto d’Arte di Venezia where he trained as a ceramist before turning his attention toward glass art. His career in glass began in 1929 when he worked at the Industrie Vetrerie Artistiche Murano, designing and creating large-scale glass sculptures, urns and bowls.
During the 1930s, Poli was a glass artist for manufacturer Barovier, Seguso and Ferro (later known as Seguso Vetri d’Arte), where he worked alongside pioneering glass master Archimede Seguso. Poli was later appointed artistic director at the Venetian glassworks.
Inspired by Seguso, Poli began to experiment with his own glassblowing techniques. In the 1950s, he helped popularize the decades-old sommerso style, which sees overlapping layers of transparent handblown glass melded through a heating process and immersed in pots of molten colored glass. The style yields a sophisticated and mesmerizing effect — it's as if colored fluids have been trapped inside the layers of clear glass. Poli made use of variations on the technique in many of his pieces, including in designs for vases, bowls, sculptures and more.
Poli’s unparalleled designs and innovative work with the sommerso technique garnered numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. He won five Grand Prix awards at the Milan Triennale and was awarded the Compasso d’Oro prize in 1954. Poli’s designs were also presented at the World’s Fair in Brussels and the Venice Biennale in 1958.
Today, Poli’s work can be found in museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Murano Glass Museum in Venice, Museo Boncompagni Ludovisi in Rome and the National Gallery of Victoria in Australia.
Find vintage Flavio Poli decorative objects, serveware and lighting on 1stDibs.
Murano Sommerso Green & Amber Geode Art Glass Bowl by Flavio Poli
By Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A striking Murano Sommerso geode art glass bowl designed by Flavio Poli, featuring his signature color-layering technique that beautifully blends vivid green with warm amber and deep...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Sommerso
Mid-Century Murano Glass Ashtray or Bowl by Flavio Poli, Faceted Murano Glass
By Flavio Poli
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Mid-Century Murano Glass ashtray or bowl by Flavio Poli - Faceted Murano Glass This is a beautiful Murano glass ashtray or decorative bowl. It is made according to the technique of ...
Glass, Murano Glass
Murano Sommerso Green Yellow & Clear Faceted Block Bowl Dish by Flavio Poli
By Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A striking Murano Sommerso faceted block bowl designed by Flavio Poli, showcasing the masterful Venetian glassmaking of the mid-20th century. This sculptural piece features beautiful...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Sommerso
Sommerso green pocket emptier by Flavio Poli for Seguso, Murano glass Italy 1970
By Flavio Poli
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful sommerso empty pocket or ashtray designed and manufactured by flavio poli for seguso in murano in the 1970s. Artisanal glasswork using the sommerso technique (superposition...
Murano Glass
Murano Sommerso Pink & Amber Art Glass Bowl by Flavio Poli
By Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A refined Murano Sommerso art glass bowl attributed to Flavio Poli, featuring a sophisticated blend of pink, amber, and smoky tones—an elegant color palette characteristic of mid-cen...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Sommerso
Sommerso vide poche by Flavio Poli, Murano, Italy, 1970
By Flavio Poli
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful brown and green sommerso pocket emptier or ashtray designed and manufactured by flavio poli for seguso in murano in the 1970s. Artisanal glasswork using the sommerso techni...
Murano Glass
Seguso Murano Sommerso Green Yellow Art Glass Huge Ovoid Centerpiece Bowl
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Barcelona, ES
Massive hand blown green, yellow and clear ovoid shaped geode Murano glass art bowl / centerpiece. Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Italy, 1950s. This magnificent Sommerso green yellow bowl...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Murano Sommerso Gray & Clear Faceted Art Glass Ashtray Dish Bowl by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli, Seguso
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A striking Mid-Century Modern Murano Sommerso ashtray or decorative dish designed by Flavio Poli, showcasing his mastery of faceted block glass...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Sommerso
Sommerso green pocket emptier by Flavio Poli for Seguso Murano glass Italy 1970
By Flavio Poli
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Superb and rare sommerso empty pocket or ashtray designed and manufactured by flavio poli for seguso in murano in the 1970s. Artisanal glasswork using the sommerso technique (superpo...
Murano Glass
Murano Sommerso Blue & Uranium Art Glass Geode Bowl Dish by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli, Seguso
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This striking Murano Sommerso art glass geode bowl is attributed to Flavio Poli and dates to the 1950s. Expertly crafted in the iconic Sommerso (submerged glass) technique, the piece...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Sommerso
Murano Sommerso Aquamarine & Blue Geode Art Glass Bowl by Flavio Poli
By Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A beautifully shaped Murano Sommerso geode art glass bowl designed by Flavio Poli, showcasing his signature mastery of layered color and organic form. This elegant piece features a l...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Sommerso
Flavio Poli Seguso Murano Lime Green Purple White Sommerso Geode Art Glass Bowl
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Barcelona, ES
Green, White and Purple 5 layered Murano Glass Sommerso Geode Bowl, Italy, 1960s. Hand blown Murano Sommerso square shaped geode bowl in green color with interior in purple and layer...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Opaline Glass
Murano Sommerso Red & Aquamarine Bullicante Geode Bowl by Flavio Poli
By Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A striking Murano Sommerso geode bowl attributed to Flavio Poli, showcasing the refined craftsmanship of mid-century Venetian art glass. The bowl features a deep red core submerged w...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Sommerso
Murano Sommerso Red & Amber Organic Art Glass Bowl by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli, Seguso
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A vibrant Murano Sommerso art glass bowl attributed to Flavio Poli, featuring a striking red inner core subtly transitioning into warm amber and soft smoke tones. This piece showcase...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Sommerso
Asymmetric Murano Sommerso Red & Blue Faceted Block Dish by Flavio Poli
By Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A striking asymmetric Murano Sommerso block dish attributed to Flavio Poli, crafted in the 1960s using the renowned Sommerso (submerged glass) technique. This sculptural piece featur...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Sommerso
Flavio Poli for Seguso Freeform Uranium Murano Glass Basket Bowl Sommerso
By Flavio Poli, Archimede Seguso, Seguso
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A striking freeform Murano glass basket bowl or vide poche designed by Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Italy, circa 1950s–1960s. This exceptional example showcases Poli's celebr...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Sommerso, Uranium Glass
Murano Decorative Red and Yellow "Sommerso" Frosted Glass by F. Poli, Italy 1960
By Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Roma, IT
Magnificent sommerso decorative glass in blown "sommerso" red and yellow Murano glass. This stunning piece was designed by Flavio Poli for a Seguso production in Italy during the 196...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Murano Sommerso Green & Yellow Geode Art Glass Bowl by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli, Seguso
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A vibrant Murano Sommerso geode art glass bowl attributed to Flavio Poli, showcasing a striking blend of bright green transitioning into warm yellow, encased within a deep, almost bl...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Sommerso
Flavio Poli Glass Ashtray, Murano, Italy, 1960s, Mid-Century Modern
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
A Murano glass ashtray or coin tray, designed by renowned glass artist Flavio Poli for the Seguso Vetri d'Arte glassworks. It dates from the 1960s. It is made using the fused glass t...
Murano Glass
$488Sale Price|24% Off
Seguso Vetri d'Arte Poli Murano Red Gold Flecks Italian Art Deco Glass Dish Bowl
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli, Archimede Seguso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso ruby red, bubbles and gold flecks Italian art glass decorative personal ashtray / bowl. Documented to designer to Flavio Poli for Seguso ...
Gold Leaf
$692
H 2.68 in W 3.47 in D 3.08 in
Flavio Poli Murano Sommerso Triangular Art Glass Bowl / Ashtray, Red & Yellow
By Flavio Poli
Located in Barcelona, ES
Flavio Poli Seguso Faceted Decorative Bowl or Ashtray in Murano Glass Sommerso faceted Murano glass triangular ashtray. Attributed to Flavio Poli, Italy, 1950s. Red and yellow glass ...
Art Glass, Sommerso, Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Murano Yellow Faceted Glass Ashtray
By Flavio Poli
Located in Barcelona, ES
Beautiful faceted Murano glass ashtray in yellow color attributed to Flavio Poli, circa 1950s. The color changes depending on the light. Neon yellow under white ligth and more orang...
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass
$892Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.76 in W 5.12 in D 3.75 in
Flavio Poli Seguso Murano Sommerso Purple Blue Multi Faceted Bowl
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-Century Modern Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte multi faceted purple and soft blue Murano glass Sommerso bowl, Italy, 1960s. This hand blown glass bowl is made of purple glass...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
$336Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.96 in Dm 3.93 in
Flavio Poli Bullicante Murano Glass Ashtray, 1960s Italian Design
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous ashtray or catchall by Flavio Poli for Seguso in Bullicante Murano glass. Made in Italy The item is in excellent condition. Dimension: 3,93 diameter x 1,96 H inches cm...
Murano Glass
$304Sale Price|30% Off
H 3.15 in W 5.12 in D 5.12 in
Murano Sommerso Red Faceted Glass Bowl by Flavio Poli 1960´s
By Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Lucenec, SK
1960s gorgeous green ashtray or catch-all By Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano Sommerso Glass. Made in Italy It seems a diamond The item is in very good condition, no chips. Dimension...
Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
$375
H 2.5 in W 4.75 in D 4.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Murano Sommerso "Geode" Glass Bowl, Attributed to Flavio Poli
Located in San Francisco, CA
On offer is a beautiful vintage Mid-Century Modern, Murano Sommerso "Geode" Art Glass Bowl. It was crafted in Murano, Italy, and is heavily attributed to the iconic designer Flavio P...
Murano Glass
$514
H 2.76 in W 5.91 in D 5.91 in
Murano Sommerso Blue Glass Bowl by Flavio Poli for Seguso, Italy, 1960
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in London, GB
Glass bowl square shape by Flavio Poli for Seguso 1960s in deep blue. The bowls are hand blown, known as Venetian Sommerso, made in Murano, Venice, Italy. The bowls a combination of...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$1,200
H 2.5 in W 5 in D 4 in
Flavio Poli Sommerso Caviar Murano Glass Diamond Bowl by Seguso, Italy, 1960s
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Vienna, AT
A stunning Murano Sommerso technique art glass bowl from the 1960s, designed by Flavio Poli and hand-blown by Seguso Vetri d'Arte in Italy. This beautifully faceted, hexagonal, diamo...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$1,168
H 2.37 in W 5.32 in D 5.32 in
Flavio Poli Seguso Murano Green Yellow Sommerso Diamond Faceted Art Glass Bowl
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching Sommerso faceted Murano glass bowl or ashtray in green and yellow double cased glass in clear class. Faceted diamond shape and vibrant colors. Attributed to Flavio Poli ...
Glass, Art Glass, Cut Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
$763
H 2.56 in W 3.08 in D 3.04 in
Murano green Glass Sommerso Block Cube Ashtray Element Flavio Poli, Italy, 1970s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass ash tray Origin: Murano, Italy Design: Flavio Poli Decade: 1970s This original vintage glass ash tray bowl element was designed by Flavio Poli and ...
Murano Glass
$645
H 1.58 in W 5.32 in D 5.32 in
Mid-Century Sommerso Murano Glass Block Bowl, 1960s, By Flavio Poli.
By Flavio Poli
Located in Barcelona, Cataluna
Mid Century Italian Murano Sommerso Bowl by Flavio Poli For Seguso C.1960 In very good condition commensurate of age. In blue, orange colour. Dimensions: Height 1,5 in ( 4cm) Width ...
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Murano Green Yellow Sommerso Faceted Art Glass Bowl
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Barcelona, ES
Colorful Murano Sommerso Art glass Faceted bowl. Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Italy, 1950s. Eye-catching diamond shape faceted Murano glass bowl in green and yellow double l...
Glass, Art Glass, Cut Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Flavio Poli Orange/Blue Murano Glass Vide Poche
By Flavio Poli
Located in New York, NY
Flavio Poli hand blown Murano glass vessel featuring an orange/blue ombre effect with controlled bubble inclusions.
Murano Glass
Rare Battuto Murano Glass Catchall or Centerpiece Italy 1960
By Flavio Poli, Seguso
Located in Conversano, IT
Extraordinary and rare Murano glass catchall or centerpiece, handcrafted in the early 1960s using the sophisticated battuto technique-one of the most intricate and labor-intensive me...
Glass, Murano Glass
Sold
H 2.09 in Dm 4.73 in
Midcentury Round Purple Amethyst "Sommerso" Murano Art Glass Italian Bowl, 1960s
By Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Round glass bowl, crafted using the Sommerso technique from amethyst and dark green glass, designed by Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte. The bowl's versatility makes it perfect fo...
Glass, Sommerso, Blown Glass, Art Glass
Flavio Poli, Vase, Dish, Glass, Gold Leaf, Italy, 1930s
By Flavio Poli
Located in High Point, NC
A Murano glass and gold-leaf dish or bowl designed and produced by Flavio Poli, Italy, c. 1930s.
Glass
Sold
H 1.96 in W 3.14 in D 3.14 in
1960s Stunning Grey Ashtray or Catchall By Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in Italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous grey ashtray or catchall by Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano sommerso glass. Made in Italy. The item is in excellent condition. Dimensions: 3,14" x 3,14" x 1,96" H inc...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 2.37 in W 6.5 in D 5.52 in
Decorative Object Vide-Poche Bowl Flavio Poli Murano Glass Midcentury Italy 1960
By Flavio Poli
Located in Palermo, IT
Rare vide-poche/bowl of its kind designed by the well-known Italian designer Flavio Poli and produced in the 1960s. The dodecagonal-shaped object was made in multicolored faceted Mur...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 3.15 in Dm 6.11 in
Mid-Century Murano Glass Ashtray or Bowl by Flavio Poli, Faceted Murano Glass
By Flavio Poli
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Mid-Century Murano Glass ashtray or bowl by Flavio Poli - Faceted Murano Glass This is a beautiful Murano glass ashtray or bwol. It is made according to the technique of sommerso ...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
1960s Astonishing Big Green and Yellow Bowl Designed By Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Astonishing Big Green and Yellow Big Bowl Designed By Flavio Poli in Murano Sommerso Glass. A luxurious piece of art glass to decorate any living space which can also be used a...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 3.55 in W 3.15 in D 1.97 in
Flavio Poli Pair of Faceted Small Bowls Murano Glass for Seguso 1960
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Paris, IDF
Beautiful pair of Flavio Poli small bowls or catch-all for Seguso Vetri D'Arte made in the 1960s from the Sommerso collection. These block bowls have eye-catching colors, with petrol...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 2.25 in W 4.75 in D 4.5 in
Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Pulegoso White Italian Art Glass Bird Bowl Dish
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Rare and beautiful antique Murano hand blown white Pulegoso art glass bird trinket / ring dish. Documented to designer Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri D' Arte, circa 1937. It is publish...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Glass
Murano Green and Yellow Centerpiece Dish by Flavio Poli, 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Hand blown art glass bowl in an ovoid shape. It’s made from cased green and yellow glass. It was designed by Flavio Poli during the 1960s and manufactured at Seguso in Murano, Italy.
Art Glass
Sold
H 1.5 in Dm 4.75 in
Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Red Gold Flecks Pulegoso Italian Art Glass Ashtray
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown red, white bubbles and gold flecks Italian art glass ashtray bowl. Documented to designer to Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d' Arte. The piece is do...
Gold Leaf