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.
Flavio Poli Large Centerpiece in Murano Emerald and Amber Glass, Italy 1960
By Flavio Poli
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous mid-century Murano large centerpiece in mouth-blown sommerso Murano glass in a stunning light emeral and amber color. This elegant and highly sculptural piece was designed...
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass
1960s Blue and Turquoise Heavy Murano Glass Huge Centerpiece by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This exquisite centerpiece is a definitive example of 1960s Murano glassmaking, attributed to the renowned designer Flavio Poli. The work utilizes the iconic sommerso technique, whic...
Murano Glass
Alfa Romeo Car Racing Trophy Murano Glass Vase / Cup by Flavio Poli for Seguso
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
'Alfa Romeo' glass coupe Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte, circa 1950s Wonderful blue cup Alfa Romeo by Flavio Poli for Seguso. Hand blown Murano glass. Fantastic Piece of Automob...
Murano Glass
$539Sale Price / item|20% Off
Flavio Poli for Seguso, Red Lighter in Murano Glass, 60's
By Flavio Poli
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Design by Flavio Poli for Seguso, Red Lighter in Murano Glass, 60's, Mint Vintage Condition The lighter in murano glass by Flavio Poli is a luxury piece of Italian design from the 1...
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Large Bowl Centerpiece Murano Glass for Seguso, 1960
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Paris, IDF
Beautiful Flavio Poli bowl centerpiece for Seguso Vetri D'Arte made in the 1960s from the Sommerso collection. This large bowl has eye-catching sunset colors, with pink glass submerg...
Glass
Flavio Poli Murano Glass Centerpiece for Seguso, 1950, 2-Color Design
By Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Submerged Murano Glass Centerpiece, Seguso, 50/60 2-color submerged model Biography Designer, businessman, ceramic artist. Born in Chioggia, he attended the Istituto d'Arte di Vene...
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Sommerso Vase for Seguso, Murano Venice
By Flavio Poli, Seguso
Located in Vo', Veneto
"Sommerso" Glass Vase - Flavio Poli Seguso COD: VE08 H. 8cm - L. 29cm - P.13cm 1950s Sommerso vase smoked and transparent The "Sommero" is a form of art of Murano glass that has layers of contrasting colors (usually two), the technique involves the immersion of a thick blown in the crucible...
Glass, Art Glass
Large Seguso Murano Blue Conch Seashell Centerpiece Bowl
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Large eye-catching seashell or conch shaped Seguso Murano Sommerso Italian glass bowl centerpiece. Thick handblown rich blue colored glass...
Glass
Murano in green and yellow, 1950, Attributed to Flavio Poli, Italian
By Flavio Poli
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our A...
Murano Glass
$884Sale 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
Murano, 1950, Italian, Attributed to Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our A...
Murano Glass
$575
H 6.7 in W 11.42 in D 4.14 in
Vintage Murano sommerso art glass freeform vase by Flavio Poli for Seguso 1960
By Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous & Timeless! This freefrom vase by Flavio Poli for Seguso italy 1960. Made fully by hand using the Sommerso technique. Capturing multiple layers of colour between clear glass...
Art Glass
Flavio Poli Murano Glass Ashtray, Red & Yellow, 1960s Italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous red and yellow ashtray or catchall by Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano sommerso glass. Made in Italy. So rare to find it in this color. The item is in excellent condit...
Murano Glass
Murano blue & clear sommerso glass centerpiece/bowl by Seguso
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Large blue and transparent Murano glass pocket emptier bowl made with the "soomerso" technique. Depending on the refraction of the light, the glass takes on different colors, as can ...
Murano Glass
$1,050
H 1.97 in W 6.89 in D 2.96 in
Rare Murano Uranium Glass Ashtray, Flavio Poli for Seguso, Sommerso Technique
By Flavio Poli
Located in CABA, AR
This is an extraordinary and rare Murano ashtray from the 1960s, a collector's piece distinguished by its bold design and unusual composition. The ashtray is attributed to the renown...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Uranium Glass
$1,157
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
Flavio Poli Murano Sommerso Glass Ashtray, Grey, 1960s, Excellent
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Astonishing Grey Ashtray or Catch-All By Flavio Poli for Seguso in Murano Sommerso Glass. The item is in excellent condition. Dimensions: 5,11 diameter x 3,14 H inches cm 13 x...
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
Submerged Murano glass centerpiece by Flavio Poli, 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Palermo, PA
Mid-century submerged Murano glass centerpiece, attributed to Flavio Poli, from the 1950s-60s. This hand-modeled glass piece features striking burgundy and green hues. Its size makes...
Murano Glass
Italian Murano Uranium Green Glass Vase by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Italian Murano Uranium Green Glass Vase by Flavio Poli 1960s. Incredible work by Flavio Poli creating this unique colours vase in green, yello...
Murano Glass
Small Mid-Century Italian Murano Glass Vase by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Vilnius, LT
Small mid-century Italian handmade Murano glass vase in ambra colour created by Flavio Poli for Seguso, 1950/60s. Signed on the bottom.
Murano Glass
Sold
H 7.68 in Dm 8.27 in
Alfa Romeo Car Racing Trophy Murano Glass Vase / Cup by Flavio Poli for Seguso
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
'Alfa Romeo' glass coupe Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte, circa 1950s Wonderful blue cup Alfa Romeo by Flavio Poli for Seguso. Hand blown Murano glass. Fantastic Piece of Automob...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 2.96 in W 13.78 in D 6.7 in
Italian Centerpiece Murano Bowl by Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte, 1950s
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Paris, FR
Italian Mid-Century Modern handblown freeform Murano centerpiece, decorative dish or vide poche by Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri d'Arte. Designed and crafted in Sommerso technique in ...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 4.25 in W 14.5 in D 8.25 in
Flavio Poli Murano Glass 'Valva' Centerpiece Bowl for Seguso Vetri d'Arte
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Flavio Poli designed "Valva" large handblown glass centerpiece with submerged layers in blue and purple in the “Sommerso” technique. Execution by Seguso Vetri d´Arte, Muran...
Art Glass
Flavio Poli for Seguso Murano glass center table
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in New York, NY
Very beautiful center table made in the 50's by Flavio Poli for Seguso in the "Sommerso" hand blowing technique. Legs and the central part are a...
Glass