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 Glass Table Lighter by Flavio Poli, Mid-Century Italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960 Stunning table lighter in Murano sommerso glass by Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy. Handcrafted in Italy using the iconic Murano sommerso glass technique, it features a d...
Murano Glass
1960s Stunning Blue Table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
Mid-Century Modern table lighter designed by the renowned Flavio Poli, crafted in Murano, Italy, during the 1960s. This exquisite piece beautifully showcases the masterful sommerso (...
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Murano Sommerso Glass Table Lighter, Italy, 1960s Design
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960 Stunning table lighter in Murano sommerso glass by Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy. The item is in excellent condition and it works perfectly. Dimension: diam 5,11 x 4,3...
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Murano Sommerso Glass Table Lighter, Italy, 1960s Design
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960 Stunning table lighter in Murano sommerso glass by Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy. The item is in excellent condition and it works perfectly. Dimension: diam 4,33 x 3,93...
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli Murano Glass Ashtray, Italy, 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Striking Murano glass ashtray designed by Flavio Poli, featuring a sculptural rectangular form with a deep oval well. Its layered blue and amber Sommerso glass creates rich color var...
Glass
Seguso Italy production by Flavio Poli design in years '70 glass lighter
By Flavio Poli, Seguso
Located in Biella, IT
Seguso Italy production by Flavio Poli design in years '70 glass lighter in perfect condition with label , handworked glass
Metal
1960s Alvino Bagni Sea Garden Glazed Italian Stoneware Cigar Ashtray by Raymor
By Alvino Bagni
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Heavy swirling colorful glaze, with lava and glaze pops. Super fun form, with a retro futuristic or brutalist design. Stamped ITALY in the bottom rim. About 7 inches in diameter.
Ceramic
$702
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
$798
H 2.56 in Dm 6.5 in
Amber Yellow Murano "Sommerso" Glass Bowl or Ashtray, Italy, Flavio Poli 1960
By Flavio Poli
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful bowl or ashtray made in a spectacular ambered yellow Murano glass using the "Sommerso" technique. This unique piece is attributed to Flavio Poli and was produced in Venice,...
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass
Vintage Hand-Crafted Cut Crystal Ashtray, Star Design, Italy, 1960s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Beautiful cut crystal clear glass ashtray decorated with a cut star design. Wonderful fashionable glass multifaceted ashtray or decorative object Heavy clear handcut etched crystal...
Crystal
$1,250 / set
H 12 in W 9 in D 4.5 in
40 Years of Danish Furniture Design 1927-1966 by Greta Jalk (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
40 Years of Danish Furniture Design is a four volume work of 1,350 pages and 1,800 pictures, each volume covering a decade. The author - G...
Paper
1960's Flavio Poli ashtray in Murano Sommerso Glass
By Murano Glass Sommerso, Flavio Poli
Located in Bern, CH
1960s stunning cobalt blue ashtray / decorative item. Designed by Flavio Poli in Murano Sommerso Glass. Made in Italy. A unique piece and beautiful shape and colour. Dimensions: Di...
Murano Glass
$905Sale 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
Sommerso pink and purple Murano glass tray by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful purple and pink sommerso ashtray or pocket emptier designed and manufactured by flavio poli for seguso in murano in the 1970s. Handcrafted glass using the sommerso techniqu...
Murano Glass
1960's Flavio Poli Murano Sommerso Glass Ashtray / Bowl
By Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Bern, CH
1960's blown glass ashtray. Designed by Flavio Poli in Murano Sommerso Glass. Made in Italy. A unique piece and beautiful shape and colour. Waves of beautiful peridot green. A genuin...
Murano Glass
Flavio Poli, Murano Glass Ashtray, Italy, 1960, Mid-Century Modern
By Seguso, Flavio Poli
Located in Palermo, IT
A large vintage Murano glass ashtray made using the "sommerso" technique, attributed to designer Flavio Poli for the Seguso glassworks in the 1960s. It has a faceted geometric shape ...
Murano Glass
$417
H 1.97 in W 4.93 in D 4.14 in
Murano Green Glass Ashtray by Flavio Poli, Mid-Century Modern, Italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in Basildon, GB
1960/70's Murano Green Glass Ashtray in the style of Flavio Poli, reflects a blue tint around rim, weight approx 600grams
Murano Glass
$420 / set
H 3.39 in W 2.36 in D 2.36 in
1960s Mid-Century Modern Italian Onyx Smoking Set with Table Lighter & Ashtray
Located in Milano, IT
Mid-Century Modern smoking set, meticulously crafted in Italy during the 1960s. The two-piece collection showcases the organic beauty of genuine onyx stone, celebrated for its striki...
Onyx
Flavio Poli Murano Glass Table Lighter, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960 Stunning blue table lighter in Murano sommerso glass by Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy. The item is in excellent condition and it works perfectly. Dimension: diam 4,33 x ...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 3.93 in W 2.75 in D 2.75 in
1960s Stunning Blue Table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Stunning Blue and Yellow Table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy The item is in excellent condition and it works perfectly Dimensions: 2...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 3.93 in W 4.33 in D 4.33 in
1960s Stunning Table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli for Seguso
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960 Stunning pink table lighter in Murano sommerso glass by Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy. The item is in excellent condition and it works perfectly. Dimension: diam 4,33 x ...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 2.75 in W 4.33 in D 4.33 in
1960s Stunning Brown and Yellow Table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960 Stunning brown and yellow table lighter in Murano sommerso glass by Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy. The item is in excellent condition and it works perfectly Dimension: d...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 3.93 in W 2.75 in D 2.75 in
1960s Stunning Grey table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli for S
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Stunning grey table lighter in Murano sommerso glass By Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy The item is in excellent condition and it works perfectly Dimension: 2,75 x 2,75 x...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 3.93 in W 2.75 in D 2.75 in
1960s Stunning Grey table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli for S
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Stunning grey table lighter in Murano sommerso glass By Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy The item is in excellent condition and it works perfectly Dimension: 2,75 x 2,75 x...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 3.93 in W 4.72 in D 4.72 in
1960s Stunning Blue Table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960 Stunning blue table lighter in Murano sommerso glass by Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy. The item is in excellent condition and it works perfectly Dimension: diam 4,72 x ...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 3.54 in W 2.75 in D 2.75 in
1960s Stunning Brown Table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli for S
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Stunning brown and yellow table lighter in Murano sommerso glass By Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy The item is in excellent condition and it works perfectly Dimension: 2...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 3.54 in W 2.75 in D 2.75 in
1960s Stunning Blue Table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Stunning red and yellow table lighter in Murano sommerso glass By Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy The item is in excellent condition and it works perfectly Dimension: 2,7...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 3.93 in W 2.75 in D 2.75 in
1960s Stunning Blue Table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Stunning Blue and Yellow Table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli for Seguso. Made in italy The item is in excellent condition and it works perfectly Dimensions: 2...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 3.86 in W 4.14 in D 4.14 in
Seguso Flavio Poli Sommerso Table Lighter Vintage Mid-Century Modern Design
By Seguso, Mandruzzato, Flavio Poli, Alessandro Mandruzzato
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This table lighter designed by Flavio Poli from the Sommerso series for Seguso is a remarkable example of mid-century modern design. It features vibrant red and yellow hues, showcasi...
Metal
Sold
H 3.93 in W 2.75 in D 2.75 in
1960s Astonishing Yellow Table Lighter in Murano Sommerso Glass By Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Milano, IT
Astonishing yellow table lighter in Murano sommerso glass By Flavio Poli. Made in Italy The item is in good condition and it works perfectly Dimensions: 2,75" x 2,75" x 3,93" H inche...
Murano Glass