Ludovico Diaz de Santillana for Venini ‘Calze’ Murano Glass Chandelier, Italy, 1970s

Exceptional vintage ‘Calze’ chandelier designed by Ludovico Diaz de Santillana for Venini, Murano, Italy, circa 1970s.

A striking example of Italian modernist lighting, the chandelier is composed of numerous elongated hand-blown Murano glass tubes, individually suspended from fine chains and arranged at varying heights to create a dramatic cascading architectural form.

The glass elements have an irregular, heavily textured surface characteristic of hand-worked Murano glass. Their subtle smoky amber and clear tonal variations give the chandelier remarkable depth: when illuminated, light travels through the individual tubes, accentuating their rippled surfaces and creating a rich interplay of reflection, transparency and shadow.

The staggered arrangement gives the piece an almost sculptural quality, appearing different from every angle while retaining the strong vertical geometry associated with 1970s Italian design.

Originally conceived as a flush-mounted chandelier, the individual glass elements suspend directly beneath the ceiling plate, allowing the cascading composition to become the focus without the need for a conventional chain or extended ceiling drop. It is particularly striking in spaces where a substantial chandelier is desired without excessive overall suspension height.

A highly collectible statement piece combining Venini's celebrated Murano glassmaking tradition with the modernist design language of Ludovico Diaz de Santillana.

Designer: Ludovico Diaz de Santillana
Manufacturer: Venini
Model: Calze
Origin: Murano, Italy
Period: Circa 1970s
Materials: Hand-blown Murano glass, metal, chain
Installation: Designed to be flush mounted
Electrical: Rewired to Australian standards
Condition: Vintage condition with wear consistent with age and use

A spectacular piece of 1970s Italian lighting—equally compelling as an illuminated chandelier and as a suspended glass sculpture.