Rivalto designs inlaid with Venetian mirrors.

It is believed that the Venetian glassmaking tradition dates from the seventh century, and although at first the items produced were purely utilitarian—mainly bottles, vases or lamps—with the passage of time they became increasingly sophisticated ornamental pieces that caught the attention of the growing bourgeois class in Europe of the time. The glassmakers from Murano and Torcello were refining their technique and settling in various parts of Italy, and their work began to attract attention all over Europe. By the 18th century, Venetian glass had reached its peak and countries like France, Spain and Germany joined in the production of glassware, but never managed to overshadow the exquisite Italian glass.

This glassmaking tradition is what distinguishes the luxury furniture firm Arte Veneziana, with headquarters in Martellago, Venice, whose philosophy is to combine the sparkle of the crystals and Venetian mirrors with other high-quality materials to create unique furniture. With Rialto, their label, the doors of the design world are wide open for the company to maintain its dominance over the high-end furniture sector.

Luxurious furniture designed by Giovanni Luca Ferreri for Rivalto.

Rivalto faithfully follows the line marked by the Zanin family, founder, and owner of Arte Veneziana: combining the old Venetian craftsmanship with fine woods and luxurious fabrics. In charge of the design is the architect Giovanni Luca Ferreri, an expert in the fusion of art and decoration. Born in 1970 and with a doctorate in Architectural Composition and Research from the Institute of Venice, Ferreri is taking Rivalto in a different direction, offering customized solutions with great creativity.

Rivalto used glass, mirrors and their reflections as the leitmotif of its first collection. With distinctly Italian craftsmanship, this line consists of a selection of items ranging from chandeliers and wardrobes to exquisitely upholstered chairs using the best Italian silks.

Rivalto luxury furniture by Arte Veneziana.

Of particular beauty among the pieces included in the first collection, we found glass details that decorate the backs of chairs, chandeliers that are a reinterpretation of traditional pieces and the sumptuous armchairs and stools that deliver optimum luxury and comfort. But perhaps Rivalto’s strongest point is the full service it offers to its customers, ranging from customizing each of their pieces to building designs that meet their particular needs.

This is already the third generation of the Zanin family devoted to collaborations with the leading Italian designers—such as Leo De Carlo, Celeste Dell’Anna, and Mateo Fossa—in order to take the quality and creations of Arte Veneziana beyond predictability.

For their unique style and flair, avante-garde design that combines centuries-old Venetian glassmaking traditions with new, cutting-edge techniques that deliver the best furnishings in the market and the high quality of their products, Rivalto has positioned its brand as one of the most important in Italy. ■