Pair of Murano Glass Barovier and Toso vase C1960
About the Item
- Creator:Ercole Barovier (Designer),Barovier&Toso (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 13 in (33 cm)Diameter: 3.55 in (9 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1969
- Condition:Excellent vintage condition.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:
Ercole Barovier
Ercole Barovier left an indelible mark on the world of Italian modernist glassmaking — his vibrant use of color and exploration of innovative techniques yielded glass vases, chandeliers and other lighting and decorative objects that stand out in any interior many decades later.
Barovier grew up on the Venetian island of Murano, a region of the world famed for its production of artisanal glassworks. By the time he was born, in 1889, his family had already been in the glassmaking business for centuries, as the Barovier dynasty began in 1295. Nonetheless, Barovier did not choose glassmaking as his first career — he instead studied medicine as a young man before going on to work as a radio operator in the first World War.
The year after the war ended, Barovier joined his family’s business (over time, the manufactory’s names have included Fratelli Barovier, Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C. and Artisti Barovier). He was appointed artistic director in 1926, and subsequently managed the business with his brother Nicolò. From 1927 onward, Barovier was the chief designer at his family’s glassworks. He became sole proprietor in 1934, and in 1936, merged his own family business with the Venetian glass factory SAIAR Ferro Toso. They renamed the company Barovier & Toso, a name under which the company still operates today.
Early in his career, Barovier garnered praise for his work with murrine glass, one of the traditional arts for which Murano is widely known. In the 1930s, he began pushing the boundaries of tradition and experimenting with new ways to bring color into his glass objects.
Ercole Barovier is credited with having invented colorazione a caldo senza fusione, a method of introducing metals and oxides into glassworks. His style became defined by his use of riotous color and later, audacious forms. He created sculptures, table lamps and other pieces using mosaic techniques to add a kaleidoscope of striking hues to his work. Barovier had a particular gift to bring out glass’s unique properties to refract and filter light in every shade of the rainbow.
Barovier took endless inspiration from the world around him, from the play of light reflecting off the canals near his home to artworks from classical antiquity. Prior to World War II, his works included naturalistic designs including floral sconces, vine-wrapped chandeliers and sea life-inspired bowls (the manufactory was known for sinuous lighting pieces that are often described as embodying “Liberty Style” — the Italian term for Art Nouveau).
Barovier focused on reinterpreting classical techniques and styles in the postwar years. Geometrically patterned vases that recalled Ancient Greek pottery in their bold forms — as well as precisely detailed Art Deco glass serving bowls — are among his characteristic works from this period. Gold leaf was applied as a decorative flourish, and Barovier worked to ensure that his pieces reflected contemporary trends. His mid-century glass is particularly sought after by today’s collectors.
Up until his retirement in 1972, Barovier continued his exploration of the creative potential in glassmaking. His fearlessness in combining cutting-edge techniques with deeply traditional practices led him to create over 25,000 designs over the course of his life.
Barovier’s work garnered international acclaim. He received many awards and accolades, including awards at the Milan Triennial exhibitions in 1933 and 1954, the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1937, and the Compasso d'Oro in 1956.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Ercole Barovier lighting, decorative objects and serveware.
Barovier&Toso
Partnerships come and go within the community of glass-making artisans on the Venetian island of Murano, where business relationships seem as complex as the shifting alliances in the notoriously acrimonious Italian parliament. Formed in 1942 by members of families with centuries of experience in the craft, Barovier&Toso has proven to be one of the most enduring and prosperous Italian glass manufactories of recent decades. Under the nearly 50-year artistic directorship of cofounder Ercole Barovier (1889–1974), the company created buoyant traditional pieces such as chandeliers, sconces and other lighting fixtures, and it pioneered an array of innovative modernist glass designs with bold colors, patterns and surfaces.
The Barovier dynasty began in 1295, when Jacobello Barovier, mentioned in historical documents as a master glassblower, began pinching, cutting, blowing and twisting a molten mixture of sand and minerals into incandescent works of art. It remained entirely family-owned until the mid-20th century, when it merged with another glassworks to become Barovier&Toso.
To appeal to gentler, more conservative tastes, Barovier&Toso produced a range of lilting, sinuous lighting pieces that are often described as embodying “Liberty Style” — the Italian term for Art Nouveau, taken from the name of famed London department store Liberty & Co., which promoted 19th-century organic textile designs and Arts and Crafts-style furniture in the manner of William Morris. The hallmarks of the style in Barovier&Toso works are elements of glass in the shape of thick leaves, fronds and flower petals, deployed along with other naturalistic ornament in sconces, pendants and chandeliers.
Ercole Barovier began his personal aesthetic transition toward modernism in the 1930s with his Primavera series of vases and animal sculptures — idiosyncratic milky-white and clear glass filled with tiny bubbles and hairline interior fissures that he produced for Artisti Barovier, a firm headed by his father and uncle. Later, with Barovier&Toso, he would explore such novel styles as the mosaic-like Pezzato glass; fluid Spiral patterns; the pebbly textured Barbarico line and the complex, layered and highly colored abstractions of the Oriente series of vases and bowls.
Traditional or modern, Barovier&Toso — still under family control — has produced one of the finest and most diverse catalogues of Murano glass in the last 100 years.
Find antique Barovier&Toso chandeliers, serveware, decorative objects and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Murano glass vaseBy Carlo ScarpaLocated in London, GBImpressive and very heavy Murano, thick glass vase.Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsBlown Glass
- Barovier & Toso 12-Arm Chandelier with Gold InclusionsBy Ercole Barovier, VeniniLocated in London, GBExquisite and excellent quality chandelier by Barovier & Toso Blown Murano glass with gold inclusions. Italy, circa 1949 The chandelier has been re wired for Europe and the ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBlown Glass
- Pair of Venini 'Trilobo' chandeliers. Italy c1960By VeniniLocated in London, GBPair of Venini 'Trilobo' chandeliers. Clear and pale amber glass Stamped 'Venini' The chandeliers can be hung on chains so drop is adjustable. Height of chandelier without chain...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal
- Pair Sergio Mazza 'Alfetta' table lights for Artemide c1960By Artemide, Sergio MazzaLocated in London, GBRare pair of original Sergio Maza 1960s 'Alfafetta' table lights In very good condition. Re wiredCategory
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsNickel, Steel
- Michel Mangematin coffee / cocktail table. France c1960By Michel MangematinLocated in London, GBRare circular cast bronze coffee table by Michal Mangematin Beautiful patina to the bronze base Glass top in near perfect condition. (MInimal light scratches)Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBronze
- Pair of Gino Sarfatti Murano Pendant Lights, circa 1960By Archimede Seguso, Gino SarfattiLocated in London, GBMidcentury pendant lights with controlled bubble glass in the in the more unusual cylindrical shape produced by Artluce, Murano in collaboration with Venini, Murano 1961 Re wired f...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Ercole Barovier Toso Murano Glass Spira Aurata Vase, 1960sBy Barovier&Toso, Ercole BarovierLocated in Barcelona, ESMurano Art Glass 'Spira Aurata Striato Vase' by Ercole Barovier, Barovier e Toso, Italy, 1966. Spira Aurata series oval-section conical vase in blown glass with polychrome garnet, r...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsGold Leaf
- Ercole Barovier Toso Murano Glass Spira Aurata Vase, 1960sBy Ercole Barovier, Barovier&TosoLocated in Barcelona, ESMurano Art Glass 'Spira Aurata Striato Vase' by Ercole Barovier, Barovier e Toso, Italy, 1966. Spira Aurata series oval-section drop vase in blown green-blue glass with polychrome g...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsGold Leaf
- Monumental Barovier e Toso Murano Modern Glass VaseBy Vintage Murano Gallery, Barovier&Toso, Ercole BarovierLocated in Culver City, CAA monumental blue red and clear Murano art glass vase made by Ercole Barovier for Barovier e Toso. Italy, circa 1990s. This elegant, yet still whimsical vase features a gorgeous wavy / curvy design and a fantastic graduated shape. The body of this Barovier e Toso Murano vase...Category
1990s Italian Modern Vases
MaterialsBlown Glass
- Barovier e Toso Cordonato D' Oro Murano Art Glass VaseBy Ercole Barovier, Barovier&TosoLocated in New York, NYExquisite art glass vase by Ercole Barovier for Barovier e Toso Italian 1940s. This example is in excellent original condition, free of damage, flaws or cosmetic wear. Classic Cordon...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsArt Glass
- Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, Murano Glass Primavera Vase, Italy 1980By Barovier&Toso, Ercole BarovierLocated in Catania, ITAmazing, Vase in blown Murano glass BAROVIER & TOSO. Vase from the Primavera series. "Primavera" vase in Murano glass designed by Ercole Barovier and produced by Barovier & Toso in...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Vases
MaterialsArt Glass, Murano Glass
- Ercole Barovier, Barovier & Toso Efeso Vase ca. 1960sBy Ercole Barovier, Barovier&TosoLocated in Berghuelen, DEErcole Barovier - Barovier & Toso Efeso vase ca. 1960s A great blue vase from the 'efeso' series designed by Ercole Barovier in 1964 for Barovier & Toso, M...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsArt Glass, Murano Glass