Ercole Barovier Art Deco Pulegoso Sconces 1930 Set of Two
About the Item
- Creator:Barovier (Manufacturer),Ercole Barovier (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 7.88 in (20 cm)Width: 9.45 in (24 cm)Depth: 7.88 in (20 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Power Source:Hardwired
- Voltage:220-240v,110-150v
- Lampshade:Included
- Style:Art Deco (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1930s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Munich, DE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1005039337782
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
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.
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.
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 (the company also traded under Fratelli Barovier and Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C. throughout its history). Later, with Barovier&Toso, Ercole 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.
Shop antique Barovier chandeliers, sconces and other lighting and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: München, Germany
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Paolo De Poli Enamel Sconce, Italy, 1954, Set of TwoBy Paolo De Poli, Gio PontiLocated in Munich, DEWonderful pair of Paolo De Poli enamel sconce, Italy, 1954. Measures: H 13, W 38, D 15 cm.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsEnamel
- Rare Ercole Barovier Efeso Table Lamp 1964By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&TosoLocated in Munich, DEHuge version of Ercole Barovier Efeso table lamp manufactured by Barovier & Toso in the 1940s in Italy. Round glass base with a blue pattern and knob-sh...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Set of 2 Wonderful Wall Scones by Barovier & TosoBy Barovier&TosoLocated in Munich, DERare version with switch on each lamp.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBlown Glass
- Pair of Large Barovier e Toso Wall Sconces, Millefiori, Italy, 1950By Barovier&TosoLocated in Munich, DE1950s, Barovier e Toso, Murano, Italy. Pair of fine glass floral sconces. Each composed of 60 - 70 delicate flowers in clear/rose glass with gold inclusions, mounted on a conical met...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal
- Fantastic Set of 7 Mazzega Wall SconcesBy AVMazzegaLocated in Munich, DEThe opaline glass on these Mazzega sconces possess a wonderful warm light. The blue white Murano glass conceals two sockets. There are 7 sconces available.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsChrome
- Maison Charles Sunflower Sconces Set of ThreeBy Maison CharlesLocated in Munich, DESet of three wall lights Sunflower designed by Maison Charles in 1970s. Made in brass and bronze with two E14 sockets. Signed “Charles made in France” inside the metal lampshade frame...Category
Vintage 1970s French Hollywood Regency Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass, Bronze
- A Pair of 1930s Ercole Barovier Murano Glass and Brass Leaf Wall SconcesBy Ercole BarovierLocated in Aci Castello, ITA pair of leaf wall sconces in Murano glass and brass designed and produced in Venice by Barovier, the brass is in its original patina, the g...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Barovier Style Murano Pulegoso Gold Glass SconcesBy BarovierLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRThis fabulous pair of Venetian sconces of modern or Art Deco style, was entirely handcrafted. It is all decorated with the Pulegoso technique. It means that it features big air bubbl...Category
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Wall Lamp in Opalescent Glass Decò Ercole Barovier, Italy, 1930By Ercole BarovierLocated in Biella, ITErcole Barovier Italy design years ’30 wall lamp in opalescent glass and brass, decò design important and rarest work of ercole barovier in very perfect condition.Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Ercole Barovier Art Deco Murano Glass Italian Pendant Chandelier "Pulegoso", 30sBy Ercole Barovier, Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.Located in Puglia, PugliaMurano glass chandelier blown with the Pulegoso technique, glass with air bubbles inside. Designed by Ercole Barovier and produced by Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C in the late 1930...Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Barovier Style Murano Pulegoso Gold and Black Glass Sconces , Torchere SconcesBy BarovierLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRThis fabulous pair of Venetian sconces of modern or Art Deco style, was entirely handcrafted. Its top section is all decorated with the Pulegoso technique. It means that it features ...Category
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Singular Barovier Art Deco Murano Glass Wall Sconce, ItalyBy Barovier&Toso, Ercole BarovierLocated in Albano Laziale, Rome/LazioThis is a singular Art Deco wall sconce with glass by Barovier Toso in Murano, Italy. The brass structures are handmade and custom made for this glass. There are three glass panels o...Category
20th Century Italian Art Deco Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass