Centerpiece by Ercole Barovier for Barovier, Toso & Co. 1940 in Rugiadoso
About the Item
- Creator:Ercole Barovier (Designer),Barovier&Toso (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 10.04 in (25.5 cm)Width: 13.98 in (35.5 cm)Depth: 9.45 in (24 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1940
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1001523971482
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 (the manufactory was called Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.). 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. He is credited with having invented colorazione a caldo senza fusione, a method of introducing metals and oxides into glassworks. Barovier’s 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). He 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 & Co. 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 and sconces, and it pioneered an array of innovative modernist 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 the famed London department store that promoted 19th-century organic textile designs 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 Pezatto 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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Footed Bowl Gold Leaf and Grapes, Ercole Barovier for Barovier Toso & Co 1949By Barovier&Toso, Ercole BarovierLocated in London, GBClassically shaped oval bowl is a master class of technique and elegance, designed by Ercole Barovier (1889-1974) circa 1948 for Barovier, Toso & Co. It has an edging of white on the...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
MaterialsArt Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
- Large Twin-Handled Vase by Ercole Barovier for Barovier and Toso, 1956By Barovier&Toso, Ercole BarovierLocated in London, GBThe double handled trumpet shaped vase designed by Ercole Barovier (1889-1974) for Barovier and Toso 1956-57 is set in a layer of clear glass over a layer of white, over a layer oyst...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsArt Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
- Medusa Table Lamp by Ercole Barovier for Barovier Toso 1935By Barovier&Toso, Ercole BarovierLocated in London, GBMedusa table lamp by Ercole Barovier (1889-1974) circa 1935 for Barovier Toso and Co. Venetian crystal blown glass with iridescent surface designed like a torch of fire. Barovier made his mark on the company, the glass-works industry and history. The lamp executed by Barovier and Toso shows the technical complexity of a company founded in 1295. Barovier and Toso have held the realm of its glass works for 750 years in Italy as Vetreria Artistica Barovier...Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Table Lamps
MaterialsGlass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass
- Group of Five Bird Sculptures in Gold Leaf Glass Barovier & TosoBy Barovier&TosoLocated in London, GBGroup of five bird sculptures in gold leaf glass by Barovier & Toso (1939) a famous Italian company that specialised in Venetian glass, the birds produced circa 1950. This was part o...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
MaterialsArt Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
- Bronze Cast Brutalist Vase by Saviato, ItalyLocated in London, GBSculptural teardrop shaped vase has a rough texture of burlap imprinted on part of the surfaces contrasted with a highly polished smooth finish of the bronzes. Signed with trademark ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Brutalist Vases
MaterialsBronze
- Large Chalice with Blue Decoration by Artistica Barovier, 1920's ItalyBy Artisti Barovier, Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.Located in London, GBLarge Chalice sapphire clear blue applied pattern on translucent blown glass attributed to Artistica Barovier (1919-1936) circa 1920. This goblet sits on a long stem with two decorated glass balls and a small central glass ball resting on a splayed foot. The name chalice is borrowed from Greek (kulix), cup. A chalice is often used for drinking during a ceremony or may convey a distinct symbolic meaning. After World War I the company changed its name to Vetreria Artistica Barovier...Category
Vintage 1910s Italian Art Deco Glass
MaterialsArt Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
- Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso Attr. Glass Basket circa 1940sBy Ercole Barovier, Barovier&TosoLocated in Berghuelen, DEErcole Barovier for Barovier & Toso Attr. Glass Basket circa 1940s A great Murano market basket attributed to Barovier & Toso ca. 1940s. Thick fused clear glass with gold foil inclu...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsArt Glass, Murano Glass
- Glass Sculpture by Ercole Barovier and Toso Italy, circa 1940By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&TosoLocated in New York, NYAmber colored “rugiadoso” glass with gold dust inclusions throughout. A seashell-shaped dish held by a stylized algae amber colored glass base. Model “Coppa Rugiada” introduced durin...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche
MaterialsArt Glass
- Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso 1950sBy Ercole BarovierLocated in Lambertville, NJBeautiful 1950s Murano hand blown gold flecks on clear Italian art glass vases. Documented to designer Ercole Barovier, for the Barovier e Toso company...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsMurano Glass
- Spuma di Mare Vase by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, Italy, 1938-1940By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&TosoLocated in Naples, ITA very rare vase Mod. Spuma di Mare in Murano glass swarming with inclusions of matallic oxides and application of large morise, by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso 1940. Make a s...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsMurano Glass
- Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso Iridescent Glass Bowl, Italy 1948By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&TosoLocated in Naples, ITBowl or "a large costolature" cup in heavy iridescent Murano glass, designed by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso in 1948.Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsMurano Glass
- Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso Aborigeni Murano Art Glass BowlBy Ercole Barovier, Barovier&TosoLocated in Berghuelen, DEErcole Barovier for Barovier & Toso Aborigeni Murano Art Glass Bowl A great Murano glass bowl in Aborigeni technique. Designed by Ercole Barovier and manufactured by Barovier & Toso...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsArt Glass, Murano Glass