Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C. On Sale
20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Candlesticks
Blown Glass
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Figurative Sculptures
Gold Leaf
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Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
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Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Blown Glass
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
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Late 20th Century Italian Glass
Crystal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Gold Leaf
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
Silver Leaf
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Gold Leaf
Antique 19th Century Unknown Neoclassical Pedestals and Columns
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary More Candle Holders
Antler
Antique 1880s German Rococo Candlesticks
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks
Brass
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Candlesticks
Enamel
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C. for sale on 1stDibs
The still-thriving glassworks known today as Barovier&Toso, revered for its catalogue of exquisite mouth-blown chandeliers, sconces and table lamps, originated on the Venetian island of Murano, a region of the world famed for its production of artisanal glassworks. In its early years, the firm traded under the name Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
The Barovier dynasty began in 1295, when Jacobello Barovier, mentioned in historical documents as a master glassblower, began pinching, cutting, blowing and twisting a molten mixture of sand and minerals into incandescent works of art.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.
Under the nearly 50-year artistic directorship of Barovier&Toso cofounder Ercole Barovier (1889–1974), the company created buoyant traditional pieces such as pendants and wall lights, and it pioneered an array of innovative modernist designs with bold colors, patterns and surfaces.
By the time Ercole Barovier was born, in 1889, his family had already been in the glassmaking business for centuries. Nonetheless, Ercole 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, Ercole joined his family’s business (over time, in addition to Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C., the manufactory’s names have also included Fratelli Barovier and Artisti Barovier). Ercole was appointed artistic director in 1926, and subsequently managed the business with his brother Nicolò.
From 1927 onward, Ercole Barovier was the chief designer at his family’s glassworks. His style became defined by his use of riotous color and later, audacious forms. Ercole created sculptures, table lamps and other pieces using mosaic techniques to add a kaleidoscope of striking hues to his work. Early in his career, he garnered praise for his work with murrine glass, one of the traditional arts for which Murano is widely known. 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 firm still operates today.
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.
Traditional or modern, Barovier&Toso has produced one of the finest and most diverse catalogues of Murano glass in the last 100 years.
Find antique Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C. lighting and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
Finding the Right Decorative Objects for You
Every time you move into a house or an apartment — or endeavor to refresh the home you’ve lived in for years — life for that space begins anew. The right home accent, be it the simple placement of a decorative bowl on a shelf or a ceramic vase for fresh flowers, can transform an area from drab to spectacular. But with so many materials and items to choose from, it’s easy to get lost in the process. The key to styling with decorative objects is to work toward making a happy home that best reflects your personal style.
Ceramics are a versatile addition to any home. If you’ve amassed an assortment of functional pottery over the years, think of your mugs and salad bowls as decorative objects, ideal for displaying in a glass cabinet. Vintage ceramic serveware can pop along white open shelving in your dining area, while large stoneware pitchers paired with woven baskets or quilts in an open cupboard can introduce a rustic farmhouse-style element to your den.
Translucent decorative boxes or bowls made of an acrylic plastic called Lucite — a game changer in furniture that’s easy to clean and lasts long — are modern accents that are neutral enough to dress up a coffee table or desktop without cluttering it. If you’re showcasing pieces from the past, a vintage jewelry box for displaying your treasures can spark conversation. Where is the jewelry box from? Is there a story behind it?
Abstract sculptures or an antique vessel for your home library can draw attention to your book collection and add narrative charm to the most appropriate of corners. There’s more than one way to style your bookcases, and decorative objects add a provocative dynamic. “I love magnifying glasses,” says Alex Assouline, global vice president of luxury publisher Assouline, of adding one’s cherished objects to a home library. “They are both useful and decorative. Objects really elevate libraries and can also make them more personal.”
To help with personalizing your space and truly making it your own, find an extraordinary collection of decorative objects on 1stDibs.