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The Barovier dynasty began in 1295, when Jacobello Barovier, mentioned in historical documents as a master glassblower, began pinching, cutting, blowing and twisting a molten mixture of sand and minerals into incandescent works of art.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.
Barovier & Toso, Wall Mirror, Brass, Murano Glass, Mirror Glass, Italy, 1940s
By Barovier&Toso
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and murano glass wall mirror designed and produced by Barovier & Toso, Italy, 1940s.
Brass
A 1940s Art Deco Italian green Murano glass hand mirror by Barovier and Toso
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in London, GB
A 1940s Art Deco Italian vivid green "Torchon" Murano glass hand mirror by Barovier and Toso, with brass detail holding the "floating" mirror. The mirror plate is orignal and has so...
Brass
A large 1940s circular Murano glass and brass mirror by Barovier and Toso
By Barovier&Toso
Located in London, GB
A wonderful large orignal 1940s circular Murano Torchon clear glass and brass mirror, with orignal mirror plate. There is some foxing on the mirror plate around the edges and in the...
Brass
Rare Large Signed Ercole Barovier Pink Murano Glass & Brass Vanity Mirror 1940s
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
We are extremely proud to be able to offer this absolutely stunning, large and very rare Italian oversized Mid-Century brass and pink twisted 'rope' pink Murano glass vanity, desk or...
Brass
Elegant Murano Glass Treccia Wall Mirror by Carlo Scarpa for Venini Italy 1950s
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Munich, DE
Rare and elegant Mid Century Modern Murano Glass treccia frame wall mirror. Designed by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, Italy, 1950s. Executed in Murano Glass, mirror glass, brass and plyw...
Brass
Ercole Barovier, Organic Wall Mirror, Murano Glass, Brass, Italy c. 1940
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and Murano glass wall mirror designed by Ercole Barovier and produced by Barovier & Toso, Italy, c. 1940s. Dimensions (inches): 18” H x 16” W x 1.625” D Does not include mo...
Brass
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
Murano Glass Torchon Mirror signed by Barovier Tosso, circa 1950
By Barovier&Toso
Located in CABA, AR
This exquisite Murano glass torchon mirror, signed by Barovier & Toso and crafted circa 1950, epitomizes the elegance and innovation of mid-century Vene...
Brass
$5,460Sale Price|33% Off
Barovier & Toso Table Mirror, Hand-Blown Murano Glass, Italy, 1940s
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Glasgow, GB
A rare tabletop mirror by Barovier & Toso, Murano, produced in the 1940s. The frame is formed from thick, hand-blown Murano glass, worked in the torchon technique — clear glass...
Brass
Ercole Barovier, Organic Wall Mirror, Murano Glass, Brass, Italy c. 1940
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and Murano glass wall mirror designed by Ercole Barovier and produced by Barovier & Toso, Italy, c. 1940s. Dimensions (inches): 18.125” H x 15.75” W x 2” D Does not include...
Brass
Barovier and Toso Photo Frame Murano Glass Brass 1940 Italy
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Milano, IT
Frame Barovier and Toso Rare
Murano Glass
An orignal 1940s Art Deco, Barovier & Toso murano glass framed mirror
By Barovier&Toso
Located in London, GB
A stunning large orignal Art Deco 1940s Barovier & Toso torchon, murano glass and brass framed table mirror with green glass core and foglio d'oro crest at the top. With orignal solI...
Brass
Italian Modern Hand Blown Glass & Bronze Illuminated Mirror Barovier & Toso
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Modern Hand Blown Glass & Bronze Illuminated Mirror Barovier & Toso
Blown Glass
Barovier & Toso, Threaded Yellow/Gold Murano Glass Wall/Table, Vanity Mirror
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very nice, wall/ vanity/ table mirror, Murano glass twisted /rope pattern with yellow bright cord inside. This mirror was designed with dual purpose, to be hang and also on a table, ...
Glass
Italian 1950s Murano glass torchon table mirror by Barovier & Toso, signed
By Barovier&Toso
Located in London, GB
Large shaped Barovier & Toso table mirror with twisted Murano glass rope frame (Torchon). The frame is surrounded by a thin brass filet and brass clasp. Brass back strut with the sig...
Brass
20th Century, Barovier & Toso Table Mirror with frame in Murano Glass Torchon
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Turin, Turin
Ercole Barovier was born in Murano on June 16, 1889. He completed his classical studies in Venice, and engaged in various activities unrelated to glassmaking to finally land in the V...
Brass
$11,990 / item
H 53 in W 42 in D 2 in
Italian Art Deco Design Twisted Gray Smoked Murano Glass & Gold Brass Mirror
By Barovier&Toso
Located in New York, NY
Bespoke customizable minimalist organic large mirror, simple yet sophisticated, entirely handcrafted in Italy, the interesting frame is composed of two Torchon twisted...
Brass
Exceptional Large Murano Glass Wall Mirror 1950s
By Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A stunning large Murano glass mirror surrounded with handmade clear glass flowers. Age approx. 1950s or older. A view small little distressed or blind spots in the mirror but this is...
Mirror, Wood, Murano Glass
Italian Brass Mirror and Console, 1940s
By Gio Ponti, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Vienna, AT
Italian brass mirror and console from the 1940-1950s. Very intricate design with elaborate brass decorations on the rim of the mirror ...
Brass
Barovier Inspired Twisted Murano Glass & Brass Mirror
By Angelo Barovier
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Murano twisted glass rectangular mirror with radial corners and brackets in polished brass. Inspired by the artistry of Angelo Barovier. Italy, 2022.
Brass
$3,800
H 26.68 in W 18.5 in D 0.87 in
Italian Designer, Wall Mirror, Brass, Mirror Glass, Italy, c. 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A brass wall mirror designed and produced in Italy, c. 1940s.
Brass
$3,530
H 24.81 in W 18.51 in D 1.19 in
Murano Italian pink Twisted Rope 'Firenze' Mirror in Barovier e Toso style
Located in London, GB
Hand-blown and hand-twisted pale pink with gold flecks 'Firenze' Murano wall mirror. With decorative detailing including a brass fluted clasp at the top and bottom and a slender bras...
Brass
Venation Mirror by Ercole Barovier
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Venation Murano mirror for the wall
Murano Glass
Murano Glass Wall Mirror, 1940s
Located in Palermo, IT
DHL shipping Large and Elegant mid-century Murano glass wall mirror, 1940s Good condition. Found in a noble apartment in my hometown, Palermo. We guarantee fast and insured shippin...
Murano Glass
$3,530
H 24.81 in W 18.51 in D 1.19 in
Murano Glass Blue/Green Twisted Rope 'Firenze' Mirror, Barovier e Toso Style
Located in London, GB
Pale blue ribbed hand blown Murano glass eliptical mirror with two brass fluted clasps at the top and bottom, the inner edge lined with slender brass filet. Also available in palest...
Brass
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 19.69 in Dm 16.54 in
Murano Glass Torchon Mirror signed by Barovier Tosso, circa 1950
By Barovier&Toso
Located in CABA, AR
This exquisite Murano glass torchon mirror, signed by Barovier & Toso and crafted circa 1950, epitomizes the elegance and innovation of mid-century Vene...
Brass
$4,700
H 32.25 in W 20.37 in D 1 in
Italian Designer, Wall Mirror, Brass, Mirror Glass, Italy, C. 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A brass wall mirror designed and produced in Italy, c. 1940s.
Brass
Barovier Murano Glass and Brass Vanity Mirror, 1930s
By Barovier
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A refined and sculptural Barovier Murano Glass vanity mirror, Italy, circa 1930s, executed in ribbed, hand-formed Murano glass with warm champagne undertones enhanced by the addition...
Brass
Barovier & Toso, Torchon worked glass table mirror, 1940s
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Rivoli, IT
Rare Murano glass torchon worked table mirror with gold leaf inclusion. Barovier & Toso company mark engraved in the brass frame A precious and elegant object, it represents the Mur...
Brass, Gold Leaf
Mid-Century Modern Murano Glass Table Mirror by Barovier & Toso
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Murano Glass Table Mirror by Barovier & Toso
Glass, Mirror
Ercole Barovier, Table Mirror, Brass, Murano Glass, Italy, 1940s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in High Point, NC
A Murano glass and brass table mirror designed by Ercole Barovier and produced by Barovier & Toso, Italy, 1940s.
Brass
Sold
H 23.63 in W 19.49 in D 1.58 in
Italian Midcentury Wall Mirror with Murano Glass Frame by Barovier & Toso
By Barovier&Toso
Located in München, DE
Very rare, stunning beautiful Italian midcentury wall mirror with an elaborate Murano glass frame. Manufacturer is Barovier & Toso. Made in Italy Very high-quality workmanship with...
Mirror, Murano Glass, Wood
Murano Glass Table Mirror by Barovier & Toso, Signed
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Barovier & Toso table mirror with frame in Murano Glass Torchon. Mirror with a gorgeous frame entirely in Murano Glass, worked in the way of "Torchon". The structure is in brass w...
Glass, Murano Glass
Sold
H 13 in W 10.63 in D 0.99 in
Elegant Mid-Century Modern Wall or Vanity Mirror by Barovier & Toso Italy, 1950s
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Munich, DE
Lovely Mid-Century Modern table / wall / vanity mirror with elegant Murano glass frame. Manufactured by Barovier & Toso, Italy, 1950s. Executed in Murano glass and brass. Condi...
Brass
Sold
H 44 in W 35.25 in D 2.25 in
Signed Barovier & Toso Venetian Murano Glass Mirror with Gold Infused Frame
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1980s signed Venetian mirror by Murano glass maker Barovier & Toso. Rectangular mirror with wood backing has a deep frame of multiple gold infused twisted glass rods and long, ...
Mirror, Murano Glass
Sold
H 13 in W 10.63 in D 0.79 in
1960s Table and Wall Mirror with a Heavy Murano Glass Frame by Barovier & Toso
By Barovier&Toso
Located in München, DE
Stunning beautiful 1960s table and wall mirror with a heavy Murano glass frame. Manufacturer is Barovier & Toso. Made in Italy Very high quality workmanship in good condition. Hea...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 22.84 in W 15.75 in D 3.94 in
Italian Table Mirror Vanity with Brass Photo Frames by Barovier and Toso
By Barovier&Toso, Vintage Murano Gallery
Located in Milano, IT
Spectacular pair of 1950's Italian table mirrors made by Barovier and Toso. The pair of mirrors can also serve as vanity mirrors for a makeup desk. The mir...
Brass
Sold
H 14.57 in W 10.63 in D 1.38 in
Barovier & Toso, Organic Mirror, Brass, Murano Glass, Mirror, Italy, 1950s
By Barovier&Toso
Located in High Point, NC
An organic wall mirror. Designed and produced by Barovier & Toso, Italy, 1950s.
Mirror, Murano Glass
Sold
H 15.75 in W 17.72 in D 1.78 in
Barovier & Toso, Organic Mirror, Brass, Murano Glass, Mirror, Italy, 1950s
By Barovier&Toso
Located in High Point, NC
An organic wall mirror. Designed and produced by Barovier & Toso, Italy, 1950s.
Mirror, Murano Glass
Barovier & Toso Italian Murano Glass Table Vanity Mirror
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Atlanta, GA
Beautiful Italian Murano glass table or vanity mirror by Barovier & Toso, Italy, circa 1940. Heavy and thick rolled twisted glass with polished brass striped rings and a mirrored gla...
Metal, Brass