The Barovier dynasty began in 1295, when Jacobello Barovier, mentioned in historical documents as a master glassblower, began pinching, cutting, blowing and twisting a molten mixture of sand and minerals into incandescent works of art.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.
$569Sale Price|24% Off
Vintage Table Lamp in White Glass by Barovier, Italy
By Barovier
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
White glass Barovier table lamp with rice grain pattern standing on a round metal base. There is also a light source inside the glass base. Delivered with brand new lamp shade in bl...
Murano Glass
Large Murano Bird by Barovier
By Barovier
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular bird in flight sculpture made in Murano, Italy by Barovier. This impressive glass sculpture is in perfect condition, free of damage, or repairs. the organic clear glass p...
Art Glass
Vintage Murano Glass Floor Lamp by Barovier
By Venini, Seguso, Ercole Barovier, Salviati, Barovier
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Murano Glass Floor Lamp By Barovier. This stunning tall Murano glass lamp is comprised of both clear and lightly gold infused g...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Bell table lamp, brass and Murano glass, Barovier, Italy, 1940's
By Barovier
Located in London, Fitzrovia
Bell table lamp, brass and Murano glass, Barovier, Italy, 1940's. original patina.
Brass
Barovier Mid-Century Modern Vide Poche, Blown Glass, Italy, 1950s
By Barovier
Located in New York, NY
Chic white murano glass vessel with gold fleck inclusion interior. Great as a desk accessory or soap dish.
Blown Glass
$1,400Sale Price|20% Off
Midcentury Italian Chandelier Curved Brass Murano Cup Satin Gold Barovier
By Barovier
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Midcentury Italian chandelier curved brass Murano cup satin finish gold. 2 light bulbs E27 Max 100 watt each.
Brass
$10,000
Large Barovier Vase
By Barovier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An enormous vessel in the Aboriginal technique.
Glass
$6,800 / set
Translucent Sky Blue Murano Glass Lamps
By Barovier
Located in New York, NY
Pair of translucent sky blue Murano glass lamps with a slight all over quilted diamond pattern and a applied glass edge. Lamps sit on matte nickel bases and have been rewired for use...
Nickel
Barovier Crepuscolo Bowl/Tray
By Barovier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The Crepuscolo technique was used by Barovier in 1936 It is internally decorated with metal inclusions. The term Crepuscolo translates to "Twilight".
Glass
Barovier and Toso Eugeno Vase
By Barovier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The Eugeneo line was introduced in 1951. The appearance was created by the coloring of the glass with an unmelted technique.
Art Glass
Murano Glass Box by Barovier & Toso, Hinged, Gold Inclusions, Italy, 1960s
By Barovier
Located in New York, NY
Murano Glass Box by Barovier & Toso, Hinged, Gold Inclusions, Italy, 1960s. Finely handcrafted rectangular translucent glass box, decorated with gold bubble inclusions.
Brass
Mid Century, Barvoier White Murano/Silver inclusions Glass Lamps
By Barovier
Located in New York, NY
Pair of exceptional white Murano glass lamps with controilled bubble and silver fleck inclusions. Lamps have been rewired to USA standards by a professional UL listed electrician. La...
Murano Glass, Lucite
Barovier Fenicia Bowl, Murano Art Glass, Circa 1900, Colorful Design
By Barovier
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Fenicia bowl by Barovier, Murano, ca.1900. Blown double glass. Yellow, blue, green and white glass. 2 hot-applied handles. Measures: height: 1.6"(4cm), width: 3.5"(9cm), depth : 2.7"...
Art Glass
Pair of Vintage Cranberry Color Murano Glass Lamps by Barovier
By Seguso, Barovier
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful Pair of Vintage Murano Glass Lamps attributed to Barovier. 31.25" height to top of finial. Glass alone is 12.75" height. Diameter 6.5" Presently mounted to the turned wo...
Art Glass
Barovier & Toso Murano Glass "Neolitico Fish" Sculpture/Paperweight
By Barovier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Neolitico, Murano glass sculpture /paperweight in this Fish shape by Barovier & Toso, label.
Murano Glass
Barovier Applique “Rugiada”Brass Murano Glass, 1940, Italy
By Barovier
Located in Milano, IT
Barovier applique “Rugiada” brass murano glass, 1940, Italy.
Murano Glass
Barovier and Toso Bulicante Table Lamp
By Barovier
Located in Miami, FL
A mid century Murano glass lamp by Barovier. Solid glass body with cinched design and silver plated hardware. Telescopic finial to 29”.
Art Glass
A Large Vintage Murano Glass Pink Oval Bowl by Barovier & Toso
By Barovier
Located in Chicago, IL
A Large Murano Glass oval bowl with ruffled edge by Barovier & Toso. Beautiful Pink Color with Gold overlay.
Murano Glass
Murano Controlled Bubble Glass Bowl / Ashtray by Barovier & Toso
By Barovier
Located in Chicago, IL
Murano Controlled Bubble Glass Bowl / Ashtray by Barovier & Toso. White Lattimo Glass rim.
Art Glass
$8,865Sale Price|20% Off
Superb Art Deco Ninfea Murano Glass Chandelier by Barovier Italy, 1940
By Barovier
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing hand blown Ninfea Murano glass chandelier on two levels by Ercole Barovier. Cascade of precious iridescent hand blown leaves. Timeless eleganc...
Blown Glass
Extra large Mid-Century Modern Barovier Semi Flush Mount Chandelier, 1950 Italy
By Barovier
Located in Bronx, NY
Barovier glass chandelier, 1950 Italy. Patinated metal frame holding 30 pieces of thick press glass, 20 Edison sockets that illuminates the g...
Metal
Art Deco Wall Sconce by Barovier, Murano Glass & Brass, Italy, 1940
By Barovier
Located in Cerignola, IT
Beautiful decó wall sconces by Barovier in Murano glass with 'bullicante' effect workmanship and polished brass frame. New electrics
Brass
$5,132Sale Price|20% Off
Umberto Bellotto Vase, Murano Glass, Cobalt Blue Accents, Italy, 1927
By Pauly & Co., Umberto Bellotto, Barovier
Located in Zurich, CH
Umberto Bellotto. Vase 1927 Produced by Barovier & Toso. Clear glass, with applications in cobalt blue tinted glass. Bottom marked:. Pauly & C. (manufacturer's label). H. 25 cm. Exce...
Murano Glass