The Barovier dynasty began in 1295, when Jacobello Barovier, mentioned in historical documents as a master glassblower, began pinching, cutting, blowing and twisting a molten mixture of sand and minerals into incandescent works of art.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.
Ercole Barovier Large Rostrato Murano Glass Italian, Italy, 1940s
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous large mouth-blown Murano glass vase in rostrato crystal. This stunning decorative piece was produced in Italy during the 1940s by the master glassmaker Ercole Barovier. In...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Mint Condition Murano Barovier Black & Green Mount Blown Glass Art Vase
By Barovier
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful mouth blown art glass vase from the midcentury era. If you are looking for unique and truly decorative works of art to grace your living space then this midcentury era, Italian vase could be the perfect addition to your collection. This entirely handcrafted and mouth blown work of beauty by Barovier has the most amazing organic design and coloring and it will always draw people's attention. This combination of black, green and transparent glass is unlike anything we ever saw and it looks like something organical that you would find on a seabed or on a tropical island somewhere. Also because of its good size this Italian workmanship gem will never fail to impress. If you can already see it on your side...
Blown Glass, Glass, Murano Glass
Set of 3 Murano Vanity Decorative Blown Glass with Gold by Barovier, Italy 1950s
By Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning decorative vanity set of 3 Murano blown glass with 24k gold. This incredibly stylish and rare set was made by Barovier in Italy during the 1950s. In fabulous conditions, wi...
Gold Leaf
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, Seguso Instant Collection of Murano Art Glass Paperweights
By Barovier
Located in Miami, FL
A collection of Murano glass paperweights by different makers. The Barovier one is 2.5” by 3” Seguso one is 4” by 2” La Serenísima one is 2.75” by 3” The white one is 3” by 2.5”
Art Glass
Barovier Fenicia Bowl, 1900
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
1930 Barovier "Bullicante" Murano Glass Art Deco Vase
By Barovier
Located in Brescia, IT
Art Deco vase Barovier Murano, 1930 Colorless "bullicant" glass Special lugs with hoods typical of the taste of the period Perfetto stato conservativo
Murano Glass
$1,600Sale Price|30% Off
Bowl Murano Barovier Zebrato 1950s Mid-Century Modern Italian Design Gold Powder
By Barovier
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Bowl Murano Barovier Zebrato 1950s Mid-Century Modern Italian design gold powder.
Murano 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
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
Barovier and Toso Barbarico Vase
By Barovier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fine double neck form. Slight irradiance. period paper label.
Glass
$10,000
Large Barovier Vase
By Barovier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An enormous vessel in the Aboriginal technique.
Glass
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
$1,450
H 12 in W 9 in D 9 in
Mid-Century Modern Murano Glass Art Glass Fish Sculpture by Licio Zanetti
By Licio Zanetti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An abstract Murano glass sculpture of a fish by Licio Zanetti for Zanetti Vetreria Artistica. The clear glass fish is twisted as if jumping through the air and mounted on a stylized ...
Art Glass
Murano Glass Fish Sculpture by Licio Zanetti
By Licio Zanetti
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Murano glass fish sculpture by Licio Zanetti. The fish is signed on the bottom and has beautiful layers of opalescent glass. The piece is signed on the bottom. Fish measures 12" wide...
Murano Glass
Tall Mid Century Multi Color Murano Glass Fish
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1980s Murano glass fish is over 14” tall. Glass is streaked with amber and blue tones and has applied lilac glass tail, mouth and eyes. Unknown Murano maker. No flaws or repair...
Murano Glass
$1,179
H 2.76 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
Murano Barovier Style Vanity Tray with Etched Mirror and Twisted Glass Rope
By Barovier
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Iconic vanity tray with handles; the rectangular top is a mirror with rounded corners and has been skilfully ground with stone wheels from underneath depicting a courtship scene showing a courtly couple dressed in all their finery in a landscape or formal garden with architectural elements creating a complete and lively image; the upper edge of the mirror is decorated with a glass cord...
Brass
A.V.E.M. Large Hand Blown Glass with Red and Yellow Murrhines, 1950s
By Murano 5
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Large hand blown vase in Pulegoso glass with yellow and red murrhines by Arte Vetraria Muranese (A.V.E.M.), Murano Italy, 1950s.
Murano Glass
$1,443
H 8.08 in Dm 5.52 in
Ercole Barovier Rostrato Murano Glass Italian Vase for Barovier & Toso, 1940s
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Roma, IT
Fantastic mouth-blown rostrato crystal Murano glass vase. This marvelous decorative piece was realized during the 1940s in Italy by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso. In fabulous ...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$1,443
H 11.82 in W 7.88 in D 12.21 in
Large Murano "Bullicante" Blown Glass Fan Flower Vase by Barovier, Italy 1950s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Magnificent rostrato and "bullicante" mouth-blown crystal Murano glass vase made by Ercole Barovier in Italy during the 1950s. In spectacular condition, not missing a single spike, w...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Modern Italian Murano Barovier Toso Art Glass Vase
By Barovier&Toso
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful attributed to Barovier e Toso, small and substantial Modern Italian Murano art glass vase with a controlled bubble design and a pink 'Ombre' coloring with shimmering g...
Art Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass
Venetian Murano Italian Barovier & Toso Art Glass Pheasant Bird Sculpture
By Vintage Murano Gallery, Barovier&Toso
Located in San Diego, CA
Exquisite Venetian Murano Barovier & Toso Italian art glass gold fleck hand blown figural pheasant bird sculpture figure. Great form and color. Has gold fleck throughout the head and...
Art Glass
Ercole Barovier Rostrato Murano Glass Vase for Barovier & Toso, 1940s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Palermo, IT
Amazing midcentury mouth-blown rostrato crystal Murano glass vase. This wonderful object was produced during the 1940s in Italy by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso. This masterpie...
Murano Glass
Italian Murano Art Glass Bowl
Located in New York, NY
This is a substantial and gorgeous Italian Murano iridescent art glass bowl with fluted design, circa mid-20th century, Italy. Art glass hue ...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
$1,295
H 12 in W 9.75 in D 7.75 in
Barovier Vase in Blue Murano Glass with Gold Inclusions and Clear Side Fins
By Barovier
Located in Troy, MI
Found in Italy, this circa 1950s blue Murano glass vase has a flared body with contrasting decorative side fins and is attributed to Barovier. Base and sides are made of clear glass ...
Murano Glass
1980s Carlo Moretti Hand-blown Glass Apple
By Barovier
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A beautiful pale green hand-blown Murano glass apple by design house Carlo Moretti. This very pretty piece is in great condition and makes for a perfect gift or display piece. The Ca...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
1970s Barovier Murano Glass Apple & Pear
By Barovier
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A hand-blown Murano Glass Apple & Pear decorated with tiny 'bolle' (small air bubbles) throughout. These decorative objects or paperweights were fou...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Coffee Table Accent, Murano Glass Bowl by Barovier, Blue
By Barovier
Located in Milano, IT
Wonderful and attractive Murano bowl by Barovier & Toso, in blue/aquamarine glass, realised in the fascinating "Bullicante" technique - consisting in blowing tiny air bubbles in the ...
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass
Barovier Photo Frame Brass and Murano Glass 1940s Italy
By Barovier
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Elegant 1940s photo frame in solid solid glass and brass, unique and inimitable design of a truly unique elegance, the inimitable true Italian style.
Brass
1950s Barovier Toso Coronato d'Oro Bullicante Pink Bowl Vessel
By Barovier
Located in Miami, FL
Exquisite 1950s bubbly creation in blown glass by Barovier Toso. Most likely by Ercole Barovier, it is a lobed vessel with pink and gold infusions called Coronato d'Oro Bullicante. A...
Glass, Blown Glass
Grosse Costolature, by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, Italy, 1940s
By Barovier
Located in Brussels, BE
A drosse costolature, by Ercole Barovier For Barovier & Toso - Italy, 1940s.
Murano Glass
1930s Barovier Italian Art Deco Murano Glass Table Lamp
By Barovier
Located in Brescia, IT
"Bollicine" Murano glass Perfect condiction.
Murano Glass
Barovier Spuma Di Mare Platter/Tray
By Barovier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Spectacular Technique creating a gem-like appearance. Spuma di Mare translates to Sea Foam. See photo with soda can to get a sense of scale.
Glass
Barovier and Toso Medusa Vase
By Barovier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Colorless heavily iridescent glass. Overall surface features densely applied points. Originally designed in 1938, the series was reinstated in 1944.
Art Glass
1930s Art Deco by Barovier Murano Glass Vase
By Barovier
Located in Brescia, IT
Clear Murano glass vase Perfect condition.
Murano Glass
Large Hollywood Regency Pink and Gold Barovier Murano Glass Lamps
By Barovier
Located in Astoria, NY
Large Hollywood Regency pair of pink and gold Murano glass lamps by Barovier, created using the cordonato d'oro technique. The pink toned glass featured gold dust profusely infused t...
Murano Glass
Monumental Barovier Hollywood Regency Murano Urn-Shaped Lamps
By Barovier
Located in Astoria, NY
Hollywood Regency Murano glass urn-shaped lamps with controlled bubble technique and infused with gold flakes by Barovier. These lamps are large and very heavy. Each has been ful...
Murano Glass