The Barovier dynasty began in 1295, when Jacobello Barovier, mentioned in historical documents as a master glassblower, began pinching, cutting, blowing and twisting a molten mixture of sand and minerals into incandescent works of art.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.
Barovier Mirror-Engraved Small Serving Tray in Murano Glass w/ Gold, Italy 1940s
By Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning small rectangular serving tray crafted in an elegant mix of mouth-blown Murano glass enriched with 24k gold inclusions, acid-etched mirrored glass, and refined gilt metal ha...
Gold Plate, Brass
Barovier Rectangular Serving Tray in Mirror-Engraved Murano Glass w/ Gold, 1940s
By Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous rectangular-shaped serving tray in a stunning combination of mouth-blown Murano glass with 24k gold specks inside, acid-etched mirrored glass, and gilt metal handles. This g...
Gold Plate, Brass
$694
H 2.37 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Italian MidCentury Serving Tray Basket in Lucite, Rattan and Brass, 1970
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Italian MidCentury Serving Tray Basket in Lucite, Rattan and Brass, 1970 Gorgeous serving tray or basket, in the shape of a shell, made of Lucite, rattan and brass. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Braided rattan is cast within the Lucite acrylic material. Beautiful workmanship. The brass part is kept in original vintage version, with the patina from that time. Since the shape is as a shell, the tray inside...
Brass
Etched Murano Glass Mirrored Tray by Ercole Barovier, Italy, 1980s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Murano Glass & Etched Mirror Tray attributed to Ercole Barovier (1985) An elegant Italian serving or vanity tray, attributed to renowned Murano glassmaker Ercole Barovier. The piece...
Mirror, Murano Glass
$560
H 0.5 in W 8 in D 10.38 in
Small Cocktail Tray by Christofle, French Art Deco Silver Plated Serving Tray
By Christofle
Located in Miami, FL
French Art Deco style silver-plated serving tray from Christofle. This small cocktail tray is hallmarked on the reverse. In very good condition, wear consistent with age, materials...
Silver Plate
Mid-Century large engraved Murano Glass Mirror Tray, Italy 1960
By Ars Murano
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Mid-Century Murano Glass Mirror Tray, Italy 1960. romantic scene engraved. gold leaf details. large version!
Brass
$2,022Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 0.79 in W 10.63 in D 10.63 in
Willy Rizzo Nesting Trays Serving Pieces in Steel and Brass 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Paris, IDF
Beautiful Willy Rizzo set of three nesting trays in polished stainless steel and brass, signed, from the 1970s. The graduated measurements are 5.15 inches then 7.9 inches and 10.65 i...
Brass, Steel
$950Sale Price|32% Off
H 15.75 in W 20.75 in D 1.5 in
Antique Mirrored Silver Plated Gallery Serving Tray
Located in Sheffield, MA
A fine Edwardian style gallery silver plated serving tray with mirrored insert backed by wood. The tray is supported by 4 paw feet adding extra style and character. OFFERING FREE SHI...
Silver Plate
Kromex Trio of Chrome and Gold Tone Serving and Tidbit Trays
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful retro trio consisting of a serving tray, a single tier tidbit tray, and a double tier tidbit tray. All produced by Kromex in a chrome finish with...
Chrome, Brass
Georgian Mahogany Serving Tray England Circa 1800
Located in Hudson, NY
This is fascinating work of "trompe l'oeil" in a beautifully custom cut matting. The work itself dates from the mid 18th century and contains pages from books in several languages, s...
Mahogany
$560
H 1.75 in W 14.38 in D 10.5 in
Etched Murano Glass Mirrored Tray by Ercole Barovier, Italy, 1960s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Created by Ercole Barovier, this piece is a beautiful Italian serving or vanity table tray edged in Murano glass rope that is embedded with clear gold flakes. Done in the style of Luigi Brusotti and Gio Ponti, the mirror is etched with Venetian romantic figures...
Mirror, Murano Glass, Wood
French Chrome Serving Tray by Zanetti 1970 Italy Silver Color
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Beautiful brass tray with its Chrome structure. It is Silver in color and dates from the 1970s. It is a tray that was made in Italy with very good manufacturing quality. Brass and c...
Brass, Chrome
$957
H 11.82 in W 15.75 in D 1.19 in
Ercole Barovier Mirror-Engraved Murano Glass Italian Serving Tray, 1940s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Rectangular Murano glass tray from the 1950s. Noble Venetian mirror glass with etched golden tendril decoration, a turned glass edge and gilded handles. Stylish Italian craftsmanship...
Murano Glass
$1,196
H 1.19 in W 19.49 in D 14.77 in
Ercole Barovier Serving Tray Mirror-Engraved Murano Glass, Italy 1950s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing rectangular mirror-engraved Murano glass serving tray. This wonderful piece was produced in Italy during 1950s by the master Murano glass-maker of Ercole Barov...
Metal