The Barovier dynasty began in 1295, when Jacobello Barovier, mentioned in historical documents as a master glassblower, began pinching, cutting, blowing and twisting a molten mixture of sand and minerals into incandescent works of art.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.
Overwhelming Murano Glass Ceiling Light by Barovier & Toso Italy, 1950'
By Barovier
Located in Rome, IT
Superb Mid Century hand blown Murano glass chandelier or Ceiling light by Barovier & Toso Timeless elegance for your interior. Excellent vintage condition. We can wire the frame...
Blown Glass
Overwhelming Art Deco Ninfea Murano Glass Chandelier by Barovier Italy, 1940
By Barovier
Located in Rome, IT
Superb hand blown Ninfea Murano glass chandelier on two levels by Ercole Barovier. Cascade of precious hand blown leaves. Timeless elegance for your interior. Excellent vintage c...
Blown Glass
$8,946Sale 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
Italian Chandelier with Murano Glass Cornucopias by Barovier, circa 1960
By Barovier
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Italian chandelier Cornucopias by Barovier circa 1960, Murano glass and brass, in excellent condition.
Brass
Barovier "Pinecone" Murano Rostrato Glass Large Table Lamp, Italy, 1940s
By Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Magnificent pinecone shaped table lamp fully made in mouth-blown Murano “Rostrato” glass. This incredibly rare and elegant lamp was produced by Barovier in Murano, Italy during the 1...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Oversized Raspberry Murano Glass Lamps W/ Silver Foil Inclusions by Barovier
By Barovier
Located in North Miami, FL
These are an elegant pair of raspberry hue Murano glass lamps with silver foil inclusions throughout. Beautiful swirled base and body - illuminated or not, they make a stunning state...
Murano Glass
Vintage 1940's Barovier Bubbled Murano Glass Table Lamp
By Barovier
Located in North Miami, FL
This is a wonderful clear Murano masterpiece by Barovier - bubbled inclusions and scale like design. Must have been updated at some point with a Lu...
Murano Glass, Acrylic
$4,950Sale Price|34% Off
Rare Murano Glass Table Lamp by Barovier
By Barovier
Located in Chicago, IL
Barovier glass Table lamp in the form of a lantern design. Hollywood Regency, Modern in Design.
Art Glass
Huge Barovier Murano Rostrato Glass Table Lamp with Linen Lampshade, Italy 1950s
By Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Exceptional and unique huge table lamp in handblown "rostrato" Murano glass completed by a round taupe grey lampshade. This marvelous piece was designed by Barovier and produced in I...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Venetian Barovier Chandelier In Gilded Murano Glass, Italy, 1940s
By Barovier
Located in Brussels, BE
Venetian Barovier chandelier in gilded murano glass - Italy 1940s.
Murano Glass
Barovier gold fleck striped handblown Murano Glass Table Lamp
By Barovier
Located in South Charleston, WV
7" wide, 28.5" tall. 100% original condition from the 1950's. By Barovier with all original hardware including base and scallop designed brass plate atop of the handblown glass. Love...
Art Glass
Vintage Murano Glass Lantern By Barovier & Toso
By Barovier, Barovier&Toso, Salviati, Seguso, Venini
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Murano Glass Lantern By Barovier & Toso. This lovely mid century Murano glass lantern is made of a soft green blown glass with controlled b...
Brass
$6,950 / set
Pair of Art Deco Barovier Pineapple Lamps
By Barovier
Located in Riverdale, NY
A pair of lovely and imposing Barovier Murano Pineapple form lamps from the 1930's. In period condition with original wiring and one petal broken off....
Blown Glass
$659Sale Price|30% Off
Italian Design Murano Glass and Orange Metal Table Lamp by Barovier, 1950s
By Barovier
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful and rare Italian design small table lamp by Barovier 1950s with 1 internal light. Made of Murano glass with orange metal. Used good conditions, some signs of wear in the me...
Metal
Two 1980s Barovier Orange Yellow and White Murano glass Oval Wall Sconces
By Barovier
Located in Aci Castello, IT
These Wall Sconces are striking examples of Italian glassmaking craftsmanship from the late 20th century. Barovier & Toso is a renowned Venetian glassmaking company known for its...
Iron
$1,412Sale 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
Murano Glass Tripod Floor Lamp By Barovier
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier
Located in Houston, TX
Murano Glass Tripod Floor Lamp By Barovier. Offered is a stunning rare gold infused Murano glass floor lamp with a tripod base and bronze fittin...
Bronze
$706Sale Price|20% Off
Barovier Wall Sconce Leaf Murano Art Glass, 1940s
By Barovier
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Barovier wall sconce Leaf Murano art glass 1940s.
Brass
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. Timeless elegance for your interior. Excellent vintage condition. We can wire the frame for US...
Blown 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
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
$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
$574Sale 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
Mid-Century Murano Glass Lamps, Fluted Design, Vintage Italian Style
By Barovier
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Mid Century Murano glass lamps in a lilac/periwinkle color. The glass bodies feature a fluted design which is topped by an glass orb with an etched star element. Lamps sit up...
Nickel
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
Wall Bowl by Barovier, San Polo, Venice / Italy, Mid-20th Century
By Barovier
Located in New York, NY
Wall-mounted bowl sconce in blue glass with characteristic air bubble inclusions and a ribbed brass mount. The wall attachment is formed by an irregular glazed terracotta element in ...
Brass
Barovier Applique “Rugiada”Brass Murano Glass, 1940, Italy
By Barovier
Located in Milano, IT
Barovier applique “Rugiada” brass murano glass, 1940, Italy.
Murano Glass
Spectacular Murano Glass Iridescent Rostrato Large Table Lamp
By Barovier
Located in Rome, IT
Spectacular Table lamp by Barovier. Consists of two cups massive "rostrato" Murano glass . Excellent Decoration for your home as a table light or a vase.
Glass
Midcentury Barovier Table Lamp
By Barovier
Located in Kent, Dover
A fine Mid-Century table lamp by Barovier, with hand blown graduated sections. Sold with shade.
Brass
Pair of Delicious Barovier Murano Glass Table Lights, 1940
By Barovier
Located in Rome, IT
Pair of amazing small ivory colored Murano glass table lamps with turquoise "pasta vitrea "base by Barovier, 1940s. Nice light blue shade in very good condition. Each with one E14 ...
Blown Glass
Pair of Vintage Cranberry Color Murano Glass Lamps by Barovier
By Barovier, Seguso
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
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
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