The Barovier dynasty began in 1295, when Jacobello Barovier, mentioned in historical documents as a master glassblower, began pinching, cutting, blowing and twisting a molten mixture of sand and minerals into incandescent works of art.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.
Mid-Century Pendant Lamp by Barovier & Toso, Murano Glass, Italy
By Barovier&Toso, Barovier
Located in Antwerp, BE
Mid-20th century pendant lamp, manufactured by Barovier & Toso, Murano, Italy, 1960s. The chandelier consists of an organically hand-blown opalescent Murano glass surrounded by a...
Brass
Murano Chandelier by Barovier, 1950s
By Barovier
Located in Budapest, HU
Barovier Murano Glass Chandelier, Italy, circa 1950 A rare and poetic Murano glass chandelier attributed to Barovier, Italy, circa 1950. This exceptional piece captures the theatri...
Brass
Rare Gold Dust Murano Glass Chandelier from Barovier & Toso, Italy, 1940s
By Barovier
Located in Purkersdorf, AT
Italian (1940s) Murano chandelier with 6 gold-dusted glass arms supporting a large amber glass shade with gold inclusions with a scalloped tip. Hand blown textured amber sparkling c...
Murano Glass
Barovier Murano Glass and Brass Flower Chandelier, Italy, 1940s
By Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular leaf chandelier entirely made of Murano mouth-blown glass and solid brass. This incredibly elegant and unique piece was produced by the mastery of Barovier in Italy durin...
Brass
Ercole Barovier & Toso Leaf Murano Glass Ceiling Light, Italy 1940s
By Barovier
Located in Esbjerg, DK
An early Italian Glamour Murano ceiling mounted (could easily converted into hanging) glass Suspension light/sculptural chandelier. The central lamp enclosed by two large leaves and ...
Brass
$1,217Sale Price|62% Off
Round Chandelier Italian Murano Barovier Brass and Murano Glass 1940 Art Deco
By Barovier
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Very particular Italian lamp its shape as Barovier were able to make, with two lights E27 max 80 watts each, parts in curved Murano glass, bowls in very thick glass, parts in polishe...
Brass
Prototype "Royal" Plafonnier Chandelier from Barovier & Toso, 1960s
By Barovier
Located in Purkersdorf, AT
Unique piece: This model was handcrafted as a one-of-a-kind prototype and later mass-produced by Barovier&Toso under the name "Royal." It is still in production today, starting at €...
Murano Glass
Barovier Murano Glass and Brass Flower Chandelier, Italy, 1940s
By Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular floral pendant in Murano mouth-blown glass and brass. This incredibly elegant and unique chandelier was produced by the master craftsmen of Barovier in Italy during the l...
Brass
Barovier & Toso Murano Glass and Brass Flower Chandelier, Italy, 1940s
By Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular chandelier in Murano mouth-blown glass and solid brass. This incredibly elegant and unique chandelier was produced by the renowned masters of Murano glass Barovier and To...
Brass
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
Venetian Murano glass chandelier by Barovier & Toso
By Barovier
Located in Eindhoven, NL
A beautiful Venetian Murano glass chandelier by Barovier & Toso. This fabulous piece is hand made, respectful of the most ancient manufacturing technologies of the Murano glass t...
Murano Glass
$2,323Sale Price|20% Off
Chandelier Ceiling Lamp Barovier Brass and Murano Glass 1940s Made in Italy
By Barovier
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Chandelier Ceiling Lamp Barovier Brass and Murano Glass 1940s Made in Italy height only glass cm.50
Brass
Art Deco Oval Shape Murano Glass Chandelier by Barovier 1940'
By Barovier
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant oval shape 10-shade Murano glass chandelier , by Barovier. Excellent vintage condition. Ten E 27 light bulbs compatible with US standards. Cleaned and re-wired, in full wo...
Blown Glass
Large Venetian Chandelier in Gilded Murano Glass, by Barovier, 1950s
By Barovier
Located in Rijssen, NL
Splendid rich and elegant chandelier by Barovier with wonderful hand-blown Murano glass with amber colored inclusions. An Absolut statement piece in any room. Real craftsmanship fro...
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
Art Deco Ninfea Iridescent Murano Glass Chandelier by Barovier Italy, 1940
By Barovier
Located in Rome, IT
Charming hand blown Murano glass chandelier by Ercole Barovier. Excellent vintage condition. Three E 27 light bulbs.
Blown Glass
Elegant Barovier Hand Blown Glass Pendant Lantern, 1940s
By Barovier
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing Barovier hand blown glass pendant lantern with a precious "pulegoso" cup 1940s. Three E 14 light bulbs.
Blown Glass
Barovier And Toso Chandelier, Murano Glass - 8 Sconces
By Barovier
Located in Brussels, BE
Barovier And Toso Chandelier, Murano Glass - 8 Sconces
Chrome
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 elegance for your interior. Excelle...
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
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
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
$8,830Sale 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
Large Venetian Chandelier in Gilded Murano Glass, by Barovier, 1950s
By Barovier
Located in Rijssen, NL
Splendid rich and elegant chandelier by Barovier with wonderful hand-blown Murano glass with amber colored inclusions. An Absolut statement piece in any room. Real craftsmanship fro...
Brass
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
$650Sale 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
$1,394Sale 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
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
Barovier Murano Glass and Brass Flower Chandelier, Italy, 1940s
By Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous floral chandelier entirely crafted from mouth-blown Murano glass and solid brass. This incredibly elegant and sculptural piece was produced by the mastery of Barovier in It...
Brass
Barovier Murano Glass and Brass Flower Chandelier, Italy, 1940s
By Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning floral chandelier entirely crafted from mouth-blown Murano glass and solid brass. This exceptionally elegant and distinctive piece was produced by the mastery of Barovier in...
Brass
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