Ercole Barovier left an indelible mark on the world of Italian modernist glassmaking — his vibrant use of color and exploration of innovative techniques yielded glass vases, chandeliers and other lighting and decorative objects that stand out in any interior many decades later.
Barovier grew up on the Venetian island of Murano, a region of the world famed for its production of artisanal glassworks. By the time he was born, in 1889, his family had already been in the glassmaking business for centuries, as the Barovier dynasty began in 1295. Nonetheless, Barovier did not choose glassmaking as his first career — he instead studied medicine as a young man before going on to work as a radio operator in the first World War.
The year after the war ended, Barovier joined his family’s business (over time, the manufactory’s names have included Fratelli Barovier, Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C. and Artisti Barovier). He was appointed artistic director in 1926, and subsequently managed the business with his brother Nicolò. From 1927 onward, Barovier was the chief designer at his family’s glassworks. He became sole proprietor in 1934, and in 1936, merged his own family business with the Venetian glass factory SAIAR Ferro Toso. They renamed the company Barovier & Toso, a name under which the company still operates today.
Early in his career, Barovier garnered praise for his work with murrine glass, one of the traditional arts for which Murano is widely known. In the 1930s, he began pushing the boundaries of tradition and experimenting with new ways to bring color into his glass objects.
Ercole Barovier is credited with having invented colorazione a caldo senza fusione, a method of introducing metals and oxides into glassworks. His style became defined by his use of riotous color and later, audacious forms. He created sculptures, table lamps and other pieces using mosaic techniques to add a kaleidoscope of striking hues to his work. Barovier had a particular gift to bring out glass’s unique properties to refract and filter light in every shade of the rainbow.
Barovier took endless inspiration from the world around him, from the play of light reflecting off the canals near his home to artworks from classical antiquity. Prior to World War II, his works included naturalistic designs including floral sconces, vine-wrapped chandeliers and sea life-inspired bowls (the manufactory was known for sinuous lighting pieces that are often described as embodying “Liberty Style” — the Italian term for Art Nouveau).
Barovier focused on reinterpreting classical techniques and styles in the postwar years. Geometrically patterned vases that recalled Ancient Greek pottery in their bold forms — as well as precisely detailed Art Deco glass serving bowls — are among his characteristic works from this period. Gold leaf was applied as a decorative flourish, and Barovier worked to ensure that his pieces reflected contemporary trends. His mid-century glass is particularly sought after by today’s collectors.
Up until his retirement in 1972, Barovier continued his exploration of the creative potential in glassmaking. His fearlessness in combining cutting-edge techniques with deeply traditional practices led him to create over 25,000 designs over the course of his life.
Barovier’s work garnered international acclaim. He received many awards and accolades, including awards at the Milan Triennial exhibitions in 1933 and 1954, the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1937, and the Compasso d'Oro in 1956.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Ercole Barovier lighting, decorative objects and serveware.
Pair of Murano Crystal Sconces with Suspended Gold Leaf Particles by E. Barovier
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A rare and refined pair of Murano wall sconces by Barovier & Toso, designed by Ercole Barovier, Italy, 1940s. Each sconce is composed of a sculptural, fluted cup in Murano cryst...
Brass, Gold Leaf
Large Pair of Murano Glass and Brass Flower Sconces, by Barovier, Italy 1950s
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous large pair of bellflower-shaped sconces in Murano mouth-blown crystal glass and solid brass. These wonderful lights were produced in Italy by Barovier during the 1940s. In...
Brass
Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso Pair of Murano Glass Wall Sconces, 1940s
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A rare and poetic pair of wall sconces designed by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso in the early 1940s. The sculptural glass elements are executed in Murano “vetro costolato a ri...
Brass
Barovier "Bell" Murano Glass and Brass Bell Table Lamp, Italy, 1940s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning bell-shaped table lamp in Murano blown glass and solid brass. This romantic table lamp was crafted in the 1940s in Italy by Murano master glassmaker Ercole Barovier. In ama...
Brass
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
Murano chandelier by Ercole Barovier Barovier & Toso, Italy 1930s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Murano chandelier by Ercole Barovier Barovier & Toso made in Italy in the 1930s. Founded in 1295 in Murano, Italy, Barovier & Toso stands as one of the oldest family businesses glo...
Brass
Pair of Spiral-Glass Wall Sconces by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, 1940s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A remarkably elegant Art Decò pair of 1940s wall sconces by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, showcasing the refined mastery of Venetian glass in its most poetic form. These piece...
Brass
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
Chandelier by Barovier & Toso, Murano, 1940s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Budapest, HU
Elegant handblown Murano chandelier by Barovier & Toso, circa 1940. From Private collection Von Plant Baron.
Brass
Pair of Murano Glass Door Handles by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, 1950s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Brescia, Brescia
An elegant and highly refined pair of Murano glass door handles designed by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso in the 1950s. The handles feature twisted “torciglione” Murano glass ...
Metal, Chrome
A rare brass mounted 8 arms horizontal chandelier by Ercole Barovier
By Ercole Barovier
Located in London, GB
A very rare horizontal brass mounted 8 arm Murano glass chandelier designed & produced by the glass master Ercole Barovier in the early 1930s . All glass is intact with natural pati...
Brass
Murano chandelier by Ercole Barovier Barovier & Toso, Italy 1930s
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Murano chandelier by Ercole Barovier Barovier & Toso made in Italy in the 1930s. Founded in 1295 in Murano, Italy, Barovier & Toso stands as one of the oldest family businesses globa...
Brass
Lampadario in Vetro di Ercole Barovier, Murano, Anni ’20/’30
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Milano, IT
TAG: lampadario murano, Ercole Barovier, anni 20, anni 30, art déco, vetro soffiato, design italiano, vintage lighting, lampadario vetro murano antico, Barovier & Toso, murano chande...
Iron
20th Century Italian Modern Vintage Rostri Murano Glass Vase by Ercole Barovier
By Ercole Barovier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A tall, vintage Mid-Century modern Italian single Rostri vase made of hand blown slightly smoked Murano glass, designed by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, in good condition....
Murano Glass
A Luxurious MURANO Glass TABLE LAMP by ERCOLE BAROVIER, VENINI, Italy, 1950-1960
By Ercole Barovier
Located in PARIS, FR
A spectacular, large and heavy table lamp, Art Déco, neoclassical, Modernist, Shabby-Chic, Neo-Baroque, with a massive circular base in Murano glass, open like a corolla, translucent, embed with small air bubbles, 2 wood circles with a patinated bronze veneer surrounding a generous translucent corps capturing light, ornaments plant-inspired made with encrusted golden leaf, impressive and authentic model...
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Large Rostrato Vase in clear Murano Glass, Italy
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Venezia, IT
Rostrato vase in authentic Murano glass, handmade in the typical Rostrato style introduced by Ercole Barovier at the beginning of the twentieth century. Additional information: Mate...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Ercole Barovier Exceptional Pulegoso Glass Vase with Applied Discs, 1930s
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier
Located in Brescia, Brescia
An extraordinarily rare example of Ercole Barovier’s early 1930s experimentation with the pulegoso technique, this sculptural vase represents one of the most sought-after chapters in...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
$790Sale Price|56% Off
Italian Murano Art Glass Transparent Vase by Barovier, Bullicante Model, 1950s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful Italian desgn mid-century murano art glass transparent vase. This model vase designed by Ercole Barovier (Murano, Italy, 1950s). A stunning little vase made with a distinc...
Art Glass
Barovier Toso Murano Pink Blue Gold Fleck Italian Art Glass Love Birds Sculpture
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown sky blue, pink, controlled bubbles and gold flecks Italian art glass love birds sculpture. The piece is documented to the Barovier e Toso Company....
Gold Leaf
Murano chandelier Lyre by Ercole Barovier Barovier & Toso, Italy 1940s
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Murano chandelier by Ercole Barovier Barovier & Toso made in Italy in the 1940s. Founded in 1295 in Murano, Italy, Barovier & Toso stands as one of the oldest family businesses globa...
Murano Glass
Pair of Sculptural “Bullicante” Glass Wall Sconces by Barovier & Toso, 1940s
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Brescia, Brescia
An exceptional and rare pair of Murano wall sconces designed by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, circa 1940. Each sconce is defined by an extraordinary sculptural shade in t...
Brass
Pair of Murano Glass and Brass Bell Table Lamps by Barovier, Italy, 1940s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous bell shaped table lamps in Murano glass and solid brass. This romantic table lamps were made in the '40s in Italy by the Murano glass master Ercole Barovier. This incredib...
Brass
$3,373Sale Price|20% Off
Art Deco Chandelier by Ercole Barovier, Murano, 1940s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Budapest, HU
Amazing and elegant hand blown Murano chandelier by Ercole Barovier, circa 1940. From Private collection Von Plant Baron.
Brass
A 1940s Art Deco Italian green Murano glass hand mirror by Barovier and Toso
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in London, GB
A 1940s Art Deco Italian vivid green "Torchon" Murano glass hand mirror by Barovier and Toso, with brass detail holding the "floating" mirror. The mirror plate is orignal and has so...
Brass
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
Bellflower Table Lamp in Murano Glass and Brass by Ercole Barovier, Italy 1940s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous table lamp made in a combination Murano glass and brass. This incredibly elegant lamp was designed by Ercole Barovier and made in Italy during the early '40s. The shade o...
Brass
Vintage Murano Pezzato Art Glass Ashtray by Barovier & Toso 1950s
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Murano Pezzato Art Glass Ashtray by Barovier & Toso 1950s A heavy Murano art glass ashtray designed by Ercole Barovier and manufactured by Barovier & Toso, Italy circa 1950s. Heavy hot moulded glass internally decorated with opaline and light green glass plates...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Yellow Murano "LENTI" Glass Vase Element by Ercole Barovier and Toso Italy 1960s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass vase element "LENTI" by Barovier and Toso Origin: Murano, Italy Decade: 1960s This original vintage glass vase element was designed by ERCOLE BAROVIER...
Murano Glass
20th Century Green Italian Single Vintage Murano Glass Vase by Ercole Barovier
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-green, vintage Mid-Century modern Italian single vase made of hand blown slightly smoked, colored Murano glass, designed by Ercole Barovier and produced by Barovier & Tos...
Murano Glass
Ercole Barovier Murano Art Glass Double Flower Vase, Pink & Gold Leaf, 1950
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown pink stripes and gold flecks Italian art glass double opening flower vase. Documented to designer Ercole Barovier, for Barovier e Toso. The vase h...
Gold Leaf
$3,276Sale Price|20% Off
Art Deco Chandelier by Ercole Barovier, Murano, 1940s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Budapest, HU
Wonderful and rare Art Deco chandelier by Ercole Barovier, 1940s. Piece of exquisite quality. From Private collection by Giancarlo Planta.
Brass
$4,965Sale Price|30% Off
Art Deco Ercole Barovier Venini Murano Glass Chandelier 1940s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Palermo, IT
This exquisite Murano glass Art Deco chandelier, to celebrated designer Ercole Barovier, embodies the Venetian elegance and craftsmanship of the 1930s or 1940s. Its central metal fra...
Brass
Ercole Barovier Art Deco Murano Glass Italian Pendant Chandelier "Pulegoso", 30s
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C., Ercole Barovier
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Murano glass chandelier blown with the Pulegoso technique, glass with air bubbles inside. Designed by Ercole Barovier and produced by Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C in the late 1930...
Brass
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
Rare Murano Sculptural “Bullicante” Glass Wall Sconce by Barovier & Toso, 1940s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Brescia, Brescia
An exceptional and rare Murano wall sconce designed by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, circa 1940. The piece is defined by an extraordinary sculptural shade in thick, hand-blow...
Brass
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
Ercole Barovier, Art Deco Murano Glass Pendant, Italy 1930s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Catania, CT
Art Deco Murano glass pendant produced in Italy during the 30s by Ercole Barovier. It is made from Murano glass and brass details with original patina. The central piece is made from...
Brass
Adjustable Bell Table Lamp in Murano Glass and Brass by Barovier, Italy 1940s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning adjustable table lamp in mouth-blown Murano glass and brass. This incredibly stylish and unique lamp in the shape of a bell flower was designed by Ercole Barovier and produc...
Brass
$1,395Sale Price|20% Off
Ercole Barovier Toso Italian Murano Art Glass Vase
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Ercole Barovier Toso Italian Murano art glass vase.
Art Glass
Ercole Barovier Iridescent Grosse Costolature Clam Shell Glass Bowl, 1940s
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso in 1942, exquisite A Grosse Costolature or clam shell bowl in heavy transparent iridescent clear Murano glass with undulating pron...
Blown Glass
Rare Large Signed Ercole Barovier Pink Murano Glass & Brass Vanity Mirror 1940s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
We are extremely proud to be able to offer this absolutely stunning, large and very rare Italian oversized Mid-Century brass and pink twisted 'rope' pink Murano glass vanity, desk or...
Brass
Ercole Barovier Cordonato Oro Murano Glass Floor Lamp, Italy 1940s
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Milan, IT
Ercole Barovier Cordonato Oro Murano Glass Floor Lamp, Italy 1940s The lamp carries two side bulbs under the shade and a central bulb on top to ill...
Brass
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Barovier Toso Murano Purple Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Double Handle Vase
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful, rare, vintage Murano hand blown gold flecks and dark purple trim Italian art glass ornate pierced handles vase. Documented to designer Ercole Barovier, for the Barovier e ...
Gold Leaf
Exceptional Murano Glass and Brass Photo Frame by Ercole Barovier, 1940s
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A truly rare and exquisite Murano glass and brass photo frame by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, dating back to the 1940s. This signed piece stands out for its exceptional craft...
Brass
Barovier & Toso Murano Clear Glass Leaf Chandelier, Italy 1950's
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A entire Murano blown clear glass chandelier by Barovier & Toso, Italy, 1950s. With four downwards four light-arms with glass tulips and six upwards glass leaves. This beautiful piec...
Murano Glass
Delicious Murano Glass Pendant or Lantern by Ercole Barovier, 1930
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Rome, IT
Piece of great elegance designed by Ercole Barovier. Two fine rostrato handblown bowl surrounded by two amazing leaves. All glass parts are in excelle...
Glass
$6,264Sale Price|20% Off
Ercole Barovier Toso Murano Glass Spira Aurata Vase, 1960s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Barcelona, ES
Murano Art Glass 'Spira Aurata Striato Vase' by Ercole Barovier, Barovier e Toso, Italy, 1966. Spira Aurata series oval-section conical vase in blown glass with polychrome garnet, r...
Gold Leaf
Barovier Toso Murano Jade Green Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Double Candlestick
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful, and large, vintage Murano hand blown jade green with gold flecks Italian art glass double hands candlestick or candelabra. The piece is documented to designer Ercole Barov...
Gold Leaf
Barovier Toso Murano Black Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Pear Fruit Paperweight
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and rare, vintage Murano hand blown dark brown pigments, black and gold flecks Italian art glass pear figure / sculpture. The piece is documented to designer Ercole Barovie...
Gold Leaf
$760Sale Price|20% Off
Barovier Murano Lavender Gold Flecks Swirl Cloud Design Italian Art Glass Bowl
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and large, vintage Murano hand blown gold flecks and lavender purple swirling design Italian art glass bowl. Documented to designer Ercole Barovier for the Barovier e Toso company, circa 1955-1960. The color of the design is actually lavender, but looks mauve in some of the photos because of the heavy yellow gold on the layer underneath, and the photos themselves were taken outside in sunlight. The bowl is profusely filled with heavy gold leaf throughout. This particular design has always reminded me of stylistic Japanese cloud...
Gold Leaf
Ercole Barovier Murano glass chandelier. Italy 1940s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Catania, CT
Murano glass suspension lamp by Ercole Barovier and produced in Italy durong the 1940s. A refined example of mid-century Murano craftsmanship, this chandelier features a sculptural b...
Murano Glass
$6,553Sale Price|20% Off
Ercole Barovier, vase model 'Lenti', ca. 1940
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Zurich, CH
Ercole Barovier (1889-1974), vase model 'Lenti', ca. 1940 transparent and blue glass with gold inclusions produced by Barovier & Toso, Murano, Italy 25 cm (height) not signed very go...
Murano Glass
Rare pair of large wall lamps by Ercole Barovier & Toso, Italy, 1940s
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C., Ercole Barovier
Located in Argelato, BO
This rare pair of wall lamps represents a masterpiece of 20th-century Venetian craftsmanship, designed by renowned designer Ercole Barovier and crafted by the historic Barovier & Tos...
Brass
$375Sale Price|25% Off
Barovier Toso Murano Yellow Blue Gold Fleck Italian Art Glass Love Bird Figurine
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown bright yellow and sapphire blue spots, bubbles and gold flecks Italian art glass baby bird figurine / sculpture. Documented to the Barovier e Toso...
Gold Leaf
Ercole Barovier & Toso Cordonato D’oro Golden Murano Glass Bowl, Italy, 1960s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Vienna, AT
A stunning and relatively large Murano art glass Bullicante Mid-Century bowl from the 1960s, hand-blown by Barovier e Toso, Italy. Made of thick clear glass, the bowl is solid and he...
Gold, Gold Leaf
Murano chandelier by Ercole Barovier Barovier & Toso, Italy 1930s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Very rare Murano chandelier by Ercole Barovier Barovier & Toso made in Italy in the 1930s. Founded in 1295 in Murano, Italy, Barovier & Toso stands as one of the oldest family busine...
Murano Glass
$12,528Sale Price|20% Off
Magnificent Art Deco Mounted Murano Glass Chandelier by Ercole Barovier, 1940
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Rome, IT
Exceptional eight-shade Murano glass chandelier with gold intrusion . Elegant shaped fine quality brass mount, by Ercole Barovier. Unique Art Deco beauty in excellent vintage condi...
Blown Glass
Murano Glass Chandelier by Ercole Barovier, Italy, 1930s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Art Deco Murano glass pendant by Ercole Barovier, Italy 1930-1939. Very elegant design centred by a Murano crystal glass tulip, brass mou...
Crystal, Brass
Ercole Barovier, Organic Wall Mirror, Murano Glass, Brass, Italy c. 1940
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and Murano glass wall mirror designed by Ercole Barovier and produced by Barovier & Toso, Italy, c. 1940s. Dimensions (inches): 18” H x 16” W x 1.625” D Does not include mo...
Brass
Monumental Ercole Barovier, Barovier & Toso Efeso Blue Vase, 1964
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A large blue art glass vase from the 'Efeso' series designed by Ercole Barovier in 1964 for Barovier & Toso, Murano, Italy. Thick glass in bright blue w...
Art Glass, Murano Glass