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.
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
Pair of Barovier "Bell" Murano Glass and Brass Table Lamps, Italy, 1940s
By Barovier, Ercole Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous and unique pair of table lamps in Murano mouth-blown crystal glass and solid brass. These romantic table lamps were designed and produced by Barovier in Murano, Italy during...
Brass
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
Set of Three Art Deco “Tulip” Glass Wall Sconces by Ercole Barovier, 1940s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A striking set of three Art Deco wall sconces designed by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, Italy, circa 1940s. These rare fixtures epitomize the refined sensibility of mid-20th-c...
Brass
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...
Gold Leaf, 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
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 glo...
Brass
Pair of Murano Glass Bird Wall Sconces by Ercole Barovier .Italy 1940s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1932 Pair Ercole Barovier two arm wall sconces Eackh arm ends in a hand crafted glass bird with a brass ring
Brass
Ercole Barovier Rostrato Murano Glass Italian Vase for Barovier & Toso, 1940s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
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
Pair of Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso “Rostrato” Glass Wall Sconces, 1940s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A rare and superb pair of 1940s wall sconces designed by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, executed in richly textured hand-blown Murano glass and mounted on elegant patinated bra...
Brass
Rostrato Vase Barovier style, Clear Murano Glass, italian mid-century modern
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
Glass chandelier by Ercole Barovier, Murano, 1920s/'30s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Milano, IT
TAG: murano chandelier, Ercole Barovier, 1920s, 1930s, art deco, blown glass, Italian design, vintage lighting, antique murano glass chandelier, Barovier & Toso, murano chandelier, E...
Iron
Barovier "Bell" Murano Glass and Brass 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
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
Murano chandelier by Ercole Barovier Barovier & Toso, Italy 1930s
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
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
Pair of Murano Glass Door Handles by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, 1950s
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
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
Ercole Barovier Murano Glass Vase for Ferro Toso Barovier Italy 1930s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Ercole Barovier Murano Glass Vase for Ferro Toso Barovier Italy 1930s
Murano Glass
Pair of wall lamps by Ercole Barovier in Rugiadoso Murano glass, Italy 1950s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Catania, CT
Pair of wall lamps designed by Ercole Barovier, crafted in Rugiadoso Murano glass, Italy, 1950s. These exquisite vintage lamps feature leaf-shaped glass shades with a textured patter...
Brass
Pair of Spiral-Glass Wall Sconces by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, 1940s
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
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
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
Ercole Barovier Art Dèco Italian Murano Glass and Brass Chandelier, 1935s
By Ercole Barovier, Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Six-arm chandelier in blown glass with cups produced with the Reticello technique. Designed by Ercole Barovier and produced by Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C in the late 1930s in It...
Brass
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 Sculptural “Bullicante” Glass Wall Sconces by Barovier & Toso, 1940s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
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
Ercole Barovier Large Rostrato Murano Glass Italian Vase, 1940s
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous large mouth-blown rostrato crystal Murano glass vase. This spectacular decorative piece was produced in Italy during the 1940s by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso. In m...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano 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
Ercole Barovier Toso Murano Iridescent Italian Art Deco Glass Conch Shell Bowl
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and rare, vintage Murano hand blown clear glass and iridescent Italian art glass conch seashell sculptural bowl. The piece is documented to designer Ercole Barovier, for th...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Vintage Murano Pezzato Art Glass Ashtray by Barovier & Toso 1950s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
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
Two Murano glass and brass table lamps by Ercole Barovier Italy 1940s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Palermo, IT
Gorgeous pair of curved brass bell-shaped table lamps made of Murano glass, mouth-blown crystal, and brass. These incredibly elegant lamps were designed by Ercole Barovier and made i...
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
Mid-Century Modern Murano Glass Vase by Ercole Barovier, Green, 1940
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
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
Venation Mirror by Ercole Barovier
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Venation Murano mirror for the wall
Murano Glass
Ercole Barovier Cordonato Oro Murano Glass Floor Lamp, Italy 1940s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
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
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
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 drop vase in blown green-blue glass with polychrome ga...
Gold Leaf
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
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
Ercole Barovier Murano Glass Ashtray Italy 50s Mid-Century Barovier & Toso
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Palermo, IT
ERCOLE BAROVIER . Barovier & Toso production, Italian design from the 50s. Star-shaped ashtray in clear, bubbling glass, semi-spherical body with reliefs, flat circular mouth. Also e...
Murano Glass
$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
$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
Mid-Century pair of Ercole Barovier Murano glass and brass table lamps. 1940s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Catania, CT
Set of two small table lamps designed by Ercole Barovier during the 40s. Good vintage condition with normal trace of age and use but a crack on a brass socket as shown in pictures. G...
Brass
Ercole Barovier Ribbed Iridescent Mauve Murano Vase, Circa 1950's
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Ercole Barovier & Toso Dusty Pink & Clear Murano Glass Coruscating Vase. Featuring a handcrafted, vertically ribbed form, scalloped opening, in translucent Dusty Pink Lavende...
Murano Glass
Barovier Toso Murano Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Ribbed Footed Flower Vases
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful pair of early Murano hand blown gold flecks Italian art glass footed flower vases. They are documented to the Barovier e Toso company. One has an almost complete "Barovier ...
Gold Leaf
Ercole Barovier Medusa Glass Vase for Ferro Barovier Tosso, 1938
By Ercole Barovier
Located in CABA, AR
Ercole Barovier “Medusa” Vase – 1938 Iridescent Murano Glass with Gold Inclusions This exceptional vase from the celebrated Medusa series, designed in...
Art Glass
Murano Barovier Toso Iridescent Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Scissor Cut Bowl
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and unusual, vintage Murano hand blown slight iridescent surface with gold flecks accents Italian art glass decorative bowl. The piece is attributed to designer Ercole Baro...
Gold Leaf
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
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
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
Barovier Toso Murano White Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Pheasant Sculpture
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Priced per item (2 birds available as shown). Gorgeous and rare, vintage Murano hand blown white and gold flecks Italian art glass pheasant bird sculpture on base. Documented to des...
Gold Leaf
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
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
$12,503Sale 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
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
$6,554Sale 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
$144,272Sale Price|20% Off
Rare and Important Mosaico vase Vetreria Artistica Barovier
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Zurich, CH
Rare and Important Mosaico vase Vetreria Artistica Barovier Italy, c. 1924 fused and blown polychrome glass murrine Signed Ercole Barovier 100% authentic, proven by the expert Gianc...
Murano Glass
Pair of Ercole Barovier Rostrato Sconces for Barovier & Toso, Italy 1940s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in BARCELONA, ES
The Ercole Barovier Rostrato Sconces from the 1940s, crafted by Barovier & Toso, are a masterclass in Venetian glass artistry. If you’re a collector, design aficionado, or simply...
Brass
Barovier Toso Murano Yellow Spots Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Flower Form Bowl
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown bright yellow and gold flecks Italian art glass flower form bowl or ashtray. Documented to the Barovier e Toso company. The bowl is decorated with...
Gold Leaf
Ercole Barovier Toso Murano Gold Flecks Bullicante Art Glass Ribbed Bowl
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Barcelona, ES
Amazing hand blown Cordonato D' Oro Bullicante soft green Murano glass ribbed bowl / ashtray. Ercole Barovier for Barovier e Toso. Italy, 1930s This striking decorative bowl is heavi...
Gold Leaf
$3,270Sale 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