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.
Murano Chandelier by Barovier, 1940s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Budapest, HU
Murano Glass Chandelier Attributed to Ercole Barovier Murano, 1940s–1950s This extraordinary chandelier belongs to that unique period in Murano glassmaking when glass ceased to be m...
Brass
Barovier Large Pair of Murano Glass and Brass Flower Sconces, Italy 1940s
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous and unique large pair of flower-shaped sconces in Murano mouth-blown “bullicante” crystal glass and solid brass. These marvelous lights were designed by Barovier and produc...
Brass
Murano Glass Table Lamp, Turquoise Gold Cordonato d’Oro, Barovier & Toso, 1960s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Glasgow, GB
This Murano glass table lamp by Barovier & Toso, designed by Ercole Barovier and produced in Italy in the 1960s, exemplifies the refined use of the cordonato d’oro technique within a...
Gold Leaf
Murano Chandelier by Barovier, 1940s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Budapest, HU
This extraordinary chandelier, attributed to Ercole Barovier and dating to the 1940s, represents one of the most poetic expressions of postwar Murano glassmaking. The piece seems to...
Brass
Set of Three Art Deco “Tulip” Glass Wall Sconces by Ercole Barovier, 1940s
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
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
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 Sculptural “Bullicante” Glass Wall Sconces by Barovier & Toso, 1940s
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Exceptional Pair of Murano Bullicante Glass Wall Sconces by Ercole Barovier, circa 1940 An exceptional and rare pair of Murano wall sconces designed by Ercole Barovier for Barovier ...
Brass
$8,162Sale Price|34% Off
Imposing Rare Barovier Fountain Chandelier, White Puligoso, 1930s, Murano Deco
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
Sophisticated chandelier from Ercole Barovier. A rare beautiful chandelier, the bottom bowl is in horizontal ribbed hand opened clear etched glass crowned by a set of 12 large and h...
Blown Glass, Milk Glass, Murano Glass
Ercole Barovier, Murano pair of Table Lamps circa 1940
By Ercole Barovier
Located in LA, CA
Elevate any interior with this exquisite set of four Italian Mid-Century Modern table lamps, crafted in the 1970s and defined by their sophisticated play of light, texture, and form....
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 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 “Foglia” Murano Glass Wall Lights by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Elegant and sculptural pair of Murano glass wall lights designed by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso in the 1940s. Each applique is composed of a beautifully molded clear gla...
Brass
$1,289Sale Price|20% Off
Ercole Barovier 40s Table Lamp
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Palermo, IT
Barovier Ercole lamp one light e14 Lamp with bulb glass reflecting the work of the master glassmaker in the 1940s with original switch of the period. Ready to be placed in your envir...
Murano Glass
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
Pair of Monumental “Bullicante” Murano Glass Wall Lights by Ercole Barovier, 40s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A rare and exceptionally sculptural pair of large-scale Murano glass wall sconces designed by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso during the 1940s. These remarkable fixtures embody t...
Brass
Chandelier by Ercole Barovier, Murano, 1940s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Budapest, HU
The chandelier by Ercole Barovier (Murano, 1940) Imagine Venice in the early 1940s. The furnaces of Murano are still working as if time itself had chosen to slow down. Among the mos...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Chandelier by Ercole Barovier, Brass & Murano Glass
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian chandelier made of a rectangular brass base and hand blown Murano glass, designed by Ercole Barovier and produced by Barovier & Toso, in good condition. The pendant, ceiling light is composed with six round rostrato lamp...
Metal, 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
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
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
Ercole Barovier, large five-arm Murano glass chandelier, Italy, 1950s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Argelato, BO
An elegant five-arm chandelier by Ercole Barovier, crafted from Murano glass using the signature silvered and iridescent glass technique. The central structure is dominated by a larg...
Murano Glass
$4,437Sale Price|35% 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
Barovier Pair of Bell Table Lamps in Murano Glass and Brass, Italy 1940s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous and unique pair of bellflower Murano table lamps in mouth-blown crystal glass and brass. These incredibly elegant lamps were designed by Ercole Barovier and made in Italy d...
Brass
$3,153Sale 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
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
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
Art Deco twisted glass chandelier, Barovier & Toso, Murano, Italy, circa 1940
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Paris, FR
Art Deco chandelier by Barovier & Toso, based on a design by Ercole Barovier. Chrome-plated brass structure and accessories, the central suspension arm and the body of the chandelier...
Brass, Chrome
Museal Art Decò Ercole Barovier Murano Glass Chandelier, 1930
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Roma, IT
Exceptional Art Deco Murano Glass Chandelier by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, Italy, circa 1930s A rare and highly refined Murano glass chandelier designed by Ercole Barovier...
Murano Glass
Elegant Art Deco Murano Glass Chandelier by Ercole Barovier 1940'
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Rome, IT
Exceptional eight-shade Murano glass chandelier with elegant shaped fine quality brass mount, by Ercole Barovier. Unique Art Deco beauty in excellent vintage condition. Eight E 2...
Blown 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
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, 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
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
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
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
$946Sale Price|20% Off
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
Mid-Century Modern Chandelier by Ercole Barovier, Murano Glass, Italy
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian chandelier made of hand blown smoked Murano glass, designed by Ercole Barovier and produced by Barovier & Toso in good condition. The detaile...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Raindrop Chandelier by Ercole Barovier, 1940
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A round vintage Mid-Century modern Italian raindrop chandelier, pendant made of hand blown smoked Murano glass, designed by Ercole Barovier and pr...
Metal, Chrome
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
Murano Table Lamps by Ercole Barovier, Giltwood & Glass, Italy, 1950s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of smaller scale hand blown cream and gold inclusions Murano table lamps by Ercole Barovier Toso. Mounted on giltwood bases. Newly wired with new brass 3 way sockets and cord. G...
Brass
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
Liberty Chandelier by Ercole Barovier, Murano, 1940s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Budapest, HU
Handblown Murano chandelier by Ercole Barovier, circa 1940. From Private collection Von Plant Baron.
Metal
Italian chandelier by Ercole Barovier from the 30's in Murano glass
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Italian suspension lamp from the '40s by Italian designer Ercole Barovier for the Venetian manufacturer Barovier & Toso. Center bar, canopy and diffuser in thick transparent Mura...
Murano Glass
Liberty Chandelier by Ercole Barovier, Murano, 1940s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Budapest, HU
hand blown Murano chandelier by Ercole Barovier, circa 1940. From private collection Von plant Baron.
Metal
Rare Art Deco Ercole Barovier chandelier in Pulegoso Murano glass. Italy 1940s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Catania, CT
A stunning and rare Art Deco chandelier designed by Ercole Barovier, crafted in Italy during the 1940s. This exceptional piece is made of Pulegoso Murano glass, a distinctive techniq...
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
$9,155Sale Price|20% Off
Art Deco brass chandelier with Murano glass by Ercole Barovier Venini 1940s
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Palermo, IT
This 5-light chandelier by Ercole Barovier, made in the 1940s from Murano glass, is an exquisite example of the elegance and craftsmanship of Venetian design of the period. The struc...
Brass
Rare Pair of “Festoni” Wall Sconces by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, 1938
By Barovier&Toso, Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C., Ercole Barovier
Located in Brescia, Brescia
An exceptional and highly collectible pair of "Festoni" wall sconces designed by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso in 1938, among the most sculptural and expressive examples of pre...
Brass
Mid-Century Tea Morosati Table Light by Stilnovo and Barovier & Toso, Italy
By Ercole Barovier, Tea Morosati, Stilnovo
Located in Steinheim am Albuch, BW
Magnificent and rare italian table light designed by Tea Morosati, produced by Stilnovo. The handblown glass is by the renewed glassmaker Barovier & Toso. This stunning and large ta...
Brass
Pair of Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso “Rostrato” Glass Wall Sconces, 1940s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Brescia, Brescia
An exceptional and highly decorative pair of Rostrato Murano glass wall sconces designed by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso in the 1940s. Among the most iconic creations of twent...
Brass
$12,058Sale 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
Art Deco Brass Mounted Murano Glass Chandelier by Ercole Barovier, 1940
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Rome, IT
Exceptional six-shade Murano glass chandelier with elegant shaped brass mount, by Ercole Barovier. Excellent vintage condition, the glasses are in perfect condition. Six E 27 light...
Blown Glass
Rare Mid Century Modern Chandelier or Pendant Lamp 'Putti' by Barovier & Toso
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in München, BY
Gorgeous, highly decorative Mid-Century Modern 'Putti' pendant lamp or chandelier. Designed & manufactured by Barovier & Toso, Italy, 1950s. Executed in Murano Glass and brass, the ...
Brass
$3,916Sale Price|57% Off
Floor Lamp Ercole Barovier 1940s Murano Art Glass Model "Lenti" Midcentury
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Big floor lamp Ercole Barovier, 1940s Murano art glass model "Lenti", brass base diameter cm.37, central staple with large Murano glass glasses lens created by Ercole Barovier diamet...
Brass
Barovier & Toso Rare Pairs of Murano Glass Iridescent Clamshell Sconces 1940s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in New York, NY
Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso rare pairs of large clamshell sconces in heavy transparent iridescent Murano glass featuring deep ribbing and pronounced lobes, Italy, circa 1940....
Nickel
Set of 3 “Bullicante” Murano Glass Wall Lights by Ercole Barovier, 40s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A rare and exceptionally sculptural set of three large-scale Murano glass wall sconces designed by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso during the 1940s. These remarkable fixtures emb...
Brass
Rare pair of large wall lamps by Ercole Barovier & Toso, Italy, 1940s
By Ercole Barovier, Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
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
$3,153Sale Price|20% Off
Charming Italian Midcentury Murano Fixture by Ercole Baroviera
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Rome, IT
With a precious handblown 'costolature' cup, rare pink peach color. Three E27 light bulbs.
Blown Glass
Art Deco Chandelier by Ercole Barovier, Murano, 1940s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Budapest, HU
Amazing and elegant handblown Bulicante Murano chandelier by Ercole Barovier, circa 1940. Measure: Diameter cm 70 Height cm 115 From Private collection.
Brass