The still-thriving glassworks known today as Barovier&Toso, revered for its catalogue of exquisite mouth-blown chandeliers, sconces and table lamps, originated on the Venetian island of Murano, a region of the world famed for its production of artisanal glassworks. In its early years, the firm traded under the name Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
The Barovier dynasty began in 1295, when Jacobello Barovier, mentioned in historical documents as a master glassblower, began pinching, cutting, blowing and twisting a molten mixture of sand and minerals into incandescent works of art.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.
Under the nearly 50-year artistic directorship of Barovier&Toso cofounder Ercole Barovier (1889–1974), the company created buoyant traditional pieces such as pendants and wall lights, and it pioneered an array of innovative modernist designs with bold colors, patterns and surfaces.
By the time Ercole Barovier was born, in 1889, his family had already been in the glassmaking business for centuries. Nonetheless, Ercole 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, Ercole joined his family’s business (over time, in addition to Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C., the manufactory’s names have also included Fratelli Barovier and Artisti Barovier). Ercole was appointed artistic director in 1926, and subsequently managed the business with his brother Nicolò.
From 1927 onward, Ercole Barovier was the chief designer at his family’s glassworks. His style became defined by his use of riotous color and later, audacious forms. Ercole created sculptures, table lamps and other pieces using mosaic techniques to add a kaleidoscope of striking hues to his work. Early in his career, he garnered praise for his work with murrine glass, one of the traditional arts for which Murano is widely known. 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 firm still operates today.
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.
Traditional or modern, Barovier&Toso has produced one of the finest and most diverse catalogues of Murano glass in the last 100 years.
Find antique Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C. lighting and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
Rare Pair of “Festoni” Wall Sconces by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, 1938
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C., Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
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
Ercole Barovier Art Deco Murano Glass Italian Pendant Chandelier "Pulegoso", 30s
By Ercole Barovier, Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
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
Lampada Barovier&Toso vintage art deco murano chandelier, 1940.
By Barovier&Toso, Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
Located in Palermo, IT
Raro lampadario Art Déco in vetro di Murano cangiante, prodotto negli anni '40. Questo lampadario molto particolare è stato realizzato con la tecnica del vetro acidato che dona al ve...
Murano Glass
Barovier and Toso Floor Lamp "Rostrato" Murano Glass copper1940 Italy
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
Located in Milano, IT
EXCEPTIONAL Barovier and Toso floor lamp..ORIGINATING from a villa on Lake Como.
Murano Glass
Ercole Barovier Murano Seminatore Clear Massiccio Glass Gold Applications, 1930
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C., Ercole Barovier
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
This is a great sculpture. Please check details on photo. It's part of a group of probably four figurines representing the four seasons. This is the spr...
Gold Leaf
Handle Barovier 1940s Brass Chrome Glass Murano Italian design 1940s
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Handle Barovier 1940s Brass Chrome Glass Murano Italian design 1940s
Brass, Chrome
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
Large Mid-Century Murano Glass Flush Mount Chandelier by Barovier e Toso, 1940
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
Located in New York, NY
A Large, Elegant and Original, Italian Mid-Century Modern Hand-Blown Murano Glass Flush Mount Chandelier by Barovier e Toso, circa 1940. The piece reflects the artistry and elegance ...
Brass
Vetreria Artistica Barovier Blue Glass Chalice Goblet, 1920s Italy
By Artisti Barovier, Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
Located in London, GB
Large Chalice sapphire clear blue applied pattern on translucent blown glass attributed to Artistica Barovier (1919-1936) circa 1920. This goblet sits on a long stem with two decorated glass balls and a small central glass ball resting on a splayed foot. The name chalice is borrowed from Greek (kulix), cup. A chalice is often used for drinking during a ceremony or may convey a distinct symbolic meaning. After World War I the company changed its name to Vetreria Artistica Barovier...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Murano Glass Big Vase by Ercole Barovier for Ferro Toso Barovier, Italy 1937
By Barovier&Toso, Barovier, Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C., Ferro Toso Barovier
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing truncated conical big vase with applications in thick coulourless murano glass by the maestro of Murano Glass, Ercole Barovier. 1937 production: Ferro - Toso - Barovier. C...
Murano Glass
Italian Chandelier by Barovier & Toso Murano, 1990
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
Located in Budapest, HU
Flamboyant chandelier from the famous Barovier & Toso furnace. 12 ruby red arms to make the protagonist of a representative hall. A six-armed pair is also available.
Murano Glass
Vintage Ercole Barovier - Barovier & Toso Barbarico Vase 1951
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C., Ercole Barovier
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Ercole Barovier - Barovier & Toso Barbarico Vase 1951 A vintage art glass vase from the 'Barbarico' series designed by Ercole Barovier in 1951 for Barovier & Toso, M...
Art Glass
Murano Antique Blush Pink White Italian Art Glass Footed Cabinet Flower Vase
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful antique Murano hand blown dark blush pink over white, Italian art glass cabinet flower vase. Documented to the Vetreria Artistica Barovier...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Monumental Ruby Gold Tall Murano CandleStick by Barovier & Toso Venitian Glass
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
Located in San Diego, CA
Striking Italian Venitian glass in ruby red with gold speckles, a showstopper can be used as a centerpiece for special occasions with beautiful colors great condition.
Blown Glass
Barovier & Toso Vintage Chandelier 6 Lights Murano Glass
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
Located in Murano, Venice, IT
Barovier & Toso chandelier Vintage venetian chandelier clear with gold decoration. Dated 1950's /'60 perfect condition , dimensions 100 cm...
Blown Glass
Murano Barovier & Toso white ceiling lamp / chandelier, blown glass
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind Murano glass chandelier, large in size, designed by Barovier & Toso. Made in the middle of the last century, it has a complex structure; it is configured on a central ...
Metal
Barovier Table Lamp Murano Glass, 1950, Italy
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
Located in Milano, IT
Barovier table lamp Murano glass, 1950, Italy.
Murano Glass
Barovier & Toso Mid Century Italian Murano Glass Vase 1940
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C., Ercole Barovier
Located in Conversano, IT
This extraordinary vase belongs to the celebrated “Piumato” series by Barovier & Toso, created around 1942 under the artistic direction of Ercole Barovier, and regarded as one of...
Murano Glass
Barovier Ceiling Lamp Italian Design Transparent Glass Murano Bubbles 1940
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Flower Barovier Ceiling Lamp Italian Design Transparent Glass Murano Bubbles 1940 . 3 Bulbs Light E27 Max 80 Watt Each.
Murano Glass
H 8 in W 1.25 in D 0.75 in
1950s Gio Ponti Brass Italian Door Pull Handle & Plate ITALY
By Gio Ponti
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Midcentury Modern Italian Door Plate & Pull Handle in Rich Brass ITALY 1950s Note seven units (7) are available. All are sold individually. In the style of Gio Ponti 8 tall x 1.25 W ...
Brass
H 1.97 in W 4.73 in D 1.78 in
Large Group of Deco Chrome Door Handles, Italy, 1930s
Located in Milan, IT
Large group of chrome door handles Compact and sleek shape, each set is composed by 2 hand knobs and two key rosettes. 26 sets available - sold as single set
Chrome
H 2.17 in Dm 3.86 in
Italian 1950s Brass Door Handles
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid brass door handle in concave round form Measuring diameter 9.8 x 11.2 total of the two handles
Brass
H 21.66 in W 13.78 in D 5.12 in
Pair of Large Murano Glass Wall Sconces by Barovier & Toso, Italy, 1970s
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Aachen, NRW
A gorgeous set of 2 sconces with 24-karat gold made by Barovier & Toso, Italy, circa 1970-1979. High quality, Handmade, and in very good condition. Cleaned, well-wired, and ready to ...
Brass
H 47.25 in Dm 17.72 in
Set of 2 Art Decò Fountain Chandelier By Barovier e Toso, Murano Glass, 1940
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Roma, IT
Set of 2 Stunning Elegant chandelier attributed to the Barovier e Toso glassworks. The chandeliers are similar but not identical, one has the two leaves slightly different and the r...
Murano Glass
H 9.45 in W 6.7 in D 4.34 in
Pair of Graniglia Shield Sconces by Barovier e Toso
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian wall light with a Murano glass shield hand blown in Graniglia technique to produce granular textured effect / Made in Italy by Barovier e Toso, 1960s Original label on frame ...
Murano Glass
H 7.09 in W 7.09 in D 9.45 in
Pair of Bollicine Cups Sconces by Barovier e Toso, 2 Pairs Available
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian wall lights with clear Murano glass cups hand blown with bubbles inside the glass using Bollicine technique, mounted on brass frames / Made in Italy by Barovier e Tos...
Brass
H 8.27 in W 3.55 in D 1.19 in
Mid-Century Modern Brass Italian Door Handle, Circa 1940
Located in Ibiza, Spain
This Mid-Century Modern door handle, crafted from solid brass, exemplifies the design aesthetics of Italy in the 1940s. Its iconic style and durabl...
Brass
H 13.39 in W 7.88 in D 10.63 in
Rostrato Sconce by Barovier e Toso
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original vintage Italian wall light with clear Murano glass hand blown to create a beaked textured effect using Rostrato technique, mounted on brass bracket / Designed by Barovier e ...
Brass
H 35.44 in Dm 15.75 in
Art Deco Murano Glass Chandelier or Lantern by Ercole Barovier, 1940s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Rome, IT
Fine chandelier by Ercole Barovier centred by a precious Murano glass cup. Design of pure elegance. All the high quality glasses are in perfect condition. One light bulb E 27.
Blown Glass
H 8 in W 3.5 in D 1.5 in
Italian Brass Door Handles 1950s
Located in CA, CA
A pair of Italian 1950s brass door handles with a textured hand hammered finish forming a v-shape.
Brass
H 9.25 in W 3.75 in D 1.5 in
Pair of Large Italian 1950s Chrome Door Handles
Located in CA, CA
A pair of Italian 1950s door handles finished in chrome, with horizontal ribbing in the form of modernist wings.
Metal
H 9.06 in W 7.29 in D 8.08 in
Rare Pair of Ercole Barovier Murano Glass Brass Sconces for Barovier, 1930s
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C., Ercole Barovier
Located in Brescia, Brescia
An exceptionally rare and highly collectible pair of wall sconces designed by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, Murano, during the 1930s. Signed "Barovier Toso Murano" on the reve...
Brass
H 8.27 in W 5.91 in D 5.91 in
SegusoMURANO 1950Pair of wall sconces - Made in. ITALY.
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
Located in Milano, IT
Seguso- pair of sconces made of murano glass and CHROME METAL a clasic of the lighting of the 30s/40s, which was used in the houses and palaces of the bourgeoisie of that era and sti...
Brass
H 7.88 in W 7.88 in D 7.09 in
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 hard-to-find pair of hand-blown wall sconces designed by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso in the late 1930s — a rare example of early sculptural Murano lighting...
Brass
H 35.44 in Dm 41.34 in
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 i...
Brass
H 17 in W 6.5 in D 6 in
Vintage Signed Vetreria Murano Face Glass Vase, Vessel Sculpture Blues, Greens
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
Located in North Miami, FL
This arresting and beautiful vintage Vetreria Murano tall vase, vessel and glass sculpture is a medley of colors of hues of blues and greens, light ye...
Blown Glass
H 13.39 in W 6.7 in D 5.52 in
Single Leaf Sconce in Pulegoso Glass with Gold Accents by Barovier & Toso, 1950s
By Barovier&Toso, Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Large Single Leaf Wall Sconce in Murano Pulegoso Glass with Gold Accents by Barovier & Toso, 1950s. This exquisite piece, labeled and authenticated, epitomizes the elegance and artis...
Brass
H 41.34 in Dm 35.44 in
Ercole Barovier Art Dèco Italian Murano Glass and Brass Chandelier, 1935s
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C., Ercole Barovier
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Glass chandelier with six arms in the shape of a tulip and leaf decorations in transparent glass and brass. Designed by Ercole Barovier and produced by Vetreria Artistica Barovier & ...
Brass
H 40.56 in W 22.45 in D 20.87 in
Art Deco Brass Mounted Murano Glass Chandelier by Barovier, 1940
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing 4 -shade Murano glass chandelier with elegant shaped brass mount, by Barovier. Excellent vintage condition. Four E 27 light bulbs compatible with US standards. The height of...
Blown Glass
H 70.08 in Dm 13.39 in
Barovier e Toso Floor Lamp "Rostrato" Murano Glass Brass 1940 Italy
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
Located in Milano, IT
Barovier and Toso Floor Lamp
Murano Glass
H 5.91 in Dm 2.76 in
Barovier Toso, Bowl, Murano, 1970s
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
Located in PARIS, FR
Superb Barovier Toso bowl in Murano blown glass with inclusions of gold leaf and bubbles. Very good condition. Dimensions in cm ( H x D ) : 7...
Gold Leaf
H 2.17 in Dm 8.67 in
Barovier e Toso Centerpiece Murano Glass, 1955, Italy
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
Located in Milano, IT
Barovier e Toso centerpiece Murano glass, 1955, Italy.
Murano Glass
H 3.15 in Dm 3.55 in
Ercole Barovier Lenti Vase Barovier & Toso Italy 1940s Gold Leaf Green Murano
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C., Ercole Barovier
Located in Basel, BS
Unique and rare miniature ‚Lenti‘ vase by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, 1940s. Thick glass with a layer of green and gold inclusions. The serie...
Murano Glass