Ercole Barovier Lenti Vase Barovier & Toso Italy 1940s Gold Leaf Green Murano
View Similar Items
Ercole Barovier Lenti Vase Barovier & Toso Italy 1940s Gold Leaf Green Murano
About the Item
- Creator:Ercole Barovier (Designer),Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C. (Workshop/Studio)
- Dimensions:Height: 3.15 in (8 cm)Diameter: 3.55 in (9 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1940s
- Condition:Very good condition, no chips or whatsoever.
- Seller Location:Basel, CH
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6775229452462
Ercole Barovier
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.
Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
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.
- Cenedese Murano Gold Leaf Glass Vase, Italy, 1980sBy CenedeseLocated in Basel, BSBeautiful heavy Murano glass vase by Cenedese, hand-crafted in Italy in the 1980s. Cream colored interior with applied glass pieces over gold foil, similar to the 'rostrato' techniqu...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsMurano Glass
- Dino Martens Filigrana Murano Vase Aureliano Toso, Italy, 1950sBy Aureliano Toso, Dino MartensLocated in Basel, BSRare Dino Martens filigrana vase in a rare color combination of pink & white with bronze glitter, mouth-blown for Vetreria Aureliano Toso in 195...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsMurano Glass
- Dino Martens Filigrana Murano Vase Aureliano Toso, Italy, 1950sBy Aureliano Toso, Dino MartensLocated in Basel, BSRare Dino Martens filigrana vase in a rare color combination of pink & white with bronze glitter, mouth-blown for Vetreria Aureliano Toso in 1954. The...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsMurano Glass
- Ewald Dahlskog Vase Bo Fajans Runa Earthenware Sweden 1940sBy Bo Fajans, Ewald DahlskogLocated in Basel, BSRare stoneware vase by Ewald Dahlskog for Bo Fajans (Bobergs Fajansfabrik), hand-crafted in the mid 1930s to early 1940s in Sweden. The glaze color is called ‚Runa‘, model No. D89...Category
Vintage 1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsEarthenware
- Pair of Swedish Ceramic Wall Vases Örjan by Upsala Ekeby 1940sBy Upsala Ekeby, Ewald Dahlskog, Bo FajansLocated in Basel, BSPair of wall vases produced by Upsala Ekeby in Sweden in the late 1940s to early 1950s for the brand Örjan ceramics, which was sold at a Swedish dep...Category
Vintage 1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsEarthenware
- Archimede Seguso Glass Vase Silver Flecks Murano Italy 1970sBy Archimede SegusoLocated in Basel, BSShimmering glass vase by Archimede Seguso, mouth-blown in Murano in the 1970s. Black glass with silver flecks, beautiful hand-shaped piece. Remains the original manufacturers sti...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsMurano Glass
- 1940s Ercole Barovier Round Lenti VaseBy Ercole BarovierLocated in Roma, ITErcole Barovier 1889–1974 was the world renowned artistic director, designer and owner of Barovier & Toso the Venetian Furnace famed for its Murano glassware. Ercole became known for...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
MaterialsGlass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
- Rare Pink Ercole Barovier Series Lenti Vase Barovier & Toso Italy 1940sBy Barovier&TosoLocated in Roma, ITExtraordinary and unique rare pink lens series vase by Barovier and Toso glassworks, period 1940. The vase is 12 centimeters high and 12 centimeters in diameter. Excellent vintage ...Category
Vintage 1940s European Vases
MaterialsMurano Glass
$2,192 Sale Price20% Off - Ercole Barovier Rostrato Murano Italian Glass Vase for Barovier & Toso, 1940sBy Ercole BarovierLocated in Roma, ITAmazing 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 masterpi...Category
Vintage 1940s Vases
MaterialsArt Glass
$1,140 Sale Price20% Off - Ercole Barovier Rostrato Murano Glass Italian Vase for Barovier & Toso, 1940sBy Ercole BarovierLocated in Roma, ITMouthblown rostrato crystal Murano glass vase. This wonderful piece was produced during the 1940s in Italy by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso. This item is fantastic thanks to t...Category
Vintage 1940s Vases
MaterialsMurano Glass
$745 Sale Price20% Off - Pair Lenti Murano Glass Vases After Ercole BarovierBy Ercole BarovierLocated in New York, USOur beautiful rare pair of Lenti glass vases from Murano, after the innovative series by Ercole Barovier for Barovier, Toso & Co, 1940, are crafted from iridized pale violet glass wi...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsArt Glass
$14,000 / set - Set of 3 Series Lenti Vase Barovier & Toso Italy, Murano Glass, 1940sBy Barovier&TosoLocated in Roma, ITExtraordinary and unique rare set of 3 lens series vase by Barovier and Toso glassworks, period 1940. Small pitcher h 12 centimeters D 8 centimeters Pitcher large h 13 D 10 Vase h ...Category
Vintage 1940s European Vases
MaterialsMurano Glass
$1,578 Sale Price / set20% Off