Midcentury Ercole Barovier Murano Iridescent Glass Vase, Italy, 1940s
View Similar Items
Midcentury Ercole Barovier Murano Iridescent Glass Vase, Italy, 1940s
About the Item
- Creator:Ercole Barovier (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 13.78 in (35 cm)Diameter: 9.06 in (23 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1940
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Palermo, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4535216102941
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 (the manufactory was called Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.). 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. He is credited with having invented colorazione a caldo senza fusione, a method of introducing metals and oxides into glassworks. Barovier’s 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). He 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.
- Midcentury Barovier & Toso Pink Murano Glass Vase with Silver Leaf 70s ItalyBy Barovier&TosoLocated in Palermo, ITElegant pink Murano blown glass vase with silver leaf inclusions. Attributable to Barovier & Toso, venetian manifacture in the 60s. Wear consistent with age and use.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsArt Glass
$529 Sale Price40% Off - Midcentury Peill & Putzler Thick Glacier Glass Vase, Germany, 1970sBy Peill & PutzlerLocated in Palermo, ITBeautiful and unusual thick and heavy 'glacier' clear glass vase, with an irregular shape, made by Peill & Putzler of Germany, in 1970s. Manufacturer's label near the edge. Wear co...Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsArt Glass
$485 Sale Price44% Off - Midcentury Peill & Putzler Thick Glacier Glass Vase, Germany, 1970sBy Peill & PutzlerLocated in Palermo, ITBeautiful and unusual thick and heavy 'glacier' clear glass vase, with an irregular shape, made by Peill & Putzler of Germany. in 1970s. Manufacturer's label near the edge. Wear co...Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsArt Glass
$248 Sale Price50% Off - Midcentury Aquamarine Colour Crystal and Silver Vase, Italy, 1950sLocated in Palermo, ITValuable aquamarine colour crystal vase, hand carved with 800 silver border with decorative elements in relief. Classic style, Italy 50s. Wear consistent with age and use.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCrystal
$469 Sale Price50% Off - A. Seguso Thick Iridescent Murano Glass Ashtray 40s ItalyBy Archimede SegusoLocated in Palermo, ITSquare ashtray in very thick iridescent Murano glass, with beveled edges and recesses for cigarettes at the corners. Murano manifacture by Archimede Seguso, 1940s. Wear consistent w...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays
MaterialsMurano Glass
- Mid-Century Flavio Poli Blue, Purple and Green Submerged Murano Glass 60s ItalyBy Flavio PoliLocated in Palermo, ITRefined single-flower vase with a conical shape in blue, purple and green submerged Murano glass. Attributed to Flavio Poli, Venice 1960s. Wear consistent with age and useCategory
Vintage 1960s Italian Modern Vases
MaterialsArt Glass
- 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
- 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
- Ercole Barovier Rostrato Murano Italian Glass Basket Centerpiece Vase, 1940sBy Ercole BarovierLocated in Roma, ITErcole Barovier transparent Rostrato glass basket vase. Exquisite Rostrato Murano art glass basket vase with two leaves of decoration on the e...Category
Vintage 1950s Vases
MaterialsArt Glass
- Large Iridescent Italian Art Glass Murano Vase Attributed to Ercole BarovierBy Ercole BarovierLocated in Montreal, QCLarge gold iridescent Italian art glass Murano vase attributed to Ercole Barovier.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsMurano Glass
- Ercole Barovier Rostrato Murano Italian Glass Vase for Barovier & Toso, 1940sBy Barovier&TosoLocated 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
MaterialsMurano Glass
- 1950s Ercole Barovier Zebrati Glass Murano Midcentury Design Italy Bowl VaseBy Ercole BarovierLocated in Brescia, IT"Zebrati" Murano glass Perfect condiction Measures: H 14 x 30 cm.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsMurano Glass