Murano Glass Crepuscolo Vase by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso
About the Item
- Creator:Ercole Barovier (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 16.15 in (41 cm)Diameter: 8.67 in (22 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1930s
- Condition:The vase is in extremely good condition, no fractures or chipping.
- Seller Location:Roma, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6910231614022
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.
KalaRara
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Roma, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Murano Glass "Bullicante" Vase Signed by Franco MorettiBy Franco MorettiLocated in Roma, RMMid-Century Modern iridescent transparent vase, signed Franco Moretti, Murano – Venice, 1970's. Triangular-shaped vase with round base and bubble inclus...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsMurano Glass
- Large Murano Crackle Glass Vase With Fused Faceted Glass Block BaseBy Paolo VeniniLocated in Roma, RMThis large unique Murano glass vase was made using the "Ghiachciato" technique, that gives the surface of the glass an irregular crackled appearance. The effect is created by submerg...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsMurano Glass
- Pair of Ceramic Vases by Guido Andlovitz for S.C.I. LevanoBy Guido AndlovitzLocated in Roma, RMOriginally designed by architect, designer and artistic director Guido Andlovitz in 1936 for Società Ceramica Italiana Laveno, this pair of vases are indeed the rarest of finds. The vases were manufactured in 1942, as attested to by the marking "N - 42" on the base of each vase. The gold rims and aquatic scenes that surround each vase, are unique to each piece and were painted by hand in 1943. They are both signed by the artist "Miruccia". One of the vases has the words “Anni di Guerra” (Year of War) written on the base in reference to the Second World War . Founded in Laveno in 1856 by Severino Revelli and some former employees of the "Richard" manufacturer in Milan. The "SCI" (Italian Ceramic Society) began its activity as a manufacturer of wall tiles and fine tableware. In 1883 it became a limited company and obtained its first successes at numerous national exhibitions. In 1895, Cavalier Luciano Scotti took over the company and, thanks to his intuition and his entrepreneurial skills, the factory grew substantially in a few years. In those years, some Liberty-style pieces designed by Giorgio Spertini, the author of noteworthy elegant "whiplash" creations, were created in the Laveno factory. In 1906 "SCI" presented numerous works at the International Exhibition of Decorative Arts in Milan. Other collaborators from the beginning of the century were Silvio and Piero De Ambrosis, Felice Palucco, Giancarlo Jacopini and the brothers Marco and Luigi Raggiori. However, it was in 1923 that, under the direction of Guido Andlovitz, the company reached the peak of its fame and in 1925 was a resounding success at the 2nd Monza Biennale. Andlovitz, who collaborated with the manufacturer for almost forty years, applied to the production process the principle of seriality, a concept also put into effect by Giò Ponti at "Richard-Ginori", adopting various types of decoration which, although moulded and decal stamped, still retained an undeniable elegance. In 1924 the "Società Ceramica Revelli" became a consortium with the "SCI", the partnership would continue until 1932 and saw Franco Revelli's company marketing pottery and table porcelain on behalf of "SCI". From 1925 porcelain and crockery began to appear in the factory's catalogs. In 1927 the company was present at the 3rd Biennial of Decorative Arts in Monza. Between the end of the 1920's and the beginning of the 1930's, the decorators Giuseppe Bellorini and Daniela Ferretto began to collaborate with the "SCI". As of 1932 the company managed two factories: that of Laveno, which, with over 1300 employees, produced strong pottery, tableware and artistic ceramics and the smaller factory of Verbano, which employed about 400 people and produced, in addition to ceramics for the electrotechnical industry, excellent table porcelain. The products were marketed in the company owned stores in Rome, Genoa and Naples. This was an initiative realised by Andlovitz himself. In the mid-thirties, the decorators Ada Corsi and Ida Fonini among others, collaborated with the "SCI". From 1936 to 1940 the artistic direction of the company was entrusted to the sculptor and modeler Angelo Biancini. In 1939 about 1300 people worked in the Laveno plant and in 1951 about 2300. In the years between the two wars among the collaborators of the factory were Sirio Tofanari...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Ernest Baptiste Leveille Glass Vase with Gilt and Enamel MimosasBy Ernest Baptiste LeveilleLocated in Roma, RMRare and important vase in amethyst glass, exquisitely painted in gilt enhanced with enamelling and glass beads. The painted design of a Mimosa branch in bloom extends to three sides of the vase. The gilt painting is enhanced with glass beads and white enamel flowers. Ernest-Baptiste Leveillé...Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Vases
MaterialsGlass
- Murano Glass Three Tier Floor Lamp By VeniniBy Paolo VeniniLocated in Roma, RMThis modern (mid-1990's) Murano Glass floor lamp is composed of three tiers of clear "triedi" Murano glass rods. The perfectly clear, mouth-blown rods were made in glass making studi...Category
1990s Italian Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsNickel
- Early 19th Century English Demilune Lusterware Bough Pot With CoverBy Hackwood & Co.Located in Roma, RMThis demilune flower pot or bough pot for forcing springtime bulbs, is adorned with three landscape panels. Each panel, painted in pink lustre, depicts the same cottage in a pastoral setting from three different vantage points. Moulded into the top and bottom rims are acanthus leaves. Pieces in this shape, color and style have been attributed to the Hackwood company, and usually pieces like these, are not marked. William Hackwood & Son was an earthenware factory in Shelton, England, from 1818 until 1853. In addition to lustre ware...Category
Antique Early 19th Century British Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
MaterialsCeramic, Faience, Luster
- "Crepuscolo" Vase by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & TosoBy Ercole BarovierLocated in Brussel, BEA one off piece - vase of the "Crepuscolo" series by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, ca. 1935 - 1936. Crepuscolo is a technique in which iron wool is immersed into glass and it ...Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Post-Modern Vases
MaterialsArt Glass
- Ercole Barovier Crepuscolo Glass VaseBy Ercole BarovierLocated in New York, NYStunning and Rare Ercole Barovier Crepuscolo Glass Vase circa late 30's. Crepuscolo is a technique of inserting iron wool between two layers of mol...Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Vases
MaterialsBlown Glass
- Rare Crepuscolo Vase Ercole Barovier 1930 Murano Art GlassBy Ercole BarovierLocated in Palermo, SicilyRare Crepuscolo vase Ercole Barovier 1930 Murano art glass. Among the most interesting techniques developed by Ercole Barovier in the 1930s there is "tw...Category
Vintage 1930s European Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsMurano Glass
- Ercole Barovier for Ferro Toso Barovier, murano glass vase "avventurina"By Ferro Toso Barovier, Ercole BarovierLocated in Aachen, DEA nice "avventurine" Murano glass vase with applied handles made in the 1930ties by Ferro Toso Barovier, designed by Ercole Barovier. The vase was decorated with copper inclusions an...Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsGlass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
- Ercole Barovier for Ferro Toso Barovier, tall murano glass vase "avventurina"By Ferro Toso Barovier, Ercole BarovierLocated in Aachen, DEA nice and tall "avventurine" Murano glass vase made in the 1930ties by Ferro Toso Barovier, designed by Ercole Barovier. The vase with a simple and modern shape, was decorated with...Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsGlass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
- Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, Murano Glass Primavera Vase, Italy 1980By Barovier&Toso, Ercole BarovierLocated in Catania, ITAmazing, Vase in blown Murano glass BAROVIER & TOSO. Vase from the Primavera series. "Primavera" vase in Murano glass designed by Ercole Barovier and produced by Barovier & Toso in...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Vases
MaterialsArt Glass, Murano Glass