Barovier e Toso Chandelier Murano, Italian, 1940
View Similar Items
Barovier e Toso Chandelier Murano, Italian, 1940
About the Item
- Creator:Ercole Barovier (Author)
- Dimensions:Height: 43.31 in (110 cm)Diameter: 17.72 in (45 cm)
- Style:Art Deco (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1940
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Milano, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2924312516312
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.
- Barovier e Toso Chandelier “Rostrato” Murano Glass 1940 ItalyBy Barovier&TosoLocated in Milano, ITCategory
Vintage 1940s Italian Other Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMurano Glass
- Barovier e Toso Chandelier Murano Glass Brass Iron 1940 ItalyBy Barovier&TosoLocated in Milano, ITBarovier e Toso Chandelier.Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Other Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Barovier e Toso Chandelier Murano Glass Brass Iron 1940 ItalyBy Barovier&TosoLocated in Milano, ITBarovier e Toso Chandelier Murano glass brass iron 1940 Italy.Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Other Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMurano Glass
- Barovier e Toso Vase Murano Glass 1940 ItalyBy Barovier&TosoLocated in Milano, ITBarovier e Toso vase Murano glass 1940 Italy.Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Other Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsOther
- Barovier e Toso Chandelier Murano Glass Brass, 1930, ItalyBy Barovier&TosoLocated in Milano, ITBarovier e Toso chandelier Murano glass brass, 1930, Italy.Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMurano Glass
- Barovier e Toso Lampadario Murano Glass Brass Iron, 1940, ItalyBy Barovier&TosoLocated in Milano, ITLampadario Barovier e Toso Vetro di Murano con inclusioni di bolle d’aria, originale del 1940. Condizioni perfette.Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMurano Glass
- Chandelier by Barovier & Toso, Murano, 1940sBy Ercole BarovierLocated in Budapest, HUElegant Barovier e Toso chandelier in handblown 'Bullicante' Murano glass and polished brass, circa 1940. Piece of incredible beauty. From Private collection Von Plant Baron.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Chandelier by Barovier & Toso, Murano, 1940sBy Ercole BarovierLocated in Budapest, HUElegant handblown Murano chandelier by Barovier & Toso, circa 1940. From Private collection Von Plant Baron.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Barovier and Toso Murano Glass Chandelier Italian Design, 1940sBy Ercole BarovierLocated in Milan, ITThe Murano glass is the real protagonist of the work, the finely decorated glass in a torchon movement culminates in the lampshade, immense and distinct according to the rest of the ...Category
20th Century Italian Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal
- 1940s Barovier & Toso Murano ChandelierBy Barovier&TosoLocated in DARLINGTON, WAA stunning Barovier & Toso Murano and Brass chandelier dating 1940s in excellent conditionCategory
Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Murano Glass Chandelier, Barovier & Toso, Italy, 1940sBy Barovier&TosoLocated in Palermo, ITMurano glass chandelier, Barovier & Toso, Italy, 1940s Found in a noble villa in the Sicilian hinterland. The glass is intact. Small signs of the time. Working.Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsGlass
- Murano glass chandelier attributed to Barovier&Toso, Made in Italy, 1940sBy Ercole BarovierLocated in Bastia Umbra, ITMurano glass chandelier attributed to Barovier&Toso, Made in Italy, 1940s. Art Deco' chandelier, Made in Italy, by Ercole Barovier, made of Murano glass with brass details. E 27 lam...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass