Vintage Murano Vanity Mirror by Barovier & Toso 'Attr' Ca. 1940
View Similar Items
Vintage Murano Vanity Mirror by Barovier & Toso 'Attr' Ca. 1940
About the Item
- Creator:Ercole Barovier (Artist),Barovier&Toso (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 12.8 in (32.5 cm)Width: 10.56 in (26.8 cm)Depth: 0.99 in (2.5 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1940
- Condition:Very good original condition. Please contact us if you have questions.
- Seller Location:Berghuelen, DE
- Reference Number:Seller: e63041stDibs: LU988723676642
Barovier&Toso
Partnerships come and go within the community of glass-making artisans on the Venetian island of Murano, where business relationships seem as complex as the shifting alliances in the notoriously acrimonious Italian parliament. Formed in 1942 by members of families with centuries of experience in the craft, Barovier&Toso has proven to be one of the most enduring and prosperous Italian glass manufactories of recent decades. Under the nearly 50-year artistic directorship of cofounder Ercole Barovier (1889–1974), the company created buoyant traditional pieces such as chandeliers, sconces and other lighting fixtures, and it pioneered an array of innovative modernist glass designs with bold colors, patterns and surfaces.
The Barovier dynasty began in 1295, when Jacobello Barovier, mentioned in historical documents as a master glassblower, began pinching, cutting, blowing and twisting a molten mixture of sand and minerals into incandescent works of art.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.
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.
Ercole Barovier began his personal aesthetic transition toward modernism in the 1930s with his Primavera series of vases and animal sculptures — idiosyncratic milky-white and clear glass filled with tiny bubbles and hairline interior fissures that he produced for Artisti Barovier, a firm headed by his father and uncle. Later, with Barovier&Toso, he would explore such novel styles as the mosaic-like Pezzato glass; fluid Spiral patterns; the pebbly textured Barbarico line and the complex, layered and highly colored abstractions of the Oriente series of vases and bowls.
Traditional or modern, Barovier&Toso — still under family control — has produced one of the finest and most diverse catalogues of Murano glass in the last 100 years.
Find antique Barovier&Toso chandeliers, serveware, decorative objects and more on 1stDibs.
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.
- Vintage Murano Art Glass Flacon by Barovier & Toso 'attr.' ca. 1950By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&TosoLocated in Berghuelen, DEVintage Murano Art Glass Flacon by Barovier & Toso (attr.) ca. 1950 A beautiful Murano glass flacon most probably manufactured by Barovier & Toso, Italy circa 1950s. Heavy hot mould...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bottles
MaterialsArt Glass, Murano Glass
- Vintage Murano Art Glass Flacon by Barovier & Toso 'Attr' ca 1950By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&TosoLocated in Berghuelen, DEVintage Murano Art Glass Flacon by Barovier & Toso (attr.) circa 1950 A beautiful Murano glass flacon most probably manufactured by Barovier & Toso, Italy circa 1950s. Heavy hot mou...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bottles
MaterialsArt Glass, Murano Glass
- Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso Attr. Glass Basket circa 1940sBy Ercole Barovier, Barovier&TosoLocated in Berghuelen, DEErcole Barovier for Barovier & Toso Attr. Glass Basket circa 1940s A great Murano market basket attributed to Barovier & Toso ca. 1940s. Thick fused clear glass with gold foil inclu...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsArt Glass, Murano Glass
- Ercole Barovier, Barovier & Toso Efeso Vase ca. 1960sBy Ercole Barovier, Barovier&TosoLocated in Berghuelen, DEErcole Barovier - Barovier & Toso Efeso vase ca. 1960s A great blue vase from the 'efeso' series designed by Ercole Barovier in 1964 for Barovier & Toso, M...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsArt Glass, Murano Glass
- Ercole Barovier - Ferro Toso Barovier Bowl ca. 1936By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&TosoLocated in Berghuelen, DEErcole Barovier - Ferro Toso Barovier Bowl ca. 1936 A nice glass bowl manufactured by Ferro Toso Barovier ca. 1936, Murano Italy. Honey yellow glass with gold foil inclusion and a o...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsArt Glass, Murano Glass
- Vintage Murano Pezzato Art Glass Ashtray by Barovier & Toso 1950sBy Ercole Barovier, Barovier&TosoLocated in Berghuelen, DEVintage Murano Pezzato Art Glass Ashtray by Barovier & Toso 1950s A heavy Murano art glass ashtray designed by Ercole Barovier and manufactured by Barovier & Toso, Italy circa 1950s. Heavy hot moulded glass internally decorated with opaline and light green glass plates...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsArt Glass, Murano Glass
- 20th Century American Vintage Metal Wall Mirror - Raindrops by Curtis JereBy Artisan House, Jerry Fels, Curtis JeréLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA silver, vintage Mid-Century Modern American wall mirror, composed of polished circular metal coins. Designed by Curtis Jere in good condition. Wear consistent with age and use, circa 1970, United States. Curtis Jere is a metalwork artist of wall sculptures and household accessories...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsMetal
- Italian mid century rectangular mirror with lines drawing, Gio Ponti style, 1940By Gio PontiLocated in MIlano, ITItalian mid-century modern rectangular mirror with lines drawn on the glass, in the style of Gio Ponti, 1940s. Rectangular mirror, with Pontian lines drawing on the glass. White desi...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsMirror, Wood
$483 Sale Price20% Off - 20th Century Italian Vintage Metal Oval Wall Glass Mirror by Pier Luigi ColliBy Pier Luigi ColliLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA gold, large vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian full size oval wall mirror made of hand crafted gilded metal with its original mirrored glass, designed by Pier Luigi Colli in good condition. The metal frame is decorated with alluring details. Wear consistent with age and use, circa 1940 - 1950, Italy. Pier Luigi Colli (1895-1968) studied at the Paris L'École Des Beaux Arts Decoratifs. He returned to Turin, Italy to lead the Colli family furniture business. Today, Colli is one of the most popular furniture factories in the antique and vintage market...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage Polished Chrome and Brass Mirror for Lorin MarshBy Lorin MarshLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis stylish vintage modern wall mirror features high quality, heavy construction and includes polished chrome finish with inner brass trim detail. The unique midcentury appeal of this Lorin Marsh...Category
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsBrass, Chrome
- Pair of Vintage Italian Wall MirrorsLocated in Port Chester, NYVery 1940s vintage. And there is a pair! Antiqued gilt over plaster, with a lovely beveled glass. Price is for the pair.Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Wall Mirrors
MaterialsPlaster
$1,095 Sale Price / set26% Off - Mirror by Francois LemboLocated in New York, NYA beautiful and charming mirror designed by French artist Francois Lembo. Composed of a crackled gold glaze frame, the mirror features a design of "jewels" set into the frame.Category
20th Century French Decorative Art
MaterialsCeramic
$2,900