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.
Ercole Barovier Barbarico Vase For Barovier & Toso, 1951s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Skokie, IL
Ercole Barovier Barbarico Vase For Barovier & Toso Italy, 1951 Additional information: Dimensions: 4" W x 4" D x 12.25" H
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso Iridescent Glass Bowl, Italy 1948
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Naples, IT
Bowl or "a large costolature" cup in heavy iridescent Murano glass, designed by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso in 1948.
Murano Glass
Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso Attr. Glass Basket circa 1940s
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Ercole 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...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
"Lente", Ercole Barovier Empty Pockets, 1950s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Palermo, PA
"Lente", Ercole Barovier empty pockets, 1950s. Dimensions: H=6 cm; D=19 cm.
Glass
$1,403Sale Price|20% Off
Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso Iridescent Vase, 1930s
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant vase by Ercole Barovier of the 1930s. The vase is made with iridescent technique, in fact the whole object is made of iridescent crystal in the shape of a shell. The vase is ...
Crystal
Pair of Grosse Costolature Bowl by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, 1940's
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A pair of “A Grosse Costolature” Murano glass bowls with handles, designed by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, circa 1942–1948. This era can sometimes be referred to as Art M...
Murano Glass
Art glass bowl, Ercole Barovier
By Ercole Barovier
Located in NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE, FR
Ercole Barovier (1889–1974) "Rilievi Aurati" glass bowl, round in shape, with inlaid gilt foil and a central relief motif, acid etched and gold. Circa 1940 Diameter: 20.5 cm Biogra...
Art Glass
Mid-Century Modern Murano Glass Vase by Ercole Barovier, Circa 1950
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Vase of the "barbarici" series in grey glass with the gilded surface corroded with the application of metal oxides under heat. The central hole and the applied foot are rimmed with b...
Glass, Murano Glass
1938 Mugnoni Sculptural Murano Glass Vase by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Milano, IT
A sculptural vase from the “Mugnoni” series designed by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso, Murano, Italy, circa 1938. This exceptional piece exemplifies Barovier’s innovative a...
Glass
$1,544Sale Price|20% Off
Murano Glass Vase by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso with White Canes, Italy
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This is an extremely fine vase, designed by Ercole Barovier for Barovier & Toso's company in Murano. It is made in hand-blown glass with white canes. This is...
Murano Glass
Mugnoni' Murano Glass Vase by Ercole Barovier, Italy 1938
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare 'Mugnoni' hand-blown Murano glass vase designed by the esteemed Italian artist Ercole Barovier in 1938. This exquisite piece features a breathtaking spherical silhouette adorn...
Glass
$795Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Purple Murano Glass Ashtray-Catchall by Ercole Barovier mod. "Porpora"
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. Made in purple Murano glass with gold leaf. This is a piece of the "porpora" serie by Ercole Barovier. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight tr...
Gold Leaf
Barovier Murano Gold Flecks Purple Leafs Italian Art Glass Spoon Rest Dishes
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown gold flecks and purple leaf design Italian art glass low dishes, knife / spoon rests or personal ashtrays. The design is documented to Ercole Baro...
Gold Leaf
Barovier Toso Green & Gold Striped Murano Glass Bowl
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in New York, NY
Gorgeous Murano, Italy glass decorative bowl. Hand blown in the shape of a flower. Featuring alternating clear glass and green glass stripes around the floral shape as well as "graff...
Gold
Barovier et Toso Murano Vase White & Black Vase with Gold Inclusions, Circa 1980
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Ercole Barovier handled White Murano Glass Vase with Black and Gold. Featuring a hand blown translucent White Murano Glass, applied Black coil details with Gold inclusions, two leaf ...
Murano Glass
Rugiadoso Centerpiece Bowl by Ercole Barovier, Murano Glass, 1940
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in London, GB
Rugiadoso biomorphic bowl of a shells resting on a pedestal of sea urchins designed circa 1940 by Ercole Barovier (1889-1974) and is produced one of the oldest family businesses in t...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Ercole Barovier for Ferro Toso Barovier Iridescent Seashell Glass Bowl, 1930s
By Ercole Barovier, Ferro Toso Barovier
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Ercole Barovier for Ferro Toso Barovier in 1938, exquisite Murano glass ribbed seashell bowl in heavy clear transparent iridescent glass consisting of large undulating ed...
Blown Glass
Ercole Barovier Large Twin-Handled Vase, Clear & Opaque Glass, 1956
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in London, GB
The double handled trumpet shaped vase designed by Ercole Barovier (1889-1974) for Barovier and Toso 1956-57 is set in a layer of clear glass over a layer of white, over a layer oyster colored opaque glass with gold leaf application. The ribbing at the base of vase the stretches out at the mouth tied in by a ringed band. The handles have been skillfully formed by tightly twisting the glass formed into rings applied close to the upper edge of the vase. Barovier made his mark on the company, the glass-works industry and history. The vessel executed by Barovier and Toso shows the technical complexity of a company founded in 1295. Barovier and Toso have held the realm of its glassworks for 750 years in Italy as Vetreria Artistica Barovier & Co. Provenance: Muriel Karasik, New York, NY Literature: A Focused Obsession, Modern Italian Glass- The Martin Cohen...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$7,018Sale Price|20% Off
Barovier & Toso Mid Century Italian Murano Glass Vase 1940
By Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C., Ercole Barovier
Located in Conversano, IT
This extraordinary vase belongs to the celebrated “Piumato” series by Barovier & Toso, created around 1942 under the artistic direction of Ercole Barovier, and regarded as one of...
Murano Glass
Coupe 'Rugiadoso' par Ercole Barovier pour Barovier & Toso (1940) – Verre doré
By Ercole Barovier
Located in NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE, FR
Coupe 'Rugiadoso' par Ercole Barovier pour Barovier & Toso (1940) – Verre doré Élégante coupe en verre de Murano, signée Ercole Barovier pour Barovier & Toso (1940). En forme de coq...
Glass
Barovier Hand Blown "Bullicante" Vase w/ Gold Leaf Inclusions Controlled Bubbles
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is a rare example of a hand blown Barovier and Toso "Bullicante" crystal vase with allover controlled bubbles. The shape is Classic but unusual and it features 2 round applied "...
Blown Glass