Barovier & Toso: Vase and Chandelier in Perfection

Barovier & Toso's unique creations are masterpieces of Venetian mouth-blown crystal, meticulously crafted by skilled artisans in Murano. These artisans are the guardians of a centuries-old tradition, passed down through generations. Angelo Barovier (ca. 1400 - 1461) pioneered a groundbreaking formula that resulted in a remarkable new material. This exceptional substance boasts unparalleled transparency and luminosity, setting a new standard for glassmaking. To this day, Barovier & Toso vases, lamps, objects, and chandeliers are known for their exquisite craftsmanship and timeless elegance. Intricate designs and vibrant colors often characterize them.

Pick your favorite

“It takes strength to bring glass out from the fire and heat. It takes patience to strive for nothing less than the perfect shape. And it takes heart, a lot of it, to grow a legendary luxury [...] tradition into the new world, working with innovators and traditionalists alike.” www.barovier.com

1000-Objekte-collection of Barovier & Toso Vases

Strong Link to History

For over a millennium, the delicate art of glassmaking has flourished on the murano island, providing a nurturing ground for budding artisans to explore, learn from experienced craftsmen, and eventually forge their own unique paths. The legacy of Barovier & Toso, built over seven centuries, is a testament to the enduring tradition of passing the craft from generation to generation. Ancient glassmaking techniques have been preserved and refined through countless hours of practice and innovation. In the Barovier & Toso glassworks manufacture, where temperatures rise to over 1200 degrees, days and weeks are dedicated to the meticulous process of shaping molten glass. An unwavering commitment to excellence defines the company's history. Driven by a relentless pursuit of perfection, they have established a philosophy of uncompromising quality that underpins every luxury creation they produce.

Ercole Barovier

Ercole Barovier (1889-1972), a talented draftsman and chemist, created designs for more than 25,000 objects, the sketches of which are carefully preserved in the company's archives. In 1936, the Barovier family joined forces with the Toso family, fellow Venetian glassmaking experts.

The Formula behind Barovier & Toso Glass

Since 1455, Barovier has held the exclusive right to produce 'Cristallo Veneziano', a revolutionary glass formula free from lead and arsenic. This unique composition, perfected over centuries, has enabled our master artisans to create works of rare murano glass of exceptional beauty and durability.

Murrine Glass in Decorative Barovier & Toso Vases

Marietta Barovier, the daughter of renowned glass artist Angelo Barovier from Murano, was a pioneer in the field of glassmaking. She and her brother, Giovanni, inherited their family's workshop in 1460 and worked together to manage its operations. Among the fourteen specialized glass painters documented between 1443 and 1516, Marietta and Elena de Laudo were the only women.
While her specific contributions are difficult to pinpoint, Marietta is credited with developing the intricate 'murrine' technique. She is known to have created exquisite rosette and chevron beads in 1480. In recognition of her innovative work, she was granted the privilege of building a specialized kiln for the production of her unique and exceptional glass pieces in 1487.

Together with Fratelli Toso

In collaboration with Fratelli Toso, Artisti Barovier pioneered the use of murrine glass in decorative vases, initially crafting naturalistic floral designs.
The company's journey began in 1884 when Giovanni Barovier and his nephews, Giuseppe, Benvenuto, and Benedetto, took over the management of Salviati dott. Antonio 1859, one of Murano's most esteemed glass furnaces. Under the leadership of Benvenuto and Giuseppe, and with its innovative creations, the company quickly gained prominence.
While initially adhering to traditional styles and themes, Artisti Barovier embraced the Art Nouveau movement. Their experiments led to the development of a new type of murrine glass, a mosaic-like material they used to create stunning floral designs for various decorative purposes.
Artisti Barovier's Art Nouveau-inspired compositions garnered significant attention at the Exhibition of Artistic Glass of Murano and Venice (1895) and during events at Ca' Pesaro (1908, 1909, and 1913). During this period, they collaborated with renowned artists Vittorio Zecchin and Teodoro Wolf-Ferrari.

Find Fratelli Toso here

Contemporary Vases and Chandeliers

Following World War I, Benedetto's sons, Nicolò and Ercole, took the reins of Artistica Barovier, established in 1919. Ercole, the artistic director since 1926, gained renown for his innovative and prolific creations. His 1929 experiment led to the iconic Primavera series, featuring thick, transparent glass with a captivating network of bubbles and cracks. This unique technique remains unreproducible, making each Primavera piece highly rare and valuable.
Nicolò, a master of mosaic glass, carried on his father and uncle's legacy. His works, characterized by vibrant colors and expressive floral motifs, were produced in limited quantities.
In 1936, Barovier joined forces with the Toso brothers to form Barovier & Toso (so named in 1942). Ercole's son, Angelo, took over in the 1980s, introducing contemporary designs, including a renowned chandelier for a Saudi Arabian king. His son, Jacopo, the current CEO, has expanded the company's luxury lamp and chandelier offerings.

Ercole Barovier - Mosaico vase, 1920

We are proud to announce that we have recently added some of Ercole Barovier's rare Mosaico vases to our collection. Dating from the 1920s, they are extremely rare and sought after by collectors all over the world.

Inside a great vase of Barovier

"When I saw these rare mosaic vases, I was thrilled because you can immediately recognize the characteristics of the original pieces, the “dirty” glass. Back then, the kilns were fired with wood and coal, so the glass mass was contaminated with the carbonaceous residue from burning, ash and lapilli, which formed all those microbubbles. A few years ago, I happened to see a pair of mosaic vases that had recently been made. They were completely different: the murrine were all square and the same as an OCCHI vase by Scarpa. The glass was perfectly clean and clear, the surface perfectly smooth. In short, you could clearly see that they were copies."

Giancarlo Tosi

Mosaico Vase by Ercole Barovier 1920

Discover Barovier & Toso Pieces at 1000 Objekte

Peter Grünbaum showcases a variety of Barivier & Toso vases and chandeliers in his collection. Interested in purchasing anobject created by the famous glassworks? Select your favorite item from our collection here »If you have any inquiries about our collection, or if you're in search of a particularly rare vase to complete your own, please don't hesitate to contact us. To explore even more facets of glass artistry, feel free to visit our Online Shop for Glass Art & Glass Objects!

My current collection includes 5000 different vases and objects. If you have any questions or would like to view my collection in Zurich, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Contact