Barovier & Toso

ERCOLE BAROVIER

Over the course of his prolific and illustrious career, Ercole Barovier developed new colors and numerous decorative techniques contributing significantly to the modernization of art glass. Throughout the 1930's and 1940's Barovier’s dedication to the technical mastery of experimental glass brought him international fame. His thick-walled vessels decorated with un-melted pigments, highly textured surfaces, raw metallic inclusions and expressive hot-work applications helped to create a new aesthetic vocabulary for Murano glass in the first half of the 20th century. Barovier was recognized for his innovative work with murrine glass (colored patterns or images made in a glass cane that are revealed when the cane is cut into thin cross-sections).

During the 1930's he produced the critically acclaimed and award-winning Primavera series, the success of which encouraged him to continue his experiments.

Ercole Barovier (b. 1889 – d. 1974) was a descendant of Angelo Barovier, the renowned 15th century artist and glass-maker. He joined the family glass business with his brother Nicolò in 1919 when Artisti Barovier became Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C. When Nicolò left in 1933, Ercole became the sole owner of the factory. In 1936 Barovier merged with Artemio and Decio Toso (owners of S.A.I.A.R. Ferro Toso), descendants of another old and established Murano glassworks company from the 17th century. The new company called Ferro-Toso Barovier became Barovier & Toso & C. in 1939, then Barovier & Toso in 1942, remaining so named to this day. From 1930 until 1972, Ercole Barovier was head designer of the firm.

The nearly fifty year tenure of Ercole Barovier as artistic director, designer and owner of Barovier & Toso is unprecedented in the history of Murano glass, and the firm’s success stands as a testament to his singular artistic talent and entrepreneurial genius.