The present lot illustrated in a period photo from the Barovier & Toso archives, c. 1930. (Photograph courtesy of Marino Barovier)

Produced for the Venice Biennale of 1930, Primavera was a radical departure from all that came before it. The series included vases, bowls, lidded vessels, candlesticks and sculptures, all executed in an experimental, milky white glass composed of webs of tiny bubbles and thread-like craquelures. The startling appearance of the glass was made even more dramatic by the addition of contrasting details in deep amethyst and cobalt blue. Due to the complex and experimental nature of the glass, it was never reproduced and is, therefore, extremely rare. Primavera was alsothe first in a series of daring and experimental designs by Ercole Barovierthat would prove to be both critically and commercially successful.