Tessere Ambra
Period photo of additional Tessere Ambra forms. (Reproduced from Venedig Zeigt Glas Aus Murano by Giovanni Mariacher, 1958, Österreichisches Museum für Angewandte Kunst)
Rectangular orange-caramel sections of semi-opaque glass edged in amethyst achieve a surprisingly flexible structural geometry in Tessere Ambra. Designed in 1956, this series marks the beginning of two decades of successful experimentation with glass tessere. The piece presented here exhibits nearly perfect geometric patterning in a rare and unusual form.
Ercole Barovier 1889–1974
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.
Born in 1889 to a Muranese family that could trace its origins back to the 13th century, Barovier did not train as a glassblower but had a great passion for glass and quickly distinguished himself as an innovative designer. He joined Artisti Barovier in 1919 at the age of thirty and found success designing vases in the mosaic technique. In 1930 he produced the critically acclaimed and award-winning Primavera series, the success of which encouraged him to continue his experiments.
Auction Results Ercole Barovier
Ercole Barovier
Murrine vase
estimate: $15,000–20,000
result: $317,000
Ercole Barovier
Important Primavera vase
estimate: $250,000–350,000
result: $293,000
Ercole Barovier
Important Mosaico vase
estimate: $150,000–200,000
result: $257,000
Ercole Barovier
Vaso Mosaico
estimate: $30,000–40,000
result: $245,000
Ercole Barovier
Rare Mosaico vase
estimate: $100,000–150,000
result: $200,000
Ercole Barovier
Primavera vase
estimate: $150,000–200,000
result: $187,500
Ercole Barovier
Rare Cactus sculpture
estimate: $60,000–90,000
result: $150,000
Ercole Barovier
Vaso mosaico
estimate: $25,000–35,000
result: $149,000
Ercole Barovier
Mosaico vase
estimate: $100,000–150,000
result: $102,500
Ercole Barovier
monumental Rostrati vase
estimate: $10,000–15,000
result: $100,000
Ercole Barovier
Vetro Mosaico vase
estimate: $70,000–90,000
result: $93,750
Ercole Barovier
Rare Intarsio vase
estimate: $30,000–40,000
result: $87,500
Ercole Barovier
Laguna Gemmata vase
estimate: $9,000–12,000
result: $81,250
Ercole Barovier
monumental Intarsio vase
estimate: $15,000–20,000
result: $75,000
Ercole Barovier
prototype Tessere vase
estimate: $20,000–30,000
result: $69,850
Ercole Barovier
Intarsio vase
estimate: $8,000–10,000
result: $65,000
Ercole Barovier
Intarsio vase
estimate: $15,000–20,000
result: $62,500
Ercole Barovier
Vetro Mosaico vase
estimate: $30,000–50,000
result: $55,000
Ercole Barovier
Rare Intarsio vase
estimate: $30,000–50,000
result: $55,000
Ercole Barovier
Intarsio vase
estimate: $10,000–15,000
result: $52,500
Ercole Barovier
monumental Spuma di Mare vase
estimate: $10,000–15,000
result: $50,800
Ercole Barovier
Intarsio vase
estimate: $15,000–20,000
result: $50,000
Ercole Barovier
A Lenti vase
estimate: $9,000–12,000
result: $50,000
Ercole Barovier
A Lenti vase
estimate: $9,000–12,000
result: $47,500