Important Italian Glass 
24 January 2019
Important Italian Glass 
138

Ercole Barovier

Spuma di mare vase

Ferro Toso Barovier
Italy, 1938-40
bollicine glass with metallic inclusions and cristallo applications 11¾ h × 6¾ w × 6½ d in (30 × 17 × 17 cm)
estimate: $8,000–10,000
result: $25,000
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provenance: Private Collection, Milan
literature: Venetian Art Glass: An American Collection 1840-1970, Barovier, pg. 114, no. 64 illustrates similar example

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Ercole Barovier 1889–1974

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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.

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Important Mosaico vase

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