Important Italian Glass 
20 May 2014
Important Italian Glass 
197

Ercole Barovier

Vaso Mosaico

Vetreria Artistica Barovier
Italy, 1924-1925
clear glass murrines edged with cobalt, amethyst and emerald 10½ h × 12¼ dia in (27 × 31 cm)
estimate: $30,000–40,000
result: $245,000
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Signed to underside: [E Barovier Murano].
provenance: Fifty/50 Gallery, New York | Collection of Dimitri Levas
literature: Venetian Art Glass: An American Collection 1840-1970, pg. 88 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.

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

Rare Primavera Piccione

estimate: $100,000–150,000

result: $231,250

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