Important Design 
11 December 2014
Important Design 
413

Ercole Barovier

Intarsio bowl

Barovier & Toso
Italy, 1963
triangular glass tessere 4½ h × 6½ dia in (11 × 17 cm)
estimate: $3,000–5,000
result: $4,063
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Incised signature to underside: [T. Barovier Murano].
provenance: Mark McDonald, New York | The Montifiore Collection
literature: Art of the Barovier: Glassmakers in Murano 1866-1972, Barovier, ppg. 191-193 illustrate series Ercole Barovier 1889-1974: Vetraio Muranese, Dorigato, pg. 113 illustrates series

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The Montifiore Collection

Assembled in the early and mid 1990’s, the collection of Stephen Montifiore and Victoria DiNardo is an excellent example of a small, well-curated collection of post-war Murano glass. Acquiring pieces from Mark McDonald (of 50/Fifty and Gansevoort Gallery) and from important sales at major auction houses, the collectors focused on high quality Italian glass with strong forms and vibrant colors. While this collection contains rare pieces by Venini, Barovier, Archimede Seguso and others its real strength lies in the beauty and quality of each piece as well as the aesthetic appeal of the collection as a whole.

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

Vaso Mosaico

estimate: $30,000–40,000

result: $245,000

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