184: ERCOLE BAROVIER, monumental Tessere Ambra vase < Important Italian Glass, 13 June 2015 < Auctions

Important Italian Glass

13 June 2015

Important Italian Glass

Ercole Barovier, monumental Tessere Ambra vase - Image 1 of 2

Ercole Barovier, monumental Tessere Ambra vase - Image 2 of 2

184

Ercole Barovier
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monumental Tessere Ambra vase

Barovier & Toso
Italy, 1957
alternating tessere edged in amethyst 18 h × 9 w × 6½ d in (46 × 23 × 17 cm)

estimate: $10,000–15,000

result: $32,500

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literature: Venetian Art Glass: An American Collection 1840-1970, Barovier, pg. 153 illustrates this example Art Glass from Murano 1910-1970, Heiremans, pg. 56, pl. 49 illustrates similar example Ercole Barovier 1889-1974: Vetraio Muranese, Dorigato, pg. 103 illustrates series

Tessere

In the mid-1950s, Ercole Barovier began to use Tessere (individual glass pieces) arranged in geometric patterns as a stylistic element. Series such as Tessere Ambra, Sidone, Parabolici, Millefili, Pezzati, Argo and Dorico demonstrate the use of Tessere in a wide variety of ways. It is interesting to note that the visual effect of each of these series is often architectural.

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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