Design Masterworks 
19 May 2016
Design Masterworks 
35

Ercole Barovier

Rare and Important Primavera Tree form

Artistica Barovier
Italy, 1929-1930
primavera glass with black pasta vitrea details 17 h × 8 w × 5¾ d in (43 × 20 × 15 cm)
estimate: $50,000–70,000
follow artist
own a similar item?
free evaluation

provenance: An Important American Collection
exhibited: IV Esposizione Internazionali delle Arti Decorative e Industriali Moderne, 1930, Monza XVII Biennale Internazionale d'Arte, 1930, Venice
literature: Venetian Art Glass: An American Collection 1840-1970, Barovier, pg. 98 illustrates this example Ercole Barovier 1888-1974: Vetraio Muranese, Dorigato, pg. 20 illustrates series

print

Primavera

Experimental Glass Design

The present lot illustrated in a period photo from the Barovier & Toso archives, c. 1930. (Photograph courtesy of Marino Barovier)

Produced for the Venice Biennale of 1930, Primavera was a radical departure from all that came before it. The series included vases, bowls, lidded vessels, candlesticks and sculptures, all executed in an experimental, milky white glass composed of webs of tiny bubbles and thread-like craquelures. The startling appearance of the glass was made even more dramatic by the addition of contrasting details in deep amethyst and cobalt blue. Due to the complex and experimental nature of the glass, it was never reproduced and is, therefore, extremely rare. Primavera was alsothe first in a series of daring and experimental designs by Ercole Barovierthat would prove to be both critically and commercially successful.

Ercole Barovier 1889–1974

follow artist

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

35