Masterworks 
25 May 2017
Masterworks 
43

Ercole Barovier

Vetro Mosaico vase

Artisti Barovier
Italy, c. 1919
internally decorated glass with murrines and polichrome rods 4 h × 3¼ dia in (10 × 8 cm)
estimate: $30,000–50,000
result: $55,000
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Signed with murrine to underside: [AB].
provenance: Private Collection, New York
literature: Venetian Art Glass: An American Collection 1840-1970, Barovier, pg. 63 illustrates similar example

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Vetro Mosaico

Designed and executed at a time when the Murano art glass industry was reinventing itself, this diminutive Mosaico vase seems to capture the essence of spring. It depicts a floral landscape in bloom, using simplified naturalistic forms. What makes the visual impact of this and other Artisti Barovier vases from the period so powerful, is the masterful use of vibrant, semi-transparent murrines combined with an abstract, almost childlike rendering of floral subject matter. In recent years the market for Mosaico vases has risen dramatically and for good reason — their rarity, beauty and quality make them truly desirable objets d’art.

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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