Important Italian Glass: A Private Chicago Collection 
23 May 2018
Important Italian Glass: A Private Chicago Collection 
190

Ercole Barovier

Intarsio vase

Barovier & Toso
Italy, c. 1961-63
fused glass tesserae with controlled air bubbles 7 h × 8½ w × 6¼ d in (18 × 22 × 16 cm)
estimate: $8,000–10,000
result: $20,000
follow artist
own a similar item?
free evaluation

Signed with partial decal manufacturer's label to underside: [07 Made in Italy]. Signed with foil distributor's label to underside: [Made in Italy for Gumps].
provenance: Sotheby's, Chicago, Important 20th Century Glass: The Hal Meltzer Collection, 16 May 1998 | Private Collection, Chicago

print

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

190