136: ERCOLE BAROVIER, Rare Primavera Elephante < Important Italian Glass, 11 December 2020 < Auctions

Important Italian Glass

11 December 2020

Important Italian Glass

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136

Ercole Barovier
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Rare Primavera Elephante

Vetreria Artistica Barovier & C.
Italy, 1929-30
primavera glass with applied glass details 7½ h × 13 w × 6½ d in (19 × 33 × 17 cm)

estimate: $70,000–90,000

result: $162,500

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provenance: Private Collection, Canada
literature: Ercole Barovier 1888-1974: Vetraio Muranese, Dorigato, ppg. 18-20 illustrate series

Of all Murano glass techniques, Primavera is probably the most rare. Made in one batch in 1929, this experimental material has never been convincingly reproduced. And while the Piccione is often considered the symbol of the Primavera series, the Pesce and Elefante presented here are extremely rare, and have never before appeared on the market.

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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